For context, I’m 45 and began learning guitar at 16. I’ve always been a “by feel” player, mostly gravitating toward rock, ambient sounds, and using effects. I can’t read music at all.
I really want to be able to sit down and play jazz guitar—just clean, soulful jazz, without any effects.
What are the best ways for me to start this journey? It feels pretty daunting.
If you’re unfamiliar with any theory, now’s a great time to start learning. Jazz tends to be more intricate, so understanding the fundamentals will be an excellent first step. Two books I recommend are Music Theory for Guitarists by Tom Kolb and Jazz Guitar from Hal Leonard. Once you’ve got the basics down and want to improve your music reading, real/fake books are helpful.
Look for a good teacher who specializes in jazz. I was in a similar situation about two years ago. After playing casually for 20 years, I didn’t really understand the fretboard or know much theory. I started taking lessons with a seasoned jazz musician, and now I can play jazz. I learned scales, triads, arpeggios, modes, movable jazz chords, and how to read jazz charts. I’m not great yet, but I’m improving and enjoying it. I’ve reached the point where I can play jazz with others. It’s been a lot of hard work.
Understanding chord construction is essential. When you encounter extended chords like 9ths, 11ths, or 13ths, it’s important to know how to build them.
I’m not the greatest jazz player, but I experiment with it quite a bit.
For me, “Summertime” and “All of Me” were great entry points. Both feature interesting chord progressions with some common extensions, but nothing too complex, and their simple melodies make them ideal for improvising around.