Tim Lerch - Overwhelmed with too much info? Take small bites and chew well.

[@billcarmona9996]

Being a visual learner -- I learn a lot from you.

[@JohnFiresheets]

The world of music needs more instructors like you Mr. Lerch, thank you.🙂

[@andreasschmidt1555]

Thanx Tim for your great advices - good impulses for reducing overload for us poor semi-pros.😀

[@jonbirmingham6005]

You are a natural teacher with the bonus of being a sincere encourager. It goes without saying you are a complete musician with a beautiful sound and virtuosic voice. Thank you for all you do to teach and encourage.

[@CarolEderGuitarist]

Priorities are so important. I’m learning more and more how to narrow my vision and focus more in depth on the microcosm instead of being overwhelmed by the macrocosm.

[@DARKLYLIT]

Thanks a lot Tim. "Incrementally" is something that should be stressed by ALL teachers, ALL the time. I recently watched a discussion between Kenny Werner and Julian Lage and Kenny mentioned exactly this: "If you don't take an incremental approach to this kind of music, you're just going to get overwhelmed." Many thanks for the quick lesson and chat Tim. Much appreciated! :)

[@jackgriffith9229]

Musicians! Don’t beat yourself up! Just listen carefully, make a solid set list of standards. Listen to ten tunes over and over. Be able to hear the tunes in your head. Get the charts in the correct keys . Use the charts until you don’t need them anymore. Get on the phone and book your quartet ! Go perfect your music! Enjoy!🎸

[@sadielampduo3762]

You know your comment is the way we do it and keeping talent compensated . See you on the road jack

[@psomlo]

I had a teacher that had me practicing all arpeggios, in all fingerings, in all keys, diatonically, in 4ths, etc., same with chords and scales. This went on for about a year and a half - I said, "shouldn't I be playing songs?", "Oh no, not necessarily". I ended up quitting for about five years, finally came back to it, now I only play chord melody, no endless exercises - the tunes are the exercise.

[@capeheartriz]

I ended up quitting for about 20 years, got into the solo guitar thing (cord melody)..I never get bored, enjoy playing every day...I never liked running scales...now we think of fills , but its all about harmony for me...its working on tunes, its all musical...

[@magisterpiazza1920]

Same for me. I put down the guitar for almost 20 years because I was overwhelmed and my teacher kept pushing me to avoid shapes, focus on scales and reading . Now I’m back, playing chord melody songs, learning on my own with excellent videos like Tim’s, and some private lessons on zoom.-and even practicing arpeggios is a joy when it’s about the songs.

[@WashingtonJohnson]

When I first learned how guitar from a friend of mine , was first learn how to tune the guitar so he wouldn’t have to do it for me . So he said practice that first, a lot . Then with purpose he taught me songs that we were going to be playing in front of people in 3 weeks for his Catholic folk mass . So I learn play songs at the very beginning and eventually I was teaching him songs in about six weeks. I didn’t learn how to read music until much later in life . I ended starting a trio with three friends, we recorded an album of original material, hand sold 500 copies , that was our fan base ,etc . The point is I did one thing well, learn how to tune the guitar, treat that as a launching point to get you to listen to the guitar in tune to some open basic chords, preferably open major seventh chords . I typically use an Amaj 7 chord at six fret because I know what sounds like in tune with the other strings . It’s a meditation for me and if I haven’t played in awhile, like now , that’s where I start and really connect and reconnect with the sound of the guitar. Then I’ll pick a song I learned from the very beginning just to get the ball rolling.

[@100happythoughts]

My instructor said “now, make up a tune using this scale.”

[@Paul-tk1hg]

Thank you again Sir for a personally very timely lesson and advice. As the Berkeley Method describes this all as a long and dusty road

[@Morten6842]

Your tips on practicing are pure gold, and so on the spot. Wasted way to practice time with doing shapes instead of having fun and making music.

[@RockYourTeeth]

Some nights I sit down with my guitar and feel like there's "nothing to do" and then other times I feel overwhelmed with all the things I want to work on. This is good advice to apply each little thing in some way.

[@jwright8838]

Wow! Tim. I'm so glad I found this video of yours. I'm definitely overwhelmed by the vocabulary associated with Jazz music. I grew up on Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Eventually, I found blues and prog rock, but Jazz was always kind of out there to me. Coming from a rock perspective I saw music in terms of diatonic scales. Eventually I learned of modes and such and even learned to follow the chord structure with multiple scales in one song, but the scalar way of thinking always made Jazz more off in the distance to me. I knew that arpeggios were a bridge to chord and scalar playing, but this video helped things click for me. Now I just need to update my technique. Playing an arpeggio with interesting rhythm patterns is not something I'm used to and its going to take some loosening of my right hand to make it musical with alternate picking. At least I can see where I'm going at the horizon, rather than it being completely unknown. Thanks again for the video.

[@mladendomic6990]

8

[@toreilly100]

Great discussion Tim!! This is why I quit jazz years ago. Overwhelmed.

[@muyybe]

I like you idea about "doability factor"!

[@guillermopellerano9106]

The best advice... in other words be happy with your playing and enjoy the trip. Thanks Tim!

[@joehenry9787]

Tim - your videos are a phenomenal antidote to anxiety in music. Great intelligence and wisdom. Thank you for this sir!

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Tim really is an amazing teacher ( and player).

[@waitaminute7257]

I had trouble staying focused on what you were saying because I was too busy staring at that ultra cool looking 175 with the single P90. 👍😃

[@matthewmurray7428]

These types of talks are so helpful! I've really been thinking about how I'm learning things and dividing up my practice and this was great. Thanks!

[@barrysebastian9584]

Wonderful “sage” advice. The more we play with usable bites of info, the more it begins to sound and feel comfortable. Before long, we can string it all together in all kinds of variations! Love you “sharing” hangs🙏😁!

[@tripledoubletroubful]

Berklee in the 90s had a lot of teachers preaching overwhelming methodologies. The guys out playing gigs were all about musicality, feel, and playing the right things.

[@LoveIsWhoWeAre]

You are awesome! Thanks for being the online guitar teacher with heart.

[@peteandrews7169]

Great lesson, very clear and great roadmap to learning the neck! I remember reading in Guitar Player Mag a million years ago, the great Howard Roberts in his monthly Column, pushing this approach, alter one note, and you have 5 different chord types out of the one basic major grip.Thanks for this very valuable and sensible approach, cheers.

[@100happythoughts]

Learning everything at once ruins the journey. Learning theory is exploring fun and interesting options. The reason jazz guitar is challenging is because most jazz players like changing out the colorful sounds. 😂 Theory is a relationship that builds over time. Just like dating. That is how I never get discouraged! Sadly students that don’t understand this mindset give up so quickly. Great Lesson btw. ❤😊

[@patrickford1885]

Thanks so much. Your instructions are natural and easy and encouraging. I’m 65 and I’m blind, talk about overwhelming? But with my lessons I just take it easy with them and do what I can and I make it enjoyable as you have suggested. So thanks so much. I really enjoy all your videos.

[@rileymerino6340]

Learned a lot last year assisting a band/orchestra director in a middle school. I remember asking her how she planned lessons and she’d tell me how she didn’t really. “Planning lessons” was ordering appropriate tunes for our students on Jw pepper and the lessons came either as they were struggling, or as a new concept would arise they weren’t familiar with like using vibrato on a ballad or what a caesura meant, counting in 9/8, etc… It was always about application and if they weren’t using the lot new concepts immediately on their music then to her teaching the concept at all was a moot point. Mind you this lady has won countless awards over her 22 years doing it. I don’t think it’s ever worth teaching a student “__ theory” in a vacuum. And I do get asked to teach it all the time as I’m sure you other teachers do as well. Every song presents a unique challenge and, to me, the “theory” is how to master that song and transfer the skills you learned from it onto future ones to master them more efficiently.

[@scotthoskins3280]

Appreciate you Tim. Thx!

[@karst41]

Color my World with 4 note arpeggios. fantastic lesson much like Martins lesson on 10ths (blackbird)

[@pz29]

Great advice. I own a couple of books (bought before I had any idea of what I was doing) which tell me to "memorize everything in every key" before even attempting to play a meaningful piece of music.

[@50CJAZZ]

Great video.

[@craighos2571]

Thanks !🎸

[@petecarrollmusic]

Yep, been a guitarist for 36 years, only really began the jazz guitar journey less than a year ago into it all more recently. And it feels like I'm starting over all againm after winging it in Rock/Blues Rock/Indie Rock for those mentioned years. I'll persevere. Love the videos and channel Tim, has helped immensely, really has. I'm a Strat player but looking for a jazzer soon, just watched your Epiphone 335 video, which sounds great, and its affordable...keep up the great work !

[@ChipQ]

I needed this one today Tim. You always deliver.

[@lomezgaureano]

Thank you so much !

[@life-is-inspiring3953]

Totally agree; it's impossible to learn everything even spending entire life so it's best to apply what one has learned so far to create right away. And learn some new thing and put it in the next song and growth like this.

[@JimPoston1]

Thanks Tim!

[@hanzzee]

What a treat! Two of my fave guitarists paying tribute to one of my other favorite guitarists! Thanks guys!

[@danqodusk8140]

Another great presentation with great, simple advice!

[@jtbutlerjr]

Thank you so much, Tim. This is an excellent lesson that is presented clearly. Top flight stuff.

[@duyle8921]

Great advice

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Thanks!

[@brianosullivan5441]

I use the word 'organic' when it comes to this approach. I related to the comment that if you try a minor 7th flat 5 in a performance/jam situation and it doesn't work out - woodshed that particular skill !

[@kayakkootenaybc]

Yes. Thanks for the wisdom man.

[@ArtistformerlyknownasBret]

Loving the channel. Much appreciated wisdom.

[@charleshill9649]

Take small bites and chew well. Learning jazz, for me, has been excruciatingly slow. But what I know, I know. Also play a lot of bluegrass; I find a lot in common in the two styles.Tim is a great player and teacher.

[@a.sarfer]

Really good advices, Tim! I really like hearing you talk about different ways and approaches to see the same piece of information on the fretboard. You should come to Paris for a masterclass. Greetings from France!

[@AllanMacKinnon88]

Nicely done. ‘In appreciation!

[@78tag]

"You have to be able to hear it" - I didn't get that for a long time. Made the mistake of trying to memorize without really understanding the "why" and connecting the "sound" of it. As great as tabs are, I almost wish I had never learned to use them. It defeated my original goal of just learning to play what felt right.

[@dkwvt13]

Nice! I know the simple changes on paper but I never sat down and constructed them side by side on the fretboard to see how "under the fingers" it could be. Excellent insight, Thank You...! B-)

[@TimB335]

Hi Tim, great lesson, I’ve been playing guitar for 25 years and over the last 5 or so have been trying to get into jazz but it’s been slow progress. I’ve recently had a renewed effort and tried to focus on the arpeggios but was going down the route of learning them across the fretboard in lots of positions and starting to get overwhelmed so this video is nicely timed - thanks! 👍

[@ronholcomb7359]

Thank you. Like your TrueFire courses, this lesson is awesome.

[@xGoldriever]

I remember studying Chicago’s “Color My World” in my theory class, realizing very quickly it’s just a very beautiful arpeggio warmup

[@pacoguerilla3097]

Thanks for your excellent advice.

[@yakabayngu1126]

Great lesson Tim, thanks

[@3r1cratpool22]

What a nice and great sounding guitar. I wish i have one just like this

[@jamescopeland5358]

Tim, this makes sense to me. I can't not pick with my buddies so I have to do small steps. I am working on the arpeggios right now. I didn't think about the quality. I will start that tomorrow. Thx

[@VitalBigras]

Thank You! This is really helpful 👍🏼

[@shannonlandre4442]

Thanks. Very helpful lesson.

[@ThangNguyen-xt8pj]

Thanks Tim!!!

[@jazzmutant5829]

Hey, this was an opener to ne. Thanks a lot

[@fepatton]

I would love a TrueFire course from you along these lines. I’ve been doing the Jazz Learning Path, and it’s great, but sometimes I feel like it goes from very basic concepts to much more advanced, kind of skipping some steps. (Maybe those steps are obvious to other people.) There may already be a course that does this - TF has quite the selection!

[@gregfinlayson8135]

As per usual incredibly insightful advice. Thank you.

[@chadjohnson-authormusician8072]

Great info, Tim! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

[@BrotherBrownMusic]

great advice!

[@deano41.123]

As always, thanks for your solid advice, it's most appreciated. Cheers

[@electricj5]

Great lesson

[@fer7068]

Thank you so much for sharing the idea Tim

[@emlyngriffith5846]

An excellent lesson. Thanks a lot 👍🍷

[@YovanTsaous]

Thanks, this is so inspiring!

[@colingardiner6516]

Thanks Tim. Very helpful

[@bernardparent8340]

Thanks a Lot Tim, the do ability must be the key😉I switch from flat wounds to your brand of roundwounds, a bit of slurring! Nothing bad, I ll try the same gauge of Pyramid next time. I am a snob for silk end guitar string, my pet peeve as they say! Can’t wait for your next video take care , Bernard.

[@drjonado]

I have been working on "learning" jazz guitar....I would love someone to give guidance as to what are the basics really needed to start playing with, lets say a trio, and be able to basically support that gig....then expand from there to make your playing more interesting...I just can't seem to get a handle on what those basics are.....such as what are the basic jazz chord structures, basic scale structures, etc to get you thru....it quickly gets overwhelming when people say you need to learn all scales, all modes, all arpeggios, all chords and variations, all inversions.....that would take an enormous amount of time....I am already 59 years old....I would like to be able to play jazz with others before I reach 90 yo! ya, that is supposed to be a funny but I think it makes the point....

[@pawlowski6132]

So true

[@ladjazzz]

Simple is the key... Knowing what you are playing or intend to...

[@sTVG2]

Great Stuff🎉❤… quick question: does that guitar have a Spruce top?

[@TimLerchGuitar]

It’s a laminated top.

[@sTVG2]

@@TimLerchGuitar it sounds very nice

[@neiles335]

Looks like a 'vintage' Gibson ES175 .

[@gregmock6808]

Great, great lesson.....plugged some holes in my vocabulary.

[@papamilo2671]

Good man.

[@wolfgang4078]

True words !

[@elizabethanderson2968]

Incrementally!

[@jack6136]

Does anyone learn how to play Jazz overnight? Do people who want to play Jazz listen to Jazz? Should musicians learn the American Song Book and Jazz Standards? Do musicians know what Miles Davis sounds like? What about Ed Bickert ?

[@braddanielson7705]

It would be nice if a simple chord progression could be associated with the different arpeggios or how a 2-5-1 would work best.Finally,it seems that jazz is played in some keys more than others.A good example is the key of F.Very few pop songs are in the key of F or the blues unless it is the older country blues and the key of C is a favorite key for jazz. Would it be best to practice those keys before moving into the "horn" keys? Just a thought. Earl

[@TimLerchGuitar]

arpeggio shapes are moveable. So it’s good to embrace the “conveyor belt” aspect of the guitar. Then the “key” isn’t as much of an issue.

[@smiddlyrabone8900]

Where did you go to Jr High at?

[@smiddlyrabone8900]

Did you have a Black Les Paul in Jr hi?

[@davidgodby3481]

The ‘crux of the biscuit’ is putting the newly learned arpeggios into a TUNE asap..! Thanks Tim.. good advice, as always..

[@jorgetenamusic]

Wisdom!

[@barrycooper1631]

Glad you are enjoying your "new" 175 Tim!

[@franksaunders-ot3ig]

nice

[@pickandstring]

This is great! And I will get melodic triads and chordal improv in True Fire!

[@nilsgrafo5999]

👏🙏

[@mooseymoose]

When all is said and done, there are 12 notes. It’s not rocket surgery.

[@4gcole]

Tim that 175 sounds like it would really cut in a band setting :)

[@TimLerchGuitar]

It’s a real beaut. I haven’t had it set up and the tuners need to be replaced so i haven’t used it on a gig yet. I am really looking forward to getting it in shape so I can start to use it out in the world.

[@eohippusone]

Just choosing the right ES 175 to buy must be an ordeal.

[@armsfullofronan]

don't seattle my tacoma! ha. your t shirt game is on the rise. another great video, thank you tim. i need to remind myself daily to smaller bites, the smaller the better really!

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Hi Ronan, I hope you’re well. I miss you.

[@armsfullofronan]

@@TimLerchGuitar Miss you too Tim. I'll drop you a line sometime when I'm back in the Northwest. Would love to make it down to Tacoma.

[@seattlevegas66]

Winnie the Pooh had this to say, and it fits nicely... just make a plan... and stick with it 🐻

[@robertmercure1740]

❤️❤️🙏🙋🏼‍♂️🇨🇦

[@steveburchfield5576]

Mick Goodrick refers to the Jazz Sheriff. A mindset of over expectations. Goals are good but maybe you dont have to know how to play great solos for Giant Steps in all twelve keys.Maybe you wont make everyone weep with you Ballad intros! Who cares? Good Topic Tim.

[@totallyunmemorable]

Sorry, I can't pay any attention to what you're saying till I know WHAT YOUR FREAKIN SHIRT SAYS!!! ARRRRRRG!!!!!

[@totallyunmemorable]

And if it's boring, make up something more interesting. . . . Uh, improvise. ;)

[@TimLerchGuitar]

@@totallyunmemorable it says "Don't Seattle my Tacoma" sorry, its a local issue : )

[@totallyunmemorable]

@@TimLerchGuitar Oh, I get it. Believe me. I lived there (Seattle) once upon a time. Gosh, I guess it's been over twenty years ago. Time is really harshin' my buzz lately.

[@mozartsp]

great lesson

[@machineethics]

Thanks!

[@sunnysideamps]

Thanks Tim!

[@craiglong6641]

Thanks!

[@TimLerchGuitar]

thank you !