The thing about learning jazz guitar is that sometimes it’s taught is an overly complicated manner.
Some educators are obsessed about how complicated the theory element can be and make it difficult for aspiring jazz guitarists to learn the style.
With Denis Chang’s second book released by Guitar Vivo, he has summarized his years of experience transcribing solos, learning jazz and playing with accomplished musicians into a compact volume.
This is fretboard visualization made easier by a dedicated music educator.
The book is divided into ten chapters and gradually introduces and explains how to connect your ears with the visual fingerboard and also the theory side of things. It also comes with MP3 audio files and Guitar Pro files to help you hear what Denis teaches.
It’s clear that Denis is sharing what he uses himself… and what has learned from playing this music. Denis explains how each note that someone plays (both as lines and as chords) are really two sides of the same coin.
This book is kind of like his take on the CAGED system, chord voicings, scale fingerings and how everything is connected.
Denis shares everything in a systematic way which is great for anyone new to this way of looking at the fretboard.
It’s also worth mentioning that this is not really a style specific book.
Although the title uses the blanket label of “jazz guitar”, Denis includes examples from different jazz styles including gypsy jazz, swing, bebop and even a bluegrass example. He also includes solo guitar (chord melody?) examples to demonstrate the concepts further as well.
In conclusion, this is the kind of book that I wish I had access to early on in my guitar development. Right now, I already think like this… but even then, I enjoyed reading his different ideas & how he explains the concepts. I recommend this book for intermediate guitarists and serious beginner guitarists… and also as a good reference for more advanced guitarists.
Pros: Well written & organized text from an experienced jazz guitar performer, transcriber & educator.
Cons: None.
TLDR: If you play some jazz guitar but still find it difficult visualizing chord shapes and fingering for lines, this book might help you solve those problems.
Get the book here: https://guitarvivo.com/jazz-guitar-fretboard-visualization/
Thank you Luke Lewis & Guitar Vivo for inviting me to review this book.
[Submissions for Review Consideration]
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