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I get it—you’re feeling a bit lost, maybe even frustrated. I’ve been there. In fact, after all these years, I still find myself discovering new challenges. I studied jazz guitar for six years, earning my undergrad at Berklee and my master’s at NYU. I’ve been performing jazz professionally for almost 20 years, and despite all that, I’m still learning and growing. Jazz is an endless journey, but that’s what makes it exciting, right?
By the time you’ve picked up this book, you’ve probably realized that jazz isn’t something you can master overnight. It requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to dive into the unknown. My musical roots didn’t start with jazz—I came from rock bands like Deep Purple, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theater. I also worked through classical guitar books and played in high school jazz band, where improvisation meant playing a single chorus on a blues scale.
These lessons blend technical skills and creative approaches to help you on your journey. Some lessons will focus on guitar-specific techniques, while others explore the broader jazz mindset. What I offer here are tools that have helped me over the years. You might find your own way of using them, or even choose to take a different approach. That’s the beauty of jazz—there’s no one right way.
I’ve had many teachers who offered different perspectives, and I learned something unique from each one. At Berklee, I studied with amazing players like Tim Miller, John Thomas, and Jim Kelly, while at NYU, I learned from jazz legends like Peter Bernstein and Brian Lynch. Each teacher unlocked something new for me, and my hope is that these 25 lessons will do the same for you.
Jazz is a mystery, but it’s a mystery worth exploring. Together, let’s dive in, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the journey—one lesson at a time.