Learn Jazz Guitar

I recently came across the free electronic version of Jody Fisher’s Rhythm Guitar Encyclopedia.  Just click the picture below to view the book and print any pages. Rhythm is the most important element of successful jazz guitar playing. So, the more you can incorporate a wide variety of rhythms in your playing, the better you [...]

In one of my previous articles, I discussed how important it is to develop a jazz vocabulary so that you actually start sounding like a jazz player instead of just playing up and down scales.  I mentioned the importance of learning licks and phrases.  But even if you know some licks, it can still be [...]

Recently, a visitor to my site asked me the following question:
“My Instructor wants me to sit in with a group of guys at small gig. I don’t think i’m ready for this because I still make too many mistakes.  I respect your wisdom so what do you think?”
I’ve decided to answer this question publicly for [...]

The first video in this lesson demonstrates how to play a 2-5-1 phrase in the key of F. Gm7-C7-FMaj7. The concept that I used to create this phrase is the same as with the phrase that we learned last time. I’m basically using a Gm7 arpeggio and then transitioning to a diminished substitution to the [...]

Here’s a technique that I came across that has really helped me to learn jazz guitar a lot faster and more efficiently.  It’s called the “5 Penny Method”. I just made up that name. You can use pennies or licorice sticks. It doesn’t really matter. The idea here is to use a goal/reward system to [...]

Playing jazz guitar is a fun and rewarding pursuit. But there’s no question, it’s one of the most difficult instruments to play jazz on.  This can certainly increase your frustration level. Sometimes, I just feel like throwing my guitar out the window.  But I always come back to it. Here’s a few tips to help you [...]

I recently came across an excellent interview recorded by KJZZ with George Benson. It’s about an hour long and he pretty much talks about everything – how he got started, what it was like playing with many of the greats (Wes Montgomery, Tal Farlow, etc…), and his newest record, a collaboration with Al Jareau. He’s [...]

Hello everyone. This is the first post of what I hope to be many on the subject of jazz guitar. My name is Leon Henderson. I am a jazz guitarist based in Oakland, Californa. Jazz guitar has been one my passions for a number of years and I hope to share many insights into [...]