In order to pursue jazz guitar lessons, we first have to pursue guitar lessons. Jazz is an advanced form of guitar and is not usually the first introduction to guitar. After fundamentals of the guitar are covered, let’s look at what jazz guitar lessons involve.
The organization of the subject into categories is a great place to start.
These are the fundamental topics taught in the jazz guitar:
- Mechanical Technique
- Ear Training
- Chord Formations
- Chord Progressions
- Theory
- Improvisation
- Melody
- Chord Technique
- Repertoire
- Style
- Phrasing
- Feel
- Pulse
- Stability of Tempo
- Harmonic, Melodic and Rhythmic Analysis
- Musical Devices such as Scales, Arpeggios, Interval Development and Sequences, Scale and Chord Inversion, Voice Leading, Bass Lines, Accompaniment …
As you can see, it’s quite a list. Don’t despair! Like the proverbial journey of a 1000 miles, it can get done one step at a time. The biggest problem is organizing those steps. Of all guitar based forms, jazz is the most difficult to go it alone. That’s one reason that there are more jazz guitar majors in college now than at any other time in history.
My own personal belief supports the private teacher model. There is a great need for customized, dedicated personal teaching. The old European model of master and apprentice works well in this field. It, of course, needs some modern updating. But by and large, this model is more effective than the collegiate model.
For the jazz guitar, use any supplements you can find but put your efforts into finding that one teacher that will bring out the creativity within you.