I just picked up this book and have been slowly working my way through the first few lessons. Rob's videos are a true gift for me. I've been playing for a long time but other than some failed attempts in high school, this is my first real time trying to get my mind around playing jazz and trying to understand it better. I don't read music and I'm mostly a rock player. If you're like me, there are things early on in this book that may prove to be stumbling blocks without some guidance such as what Rob is offering here. Thank you so much!
Thank you SO MUCH. I'm one of the "older people" approaching this book for the first time, and it is so helpful to see these chords played. You've done more to make the book understandable for new players than anyone I've found. Really a wonderful contribution to music education. Can't say enough good things to you.
I started with the Micky Baker book one in 1972. Its an excellent introduction to jazz chords and gave this teenage rocker a kick start into playing jazz which has lasted with me to this day.
thank you, Rob I've played for decades, , always say to players I admire, , I love jazz, wished I could play those chords...(get m.baker 1&2) well I did! opened and there's 26 chord to learn,, many I play but don't know how they relate, to each other after watching lesson 2 I be leave I can make it this time,, it's about time! many thanks for your gratuitous sharing of your knowledge
Rob: I had the same experience with the book. I purchased it in 1960, when I was 18 years old. Didn't understand it very well then, but have come a long way. It is a great book, one that has not been surpassed.
im so glad I found your videos..i have been playing for years and i can play classical as well as popular but jazz has always been a mystery to me...I stumbled upon these books and am finally starting to get it...they are great books..with your vids I think I will actually be able to play jazz for real..thank you so much
I just bought the book, and I am going to tear into lesson one (which does look pretty daunting, since most of those chords are new to me). I can't wait to use your videos to help me get through the lessons to come. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!
Thanks so much for this, I have been just getting in to the Mickey Baker Jazz books and you have turned on the lights (so to speak). I'm indebted to you. Great teaching method too, very mellow and fitting.
Me again. My (classical) guitar teacher had me buy this book in about 1974, after I expressed an interest in learning some jazz. But he simply told me to work through it on my own, because he was strictly classical. So it's stayed in my music cabinet the last 37 years, virtually untouched. So it's nice to see your description of it all.
Thanks for this Rob, I've been through the same experience. My teacher at 13/14 set me up with the book with little explanation as to how to approach it. I got through the initial chords and learned how to solo a bit over top them. But eventually the book went back on the shelf. I just pulled the book back out this week, Sure glad to run into your vids!
Big thanks to you Rob.. I've been playing quite a few of the exercises / runs from this book for many years now but mainly as finger exercises as I couldn't quite get my head round the feel of the runs, and how to use them,, now I think??? ho ho I'm finally starting to get it,,, looking at you playing the examples is a great help thanks for taking the time to put it out there Cheers Zacc
Rob Thanks so much for opening the door a little wider so I can get a better peek at whats going on in book 1. After more then 50 years playing I may have the discipline finally to get through the exercises. I still have questions about what exactly transcribing to the other keys actually means and how to go about it. Patience It will come.
Nicely done. I found you through Randy Bachman wrote Shes come Undun The Guess Who. Like you he also studied Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar.book. Thank You Rob.
What...where is the root for D13b5thb9 ? I was able to play the exercise as in the vid but as I go up the neck I cant figure out the name of the chord as it changes. Any help is welcome thanks
invaluable videos. i've been looking for a jazz guitar book and i'm leaning towards the mickey baker. my only hesitation regarding the book is that there is no companion CD or DVD like in modern books. thanks for posting the videos!
Rob, is there anything you don't do? I used to play out of Mickey Baker's book when I was a teen as well. It is the most influential jazz guitar book, but i found it quite disorganized. Do a search on youtube for murdick rhythm guitar.
In the video, you say that today we have "much hipper chords", etc. -- which makes me lose interest in the Baker book. What book do you recommend for hipper music?
