Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #3: Seven Guitarists to Check Out

in #jazz6 years ago (edited)

The confusing thing sometimes about jazz guitar is that there are so many different jazz guitar styles and approaches. So, how does one start? Well, you can just start listening and figure out what you like. With the different styles, there are some similarities but there are also very distinctive differences.

In this post, you'll get a chance to listen to various jazz guitarists that have left an impact over the years. This is not a comprehensive list of course but is one possible place to start.

Let's check out these 7 guitarists. :)

1. Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing (1937)

This is part of a genre sometimes called Gypsy Jazz. Django was a very important guitarist and this was sort of the anthem for this style. Very popular song that is often played at jam sessions and performances until today within the genre/style.

2. Charlie Christian - Swing to Bop (1941)

This recording, recorded live at an after hours jam session demonstrates Charlie Christian's amazing fluency in improvising melodies. Often regarded as the first electric jazz guitarist, Charlie Christian was a major influence to Wes Montgomery.

3. Wes Montgomery - Round Midnight (1965)

Unlike most jazz guitarists of his era, Wes didn't use a pick. He was well known for his distinctive thumb technique, soloing in octaves as well as his chord soloing approach.

4. Jim Hall - I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (1964)

Jim Hall was known for his elegant, sparse, poetic and lyrical approach to his guitar playing.

5. Joe Pass - Blues in G (1974)

Joe is a very highly regarded solo jazz guitarist later in his career although he played with many musicians in band settings.

6. George Benson - Breezin' (at the 1976 Downbeat poll-winners' show)

George Benson started off playing a lot of blues infused jazz but later developed a career singing and playing guitar in crossover pop genres. A highly lyrical and technical guitarist, his picking style is often emulated because of it's percussive and big sound.

7. Pat Metheny - Sirabhorn (1980)

Pat Metheny, an influential guitarist and composer wrote many pieces that have become 'new standards' in a way for jazz guitarists from the late 70s onwards. This is a beautiful piece from the earlier part of his career.


[ACTION STEPS]
In this lesson, listen to the tracks & write some of your thoughts and impressions as you listen to the music.

  1. Which track/guitarist was your favourite?
  2. Why do you like it?
  3. Which track/guitarist didn't really do anything for you?
  4. What made it less interesting to you?
  5. If you've already been transcribing or learning music by ear, try to learn 1 to 3 phrases from any of the recordings above. It could be a short lick or a part of the melody. This is one of the most important ways to learn music, by learning directly from a recording by ear.

If this is too difficult at the moment, just listen closely to the music! :)

If you do these exercises & would like feedback, please leave a comment below & share your thoughts! Please tag me as well & I'll try to comment on as many as I can.

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If you found this post helpful, please do upvote and leave a comment . Would love to hear from you!

Thanks again and see you in a future post! :)

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If you're interested to learn more in depth on this topic or level up your guitar playing ,music theory or songwriting or composing skills. get in touch with me for private lessons in Kuala Lumpur or worldwide via Skype/Zoom/Facetime etc.

Contact me here: http://www.azsamad.com/contact

=====

My new e-book, Jazz Guitar Licks and Etudes is now available:
http://www.azsamad.com/book2

My first e-book, Jazz Improvisation Uncovered is here:
http://www.azsamad.com/book

[Az Jazz Guitar Lessons]

Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #1: The importance of listening
https://steemit.com/music/@azsamad/az-jazz-guitar-lessons-1-the-importance-of-listening

Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #2: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chords
https://steemit.com/music/@azsamad/az-jazz-guitar-lessons-2-learning-the-5-essential-jazz-chords

[Performances]
Zee Avi & Az Samad - Cry Me A River (Jazz/Acoustic Cover)
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/zee-avi-and-az-samad-cry-me-a-river

[Music Education]
How to spot a good music teacher
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/how-to-spot-a-good-music-teacher

How to write a song in 6 steps
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/how-to-write-a-song-in-6-steps

How to learn music
https://steemit.com/music/@azsamad/how-to-learn-music

If we have the Internet, why do people even need guitar lessons?
https://steemit.com/education/@azsamad/if-we-have-the-internet-why-do-people-even-need-guitar-lessons

[Music Career]
I wanna be a full-time musician... should I?
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/i-wanna-be-a-full-time-musician-should-i

When are you ready to perform for that big gig?
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/when-are-you-ready-to-perform-for-that-big-gig

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