Ok, here is my "stats." I'm a 2 year guitarist, and last year I
descided to take the plunge and attempt to make my High School's Jazz
Band (being this my senior year I thought "what the heck").
Anyway, I made it in, for two reasons (I think), first I told the
Director how interested I was in Jazz and also because I was the only
one that tried out :). Anyway, now that I'm in I'm a little fustrated.
I'm going through ups and downs all over the place. One song we'll
practice and I will do pretty good on, while the next song we do I'll
probably hack to pieces.
It's getting a little fustrating, as I get flak from the conductor
because everyone else thinks the song is easy, while I think the chords
and changes are pretty hard. Anyway, does anyone have any advice for a
Jazz guitar newbie? Thanks for anyhelp!
What you are going through is very common. Band directors don't usually
play guitar, and they have no idea that the stuff you are having to
decipher on those charts is as difficult as it is. I used to feel so low
sometimes when I'd get those dirty looks from the conductor, or he would
stop the whole band and try and teach me a part.
Can you take the charts home with you? If so, start by learning each
tune very slowly all the way through. Make sure you understand each
chord, rhythm, etc. You might want to start by learning two or four bar
sections, and putting them together. Although I don't like using a
metronome most of the time this is a situation that using the metronome
can be very helpful. Set the tempo to a snail's pace, like 70 bpm, and
only increase the speed when you can nail every change. Whatever you do
don't set the 'nome to a faster speed and try and "catch up." You'll
just keep ingraining the frustration.
If you don't already have one get a chord book that is designed for big
band playing. The Mel Bay Rhythm Guitar Chord System is thorough and
inexpensive. Check it out at .
Besides the chords you're having to learn for the charts you want to
make a seperate study of each chord type and its inversions. The Mel Bay
book has drills designed to teach you each chord. Again, take it slow
and don't look for shortcuts. Make sure, for example, that you know
where the root of each chord is in the fingering, not just the fret
number.
Don't let the director or anyone else in there vibe you. These kids have
all been reading music in bands like this for years, and with the
exception of the pianist they are only having to read single notes. Give
any of them a guitar for two years and they'd be doing no better than
you.
Last, keep in mind that big band playing is a tiny subset of "jazz
guitar." It's great training, but most of the time on gigs you'll be
playing with smaller groups, and the needs are somewhat different.
Good luck,
--
Clay Moore --
jazz guitarist web developer
clay@... claymoore@...
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