Distant Learning
JAZZ GUITAR TUITION
Distant Learning by TREFOR OWEN.
For further information please telephone
07423 016888 or e-mail tojazzgtr@aol.com
My method aims to give you a practical approach to the study of jazz guitar.
There are four main areas of study:
“Improvisation”, “Harmony” “Chord Melody” and “Accompaniment”.
First and foremost, I believe that every jazz guitarist must know his chords and have the ability to be a good accompanist, which includes playing good four in the bar (swing style) rhythm and bass line comping. Also, my method of improvisation is based on knowing the pivotal note of the chords.
There are many approaches to jazz improvisation and very often students are either left confused, with no real direction, or made to feel that there is so much to learn that being a successful jazz guitarist is beyond their reach.
My alternative approach to improvisation has five improvisational devices which a student needs to master, and they are:
1). The minor pentatonic/blues scale.
2). The major tonality.
3). The jazz minor.
4). The diminished arpeggio and diminished scale.
5). The whole-tone scale.
The Alternative Approach.
My improvisational method is quick and easy and is an “Alternative Approach” to the usual scales and modes. For example, simply preparing and conditioning one improvisational device, either the minor pentatonic/blues or the Major 7th arpeggio, will enable you to improvise over Major, minor, dominant 7th and half diminished chords. It will give you the ability to improvise over the harmonic sequences of jazz standards in a very short period of time.
Other studies include: Developing other improvisational devices, their development and application to form a “Base to Build From” for improvised lines. Developing a good practice procedure. Chord Melody, Four in the Bar (swing style) and Bass Line Comping.
THE METHOD.
Pentatonic and Blues Scales.
I have pioneered a method of utilising the Pentatonic and Blues Scales to improvise over jazz standards by identifying pivotal notes of the Major, minor and dominant seventh chords.
A Base to Build From.
A “Base to Build From”, consists of four studies: The “Major Tonality” explains how to prepare, develop and condition the Maj7th arpeggio as an improvisational device, and the “Approach to Improvisation” study deals with the application of the “Major Tonality” through the recognition of the main character notes of the chords. (Simply by developing the “Major Tonality” it is possible to improvise over many jazz standards). In addition, to give more variation in your soloing.
The “Jazz minor”, “Diminished Arpeggio/Scale” and “Whole-tone Scale” studies show how they can be prepared as improvisational devices, each one with its own “Base to Build From”. The method is therefore based on the preparation and conditioning of the three improvisational devices and how they should be applied to a harmonic sequence. Please remember that the Diminished Scale” and “Whole-tone Scale” are very much tension devices!
Harmony.
The “Harmony” study deals with jazz theory. In addition it explains how to group chords into logical sequences and change chord sequences into numbers, thereby giving you the ability to build a repertoire of jazz standards quickly.
Accompaniment.
The “Chord and Chord Directory” study deals with the physical side of playing chords, and introduces the recognition of groups of chords, (chord grouping), and thereby enables you to hear chord sounds collectively.
The “Hendrix Chord” (from a practical point of view), is a method that gives the guitarist the facility to form many chord forms out of one basic fingering pattern, thereby “Establishing Economical Chord Forms”, thus giving economy of movement. It can be used to facilitate all chords, Major, minor, dom7th and diminished also the altered and extended forms that the guitarist will encounter. It is the perfect introduction to the “Locked Knuckle Technique”. The “Locked Knuckle Technique” is a method of left-hand fingering which is based on forming Major, minor and dom7th triads, (root, third and seventh), and where possible fingering the root note of the chord with the second finger. In addition the Hendrix chord method gives easy access to the m7b5 chord, (half-diminished), which, in my opinion, is the most misunderstood chord in harmony. (Not all chords can be fingered with the second finger on the bass note, but many can).
“Bass-line Comping”, is a technique which will give the guitarist the ability to simulate a bass line when playing in a bass-less combination.
Associated Studies.
There are other associated studies to enable you to become the complete Jazz guitarist. For example, if you do not have a good knowledge of the guitar fingerboard then “Fingerboard Organisation”, (the “CAGED” system), is a method of finding any chord or scale, in any key, very quickly by simply memorising five Major chord forms. “Facility” deals with building a good single string technique, correct right-hand and left-hand technique and, very importantly, how to practice constructively, by introducing you to a practice procedure.
The “Dom7th Chord” study tells you all about its functioning and non-functioning aspects.
The cost of distant learning studies varies between £10.00 & £20.00, Sterling, (Plus P&P).
Payment can be made in cash, by credit/debit card or cheque.
For further information contact:
TREFOR OWEN on 07423 016888 or
E-mail = tojazzgtr@aol.com