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Post by allthumbs on May 27, 2021 11:35:07 GMT -6
Good morning everyone,
I'm a new member to the forums -- I just ordered a copy of "Jazzin' The Blues" direct from Hal Leonard, but I have scoped out as many of the sample pages from Mr. Ganapes' work as I could, and it feels like it's going to be a good fit for me. I'll probably buy "Blues You Can Use" as well, and maybe that's the one I should have started with, but we'll see.
I see that there are occasional member challenges to share your version of specific pieces from the books. That's a ways off for me, I'm sure, but once I have a chance to work through some of the material (and to see how good the rest of you are), maybe I'll post something.
After many years of playing guitar non-seriously, I have spent the past couple of years really trying to improve. I've taken private lessons a couple of different times, but I'm back to self-study, books, YouTube, etc. I have seen at least one mention on these forums of Frank Vignola's TrueFire channel, and I have subscribed to that in the past (and probably will again). I have purchased several TrueFire courses (blues, jazz, country, and even rockabilly). If there are even just a few good ideas I can take from a book or an online course, I think it's worth it.
Feel free to reply if there is anything specific about the books or forums you think I should know.
Thanks! Danny
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Post by bluesbruce on May 28, 2021 6:16:05 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum, Danny. Your history sounds like it fits right in with most of us here. Feel welcome to jump right in and don't worry about how good (or bad) the rest of us are!
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Post by joachim on May 28, 2021 7:42:20 GMT -6
I'd also like to welcome you to the forum, Danny. There is much less activity on the jazz section than the blues section, but perhaps that will change.
I look forward to listening to any records you might share - it is always fun to see what other people make of the studies.
All the best, Joachim
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Post by Phil on May 29, 2021 9:57:00 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum. "Jazzin' the Blues" was my gateway drug into Jazz.  I think you'll enjoy the book. Pay particular attention to the chord progressions. You'll see them again and again in Jazz including the non-blues Jazz standards.
Once you work up the courage to post that first recording of yourself it'll get easier.
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Post by allthumbs on May 30, 2021 9:13:31 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum. "Jazzin' the Blues" was my gateway drug into Jazz.  I think you'll enjoy the book. Pay particular attention to the chord progressions. You'll see them again and again in Jazz including the non-blues Jazz standards.
Once you work up the courage to post that first recording of yourself it'll get easier.
Hey Phil, I've seen you mention Frank Vignola's TF channel, and a challenge there. I subscribed to the least expensive option and I don't remember any challenges -- were those for a higher tier sub? D
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Post by Phil on May 30, 2021 10:11:56 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum. "Jazzin' the Blues" was my gateway drug into Jazz.  I think you'll enjoy the book. Pay particular attention to the chord progressions. You'll see them again and again in Jazz including the non-blues Jazz standards.
Once you work up the courage to post that first recording of yourself it'll get easier.
Hey Phil, I've seen you mention Frank Vignola's TF channel, and a challenge there. I subscribed to the least expensive option and I don't remember any challenges -- were those for a higher tier sub? D I'm also in the lower tier. It's not actually a "challenge" type thing. It's a group project where there is an arrangement that's typically in 3-part harmony. Everyone is assigned a part to play. Additionally, if you opt in to do a solo you'll be assigned a specific 8-bar section to solo over.
So far there's been 2, "If I Had You" and "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise". "Take the A Train" is the current one. You have to keep checking the "Green Room" comments. Anyway, it'll be a while before the next one so you have plenty of time to practice and I hope you participate. The participants range from beginner to very advanced players.
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Post by allthumbs on May 30, 2021 11:41:54 GMT -6
Hi Phil,
I just read your Struggling Guitarist post about learning jazz. It sounds a lot like my story -- after decades of mostly just fiddling around on acoustic guitars, I decided to get more serious a couple of years ago. Bought my first electric, found JustinGuitar.com, anyonecanplayguitar.co.uk, TrueFire, books, etc., took some private lessons, etc., and decided "jazz is hard" -- I took a step back at the beginning of 2020 (pre-COVID, even!) and turned to the blues. I've made progress, and now i'm starting to dip back into jazz.
Your comments about improvising are spot on -- I have a tendency to try and run before I can walk, but that just means I run into walls, traffic, etc. I'm just working on chord progressions and melodies, with some very basic soloing ideas thrown in, mostly just to practice picking accuracy.
Thanks for the note, and I'll see you on the forums, Danny
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