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Jazz music is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and complex musical genres that there are. Unfortunantally, it is also one of the hardest genres to master. The musical theory and technique required, make jazz players kings among musicians, because of the countless hours and years of study devoted to their craft. Don't let this get you down, however. Without as much effort as you might think, you can begin to unlock the secrets to jazz guitar and begin to utilize its elements in your own playing. The type of guitar you have doesn't really matter. There are great jazz musicians who make their music on every type of instrument, from single-coil equipped guitars, such as Telecasters, to acoustic guitars. However, for the serious jazz player, a semi-hollowbody guitar equipped with humbucking pickups (for a very dark, robust tone) is essential to getting a fundamental "jazz" tone. The single most important element in the formation of a great jazz musician is finding the right teacher. Many people these days are turning to online guitar lessons. This can be a great solution for players who don't have a reputable jazz teacher in their area, or are simply too busy for traditional guitar lessons. There are many fine instructional books and videos also available for those of us who prefer to learn on our own. Whatever you do, be sure to open your mind to the new harmonic possibilities and combinations that are available to you once you discover the world of jazz. (Listen to some old Steely Dan records to find out what I mean...)
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