How Do You Play Chord Melody When the Melody Climbs Too High for Your Chord Shapes?
When a melody note sits too far above your shell voicing, switch to a drop 2 voicing with the melody on top. Using All The Things You Are, here is exactly when to switch, why the guitar melody belongs in the tenor range, and the Joe Pass shape trick.
How to Start Self-Taught Jazz Guitar: A 3-Step Method to Master Your First 'Real Book' Tune
Feeling lost when opening the Real Book? Many guitarists jump straight into chords or melodies without truly understanding the tune’s structure. This three-step approach—focusing on melody, bass, and shell voicings—shows how to internalize any jazz standard from the inside out.