What resource 'really' got you started ?

[JTE]

A couple of pertinent things really got me going.
First, the Johnny Smith guitar method published by Mel Bay. It was the first time anyone discussed seeing chords within chords and how triads stack to make chords. Huge impact on understanding harmony.

Second is a Jerry Jemmott study method that teaches you to not just play a scale, arpeggio, etc. but rather to "hear, speak, play". Instead of just ripping the scale, you slow way down and say "A the first note, sing the A, and then play it; then "B, the second", sing it, and play, etc. Connects the ear with the fingers.

Carol Kaye's and Howard Roberts' columns in Guitar Player Magazine (way before there were any bass rags...). Both emphasized knowing chords, how they're built, how they are derived from harmonizing the scale, how they relate to each other, and how they are the root of harmony.

John

 

[josh2slk]

A couple of pertinent things really got me going.
First, the Johnny Smith guitar method published by Mel Bay. It was the first time anyone discussed seeing chords within chords and how triads stack to make chords. Huge impact on understanding harmony.

Second is a Jerry Jemmott study method that teaches you to not just play a scale, arpeggio, etc. but rather to "hear, speak, play". Instead of just ripping the scale, you slow way down and say "A the first note, sing the A, and then play it; then "B, the second", sing it, and play, etc. Connects the ear with the fingers.

Carol Kaye's and Howard Roberts' columns in Guitar Player Magazine (way before there were any bass rags...). Both emphasized knowing chords, how they're built, how they are derived from harmonizing the scale, how they relate to each other, and how they are the root of harmony.

John

Wow really deep lessons more along the lines of what I am looking for I will look for those thanks John

 

[dave64o]

I've used various books and various web sites (including quite a few YouTube "lessons", which are a crapshoot in terms of the quality of the "lesson") but, for me, things really got me progressing was my current instructor.

I know there are a lot of people around here who rail against lessons because they "don't want some music Nazi shoving his meaningless rules down my throat and stifling my innate ability to f'ing RAWK!!!!!" (). However, my guess is those people never took a lesson, simply had a bad instructor, or (I suspect) they never put any real effort into their lessons.

At least in my experience, a good instructor - someone who has the experience, the desire, and the ability to teach AND listen - has gotten me farther faster than any other resource.

 

[Bass Mentor]

The first Bass book I ever bought was Carol Kaye's in the early 70's I believe..and it helped me launch a pro career that started in 1975 and continues to this day....I also teach privately and have used her tutors with my own students. Solid and Musical stuff

 

[uethanian]

What book/cd/DVD/resource 'REALLY' got you started on playing JAZZ style?

i just started playing it. like, i got together with other amateurs and didn't know what i was doing and generally sucked really bad. but after sucking bad for a while you start to figure out what works and what doesn't...THEN i got a teacher and it was like "oh that's why x works in this context."

i don't think there's any substitute for just throwing yourself into it. and listening to a ton of recordings. a teacher is there to work out the kinks, but ultimately it's on you. it's important to understand the theory but don't get too caught up in it...that turns you into what is colloquially known as a "square."

get a fakebook, find people in your area, and just start jamming. maybe check your local college/university.