Help: re: swing /jazz chords

Subject: Help: re: swing /jazz chords
From: walkinman
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 02:04 PM

What might be a good source of information regarding these chords, you know, the ones that really good performers use?

About the time I think I've figured out a song I see it done live and the chord formations are more numerous and complex than my basic G7, C9, Cm7, G7. E7 A7, D, back to G etc., etc...

Any advice?

Thanks

wm

Subject: RE: Help: re: swing /jazz chords
From: Justa Picker
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 02:26 PM

You're sort of touching on jazz theory and the concept of alternate voicings (or differentiating chord changes) which of course can be applied to other types of music. (Caution though. If you start getting too fancy with alternate chords especially in folk or trad tunes, the "traddies" will eat you alive! but follow your own ears and instincts and play what pleases YOU.) This is not something that can be learned immediately but rather through experimentation and osmosis over a period of time, and requires a fundamental grounding of how chords are formed, and their relative minors, majors, 7ths, etc., which can melodically replace regular, standard chords and provide a different coloring to the sound.

To get you started, here are some links which I think you will find helpful. In particular check out anything to do with online lessons, explanations and things related to chords and theory. Hope this helps.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

Subject: RE: Help: re: swing /jazz chords
From: walkinman
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 04:23 PM

Thanks, Justa Picker, and I appreciate your comments regarding "traddies" but this musical smorgasbord is so tastey, it's worth snackin' a bit on the likes of Django Reinhardt, Dan Hicks etc.

Life is too short to spend all your time at the omlette bar....

wm

Subject: RE: Help: re: swing /jazz chords
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 05:49 PM

By far the best introduction to jazz improvising and the chords associated with it I have come across is here!. The primer is incredible, and for anyone who knows how difficult it is to talk about these things simply, really close to a work of genius.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Help: re: swing /jazz chords
From: Dave T
Date: 21 Jan 01 - 07:28 AM

If you're looking for books try:
"Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar" Books 1 & 2
The version I have is published by: Lewis Music Publishing Co., Inc., 1955, U.S.A.

There are lots of extended chords (11ths, 13ths with flatted 5ths, 9ths, etc.), as well as explanations about where to use them. It might take a while to get your fingers used to playing some of these chords but it's well worth the effort. In addition to chords, there is a lot on melody lines, soloing, scales, rhythm changes, etc.

Dave T