This goal is sort of undefined, so I guess the first thing to do is to decide what it means to know jazz guitar.
For now, I’ll work towards understanding (being able to explain) basic Jazz and improvisation theory and learning 10 jazz standards.
After talking to various players and reading up on guitar styles, I’ve decided on a plan.
1.) Work through the following books in the given order: Hal Leonard Method 1, 2, and Blues Guitar. Concurrently, I’ll work through a classical guitar book and a book of various lead licks in various styles. I’ll start on the basic styles, but then move on to blues and jazz as I work on their style books.
I hope that this will give me three strong starting points to work from. Because Blues has influenced pretty much every musical style in America that followed it (including Jazz), I think that it will be particularly useful. After that, I’ll work on Hal Leonard’s Jazz Guitar book.
2.) Learn various Jazz standards. I think I’ll start with “My Favorite Things”, and then maybe move on to “Matador” and some other pieces.
3.) Study music theory through my local community college.
