How to Play New Orleans Jazz Guitar

New Orleans Jazz guitar is like a gumbo of musical influences, where the flavors of blues, ragtime, and swing come together in a deliciously unique style. If you want to capture its vibrant spirit on your guitar, you’re in the right place. We’ll explore what makes New Orleans Jazz guitar special, from its syncopated rhythms to those soulful bluesy licks.

Understanding the New Orleans Jazz Guitar Rhythm

Rhythm is the heartbeat of New Orleans Jazz. It’s what makes you tap your foot and nod your head without even realizing it. A big part of this rhythm comes from syncopation, where the emphasis is placed on unexpected beats. This syncopation creates a playful and infectious groove.

To get a feel for this rhythm, start by listening to some classic New Orleans Jazz recordings. Pay attention to how the guitar interacts with the other instruments, especially the drums and bass. Notice how the guitar often plays off-beat chords or accents, adding to the music’s lively feel.

One exercise to practice syncopation is to play a simple chord progression, like a C7-F7-G7, and experiment with strumming patterns that emphasize the off-beats. Try this pattern:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
  x   x     x

Here, you’re strumming on the “&” of each beat, creating a syncopated feel. As you get comfortable, add in some muted strums or variations to spice things up. Remember, the goal is to make it swing!

Exploring New Orleans Guitar Chords

New Orleans Jazz is rich with colorful chords that add to its unique sound. You’ll often encounter extended chords like 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, which give the music its lush, harmonic texture.

Let’s take a look at a few essential chord shapes. These will give your playing that classic New Orleans vibe:

• C9: x32333
• F13: 1×1233
• G7#9: 3x344x

Practice transitioning between these chords smoothly. A good exercise is to play a 12-bar blues progression using these shapes. Here’s a basic outline:

C9  -  F13  -  C9  -  C9
F13 -  F13  -  C9  -  C9
G7#9 -  F13 -  C9  -  G7#9

As you play, focus on how each chord adds a different color to the progression. Experiment with adding embellishments like slides or hammer-ons to make your playing more expressive.

The Role of Blues in New Orleans Jazz Guitar

Blues is a cornerstone of New Orleans Jazz, influencing its melodic lines and improvisational style. Many guitarists incorporate blues scales and techniques to capture this sound.

The blues scale is an essential tool in your New Orleans Jazz guitar toolkit. Here’s the basic C blues scale:

E|----------------------8--11-
B|------------------8--11-----
G|--------------8--10---------
D|--------8--10---------------
A|--8--11---------------------
E|----------------------------

Experiment with this scale over a blues progression. Try to create phrases that mimic the vocal-like quality of blues. Bending notes, using slides, and incorporating vibrato will give your playing that soulful touch.

Interestingly enough, New Orleans Jazz often blends major and minor blues elements, creating a bittersweet sound. Don’t be afraid to mix major pentatonic lines with your blues scale licks for added depth and emotion.

Improvisation in New Orleans Jazz Guitar

Improvisation is where you can truly express yourself in New Orleans Jazz. It’s about telling your own story within the music’s framework. While improvising, keep these tips in mind:

• Listen and React: Pay attention to what the other musicians are playing and respond accordingly. Jazz is a conversation, not a monologue.
• Focus on Melody: Rather than trying to play a million notes, focus on creating memorable melodic lines. This makes your improvisation more relatable and engaging.
• Use Space: Don’t feel the need to fill every moment with sound. Silence can be just as powerful as notes, adding tension and release to your playing.

To practice, you might start by improvising over a simple chord progression. Record yourself and listen back to identify what works and what doesn’t. Over time, you’ll develop your own voice within the New Orleans Jazz tradition.

For those who want to dive deeper into improvisation techniques, Riffhard has lessons that explore a wide range of improvisational styles, taught by some of the best modern guitarists.

Developing Fingerstyle Techniques

Fingerstyle playing is another essential aspect of New Orleans Jazz guitar. It gives you the ability to play complex rhythms and melodies simultaneously, much like a pianist would.

To get started, practice some basic fingerpicking patterns. A simple one to try is the Travis picking pattern, which goes like this:

P: Thumb
I: Index
M: Middle

P  -  I  -  M  -  I
Bass - Treble - Treble - Treble

Apply this pattern to a chord progression, like C-F-G. Start slowly, focusing on clarity and evenness in your picking. As you become more comfortable, explore variations and syncopations to make your playing more dynamic.

Remember, fingerstyle is about creating a full, rich sound. Experiment with different dynamics and attack to bring out the nuances in your playing.

Integrating Ragtime Influences

Ragtime is another flavor in the New Orleans Jazz gumbo. Its bouncy, syncopated rhythms add a playful character to the music. To capture this influence, focus on ragtime’s distinctive stride feel.

A good exercise is to practice playing alternating bass notes with your thumb while your fingers handle the melody or chords. Here’s a basic pattern to try:

Bass: C  -  G
Chord: E  -  C

Thumb: P
Fingers: I, M, A

This creates a “boom-chick” sound that’s characteristic of ragtime. As you get comfortable, try adding embellishments like rolls or grace notes to emulate the piano’s playful style.

Ragtime also encourages creativity. Don’t be afraid to mix and match rhythms and melodies to create your own unique sound within the New Orleans Jazz framework.

Understanding the Role of Guitar in a Jazz Band

In a New Orleans Jazz band, the guitar often takes on a supportive role, providing rhythm and harmonic texture. Understanding your role within the ensemble is crucial to being a successful jazz guitarist.

Focus on locking in with the rhythm section. Your strumming patterns, chord voicings, and dynamics should complement the bass and drums, creating a cohesive groove.

Additionally, think about how you can add color to the music. Use extended chords and inversions to enhance the harmonic richness of the ensemble. Experiment with different chord voicings to find what fits best with the other instruments.

Remember, less is often more. Instead of playing constantly, listen for moments where you can add something special without overpowering the band. This sensitivity and awareness are what make a great jazz guitarist stand out.

Listening and Learning from the Greats

One of the best ways to learn New Orleans Jazz guitar is to immerse yourself in the music of its pioneers. Artists like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet have left a rich legacy to draw from.

Listen to classic recordings and pay attention to the guitarists’ styles. Notice how they handle rhythm, melody, and harmony. Try to emulate their techniques, but don’t be afraid to add your own flair.

Transcribing solos and comping parts is another valuable exercise. It helps you internalize the language of New Orleans Jazz and develop your ear. Start with shorter phrases, and gradually work your way up to longer passages.

By studying the greats, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what makes New Orleans Jazz so special, and you’ll be better equipped to contribute to its ongoing tradition.

Final Thoughts

Playing New Orleans Jazz guitar is a journey into a world of rich rhythms and soulful melodies. Whether you’re mastering syncopation or improvising over a blues progression, remember that it’s all about the groove and the feel. With practice and patience, you can capture that unique vibe. If you want to dive deeper into modern guitar techniques, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the best guitarists around, helping you refine your skills and find your voice in the vibrant world of New Orleans Jazz.