How to Listen to Music
Listening to music is as individual as you are. There is no “right” way to listen but there are some guidelines that might help you get you started.
Music is divided into two large categories: Vocal and Instrumental. If you have a strong preference for either category, that’s a place to start. My personal preference has always been Instrumental. This explains to a degree why I’ve always been drawn to Jazz and Classical. I have never personally been interested in Broadway or Opera or Pop or Folk or …
Read MoreA New Approach to Rhythm
Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.
Jazz guitarists have never had a way to organize the subject of rhythm in a way that would systematically benefit their solos and their comping. Modular Phonetic Rhythm offers a solution.
Read MoreQuartal Harmony
Quartal Chords
Chords have traditionally been built in thirds i.e. every other note in a scale. Using the C major scale as an example, every other note from the root would produce C, E, G and B. This combination of notes is a Cmaj7 chord. If we used the scale C Dorian, every other note from the root would be C, Eb, G and Bb.This combination of notes is a Cm7 chord.
Quartal harmony builds chords in fourths i.e. every fourth note in the scale. Again, using the C Dorian scale, every fourth note would produce the notes C, F, Bb and Eb. This is a quartal chord built on the first note of the C Dorian scale.
Read MoreJazz Guitar Gear
The question of gear for a jazz guitarist comes up often. Since I’ve had several questions about my own preferences, I thought I would just summarize my choices here.
My concert equipment is as follows: customized Gibson L5 guitar, Acoustic Image amp – Clarus series III, model IIR, two Raezer’s Edge Stealth 12 speakers which I elevate on speaker stands on each side of the stage.
I use virtually no effects unless the room requires some EQ or a little reverb. My picks are Fender Extra heavy and my strings are D’Addario EJ21 with some custom adaptations.
Read More
Origins of Just Jazz Guitar magazine
Interview with Just Jazz Guitar Magazine Owner Ed Benson
Written by Matthew Warnock
Readers of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine know how hard owner Ed Benson has had to work to bring the publication to the level it is at today. Having started JJG on the suggestion of a close friend, Ed has developed the magazine from humble beginnings into the premier jazz guitar magazine on the market. Each issue features articles, interviews, lessons and product reviews written by some of the finest jazz guitar players and educators in the world today.
Chuck Anderson in 1970
My sister Sue came across this picture and sent it to me. It was from 1970 and was taken at my parents’ home. The guitar shown was my first Gibson L5. I remember counting my money over and over while accumulating enough to buy this guitar. It had to be a Gibson L5 because that’s the guitar that Wes Montgomery played. After skipping many meals, I had put together $975.00. Hard to believe that was the price in those days for a new L5 – that included the case.
Read More