Hey Jazz Guy

Hey Jazz Guy, I’m always playing one line, how can I get started playing counterpoint? –One at a time in Orem   Dear OAAT, Playing multiple lines and counterpoint is certainly one of the coolest things to do on a guitar, it can literally add another dimension to your playing. Most of the counterpoint we […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I feel like I’m stuck on repeat with the chords I know and I’m searching for something different. Any Advice? –Repeating in Rochester   Dear Repeating, This is a common sentiment, so sometimes it’s useful to go back to the drawing board and see what we discover. Most of the chords we think […]

Hey Jazz Guy, When I improvise, I’m switching to different sounds on every chord, how can I get more harmonic continuity in my linear playing? -Switching in Scranton   Dear Switching, Much of jazz improvisation is based on playing different types of scales for each chord, for example, playing a Lydian scale on a Maj […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I love the sounds of solo jazz guitar, how do I play a walking bass and chords together? –Crawling in Cleveland   Dear Crawling, Ah, the walking bass! This is a wonderful sound that works really great in solo, duet, or small group settings. Mastering this technique will give you an excellent […]

Hey Jazz Guy, How can I construct an interesting chord melody from a lead sheet? –Building in Boulder   Dear Building, The ability to create a great chord melody, or solo arrangement can really take your playing to the next level and is a very important addition to your jazz arsenal. Although this is a […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I’m tired of the same old 7th chord voicings, can you show me something different and new? –Tired in Toronto Dear Tired, One of the best signs you are improving is when you become frustrated with what you know and start looking for something else. Two voicing concepts that have a modern […]

Hey Jazz Guy, Whats the difference between a guide tone and a leading tone? –Unguided Dear Unguided A LEADING TONE is a half-step away from the tonic note in any key. This is more of a classical music term. For example in C Major the leading tone is B. In A minor, the leading tone […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I’ve got my chords down pretty well, but how can be more rhythmic in my accompanying? –Square in Sacramento Dear Square, The most important thing about accompaniment or “comping”, is to make whatever it is you are accompanying sound better. A large rhythmic vocabulary is crucial to making you sound great behind […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I want to expand my use of jazz harmony and I was wondering how you would recommend going about learning different chord voicings and putting them into practice? — Simple in San Diego Dear Simple, There are many voicing types and systems for this, so there is no one right answer, but […]

Hey Jazz Guy.. Can you explain the difference between a “Jazz Blues” and a regular Blues? How can I make my blues playing more jazzy? -Blue and Bored in Birmingham Dear Blue and Bored, This is a great question! There are many variations on the jazz blues, but this one is middle of the road […]