7 TYPES of GUITAR LESSONS, Part Six – Jazz

7 TYPES of GUITAR LESSONS, Part Six – Jazz

by Rick Cittar

Some might think that I have saved the best for last.  In my previous articles about 7 types of guitar lesson, I have spoken about the demands and characteristics of the different styles of music.  However, I’m not quite sure how to define jazz.  My great instructor, Lewis Jones, told me “Jazz is an improvised art.”  There are so many different approaches to jazz, so I will take a different approach to this article. I will riff on my take of jazz.

Jazz was born in New Orleans, and a trumpet player named Louis Armstrong taught the world to swing.  He is probably the most influential musician of the twentieth century.

To get into the cool, listen to Miles;  to soar with angels listen to Coltrane;  to get the bop listen to Dizzy and Charlie Parker.

These artists were incredible innovators, writers, performers, and masters of their instruments.

If you want to play jazz, listen to jazz.

If you want to play jazz, you must be eager to study theory, harmony, melody, and rhythm.

If you want to play jazz, start by learning the tune.

Jazz music is an American musical art form, and our musical culture is probably the biggest export we send out to the rest of the world.

Music is the universal language of the planet, so I encourage you and your friends to play music.  Any level, any style, it’s all good. At Arcadia Music Studio in Concord, CA, I strive to develop a community of local musicians and performers.

Whether playing on stage or in the quiet sanctuary of your room, I hope my guitar lessons will educate and inspire you all to play beautiful music.