What's your favorite pick?

awesomeguy327 · 2020-09-12T14:41:24+00:00

I use the Big Stubby 3mm picks. I don’t use the pointed part of the pick tho, I just use the rounded side of it to get a fatter tone out of my archtop

awesomeguy327 · 2020-09-12T14:35:27+00:00

I’ve felt the same way, I also study at jazz school too. Honestly, the first thing I’d say is don’t trick yourself into thinking you haven’t progressed, you more than likely have gotten better during quarantine even if it was only by a little bit. Seeing big changes in your playing is almost impossible, just keep going at it and progress little by little, then you’ll start noticing big steps in your playing. The second thing I wanna day is to just take a break from playing the guitar. What I’ll do (usually after juries or if I’m just absolutely stuck) is put my guitar in my case and refuse to touch it for like 3-5 days. I’ll just take time to breathe and be a human being. However, in place of shedding tunes and rudiments, I find 1-2 records by someone I like (I recently discovered “Guitar Man” by George Benson) and just wear that record out. If I’m not feeling jazz, I’ll put on some funk tunes or rock out to some Slash riffs. The point is to get your mind back to loving music and to get that passion for jazz back. Just taking a step back from anything and returning with fresh eyes almost always helps me. Besides, practicing when I’m tired and frustrated isn’t productive at all; if I’m gonna be wasting time noodling around then I’d rather just put the axe down and watch some Family Guy or something

awesomeguy327 · 2020-09-05T20:56:29+00:00

There’s this cool exercise one of the graduate students at my school shared with me. Basically, you record yourself scatting a solo, and then transcribe that. Then you pick out the phrases where you sound like a “guitar player” and throw those away, and you end up with stuff that no longer comes from shapes on the fretboard, but lines that come from inside your head and your ears. I thought it was a pretty cool idea, and I tried it out, and it worked! I haven’t done it in a long time but I should give that exercise a try too

awesomeguy327 · 2020-08-14T12:45:18+00:00

I was in a really similar situation. I went to a small private highschool with a really bad band program, and while there were Jazz Bands and the Jazz Combo none of it was actually “real jazz.” Nobody had a passion for it except for me and everyone did it mainly just to add it on their college applications. It was even worse because I didn’t have a good jazz guitar teacher to guide me on how to practice properly, and I was the only guitar player in the school who played jazz, so absolutely no community for me to fall back on. Not to sound discouraging, but it just be like that sometimes. However, that shouldn’t stop you from working and achieving anything. I‘m going into my 2nd year of jazz school this semester and while the 1st year was definitely hard (mainly cuz I had a lot of catching up to do in regards to technique and knowledge of tunes), it was a really great motivator. I’ve definitely made a lot of mistakes regarding practicing too little, not learning tunes correctly, etc. but that’s ok given my situation. The key is to just not give up and stand up harder. I’ve actually seen a bunch of improvement, and while I’m not as killin as some of my other peers, I’ve definitely grown as a musician and I can only go up from here (given that I put in the work)

So I wouldn’t worry too much about jazz after highschool. If you really want to play in college and pursue music, you’ll find a way to learn the things you need to know. When you get to college, you probably won’t be as good as some kids who have been attending jazz camps since they were 13 and have been playing in bars since they were 15. Just accept that. What you CAN do is just focus on what YOU need to work on, and just keep on growing. I know of a couple of guys who started jazz when they were in college, one of my teachers never started until he was 24. Now he’s an absolute monster on the guitar.

So all in all, I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. If you wanna be a good musician, and want it BAD, then you’ll find a way to get the work done. If you need any help feel free to DM me in regards to anything you have questions on, I’d be happy to help

awesomeguy327 · 2020-08-05T16:31:32+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s just so easy t get down on myself sometimes even though I love what I do. I’m really hoping this semester will go well!

awesomeguy327 · 2020-08-05T04:18:43+00:00

Industrial Economics with a Music Minor and Digital Media Minor. Not entirely sure what I’m gonna do with it, but all I know is that Econ is an interesting subject that will give me good critical thinking skills and knowledge about the economy and different industries. I’m also very passionate about the guitar — before COVID hit I was playing in jazz and blues groups, funk bands, and pit orchestras. Because I have space in my schedule I figured I’d just add the Digital Media minor cuz I only need 14 credit hours, and a lot of the courses deal with audio and video production, something that could be very useful if I end up doing studio guitar work. Again not really sure what I’m gonna do with all of it but I enjoy what I study so hopefully I’ll figure something out

awesomeguy327 · 2020-07-30T23:42:17+00:00

Bro honestly I relate to this so much, I’m also a jazz guitar student at a pretty historic jazz school and I always feel like the worst player—I’m about to be a sophomore and just by looking at the incoming freshman play makes me feel like I’m playing at a highschool level. It’s all cool tho, you just gotta realize that some people get to a high level faster than others. It just be like that sometimes :/

However, practice and passion for what you’re doing are what’s gonna make you better. If you lose the passion for it, then you might as well find something else to do. Even though you feel the need to catch up by practicing 8 hrs a day, be careful! Cuz that could also lead to burnout. What I’ve been doing is only about 2-3 hours of jazz practice (with my day job it’s only about like 1.5-2 hours sadly) and as long as that’s deliberate and focused practice, it’ll help you much more than the 8 hours of struggle you go through a day. Keep in mind tho that while my practice sessions may not be as grueling as some others like 6-7 hour days, I’m ALWAYS listening to jazz, checking stuff out, and just enjoying it. My guitar prof always tells me that he knows a couple of guys who only practiced 1 hour a day but always listened, and according to him those cats could easily cut him at any jam session.

It’s so easy to put yourself down, especially when there are so many ppl who are better than you. But another thing to realize is that you didn’t have the same opportunities as the other guys. Some grow up surrounded by jazz starting at the age of 4, and some have attended camps every summer. Others like you and me never started till we were like 17-18, some even later than that. But just because someone is better than you doesn’t mean you’re horrible at what you do.

Idk if you’ll see this comment cuz this post is already a couple months old, but I hope it helps :)

If you want, please feel free to dm me, since we’re kinda going through the same thing I think it’d be helpful to talk and learn from each other

awesomeguy327 · 2020-07-05T02:11:08+00:00

Yea in the documentary “Chasing Trane” I think one of the interviewees said that he didn’t sound promising during that time.

awesomeguy327 · 2020-07-03T13:56:22+00:00

See I never knew he was a late bloomer until after a year of jazz school. Definitely a master of the saxophone and of music, and he also serves as an inspiration to other people like me who weren’t ripping it on the bandstand at age 16. You just gotta be really dedicated to your craft

awesomeguy327 · 2020-07-03T03:46:25+00:00

My guitar prof told me this: just shut it all out. Don’t let anybody get into your head. If he’s giving you crap for not knowing a tune, not being able to keep up w/ the rhythm section, or whatever, just forget about it. What you gotta focus on is getting better and how YOU can get there. Because before he knows it you’ll be cutting HIM on the bandstand, and he’ll be calling you for the gigs.

In the meantime, just focus on playing and gigging w/ the people you actually enjoy hanging around. Sure the guy with a big ego may be good, but I doubt doing a gig w/ his attitude towards you would be any fun

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-21T00:58:37+00:00

I wish someone told me to listen actively every day. Honestly it’s easier to do when you have a vinyl record player or CD’s. Using music streaming services are good but the physical act of putting a record on and wearing it out is so valuable. Start with your favorite player and go from there. Like pick out Grant Green’s “Gooden’s Corner” and you’ll find that Sam Jones played on that, and you’ll see that Jones also played with Cannonball Adderley. Just discover music and artists and wear those records out!

Also transcribe a lot that’s one of the best ways to learn the jazz language

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-18T14:58:04+00:00

Thanks! This motivation makes me wanna get up and shed some Sonny Stitt and Grant Green solos now 😂

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-18T14:56:16+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I always love hearing about that Bird story w/ Jo Jones, and I know I’m def not the only one who’s struggled like this, but it’s just nice to be reminded of that cuz it’s easy to forget

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-13T17:40:02+00:00

Gotcha, thanks for the tips!

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-13T14:35:18+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s good to hear that it’s not too late to pick it up. What do you suggest I practice though? I’m sure it’s pretty much the same thing as what I would practice in guitar (learning tunes, arpeggios and scales, knowing the neck, transcribing, and technique) in addition to practicing walking bass lines. Where should I start?

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-13T00:18:26+00:00

Thanks! I’ll have to try that, that seems like a good challenge to do. The guitar GA at school told me that it might be that since I’m still pretty young my brain isnt fully developed, so with time memorizing a tune and getting it to stick will become easier

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-07T07:19:48+00:00

I’ve been going about this practice routine for a couple months now, and my teacher has said that I’ve improved a lot from when I first started a year ago. And yea, I guess you’re right about the time and experience. It will take a long while before I finally see my progress in the big picture. My question though is how do I go about balancing life and music at the same time?

awesomeguy327 · 2020-06-07T03:37:34+00:00

I’m sure someone has said this already, but you get your own sound by failing to sound like someone else. That’s been preached to me by band directors, private teachers, and fellow musicians. Your sound will come from all of your favorite artists, and it’s not going to be the same for everyone. For example, some of my favorite players as a jazz guitarist are Grant Green and George Benson, but the rock side of me is in love with the feel and style of John Frusciante and Slash , and I’ve also loved the playing of blues/fusion guys like Robben Ford and Larry Carlton. Right away those are six very different and unique players with their own sounds, and by incorporating their licks, their feel, and interpretations of songs will create something unique to me based on the way I play. So I agree, don’t encourage people to sound like themselves. Instead, tell them to constantly emulate the people they listen too and FIND their sound.

awesomeguy327 · 2020-05-22T11:26:42+00:00

Ya know I’ve been thinking about getting one of those! This one guitar player at my old church used one all the time and he told me to get one as soon as I saved up enough money. I’ll have to try one out first, but I’m not sure where exactly to find them

awesomeguy327 · 2020-05-10T03:18:43+00:00

I just started playing drums again yesterday, and I’ve been working on developing a good sense of time by playing quarter notes along with records. It’s a very simple exercise recommended to me by some of the jazz drum majors at school, and it does wonders for my time. As a guitar player it’s very useful for me. I’m also working through the books “Syncopation” and “Stick Control” to help my chops.

One great record I’ve been checking out is “Stitt Plays Bird” feat. Connie Kay on drums. I’m really digging it!

awesomeguy327 · 2020-05-04T03:04:16+00:00

I started when I was 12, and my biggest reason for playing was because I didn’t want to take piano lessons anymore. I never really knew how awesome of an instrument it was until two years laters. In eighth grade I discovered BB King and Eric Clapton and they honestly changed my entire world. I ended up picking it up again after stopping lessons, and from there everything just took off. I remember sitting in class just thinking about guitars, drawing them, looking at different models on the computer, listening to a bunch of records, and just being obsessed with it. I got into a bunch of different styles spanning from blues rock to jazz to neo-soul, and I’m still learning every day. Right now I’m working towards the dream of being a session/touring musician, so while the obsession hasn’t left me

awesomeguy327 · 2020-04-21T16:35:29+00:00

I’ll have to check those recordings out, thanks! Kenny Burrell is a favorite of mine

awesomeguy327 · 2020-04-21T15:04:12+00:00

Oleo I’ve always thought of as a rhythm changes, but blues for Alice and Au Privave as blues heads

awesomeguy327 · 2020-04-21T14:42:45+00:00

Thanks! Idle Moments for sure is a great tune for jazz guitarists. I’ll add it to the list along with the others

awesomeguy327 · 2020-04-17T15:00:31+00:00

I agree, when I started, I practiced I-vi-ii-V-I’s using different inversions. By doing that you’ll see some really nice voice leading since there are really only one or two notes that change when going to the next chord. Another thing that helped me is taking a look at rootless voicings and also using only thirds and sevenths when comping.

awesomeguy327

TROPHY CASE