Where to Start with Jazz.

kynoch · #1 07-09-2006, 07:38 AM

Ok,

I wanna play Jazz, I am self teaching (by no means taught)and have some theory.

I listen to Jazz, I love Jazz,

I know my theory is weak.

So my question is in therms of theory where should I start (don't presume I know anything, but rather suppose this is day one in Jazz School)?

Where should I look to start with theory and what are some important markers along the way? So I know I'm in the right direction.

Any Advice?

Jazz Ad · #2 07-09-2006, 07:44 AM

I think you should start by reading the lessons in the link up there.
They have all the basic theory and walking notions you need to get to work.

Phil Smith · #3 07-09-2006, 09:11 PM

Day one in Jazz school is where you are usually asked to play something, like a 12 bar blues so that one can access what it is that you do know. So all assumptions aside, what do you know?

Do you know what this means?

| Dmin7 G7 | CMaj7 |

Do you know what this means?

|iimin7 V7 | IMaj7 |

Can you play the notes of items listed above?

Andy3825 · #4 07-09-2006, 09:17 PM

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine...Best Jazz theory book written in a while. Highly, highly recommended. It can and will teach you everything and anything you wanna know about jazz theory.

Bruce Lindfield · #5 07-10-2006, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy3825

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine...Best Jazz theory book written in a while. Highly, highly recommended. It can and will teach you everything and anything you wanna know about jazz theory.

Agreed!!

But it is neither a beginners' book, nor is it bass-specific - if we're talking books, then I would recommend starting with something like Ed Friedland's
"Jazz Bass" then moving on, when you have internalised that!

kynoch · #6 07-10-2006, 05:46 AM

thumpybones · #7 07-10-2006, 06:49 AM

Dmin7 is d-f-a-c G7 is g-b-d-f and CMaj7 is c-e-g-b
This is a iimin7-V7-IMaj7 in the key of C. In C, C is the I chord, dmin7 the iimin7 chord, etc. The book "Patterns For Jazz" would help you with theory and the application of it. I strongly recommend transcribing some walking bass lines as well. Ray Brown's my favorite. Start with a blues. "We Get Requests" by the Oscar Peterson Trio is a great resource. Good luck!

steveb98 · #8 07-10-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kynoch

Do you know what this means?

|iimin7 V7 | IMaj7 |

I can play a twelve bar Blues no problem, but I don't really know what the above things mean, no clue.

Can you write out your Twelve bar Blues using a number system like above? Start with understanding the theory of what you already know and familiar with sound of. That makes it easier to grasp at first.

If you can't write it out search Google or topics like "harmonized major scale", "Nashville charts". Also if you would like some classes check out the Music Dojo. Its an online music school. Very laid back and classes I've taken there have been good.