Jazz Guitar Voicings: Blues In C

http://www.playjazznow.com presents a lesson by guitarist Dave Dorsett on chord voicings for the jazz style blues.

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Music

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• play-along tracks
• backing tracks
• jazz improv
• playjazznow
• jazz guitar voicings

[pyannaguy]

It would be such a help if you could say the finger number and fret number sometimes when you're building those chords. Obviously, the note names are essential, but when you're trying to follow a fairly quick moving video, it's not so apparent where the fingers are being pressed or planted, especially up high on the neck. ...Just a thought from a piano player trying to learn more guitar.

Nice lesson, though, and nice playing. Thanks!

[ChorltonM21]

I got so much out of that - thank you. Strange choice of guitar for a jazzer :0)

[HendrixcommaMartin]

That's true, but it's important to be able to both pluck and strum any chord, as they give two different sounds you may want to utilize at any time, so it's always best to learn voicings in a way where it's easy to do both.

[Morahman7vnNo2]

I think he meant "root."

[nickplaysthemusic]

what's a rut?

[davedorsett]

Part 2: I frequently like to play that 13th voicing with my thumb on the 6th str root. That lets you have more possibilities for alterations and changing chord qualities. Your barre idea will do that as well, but as you said, when strumming you'll have to modify it.

Use a Phillips head screwdriver for a Phillips screw, a flathead screwdriver, etc. (right tool for the right job).

[davedorsett]

Part 1:

I honestly think one should probably come up with the most comfortable and flexible way to play almost anything on the instrument. I am not dogmatic on issues like this at all, though I might have scenarios in which I might show a student where they may ultimately be better off to do something a certain way in the sense of leaving possibilities open and not painting one's self into a corner technically.

[tserhey]

Is there a particular reason why the seventh of the F13 chord (root on 6th string) should be fretted with the middle finger? I know it's essential for muting the fifth string when strumming, but if you're plucking the chords with fingers, it's a lot easier to fret both the root and the seventh with an index finger barré.