: While it starts simply, the physical stretches required for some chord shapes (like the "G7" stretch in Lesson 1) can be demanding for beginners. Minimal Theory : The book focuses on to play rather than
The book is divided into two main sections, though it is the first section that is most famous and transformative. mickey baker 39-s complete course in jazz guitar pdf
Unlike modern instructional books that often rely on lengthy theoretical explanations, the Baker book is lean and mean. It is built on the "Workhorse" philosophy: you learn by doing. : While it starts simply, the physical stretches
Baker's approach was revolutionary in its simplicity and clarity. He broke down complex jazz concepts into manageable parts, using a combination of notation, tablature, and chord diagrams to illustrate key ideas. The course's 39 lessons, hence the title, provide a gradual and logical progression from basic chord shapes and scales to advanced techniques such as chord-melody playing and improvisation. It is built on the "Workhorse" philosophy: you
Mickey Baker was not a stereotypical academic. He was a hardened, self-taught pro who played rhythm and blues with the likes of Ray Charles and Ruth Brown before becoming a first-call session guitarist in New York. He understood the guitar not as a theoretical construct, but as a tool to get a job done. His "Complete Course" was originally titled Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar: A Modern Method in How-to-Play Jazz and Hot Guitar . The keyword here is . In the 1950s, Baker bridged the gap between the Swing era of Charlie Christian and the Bebop revolution, creating a curriculum designed to make a guitarist functional, employable, and hip.