Jazz guitars were conceived in the early 1930s due to the need to use amplification in order to increase the volume of conventional acoustic guitars in a live setting so it can be heard more clearly. Very few instruments have had a greater influence on the evolution of music since the start of the 20th century. The earliest forms of jazz guitars were acoustic but by the 1940s, musicians were playing with either a hollow body acoustic or electric guitars along with a jazz guitar amp.
Probably the most recognisable type of guitars used for this type of music is the archtop. It has a large hollow sound box, magnetic pickups, floating bridge and violin style f shaped sound holes. These guitars are also known as hollow body guitars and have been available to purchase since the 1950s from famous manufacturers.
Jazz guitar involved several playing styles, the most common being blowing, comping and soloing. Blowing refers to improvising over the top of a chord progression with phrases and ornaments. Comping is the playing of extended chords while another musician solos or plays a melody. Walking basslines often have walking basslines and improvisation will make use of modes, scales and arpeggios.
In reality, this type of music can be played successfully on any type of guitar whether acoustic, hollow body or solid body. However, the guitar of choice is often the hollow body archtop. The most popular archtop guitars are made by Epiphone, Gretch, D'Angelico and Stromberg. These guitars enjoyed a resurgence of interest in the 1990s among the jazz guitarists of the day, as well with popular musicians. The archtop is usually made from a solid piece of wood that has been carved into an arch, Spruce is usually the wood of choice for the top and maple for the back.
Archtops or hollowbody guitars may be responsible for the famous "warm" jazzy tone, but the amplifier also plays a major part. Tube amps are usually the most popular form of amp for guitarists and there are many amplifiers that are dedicated to helping create the classic jazzy tone.
Tube amplifiers are usually favoured to produce a warm tone, and they also have a more musical overdrive sound compared to solid state amplifiers. However, tube amps are harder to maintain and valves need to be replaced. They are also heavier and more expensive than solid state amps.
One of the most popular amps for this style of music is the Roland J-120 Chorus Amp. Released in 1975 it was the first amp that came compete with effects built into into it, such as reverb, delay and distortion. George Benson, Larry Coryell and Pat Martino used the Roland J-20 Chorus Amp during live performances, making the amp a classic.
Fender also make very popular amps. These include the Hot Rod Deluxe, Fender King, Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight Speaker Cabinet with Amp Head, Fender Blues Junior, All of these amps are capable of producing that classic and instantly recognisable jazzy tone that is so sought after. Modelling hardware and software is also available that can produce the classic tone and can be used with any type of amp.
Probably the most recognisable type of guitars used for this type of music is the archtop. It has a large hollow sound box, magnetic pickups, floating bridge and violin style f shaped sound holes. These guitars are also known as hollow body guitars and have been available to purchase since the 1950s from famous manufacturers.
Jazz guitar involved several playing styles, the most common being blowing, comping and soloing. Blowing refers to improvising over the top of a chord progression with phrases and ornaments. Comping is the playing of extended chords while another musician solos or plays a melody. Walking basslines often have walking basslines and improvisation will make use of modes, scales and arpeggios.
In reality, this type of music can be played successfully on any type of guitar whether acoustic, hollow body or solid body. However, the guitar of choice is often the hollow body archtop. The most popular archtop guitars are made by Epiphone, Gretch, D'Angelico and Stromberg. These guitars enjoyed a resurgence of interest in the 1990s among the jazz guitarists of the day, as well with popular musicians. The archtop is usually made from a solid piece of wood that has been carved into an arch, Spruce is usually the wood of choice for the top and maple for the back.
Archtops or hollowbody guitars may be responsible for the famous "warm" jazzy tone, but the amplifier also plays a major part. Tube amps are usually the most popular form of amp for guitarists and there are many amplifiers that are dedicated to helping create the classic jazzy tone.
Tube amplifiers are usually favoured to produce a warm tone, and they also have a more musical overdrive sound compared to solid state amplifiers. However, tube amps are harder to maintain and valves need to be replaced. They are also heavier and more expensive than solid state amps.
One of the most popular amps for this style of music is the Roland J-120 Chorus Amp. Released in 1975 it was the first amp that came compete with effects built into into it, such as reverb, delay and distortion. George Benson, Larry Coryell and Pat Martino used the Roland J-20 Chorus Amp during live performances, making the amp a classic.
Fender also make very popular amps. These include the Hot Rod Deluxe, Fender King, Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight Speaker Cabinet with Amp Head, Fender Blues Junior, All of these amps are capable of producing that classic and instantly recognisable jazzy tone that is so sought after. Modelling hardware and software is also available that can produce the classic tone and can be used with any type of amp.
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