Hey Jazz Guy

Hey Jazz Guy, I feel like I’m a broken record – always playing the same rhythms and can’t seem to snap out of it, any suggestions?–Broken in Bedlam   Dear Broken, One great way to spice up your rhythmic life and improve your technique at the same time is to study groupings of notes and […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I’m mystified by ‘Giant Steps’ and ‘Coltrane changes’, can you explain how that harmony works? –Confused in Cambridge Dear Confused, John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ was a landmark moment in jazz, a beautiful tune that has proved fascinating ever since. We will break it down to examine this brilliant piece of music. This […]

Hey Jazz Guy, Who’s solos should I be transcribing to learn how to play through changes? -Searching in Somerville Dear Searching, Transcribing solos of great jazz musicians is a surefire way to improving your understanding of the genre. However, to really execute certain concepts, it can be very helpful write out your own solos. This […]

Hey Jazz Guy, Im always playing constant eighth-notes, or the same rhythms. How can I get more rhythmic variety in my playing? –Constant in Colorado Springs Dear Constant, This is definitely an issue with improvising, especially for guitarists because unlike horn players, we don’t have to breathe. One method for enhancing your rhythmic vocabulary is […]

Hey Jazz Guy.. How can I make my blues soloing more jazzy, to fit the jazz-blues chord changes? –Blue and Bored in Birmingham Dear Blue and Bored, The best way to become accustom to the shift in language is through listening. Particularly by listening to older jazz (bebop and hard-bop) you will get a good […]