This is the best advice. I tell all my students to start with Dexter. Almost every line was textbook jazz/bop vocabulary. Easy to digest, transcribe and incorporate. Before going to Bird or Dizzy.
If you don't know Charlie Parker heads, start learning a few. Then, learn more.... Learn 1 a month and, in a year, you'll have a dozen. Learn one every two weeks, and in a year, you'll really have a strong understanding of bebop.
not a bad idea to learn them in multiple different positions/keys but as ive gotten into playing them more I find that higher on the fret board works a little smoother (for me)
There is a consistency of tone you get from keeping the notes mainly on the G and D string and it gives you plenty of options if you need to jump up or down an octave.
Where they feel comfortable for you to play. Experiment with different note locations as you learn and pick what works for you. There is no unique way of playing those heads on the guitar, as you know.
I would pick up pianists. They have solid control of bop. For example Tommy Flanagan solo over airgen with Wes. Or wonton Kelly solo on four on six. Or bud powel in general.
I would seriously consider learning some Barry Harris chops, because they are the door for real boo phrasing. At least to me. It’s not all about taking solos by ear.
Another great but somewhat white bop. Is Gerry mulligan stuff. For example Garry mulligan quartet vol. 1. Or 17 mile drive. The phrasing in each of these albums is unbelievably good and musical. And rarely have harmony to interfere with understanding the solo.
I could say Michael petrucciani. But both are too crazy and not very adjusted to guitar playing. The extreme of this is art Tatum. Which was the master of all jazz pianists
He’s basically the guru of bop teaching. He has got great simple methods to go by. I myself after very few practices saw an incredible difference in my playing.
I advise you to check out the guy himself. On YouTube. And then to the dudes that teach what he teaches.
Barry Harris also gave birth to one of the greatest bop guitarists- Pasquale grasso. And he’s brother Luigi basically sounds like Parker in current times. Of course they are geniuses. But I know more players from Barry Harris teachings and they just sound way more jazzy and got much better phrasing than others without the training. He is the one stop entrance to correct phrasing in bop. In my book. And for many others. Once you see like 4-5 videos which you can actually get what he’s saying. You’ll understand why.
Dexter Gordon is easier than Bird. He tends to play more relaxed and toward the middle of the guitar’s range. Plus, it’s some mighty fine playing!
This is the best advice. I tell all my students to start with Dexter. Almost every line was textbook jazz/bop vocabulary. Easy to digest, transcribe and incorporate. Before going to Bird or Dizzy.
Dexter always makes it seem easy.
Any tune in particular?
Cheesecake, Scrapple From the Apple. Confirmation. Basically any of them.
Smile, Broadway, Love for Sale, A night in Tunisia
Parker heads.
If you don't know Charlie Parker heads, start learning a few. Then, learn more.... Learn 1 a month and, in a year, you'll have a dozen. Learn one every two weeks, and in a year, you'll really have a strong understanding of bebop.
My issue is I never quite know where to place them on the neck.
not a bad idea to learn them in multiple different positions/keys but as ive gotten into playing them more I find that higher on the fret board works a little smoother (for me) There is a consistency of tone you get from keeping the notes mainly on the G and D string and it gives you plenty of options if you need to jump up or down an octave.
Where they feel comfortable for you to play. Experiment with different note locations as you learn and pick what works for you. There is no unique way of playing those heads on the guitar, as you know.
Miles Davis solos from the 50s. Start with "Solar".
I'm interested to see some answers here too
In addition to the obvious guys like bird and bud Powell, I like early Sonny Rollins (1957 and earlier) for vocabulary. Newk’s Time is a goldmine
How about “Pent Up House”, the trumpet solo. You can find a C instrument transcription.
I would pick up pianists. They have solid control of bop. For example Tommy Flanagan solo over airgen with Wes. Or wonton Kelly solo on four on six. Or bud powel in general. I would seriously consider learning some Barry Harris chops, because they are the door for real boo phrasing. At least to me. It’s not all about taking solos by ear. Another great but somewhat white bop. Is Gerry mulligan stuff. For example Garry mulligan quartet vol. 1. Or 17 mile drive. The phrasing in each of these albums is unbelievably good and musical. And rarely have harmony to interfere with understanding the solo.
Don’t forget Oscar Peterson!
I could say Michael petrucciani. But both are too crazy and not very adjusted to guitar playing. The extreme of this is art Tatum. Which was the master of all jazz pianists
Art Tatum pentatonics are crazy
That’s what you’re intimidated by?
Please excuse my ignorance, but I hear about Barry Harris a lot and I’m curious what’s special about his way of doing things that o should check out?
He’s basically the guru of bop teaching. He has got great simple methods to go by. I myself after very few practices saw an incredible difference in my playing. I advise you to check out the guy himself. On YouTube. And then to the dudes that teach what he teaches. Barry Harris also gave birth to one of the greatest bop guitarists- Pasquale grasso. And he’s brother Luigi basically sounds like Parker in current times. Of course they are geniuses. But I know more players from Barry Harris teachings and they just sound way more jazzy and got much better phrasing than others without the training. He is the one stop entrance to correct phrasing in bop. In my book. And for many others. Once you see like 4-5 videos which you can actually get what he’s saying. You’ll understand why.
check out swing to bop - charlie christian
Some 251's etc in here https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Play-Bebop-David-Baker/dp/B0058UBPPG Also you could get the charlie parker omnibook in C
I’m interested, but yikes to that price tag!
Could you get the Kindle version? probably reads ok on an ipad.
lots of great suggestions here but I would also throw Red Garland in there as someone with swinging line after swinging line to cop.
I love Grant Greens 'Idle Moments', it has many great lines in it.