Alfred's PLAY: Jazz Guitar 2: Guitar Book & DVD

Jazz guitar unfolds here as both a technical challenge and a conversational art form. You'll encounter the vocabulary of voicings, the rhythmic swing that lives between the beat, and the freedom that only comes after disciplined listening.

Guitar students who have moved beyond beginner fundamentals and are ready to explore jazz styles, comping techniques, and improvisation. This works equally well for self-directed learners who want structured guidance and for teachers seeking supplemental material to support jazz guitar instruction.

• Pause the DVD frequently to practice passages at half speed before attempting full tempo, especially during comping and soloing sections.
• Use the video demonstrations as a listening reference; rewind to isolate specific voicings or jazz articulations that distinguish professional sound from casual playing.
• Practice the exercises without the DVD first, then compare your tone and phrasing against the expert performance to identify areas needing refinement.

Use this as a stand-alone jazz guitar course for students pursuing jazz outside traditional ensemble settings, or as supplemental material alongside big band or jazz combo rehearsals. It's especially valuable for independent study during summer or as preparation before a student joins an advanced jazz ensemble.

• Jazz voicing and chord substitutions
• Comping rhythms and chord melody techniques
• Blues and jazz improvisation over standard progressions
• Jazz articulation and swing feel
• Listening and transcription skills through video demonstration