[WorkGroup] Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Ear.

GuyBoden

It's a good idea to try to play the Milwaukee Avenue 12bar Jazz blues melody in different keys.

So, see if you can start the melody on a Bb note and find the notes for the whole tune in Bb key.

Then see if you can start the melody on a F note and find the notes for the whole tune in F key.

Then see if you can start the melody on a C note and find the notes for the whole tune in C key.

Have fun, playing guitar is about enjoyment.

GuyBoden

When you have transposed the melody into the key of C, here is the chord sheet for the changes.

Have fun, playing guitar is about enjoyment.

GuyBoden

Ogden Avenue

PART ONE

Learning Phrase one.

Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Ear

We'll be moving onto a new track called Ogden Avenue. 

It's 32bar song in a AABA form, the A section repeated, then the B section and then the A section again. , The track is based on the changes to the Jazz Standard "Take the A Train".

Over the next few days, repeatedly listen to the track Ogden Avenue.

Then repeatedly listen to the first phrase on Ogden Avenue track up to 29sec.

Ensure that you're hearing all the small details of the phrase.

Internalise the phrase.

Hear the phrase in your mind.

Sing along to the track. Don't play the phrase on the guitar yet, you need to hear the phrase in your mind clearly first and sing it.

Repeatedly sing along to the track, reinforcing and internalising the phrase.

The first phrase ends at 29sec in the Ogden Avenue youtube track below.

GuyBoden

Ogden Avenue

PART TWO

Learning Phrase one.

Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Ear

After a few days of listening attentively and Internalising the phrases in the Ogden Avenue track up to 29sec.

Sing the phrases without the recording. (This is important. It demonstrates that you have Internalised the phrases.)

Only, when you can sing the phrases without the recording, start finding the notes of the phrase on your guitar.

So, find all the notes in the phrase, slowly, one note after another.

Once you have found all the notes, play all the phrases you have learned so far with the recording up to 29sec.

Ensure that you're playing and hearing all the details of the phrasing and the dynamics in the recording.

Then, play the phrases without the recording.

Once you can play the phrases, imagine the notes on each fret as you play them. (This visualisation of the notes helps memory too.)

Enjoy, have fun, there's no magic, it's all about using your ears.

Play the phrases up to 29sec on the track above.

Strumit

Thanks for this.  Just bought a "Jazz"ish guitar, so really helpful.

GuyBoden

Ogden Avenue

PART THREE

Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Ear
(I've been on holiday, but I'm reconvening this play by ear thread for Jazz beginners.)

Over the next few days, repeatedly listen to the track Ogden Avenue.

Then repeatedly listen to the phrases on Ogden Avenue track up to 42sec.

Ensure that you're hearing all the small details of the phrases.

Internalise the phrases.

Hear the phrase in your mind.

Sing along to the track. Don't play the phrase on the guitar yet, you need to hear the phrases in your mind clearly first and sing them.

Repeatedly sing along to the track, reinforcing and internalising the phrases.

Part three phrases end at 42sec in the Ogden Avenue youtube track below.

GuyBoden

Ogden Avenue

PART FOUR

Learning Phrases

Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Ear

After a few days of listening attentively and Internalising the phrases in the Ogden Avenue track up to 42sec.

Sing the phrases without the recording. (This is important. It demonstrates that you have Internalised the phrases.)

Only, when you can sing the phrases without the recording, start finding the notes of the phrase on your guitar.

So, find all the notes in the phrase, slowly, one note after another.

Once you have found all the notes, play all the phrases you have learned so far with the recording up to 42sec.

Ensure that you're playing and hearing all the details of the phrasing and the dynamics in the recording.

Then, play the phrases without the recording.

Once you can play the phrases, imagine the notes on each fret as you play them. (This visualisation of the notes helps memory too.)

Enjoy playing these phrases, have fun, there's no magic, it's all about using your ears.

Play the phrases up to 42sec on the track below.