I’m just getting this site started, but I’m really excited to start sharing what I know about early jazz guitar music. I’ve figured out quite a bit of tricks over the past 20 years and I want to share them.
Why this site?
I think the biggest problem with jazz education, offline and online is application. There are countless resources to learn your scales, arpeggios, licks, etc, all of which are important, but really are only building blocks. I will show how to apply all of these devices in a musical way. I will help you to develop your own vocabulary. You will be playing tunes and improvising in a stylistically appropriate way rapidly, and consistently adding to your repertoire. I teach all the mechanics of guitar playing, plus we study the playing of horn players, pianists, and vocalists, to expand our concept, get out of the box, and ultimately become freer, more well-rounded players. (Don’t worry, we learn everything inside the box, too!)
We will use real songs. We will pick tunes as our target, and all material will be derived from that tune. If we learn an arpeggio, it will be for use in that very song. Applied learning. For those seeking to dive deeper or just plain geek out on arpeggios, we can do that, too. These are lessons tailored to you! Not trying to squeeze you through a one-size-fits-all program.
I love early jazz, swing jazz, bebop, and gypsy jazz. We can learn any or all. They are all siblings. They each have their own vocabulary, which we can acquire. They trick and my focus is how to apply the vocabulary. And after all, isn’t that the real trick?
Often, the student spends too much time on material they really don’t need. Maybe they will down the road, maybe not, but it’s an extremely inefficient use of valuable practice time. Most people don’t have the luxury of 3 hour daily practice sessions. My belief is that serious progress can be made in a lot less time. I have students get quite good, over time, with 15 minute daily practice sessions. I recommend 30 minutes, an hour being ideal. But, if you only have 15 minutes, that’s going to work, too. It has to be daily, you have to be consistent, but it will work.
Why Me?
I have been teaching for almost 20 years. I actually really love it. I get excited when the students gets it, when I can save them years of struggle. Things that took me years to figure out, I have chunked and can teach in weeks, providing the student does their part. Jazz education is in it’s infancy and I really want to move it forward. I actively work on both my crafts, that of playing/performing and that of teaching. They are different arts, and I love them both. In grad school I learned that my true love, more than anything is learning. Sharing the secrets I discover is my passion.
As for the resume, I have a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from UMASS, Amherst. I studied with Jeff Holmes, Archie Sheep, master classes with Billy Taylor and Max Roach and privately with the master, Yusef Lateef.
I did one year down at North Texas State, talking Fred Hamilton’s classes and learning his system. (Returning to UMASS when opportunity to study privately with Yusef arose.)
I have a Master of Music in Jazz from San Diego State University, studying with Rick Helzer. Private lessons with Bob Boss, Peter Sprague and John Stowell.
I have performed in many, many different settings, jazz being just one. I have performed all across the US. Below is a partial listing.
- Paul Holtz Trio
- John Reynolds Trio
- Jon Garner Trio
- Skeleton Key Orchestra – Nathan Hubbard
- Jon-ji (my alter ego)
- The Strivers
- Garner-Tillery Duo
I am a gigging musician, performing weekly. My favorite instrumental setting is duo with upright bass or piano. Trio is great, too. I love small group settings, as I really love the freedom and interaction that happens on that level.
I have played a lot of pop, also, but at this point, while I did love it, and still respect it, it doesn’t thrill me the way it used to, so I am focused on my true love, jazz guitar.
I also sing, on gigs. It’s a ton of fun, good for ear training and great for getting jobs, having fun, and actually getting people to listen to your guitar solo to follow. 😉
Eventually, this site will host a lot of resources, but right now, the main resource it hosts is me. If you’d like to get started with Skype or Google hangout lessons, just contact me and let’s see if it’s a good fit. I take all levels, so don’t worry if you’re just getting started. It’s going to be fun!