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Archive for September, 2009

Play Jazz Now

Posted by admin on September 30th, 2009 No Comments

Getting that jazz sound can be a complex process. It is impossible to say who have the greatest jazz tone and sound as we are all different and are subjective in our listening. What I’m about to share with you acts as a general guide in the area of getting that jazz tone and should be improvise upon should you feel like it.

The Guitar


For an authentic jazz tone, you should have a semi-acoustic hollow body electric guitar. The Gibson ES-175 or the Gretch Tennessean can run into thousands of dollars but there are also excellent entry models such as Ibanez Artcore line of guitars. Guitars by Yamaha or Guild also make great entry level semi-acoustics. Epiphone, owned by Gibson are designed for the aspiring musician to own a Gibson but lack the budget to do so. What you get is a fantastic sounding guitar made by Gibson but at a much much lower price. Look for a guitar which provides a clean tone with plenty of sustain.

Jazz guitar players often plays with a rich mellow tone that is suitable for the style. Roll off the treble on your guitar’s controls to achieve that.

A Jazz Guitar Amplifier


The playing style and sound that you wish to attain will determine the amp you need. Very often, traditional jazz guitar players uses solid state amps that can produce a clean sound which compliment acoustic arch-top guitars. For others seeking a more distorted sound, a tube amp might be just what you are looking for. Many jazz guitarists use a Fender Pro or a Polytone. On board effects maybe another requirement you are looking for. This can range from a overdrive channel to a reverb channel.

Effect Pedals


A hint of reverb is all you need if you are one who does not want to meddle with effects. However, many modern jazz guitar players today includes an arsenal of effect pedals in their effects chain ranging from chorus, overdrive, distortion and even wah-wah pedal. A word of advice. When using effects, ensure they compliment your playing style and that you retain that “clarity” in your tone. Many guitar players often make the mistake of cluttering their guitar tone with too many effects which results in a poor quality muddy sound.

In summary, listen, listen, listen. Listen to recordings by all the jazz guitarists. Listen closely to their sounds and try to emulate them. When done enough, you’ll be able to find that unique tone in your guitar sound which you have crafted. Congratulations! You have found your very own signature sound!

By: Andy Ng

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Learn How to Play Jazz Piano

Posted by admin on September 28th, 2009 No Comments

If you are looking for an instrument that is a little bit different but is still immensely fun to play then one of the best instruments could be the piano with all of its different styles. The piano is one of the most endearing and popular instruments of all time and knowing all about playing jazz piano provides many players with endless amount of fun and many great challenges. Whether it’s to entertain friends and family with a unique style of playing or to join a band or ensemble, being able to offer piano improvisation ensures that this style of playing is one that appeals to many.

This means that whether jazz piano chords are what you learn first or you concentrate on building melodies, there are many great options to take your first steps into the world of jazz piano and all that it entails. This type of music may not be at the top of the charts but there has been resurgence in the popularity of jazz in recent years and many key artists of different styles have been known to introduce a jazz style or motif to their own songs. This creates a greater demand for musicians who can play jazz which makes it a useful skill for musicians to have and knowing how to play jazz piano could keep any budding musician busy.

Uncover the spirit of jazz – Learn how to play jazz piano

A major reason why so many people have a fondness of jazz is due to the way that it can take it change its style or speed dramatically and is not as stuck in a traditional style as some other musical styles. People who do not like to be constrained or tied to a generic style appreciate the freedom that jazz allows and piano improvisation is a skill that is greatly admired by many fans of the style. Jazz is becoming increasingly popular and whether it is being played live in a jazz club or on a CD at home, jazz music can bring people together. A lot of this is down to jazz piano chords and the spirit and energy they bring to songs.

The idea of a jazz club conjures up images of a bye gone era when cool people came together in small underground clubs to share the music they loved with people who held similar passions. Jazz may not belong to the mainstream like some musical forms but lovers of this genre are immensely proud and excited with the style of music available. This makes knowing how to play jazz piano an immensely enjoyable hobby for people to have.

Make it up as you go along

One of the best things about jazz music is that everyone can get involved and create their own style or take on a particular style of music that can please a great number of people. There are many instruments which can come together to make a fantastic piece of jazz music but one of the most vital is the piano. This means that piano improvisation skills are a vital part of any jazz musician or bands arsenal and it can really add a great touch to any piece of jazz music. It doesn’t matter what type of jazz is your favorite to listen to or your favorite to play, the possibilities for making good jazz are almost limitless and learning the techniques of jazz can help you to create fantastic art forms. This means that having a firm understanding of jazz piano chords is a great way to improve your ability to make great jazz music.

By: James Hanna

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Which Jazz Shoes Are Right For You?

Posted by admin on September 26th, 2009 No Comments

Like any other kind of dancer, those who dance jazz have certain clothing needs. Footwear is really important to people in everyday life and activities, and is especially so for dancers. Over the years dance shoe and sportswear manufacturers have put a lot of research and effort into producing practical, comfortable and supportive shoes for dancers.

Jazz shoes are an example of dance specific footwear in which a variety of needs are catered for. There are loads of styles and designs available on the market. While this is a good thing, it can make choosing shoes very difficult for those who are inexperienced. When selecting jazz shoes there are several things that should be taken into consideration. If you (or your child) are a member of a jazz class, there may well be details of which shoes to buy available from the school, or advice to be had from teachers or fellow students/parents.

Like ballet slippers, jazz shoes should be well fitted, comfortable but not too loose. You don’t’ want the shoe to chafe, or to come off during practice! Trying on a variety of makes and styles is advisable, as what works for one dancer may not suit another. If you are interested in purchasing shoes for a better price online, make sure you know which size you need as they may vary between manufacturers and styles.

Split sole shoes can provide excellent flexibility, helping to allow certain movements, although today a number of full sole options can be very supple. Another option worth considering is the jazz boot – these provide extra support for the ankle and can be useful to beginners. Jazz trainers are now available, and they are becoming increasing popular as they offer a good level of ankle support and usually have a hard toe casing to help a dancer remain in a pointe position. They are, however, quite heavy compared to other designs, which means they lend themselves better to some forms of dance than others. They are usually used for hip hop and street styles.

The materials used to make jazz shoes are also really important, and your choice will be governed by cost and style. Leather is expensive initially, but is long lasting, breathable and moulds itself to a user’s foot after being worn several times. Leather will require careful cleaning and maintenance to keep it in top notch condition. Canvas shoes are often recommended for youngsters, as they tend to fit well and are less expensive – shoes need replacing frequently for growing feet. It’s important to have the right clothes when starting to dance, they allow for comfortable movements and can help boost confidence. After a while, choosing the right jazz shoes for you will be an easy and enjoyable task.

The main purpose of dancing for many is to have a good time, and to get some exercise. Enjoying dance is of vital importance, the energy and enthusiasm of those who love to dance shines through in their performances for all to see.

By: Treak Eric

Posted in Jazz Festivals
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