Teaching Yourself Jazz Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning jazz guitar can be a rewarding journey, especially since you'll be improvising. Mastering jazz chords is fundamental, as they are the building blocks for your improvisations. Understanding various chord patterns, particularly minors and major 9ths, will help you adapt and improvise effectively. Here's a detailed guide on how to teach yourself jazz guitar.

The Importance of Jazz Chords

The essence of jazz is found in its chord patterns. Chords are very forgiving, making it easier for you to adapt and improvise. Start by learning minor 7ths and major 9ths. Minor 7ths, such as A minor 7th on the 5th fret of the low end, and D 9 major on the same fret but dropping down one string, are extremely easy and simple to play and change. Move up to higher octaves, and start working on your lead playing while shifting back to the original chords.

Resources and Instruction

While self-taught learning can be challenging, finding the right instruction books and teaching videos can make a significant difference. Additionally, you can benefit from a reputable teacher. However, there are numerous online resources available for jazz guitar, making it entirely possible to teach yourself if you already have good picking skills and a basic understanding of music theory.

Key Forms and Practice Techniques

Two fundamental forms in jazz are the major and minor 2 - 5 - 1 progressions. The major form is [ii - V - I], while the minor form is [ii - Valt. - i]. Using apps like Ireal Pro can be very helpful. Loop both the major and minor 2 - 5 - 1 progressions and start soloing over them. The substitution for the V chord in the 2 - 5 - 1 can transform it into [ii - bII - I] in the major form, and [ii - bII alt. - i] in the minor form, introducing the Jazz Cadence voicings.

Advanced Techniques and Tips

Arpeggiate through the chords and use pentatonic scale substitutions for major and minor scales to feel more blues. Listen to guitarists like Wes Montgomery and George Benson, who incorporate blues and passion into their playing. Utilizing online lessons can be faster and more efficient. As you advance, focus on 8th and 16th note alternate picking techniques, which are crucial for jazz.

Remember that scales are tools to target chord tones and extensions. Blues players instinctively hit chord tones and extensions, what I call melodic cadences. All improvisation and melodies are based on these chord tones and extensions. Pay attention to the ninth, seventh, third, fifth, sixth, etc. as they are the foundation for improvisation and melodies.

Scales can be useful, but only if you are using them to target these chord tones. Pentatonic scales, containing only 5 notes and subsets of major and minor 7 note scales, can be easier to work with while you build your jazz vocabulary. It's often easier to add notes to pentatonic scales rather than subtract from 7 note scales during improvisation.

Conclusion

Teaching yourself jazz guitar is not only possible but can be a transformative experience. By focusing on key chord patterns, utilizing resources, and practicing specific techniques, you can develop your skills and find your unique voice in jazz. Don't hesitate to seek out reputable teachers or online lessons to expedite your learning process.