I am wanting to learn how to play jazz and I need to find a quality course. Please list a handful of top notch, complete courses/lessons that teach the genre the way it ought to be tought. Thank you!
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Find a quality teacher. If you want to become good, it will be much easier and faster if you get feedback. With Skype lessons, there's just no excuse for being able to find a good teacher.
I'm going to start from the assumption that you play just fine and don't have trouble finding notes or losing your place, and you don't need to learn how to fret, tune, etc.
Once it's safe to be locked in a small space with a relative stranger...
At first, I wouldn't necessarily look for a bass teacher, but maybe a horn player teacher that can teach you more about jazz itself. A horn player can play the melody while you hunker down on a bass line. A trumpet player can even use one hand to play trumpet, and the other to pound out a chord on one on piano. The best jazz teacher I ever had was an alto sax player. There are a lot of things non-bass-specific that you need to know about jazz. The forms, turn arounds, how to build a solo, how to build harmony, how to identify the different styles of jazz. And most importantly, someone to play with in a practical situation.
We can talk and talk and talk about jazz, but until you actually start experiencing jazz, it's all just talk.
Once it's safe to be locked in a small space with a relative stranger...
At first, I wouldn't necessarily look for a bass teacher, but maybe a horn player teacher that can teach you more about jazz itself. A horn player can play the melody while you hunker down on a bass line. A trumpet player can even use one hand to play trumpet, and the other to pound out a chord on one on piano. The best jazz teacher I ever had was an alto sax player. There are a lot of things non-bass-specific that you need to know about jazz. The forms, turn arounds, how to build a solo, how to build harmony, how to identify the different styles of jazz. And most importantly, someone to play with in a practical situation.
We can talk and talk and talk about jazz, but until you actually start experiencing jazz, it's all just talk.
Minus,
I am considering Joe's lessons and I am bouncing back and forth between Bass Foundations and the 2-year program. I am a reasonably strong player, but have some gaps. Did you also take foundation? What should you absolutely know before jumping into the 2-year Bass Mastery Class? Any info would be great!
thanks,
Rick
I would certainly recommend getting a good teacher. I don't think it has to be instrument specific to bass either, I've had more from talking to sax players and piano players about improv and what they want from a rhythm section than I have be talking to bass players.
Outside of that, and along side that, listen to the records. Transcribe, play along with recordings and just dig as deep into it as possible.
Outside of that, and along side that, listen to the records. Transcribe, play along with recordings and just dig as deep into it as possible.
White Beard is right, you don't need a jazz bass player if you already know the instrument and can read. You need someone to critic your style, choice of notes and knowledge of the material. I've studied with some famous jazz bass guys, but the one who taught me the most was a keyboard player.
Playing on a regular basis with good musicians is equally a valued experience. Being able to hear the same player play a different solo on the same tune each night is a real goldmine of information. Talking to them on break and asking questions is another. A buying someone a drink can be the best bang for the buck you'll ever get.
Playing on a regular basis with good musicians is equally a valued experience. Being able to hear the same player play a different solo on the same tune each night is a real goldmine of information. Talking to them on break and asking questions is another. A buying someone a drink can be the best bang for the buck you'll ever get.
I had played for quite a while prior to taking Joe's 2-yr course, but had gaps as you note you do as well. The course is kind of a progression of lessons centered around chord tones and extensions. Using Maj7, min7, dom7, min7b5, dom7b9, minMaj7, the lessons keep hitting these same chord types from different angles. Everything from scale passing tones to approach notes and lots in between. If you follow Jeff Berlin, I think Joe's course is in the same vein with Jeff's approach as they both studied with Charlie Banocas.
Joe is an excellent teacher. The thing I really like about his courses is they are a progression, not just a bunch of random lessons. I'm currently taking Joe's II-V-I course which build on the material learned in the 2-yr course.
All the best with your studies. Let me know if you have additional questions I can answer.
Thanks Minus, Great info! Did your gaps make it difficult to keep up with the material? I have hear some mention that several hours a day practice is required to keep up pace with the class.
Thanks, Rick
Thanks, Rick
I found Joe's material to be very well organized and specific. You just do what he says so rather than gaps being a hindrance I felt more like my gaps were being filled. All of the material worksheets are standard notation so being able to read is a must. The accompanying videos are anywhere from around 15min to 45 min depending on the lesson.
Regarding practice time, my life allows for 1hr of practice in the morning which I felt was sufficient to keep up. I typically get some evening time as well, however the 1hr in the morning is consistent. I suppose everyone's situation is different, but I didn't feel like the course required a massive daily practice committment. I think it's more important to have focused quality time. Joe periodically offers a lifetime membership which I bought. The advantage of that is it allows you to take a little longer to complete the course if life gets in the way and unlimited review of the material.
The beginners course wasn't available when I started so I don't know much about it, but I'd encourage you to shoot Joe an email if you'd like more information. The times I've emailed him I've gotten a reply within a day or two.
Thanks again Minus, I do the same an hour each morning. I did email Joe and his response what helpful it was difficult for him to make a recommendation not knowing my background. However, I think I’ll give the two year program a try. Many thanks for your time! Will keep you posted. How is the advanced class?
it's cool. It pulls many of the concepts such as approach notes, scale passing tones, superimposition, from the 2yr course into II-V-I progressions. It's cool to see how Joe thinks about organizing the different concepts into actual lines.
Yes... Joe has a very old school way of teaching which I like. Going to signup for the 2-year program this evening. Thanks again Minus!
Did you complete this course, and what were your thoughts?
Found your post from a google search after looking for more info on Joe's 2 yr mastery course. thanks!
I am on the last few classes. I am glad I purchased the lifetime membership as it has taken me a bit longer than 2-years! The course has been great, but requires a pretty significant investment of time. I fully plan on going back and reworking some of the class material in the months ahead. Price wise it was not cheap, but for me well worth the investment. My playing improved greatly. If you decide to buy the course get it on sale. Joe puts his course on sale a few times a year. His books are also very good.
Great thanks for that. I think i'm sold on it, but will wait for a sale. Plenty to work on in the meantime. Glad it was useful!
