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08/21/2026

Think bending strings on a modern guitar is tough? Try playing a 1950s jazz archtop.

During the golden age of jazz, super-light .009s didn't exist. Guitarists wrestled with heavy .012 or .013 sets featuring a stiff, wound G-string that would make modern players wince.

Here’s why it was pure pain:

Little to no bending: Whole-step bends? Forget it. You’d snap a string or ruin your fingers trying.

Insane action/string tension: Archtops had high bridges to pump out raw acoustic volume over big bands, meaning you needed serious force just to fret a chord.

Blacksmith hands: Legend has it guitarists like Wes Montgomery and Freddie Green had calluses so thick they could barely feel their fingertips.

It wasn't until the 1960s when rock players like James Burton and Stevie Wonder's bassist started swapping out heavy strings for light banjo strings that the industry finally caught on and created light-gauge sets.

Jazz pioneers weren't just musicians, they were working out. 💪🎶

08/18/2026

Preparing for your first jazz jam session? Keep it simple!

Reliable gear like your trusty guitar, tuner, cable, and sharp ears will always take you further than a massive pedalboard.

Focus on making great music and connecting with the people around you! 🎸

Read the new blog here: https://www.jazzguitarlessons.net/blog/essential-gear-first-jam-session

08/11/2026

Most jazz guitarists think they have a practice problem.

They don't. They have a focus problem.

Playing for three hours isn't impressive if you spend all three hours switching topics every ten minutes.

Swapping between five scale shapes, three new licks, and two jazz standards in one session doesn't make you versatile. It makes you forgetful.

The guitarist who practices one tune for 30 minutes always beats the guitarist who practices 30 licks for three hours.

Why? Depth beats variety.

-> Focus builds neural pathways: Deep repetition on a single jazz standard locks in tone, timing, and fretboard visualization.

-> Skimming builds illusion: Running dozens of licks gives you the feeling of progress without the result of mastery.

Stop trying to learn everything this week. Pick one standard. Spend 30 focused minutes on it today. Delete the rest.

If you want to play real jazz, try pruning your practice list first.

Cheers,
Marc

P.S. If you want us to do the pruning for you, check out Marc’s Jazz Guitar Academy: http://www.skool.com/jazz-guitar
We give you one clear, step-by-step roadmap so you always know exactly what tune to practice, and what to ignore.

Improve Your Jazz Guitar Playing with a REAL Teacher

07/31/2026

Learn jazz guitar with a structured path, a real community, and 8 live calls a month. Join the Academy: skool.com/jazz-guitar

07/30/2026

Step onto the room of fellow musicians with confidence by mastering the essential habits that turn bedroom practice into effortless stage performance.

From locking in your time to seamlessly switching between comping and soloing, discover how to actually prepare a jazz standard for your next jam session.

Read the new blogpost here:
https://www.jazzguitarlessons.net/blog/7-things-to-practice-before-a-jam-session

07/15/2026

What if your best note... is the one you don't play? 🤫

Jim Hall proved that great solos aren't about playing more. They're about knowing when not to play.

Space creates tension, gives your ideas room to breathe, and makes every phrase more meaningful.

Stop trying to play more. Start trying to say more.

👉 Read the full post here: https://www.jazzguitarlessons.net/blog/jim-hall-why-silence-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-tools-in-jazz-guitar

Do you intentionally leave space in your solos, or is it something you're still working on? Let us know in the comments! 👇

07/13/2026

Back in March, master jazz guitarist and composer Bill Frisell celebrated his birthday with a special concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center, coinciding with the release of his new album, In My Dreams. It was a fitting tribute to one of the most distinctive and influential voices in jazz guitar.

His playing is a great reminder that you don't have to play fast to say something profound.

What comes to mind when you hear Bill Frisell play?

Artist: Bill FrisellSong: In My DreamsWritten by Bill FrisellBi...

07/08/2026

Comping: The Underrated Role for Jazz Guitarists

07/03/2026

Before becoming a solo icon, John Scofield played with the legendary Miles Davis from 1982 to 1985. Miles was notoriously picky about his musicians, but he loved Scofield’s unique blend of jazz, funk, and blues.

Scofield actually turned down Miles Davis' first invitation to join the band because he was already committed to touring with bass virtuoso Steve Swallow. Miles respected his commitment and called him back later!