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Jeff's Lesson Notes

"Road Trip with Huell"
Intro to Jazz part 2

 

This is part 2 of our online intro to Jazz guitar lesson series.  I took this lesson in a far different Jazz direction than part 1..  This lesson is more complex in timing and feel.  This is more progressive Jazz than it is anything else, but the truth is it's just a hot rod'ed version of what you would hear at any traditional Jazz jam.... 

Speaking of the sound...  I did a distorted tone because I wanted to get more of the "rock" players that come here interested more in Jazz...  Some of them wrote in and got a little lost on part 1, calling it an old timers Jazz lesson and things like that...  Well, that may or may not be true, but this lesson is done with a VH'y type sound to demonstrate both the Jazz to Rock riffing sound and style and the strong Jazz influence that someone like a Van Halen has in his playing..  I'm always blown away when Van Halen fans say they aren't into Jazz..  News flash VH fans, VH is more about Jazz than Blues...  While the rhythm in his playing is somewhat Blues influenced...  His choice of phrasing and timing in his leads, as well as his 12 note scale choice with semi-chromatic and chromatic interval use is nearly 100% Jazz influenced..  I say nearly because there are some obvious Blues influences in there as well... But if you're a Van Halen Ed head, studying Jazz is one of the best things you could do for your lead playing, especially where getting a handle on the timing is concerned... 

On the flip side this part 2 lesson is a very good straight up Jazz lesson as well.. With its 7/4 and 5/4 backbone it has a great "road trip" vibe to it...  Not unlike most Jazz tunes it's about feel...  "If it feels good it is good." that's the Jazz motto...  But everyone will feel it differently..  That's another important element of Jazz to keep in mind...  This track takes you on a journey..  Many Jazz tunes will do this... The idea is to go with what feels right and go with the flow...  I encourage you all to do with with the jam tracks provided...  Also please be sure to watch the video lesson for some important tips, and the real lesson....  Jazz is an important style for any well rounded player understand...  Even if you can't get a handle on the vibe and feel, at least pick up the scales and some cool chords that you can riff out and turn into rock riffs...

If you're a jazz hater that's fine...  But that's very narrow minded I think...  A real musician can see the educational value in all music, and tries to get something out of it anything they can whether he or she likes it or enjoys the style as a fan or not... 

My suggestion is to always remember to think like a musician, not like a fan...  That's a very important tip to remember as you study music...  Don't be narrow minded and just pan a music style as "oh I hate that."  Everything, even Mary had a little lamb" has something to teach you if you're smart enough, and open minded enough to pick up on and take the lesson.... 

Enjoy the lesson, and I hope you dig the song track...



 

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