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Intro to Drop 2 Chords - (Part 2)

By: Michael Odell

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

In this further exploration into the use of drop 2 chords we’ll look at a simple way to add tension to the V chord in a Major ii-V-I progression. We’ll continue using the drop 2 chords on the top four strings as was covered in part 1 you ... Read Article

Intro to Drop 2 Chords - (Part 1)

By: Michael Odell

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

 In this series on Drop 2 chords we will focus on playing using the top four strings. This is useful for several reasons. Firstly, they are the easiest forms to start playing rather than on other string sets. They produce a clarity in their soun... Read Article

Practicing Major Scales

By: Frank Macri

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

So you’ve learned the major scales by running up and down each position to develop your technique but what can you do to help your improvisational skills? Music doesn’t always begin on the root of each chord, so a better method of practic... Read Article

ii-V-I Jazz Progressions

By: Frank Macri

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

One of the most important progressions in jazz is the ii-V-I. You will find this chord progression in most jazz standards ranging from swing to bebop. In a previous jazz lesson, we learned five chord forms and applied them to a chord scale. In t... Read Article

Essential Jazz Guitar Chords For Beginners

By: Frank Macri

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

Many jazz chord books that line your local music shop walls will claim to teach a wide variety of chords; within their pages you’ll find nothing but confusing and useless chords whose sole purpose is to fill the book with seemingly useful ... Read Article

The I-vi-ii-V Progression

By: Frank Macri

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

The I-vi-ii-V is an important chord progression that forms the basis of many great songs. The chords are built from the first, sixth, second and fifth notes of a major scale. From the C major chord scale, comes the I-vi-ii-V progression. ... Read Article

Guide Tones For Jazz Guitar

By: Frank Macri

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

Playing through a jazz tune with alot of chord changes can sometimes become frustrating and intimidating for a player. This lesson is going to focus on the basics of guide tones and how to incorporate them into your playing. Guide tones are notes ... Read Article

How To Play Happy Birthday (Arranged For Solo Guitar)

By: Scott Gilliam

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

Everybody has sung Happy Birthday at some point in their lives, or pretended to! I imagine there have been scenarios where family or friends have requested you to play it on the guitar. You could strum and sing, but for some people that isn’t a... Read Article

Practicing With The Metronome On 2 And 4

By: Scott Gilliam

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

There is a school of thought that a swing feel must be present in order for music to be classified as jazz.  While I don’t necessarily subscribe to that in such declarative terms, I believe a strong time feel must be found in all forms of ... Read Article

Guitar Chords: Extensions And Suspensions

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

Chords are constructed from roots, thirds and fifths. These intervals come from the major scale where the scale degrees produce different triads, some major and some minor (and one diminished).  Guitar players add chord tones and extensions to t... Read Article

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

By: Scott Gilliam

Posted in: Jazz Guitar Lessons

This holiday lesson is a solo arrangement of the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Just a few items to note to help you play through this smoothly. The most important aspect is to get the bottom of the chords ... Read Article