The easiest way to learn Jazz guitar is to take your teacher’s instruction and have a few simple but essential techniques ingrained into your muscle memory by the time you start to play for real. For example, instead of strumming a chord on the right hand strings at the beginning of a song, begin by strumming them on the left hand. Next, turn the chords around, and then change to the right hand string as you get used to playing them on that side.
Once you’ve learnt how to move from right to left hand chords, it will be easier to pick up other chords in the same manner. As you are more comfortable with the different modes of the guitar, you can pick up faster and more varied music.
One simple step is to begin on the low E string. By going up or down the neck, you can start on any of the other strings. This is essential for beginners, because having to start up and down the neck means that you cannot keep the music flowing smoothly if you start too far away from the centre of the neck.
Once you have started playing for yourself, be ready to do some analysis of the music that you’re playing. Jazz guitar is very complex, so there are many different ways to approach the song, and different rhythms, scales and modulations.
However, you can get an idea of how well you’re doing by starting out in one style. You’ll learn a lot by practicing the music you’re being taught with a partner – this way you can exchange ideas with someone who’s a good guitar player, and you can do it more easily. Also, a musical accompaniment will keep you focused and on task, which will help you concentrate on making improvements in your playing.
Learning to play Jazz guitar by yourself is a great way to play what you want, when you want, and in your own pace. Practicing on your own, without having to explain it to anyone, makes it easier to make the changes that you need. It also gives you a chance to experiment with different scales and intervals.
After you start playing, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the need to know everything about the notes, and the rhythm. Jazz is all about moving from one note to another – it’s not hard, but mastering each step is the next challenge.
The most important part of Jazz guitar is speed – this is the one aspect of playing that people don’t get enough practice in. You need to make sure that your fingers are moving along the beat, while the chords that you play are staying in time.
Being able to play without stopping while playing the notes is an art in itself, and to become good at it takes constant practice. There are different types of music that people choose to play, but playing Jazz is usually the most popular.
Even though the Jazz guitar student will be playing the same basic structure, he or she must be constantly experimenting with chords and scales. The initial exercises can help to train the mind and muscles for these fast changes.
Learning Jazz guitar can be a challenge, but it can also be rewarding. It is similar to playing classical guitar in that it takes patience and dedication, but it also makes use of different styles of music, and requires a different approach to classical guitar. The music is fast paced, intricate and full of variety, so playing Jazz should not be underestimated.
