Who here doubles on jazz guitar?

Jason Hollar · #1 11-07-2007, 12:24 PM

I wish I could play piano, it's just not my thang.

I am, however, working hard to learn hip jazz voicings on the guitar. This is helping my bass concept a lot.

My goal is to be able to comp through basically any chart and and spell out simple chord/melody phrases.

Anyone else currently working like this?

Advice? Favorite resources?

**Damon Rondeau** · #2 11-07-2007, 12:47 PM

It's been decades since I've done any shedding on guitar, so my advice is pretty stale. I started out on guitar and have always been really glad of all the time I spent way back when on chords and voicings. Ted Greene's Chord Chemistry was invaluable, I recall. I lost my copy ages ago. I really don't remember anything of how Ted wrote and what he wrote, but I sure as heck remember swimming through and checking out all those pages of voicing diagrams.

Marcus Johnson · #3 11-07-2007, 12:51 PM

+1 on Ted Greene.

Used to play guitar for a living... but bass only for the last 25 years or so.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #4 11-07-2007, 12:53 PM

My first degree was in classical guitar, and I got into jazz guitar for a minute before I divorced the axe entirely and started shacking up with the piano. Piano is what I use to flesh out harmony these days, but if I weren't predisposed to it, I'd think that guitar would be an excellent choice, especially given the technique/physical similarities to the bass. Rock on, McDuff! (Jazz on????...)

Sam Sherry · #5 11-07-2007, 01:00 PM

I play "composer's guitar" -- I know a few voicings for each change but nothing deep; it's all root-based voicings. But yeah, I'm functional on standards within those limitations.

Someday I'll study composition from a guitarist. I'm not interested in taking the time to work toward guitar mastery. In fact, it's good for me to be able to participate in music, and jazz, without the pressure of working toward mastery. I give myself permission to suck. I aim for (and fall far short of) a higher standard playing the bass.

I guess my advice is, "Don't get sucked into GAS." Guitarists as such gear-sluts . . .

Marcus Johnson · #6 11-07-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Guitarists as such gear-sluts . . .

Damn! No kiddin'... the guy I play with regularly is hopelessly GAS-ridden.

Some aren't... I know one guy who plays the same old ES 125 that he got as a kid. Plays his a$$ off. All thumb, like Wes did it. Bad boy.

MingusAmongUs · #7 11-07-2007, 02:33 PM

I shared my story in another post not too long ago, but the short version is I played guitar primarily before switching to the URB as an economic choice, which turned into The Right Thing To Do. I was never a jazz guitar god by any stretch but could find my way around most melodies, all the basic 4-note voicings, and even worked out a few nice "chord solos." When figuring out new voicings I usually based them on open piano voicings rather than typical guitar chords.

These days my old ES-175 collects dust while I occasionally play (and teach with) a one of a kind Spanish/classical/flamenco guitar that a good friend made for me. When I spend time on it I'm usually working on Brazilian finger-style stuff, because the shoe fits.

jtlownds · #8 11-08-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

I shared my story in another post not too long ago, but the short version is I played guitar primarily before switching to the URB as an economic choice, which turned into The Right Thing To Do. .

I did the same thing. I was once told that "Decent guitar players are like horse **** in a western town, they are all over the place! If you want gigs, play DB". My gig ratio is 95% bass and 5% guitar. I have a Heritage Sweet 16 that was built on the same molds as your 175. The only difference is that the Heritage is hand carved, whereas the 175 is laminated

Jason Hollar · #9 11-08-2007, 01:28 PM

Thanks guys.

I just picked up Warren Nune's Complete Jazz Guitar Chord Bible. Sheesh...there are quite a few chords in here!

I'm trying to hear the various Altered Dominants. Playing them on guitar really helps make sense of the harmony. It's one thing to see "Alt" on the written page -- and quite another to construct some decent voice leading in the progression. Wish me luck!

I'll search for that Ted Green book...

I bought an Aria Pro jazz box last year for $400 and just had it set up with 13 flats. Plays & sounds great. Kind of like a Gibson I guess...L5 copy maybe? Nice 2-tone wood finish, tortoise shell pick guard, two soap bars...

salcott · #10 11-08-2007, 01:48 PM

Scott Hardy, who is one of the finest bassists I know, is also one of the finest jazz guitarists I know.

MingusAmongUs · #11 11-08-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

I'll search for that Ted Green book...

http://www.amazon.com/Chord-Chemistr...dp/0898986966/

I have that laying around here somewhere too. Be interesting to check it out again, it's been a long time.

MingusAmongUs · #12 11-08-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtlownds

I did the same thing. I was once told that "Decent guitar players are like horse **** in a western town, they are all over the place! If you want gigs, play DB". My gig ratio is 95% bass and 5% guitar. I have a Heritage Sweet 16 that was built on the same molds as your 175. The only difference is that the Heritage is hand carved, whereas the 175 is laminated

re: horses*** -- exactly.

That sounds like a sweet guitar. I had no idea the 175 was a lam. Since it only cost me $600 or so (back in '91 -- it's an '85), that sounds about right.

Marcus Johnson · #13 11-08-2007, 02:59 PM

Lots of Heritage archtops here, they're really nice. I heard that they're having some financial difficulties at the moment.

jtlownds · #14 11-08-2007, 06:29 PM

From what I understand, production at Heritage has shut down, pending financial restructuring. When Gibson moved to Nashville, several of their employees did not want to relocate. They formed Heritage and bought at least one of the Gibson buildings, and the tooling and molds.

damonsmith · #15 11-09-2007, 03:01 PM

I got an acoustic bass guitar a few years ago, most of what I use it for is working out the chords to jazz tunes. It translates really well to DB. My mom is a piano teacher but I never got any piano. She also studied classical guitar, so I got some of that from her.
Strings are just what make sense to me.

Jason Hollar · #16 11-09-2007, 05:00 PM

Hey Marcus -- I think I recall you may have mentioned a good guitar website in another post a while back?

Also -- along a different line -- is Mark Johnston still kicking around down there...or has the surf swallowed him up by now?

Jason Hollar · #17 11-09-2007, 05:05 PM

Hey -- I remember a few years ago a guitar buddy of mine was telling me about this cat who tuned his guitar in fourths.

Anybody know who this might be?

I thought that was a darn fine idea tuning the skinny B & E strings up to C & F. That way, instead of learning 3 different voicing patterns for the same chord across the board, you could play just one consistent chord shape all over.

I guess this is why many folks play 6 or 7 string bass...

Hmmm...checking for GAS pains...ok so far!

Ike Harris · #18 11-10-2007, 01:33 PM

Having thoughts along these lines again myself, maybe just to coax out some new sounds, since I started on guitar at 12. There's a mint Epi Joe Pass available here really cheap, anyone here play one?

Ike

Marcus Johnson · #19 11-10-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ike Harris

There's a mint Epi Joe Pass available here really cheap, anyone here play one?

Ike

I have in the past, they're pretty nice.

Marcus Johnson · #20 11-10-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

Hey Marcus -- I think I recall you may have mentioned a good guitar website in another post a while back?

Also -- along a different line -- is Mark Johnston still kicking around down there...or has the surf swallowed him up by now?

Yeah, I posted links to a bunch of them awhile back. Maybe someone with a brain can find 'em.

Mark's still here, he lives right down the coast from me. I'm playing with him tonight, as a matter of fact.