Jazz Guitar Improvisation Tips: Why Does Your Tempo Run Away on Fast Tunes?
A tune that starts at 256 can easily finish near 300. Here's why jazz guitar tempos run away on fast standards, and a simple routine — fix the tempo, know the slow version, and check your last chorus — that keeps you in control.
What Is a Jazz Standard? The Two Kinds of Tunes Every Jazz Guitarist Plays
A jazz standard is a tune the whole jazz community agrees to know. Standards split into two families: show tunes borrowed from movies and Broadway that carry lyrics, and jazz standards written as instrumentals by jazz musicians themselves. Knowing the difference tells you where the repertoire came from — and what to learn first.
Which Notes Matter Most for Voice Leading? The Melody Already Told You — It’s the 3rd
The most important voice-leading note over each chord is almost always the 3rd — and in most standards the melody is already sitting on it. Fly Me to the Moon, All The Things You Are, and Autumn Leaves prove it chord after chord.
How Do You Build a Jazz Guitar Repertoire? Own One Tune From Intro to Ending
The fastest way to build a jazz guitar repertoire is to fully own one tune — intro, melody, solo, comping, and ending — before adding another. Here is the complete checklist and the playlist method for learning it.
How to Learn a Jazz Standard on Guitar: Start With the Melody, Not Scales
To learn a jazz standard on guitar, start with the melody — not scales or licks. Play the tune until it lives in your ear, add the bass note, then a shell voicing, then build a simple solo from what you already hear.
How to Learn a Jazz Guitar Tune: Start With the Melody, Not the Beat Count
The fastest way to learn a jazz guitar tune is to master its melody first — across positions and octaves — instead of counting bars. Here is the beginner method behind it.
Can You Really Start Jazz Guitar Without Theory? The Secret of the Early Masters
Is it possible to play jazz guitar without learning music theory or reading notation?
Yes—but only if you’re willing to develop your ears through deep listening. This article explores how early jazz musicians learned and why theory still matters today.