Not progressing with your jazz guitar practice?

by Greg O'Rourke | Dec 13, 2018 | Jazz Guitar Lessons

Not progressing with your jazz guitar practice?

What happens when a jazz guitarist goes on a random bush walk to clear his mind?

The answer:

A sudden burst of insight into what most jazz guitarists are doing wrong in their practice, and the primary thing you should focus on instead.

It might not be what you expect. Watch the video above to get a scoop.

Pro tip: Interested in getting motivated to practice jazz again? Check out my FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

It’s got a huge collection of lessons on the site and features many courses focussed around learning classic jazz standards (melody, comping, soloing, chord melody and more).

The best part:

You can get a no obligation, 14-day FREE access pass to the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy to see if it is a good fit for you, no credit card required. To get instant access, go here: https://www.fretdojo.com/free-trial/

I hope you enjoyed today’s post.

Leave a comment below to share your ideas about this topic…

Greg O’Rourke
Founder, FretDojo
World Leader in Online Jazz Guitar Education

Video – “Runny” Sunny Double Time Solo (Free PDF)

by Greg O'Rourke | Nov 23, 2018 | Jazz Guitar Lessons

Video – “Runny” Sunny Double Time Solo (Free PDF)

Want a quick summary of this lesson?
Get your Handy PDF TAB & Backing Track Download: Click this link to get a print friendly worksheet and backing track for your practice.

Thought you might be interested in this very cool double-time jazz solo I recorded in my studio recently.

Here Stuart King, one of Australia’s greatest guitarists, is busting out some very tasty minor lines over Sunny (which I’ve aptly named…”Runny” after editing this video).

The best part:

Stuart’s agreed to give you a full accurate transcription of his improvised solo completely for FREE! (I’ve also included the backing track Stuart uses).

Download it above so you can follow along with the video (very cool substitutions are being used in this).

Have fun with this and hope you find it useful.

Greg O’Rourke,

Founder, Fret Dojo

World Leader in Online Jazz Guitar Education

Video – Jazz guitar guide tone soloing shortcut (Free workbook)

by Greg O'Rourke | Sep 19, 2018 | Jazz Guitar Lessons

Video – Jazz guitar guide tone soloing shortcut (Free workbook)

Want a quick summary of this lesson?
Get your Handy PDF Worksheet & Backing Track Download:

Click this link to get a print friendly worksheet and backing track for your practice.

It’s been a while, but it’s great to be back in front of the video camera.

If you’re finding it impossible and frustrating to solo over those tricky jazz standards like All The Things You Are (hint: you haven’t been the first person to drop those key changes)…

It’s probably because you aren’t doing what my new Youtube video demonstrates.

In this brand new video lesson (which includes a FREE workbook and backing track), you’re going to get the down & dirty on guide tones, and how they are an essential shortcut for easily mastering the changes of any jazz standard.

You’ll learn which notes to target over those tricky chord progressions and still get through alive and kicking to the other side.

Check out the video now and let me know what you think (remember to get that free workbook).

Greg O’Rourke,

Founder, Fret Dojo

World Leader in Online Jazz Guitar Educatio

Obi-Wan Kenobi would have made a great jazz guitarist

by Greg O'Rourke | Jan 24, 2018 | Articles

Obi-Wan Kenobi would have made a great jazz guitarist

Have you seen the new Star Wars movie yet? (Don’t worry, no spoilers in this email). Great film, highly recommend.

As I was watching it, it reminded me of one of my favorite (old school) Star Wars scenes – video below:

Here, we witness Luke Skywalker getting his first taste of using a lightsaber, the weapon of choice for a Jedi.

And he sucks.

Why?

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Luke’s wise old mentor) notices that Luke is trying too hard, and thinking too much.

“This time,” he instructs, “let go your conscious self, and act on instinct”.

All of a sudden, Luke can defend a barrage of laser shots – even with his eyes closed.

Here’s the thing:

Obi-Wan Kenobi is not just a great Jedi master. He would have been a great jazz guitar teacher as well.

Too often, jazz players are thinking too hard when they play, resulting in tight, awkward technique, choking their ideas and phrasing.

By learning to “let go”, and “trusting your feelings” (more Obi-Wan wisdom), your technique, and hence your music, will begin to flow effortlessly, spontaneously and naturally.

I know you may scoff at this, like Han Solo in the above video, but I’m serious.

This simple approach has done wonders for my own playing, and it will do wonders for yours. All you need to do is learn how to take advantage of the natural power of your subconscious mind.

~ Greg

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Interview With Per Olav Kobberstad, World Touring Latin Jazz Guitarist

by Greg O'Rourke | Jan 17, 2018 | Interviews, Podcasts

Interview With Per Olav Kobberstad, World Touring Latin Jazz Guitarist

This time on FretDojo, I’m excited to share with you an interview I recently had with world-wide touring latin jazz guitarist from Norway, Per Olav Kobberstad.

Per Olav is one of those young, modern Latin jazz guitarists that are a breeze of fresh air and who are bringing all-welcome innovations to the genre. Just check out his credits:

Per Olav is one of the few in the world playing 8-string acoustic guitar
Released his debut album “Os Rios, As Ligações” with some of Brazil’s top musicians in 2014
Album “Colonial Colors” was released together with Alf Wilhelm Lundberg in 2016
Per Olav recorded his latest album “Cachorro À Vista” with one of the most legendary percussionists in Brazil, Robertinho Silva (known to play with Tom Jobim, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, Milton Nascimento, Herbie Hancock and many more).

In the interview below, I go on a deep dive with Per Olav where he reveals how he started with Latin jazz, what led him to tour the world, his time gigging in Brazil, as well as how he approaches jazz guitar and composing music. It’s time to get up close with Per Olav – I suggest you bring a notepad as there are golden tips inside this interview.

Interview With Per Olav (Audio Version)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:48 — 31.9MB)

Get Notified Of Future Episodes Apple Podcasts | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Resources mentioned in the interview:

Per Olav Kobberstad official website where you can learn more about him
Per Olav plays 8-string guitars made by the luthier Esteban Gonzalez, Argentina
Order Per Olav Kobberstad CDs and check out his discography here.
Per Olav Kobberstad Official Facebook Page

Stop Press – Video Workshop With Per Olav Kobberstad on Latin Chord Melody!

Per Olav kindly agreed to hold a workshop for FretDojo, all about the secrets of arranging Latin jazz standards for solo chord melody jazz guitar. Per Olav is an expert at fingerstyle techniques for jazz guitar too, so this was an excellent chance to get some top tips for your playing from a world class Latin guitarist.

Let me know what you thought about this interview by leaving a comment below…

Now the exciting bit:

If you're keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here's what you get when you join up:

Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.

Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.

Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered

Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured - play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!

Members only forum - A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.

Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions - get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.

Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts - the ultimate idea "grab bag" for your solos.

Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

The best part:

You can access this all of this and more for just $1 by signing up to a 14 day trial. Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

Complete Range Of Jazz Guitar Courses

Maximize Your Potential With Our Step-By-Step Programs

Join Courses

Get Your FREE Guitar
E-Book Bundle

Three Must Have eBooks:

• Beginners Jazz Guitar Improvisation
• Chord Melody Guitar Basics
• Guitar Speed Building Secrets