Jazz Guitar with Jane

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Jane Miller

In this lesson series, you will be exploring the world of Jazz guitar with Jane Miller.

70 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

95% Appoval

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Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

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Full Course Breakdown

Jane Miller explains everything you need to know about Jazz guitar. Assuming some prior theory knowledge, Jane jumps right into the information that will get you playing in no time.

1

Interview with Jane Miller

This exciting interview takes a close look at the playing and teaching of Jane Miller. Learn about her influences, some jazz recommendations, and her musical experience.

43:05 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

2

Introductory Lesson

Jane Miller talks about her new jazz series and provides a couple quick tips to get you started.

9:03 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

3

Hand Warm-ups

Jane Miller explains the importance of hand stretches and warm-up exercises.

4:06 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

4

Jazz and Blues

Jane explains the chord changes used in a 12 bar jazz style blues.

17:30 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Soloing Over the Blues

Jane Miller shares some fun ideas about soloing over a 12 bar blues.

22:08 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

6

The ii-V-I Progression

Jane talks more about the ii-V-I progression and how to work it into your jazz playing.

7:25 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

7

Tensions on Chords

Jane Miller shares some valuable thoughts regarding chord tensions.

20:10 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

8

Melodic Minor Scales

Jane provides an introductory lesson on the melodic minor scale.

2:44 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

9

Melodic Minor Scales Application

Jane explains how the melodic minor scale and its corresponding modes are used in jazz melodies.

18:09 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

10

Movable Chord Forms

Jane takes a look at movable chord forms played on the treble strings.

20:39 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Movable Chord Forms Continued

Jane Miller expands on her discussion of movable chord forms and how they apply to jazz.

19:18 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

12

Groove & Rhythm

Jane Miller shares a wonderful lesson about the importance of rhythm.

7:58 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

13

Rhythm Part 2

Jane Miller explores more rhythm and groove with another lesson using the metronome.

7:40 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

14

Rhythm Part 3

Jane Miller continues her discussion on rhythm and using a metronome.

6:15 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

15

Daily Practice

Jane Miller concludes her discussion on metronomes and forming daily practice routines.

10:27 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

16

Right Hand Techniques

Jane Miller dives into her first lesson on right hand techniques.

3:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

17

Right Hand Part 2

Jane Miller dives right into part 2 of her Right Hand Techniques mini-series.

5:00 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

18

Right Hand Part 3

Jane Miller talks about fingerstyle playing exclusively in the third installment of Right Hand Techniques.

18:05 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

19

Drop 2 Voicings

Jane Miller explores drop 2 voicings in this lesson.

18:06 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

20

Bargain Chord

Jane Miller talks about a "bargain chord" in this lesson. Learn what a bargain chord is and how it can be applied to your playing.

15:35 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

21

Chord Solos

Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.

18:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
22

Chord Solos Part 2

Jane Miller explores another aspect of chord solos in part two of this fun topic.

6:27 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

23

Chord Solos Part 3

Jane Miller concludes her discussion on chord solos.

13:59 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

24

Latin Grooves

Jane Miller explores some common Latin vamps in this lesson.

10:49 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

25

Repertoire Practice

Jane Miller shares her insights on the topic of practice versus repertoire practice.

7:39 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

26

Song Demonstrations: Bedtime Story

Jane Miller plays an original song called "Bedtime Story" that showcases techniques discussed in earlier lessons such as the use of open strings and Bossa Nova comping.

4:19 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

27

Song Demonstrations: Free Alongside Ship

Jane demonstrates another original song called "Free Alongside Ship" that uses techniques learned in previous lessons.

3:00 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

28

The Other Room

Jane Miller shares an original tuned called "The Other Room." Similar to songs taught in the past few lessons, "The Other Room" showcases techniques that Jane taught earlier in the series. See if you can catch them while watching.

4:55 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

29

Diminished Chords & Scales

Jane Miller takes a look at diminished chords in this lesson. She also touches on diminished scales and their relationship with diminished and dominant chords.

11:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

30

Diminished Chords: Inversions

Jane Miller continues her discussion on diminished chords. In this lesson, she touches on their inversions and how they can be used in chord progressions.

11:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

31

Diminished Scales

Jane Miller changes gears and talks about diminished scales that go along with the diminished chords you learned.

12:48 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

32

Substitutions

Jane Miller touches on making diminished 7th chords a substitution for dominant 7th chords.

15:38 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

33

Diminished Scales Continued

Jane Miller returns to the subject of diminished scales. This time she explains how they fit in with the chord substitutions you learned about in the last lesson.

14:28 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

34

Arpeggios

Jane Miller starts explaining arpeggios. In continuation of the last couple of lessons, she starts with diminished 7th chord arpeggios.

10:07 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

35

Arpeggios Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion on arpeggios in this lesson. This time around, she focuses on major 7th chord arpeggios.

9:42 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

36

Arpeggios Part 3

In continuation of her last lesson, Jane Miller discusses another use for major 7th arpeggios.

8:50 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

37

Arpeggios Part 4

Jane Miller gives a few more examples of using major 7th arpeggios against minor chords and explains how you can better incorporate them into your playing.

14:45 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

38

Major 6th Chords

In this lesson, Jane Miller talks about major 6th chords and their relationship with minor 7th chords.

8:35 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

39

Scales & Patterns

Jane Miller talks about scales & patterns in this lesson. She addresses some popular questions including how to improve the melodic element of your improvisation.

10:10 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

40

Scales & Patterns Part 2

Jane Miller revisits her last lesson and explains how to apply major scales.

7:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

41

Scales & Patterns Part 3

Jane Miller continues her lessons about scales & patterns with a discussion on the pentatonic scale.

14:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

42

Scales & Patterns Part 4

Jane Miller continues her discussion of the pentatonic scale and its patterns. She talks about how to start applying some of the lines you learned in the previous lesson.

13:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

43

The Whole Tone Scale

Jane Miller talks about the whole tone scale. This scale consists entirely of whole steps.

13:41 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

44

The Chromatic Scale

Now that you've learned all about the diminished and whole tone scales, Jane Miller discusses the chromatic scale.

9:21 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

45

Chromatic Scale Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion of the chromatic scale with a great exercise to help you practice dynamics.

6:58 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

46

Dynamics & Improvising

Jane Miller continues her discussion on dynamics in this lesson. She invites you to think about volume as a way to add feeling or catch attention while improvising.

7:01 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

47

Bass Lines

Jane Miller discusses bass lines in this lesson. She begins by explaining how you can get a bass line going by itself first. Then, she explains how to add in chord voicings.

15:53 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

48

Upper Structure Triads

Jane Miller begins a discussion on upper structure triads. In this lesson, Jane refers to the top part of a major 7th chord as well as added tensions.

12:37 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

49

Upper Structure Triads Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion of upper structure triads.

15:14 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

50

Upper Structure Triads Part 3

Jane Miller picks up where she left off in her last lesson and shares a great technique that will provide you with some new comping options.

4:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

51

Upper Structure Triads Part 4

Jane Miller concludes her discussion of upper structure triads. In this lesson, she helps you turn the E minor triad you have been using into a G major triad.

9:29 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

52

Lydian Mode

Jane Miller changes gears and focuses on the E Lydian mode in this lesson.

13:31 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

53

You Are Many Things

For the next portion of her Jazz series, Jane focuses on a tune called "You Are Many Things". She uses this song as a vehicle to talk about playing jazz melodies, chord comping, playing solo arrangements and improvising.

28:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

54

The Melody

In this lesson, Jane talks about playing the melody for "You Are Many Things." This includes a play along segment.

9:25 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

55

Jazz Comping

Jane Miller gives some advice on comping in the context of a jazz standard. The tune "You Are Many Things" is once again used as an example.

21:34 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

56

Advanced Comping

Jane talks about advanced comping techniques for the song "You Are Many Things." By the end of this lesson you will be able to add an implied melody while comping.

20:40 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

57

Jazz Rhythm

Jane Miller provides some tips on comping with a swing feel.

14:11 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

58

Jazz Bass Lines

In this lesson, Jane talks about applying a bass line to the tune "You Are Many Things".

16:24 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

59

Chords and Bass Line Together

Jane demonstrates how to play the chords and bass line for "You Are Many Things" at the same time.

13:28 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

60

Time Signatures

Jane Miller talks about putting a song in a different time signature when creating your own arrangement. She continues using "You are Many Things" as an example.

17:54 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

61

Chord Solo

Jane Miller continues "You are Many Things" with a lesson about putting the chords and melody together.

20:02 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

62

Chord Solo Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion on the chord solo for "You are Many Things."

23:15 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

63

Improvising

Jane Miller continues using the song "You Are Many Things" for a lesson on improvising.

14:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

64

Playing from a Lead Sheet

Jane Miller talks about playing from a lead sheet by using the song "You Are Many Things" as an example.

24:11 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

65

Playing with Backing Tracks

Jane Miller tries out different aspects of the tune "You Are Many Things" against a bass track.

8:46 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

66

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 2

In her newest lesson, Jane Miller plays against a comping backing track. This is a great track to practice your bass line and melody over.

8:29 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

67

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 3

In part three, Jane Miller plays against a backing track that has both bass and comping together.

10:44 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

68

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 4

Jane Miller is back with another "You are Many Things" backing track lesson. This time she plays against a track with just the melody.

11:51 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

69

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 5

In her newest lesson, Jane Miller explains what it means to trade fours and plays against another backing track for practice.

16:09 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

70

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 6

In Jane Miller's final lesson on playing against a backing track, she talks about the idea of leaving space. You will learn how limiting yourself will help you be more concise in your playing.

13:17 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

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  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Playing since 1968
  • 81 lessons at JamPlay
Guitarist, composer, arranger, and Berklee Associate Professor, Jane Miller has roots in both Jazz and Folk circuits. In addition to leading her own jazz instrumental quartet, she is in a working Chamber Jazz Trio with saxophonist Cercie Miller and bassist David Clark, for which she contributes many compositions. She has been a frequent guitarist with singer-songwriter SONiA, of disappear fear.

Jane is a contributing writer to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, writing lessons for the popular intermediate column, The Woodshed. She also writes a monthly column for Premiere Guitar Magazine called the Jazz Box . She has contributed several lesson columns for the Mel Bay publishing company’s on-line magazine, Guitar Sessions.

The Jane Miller Group has released three CDs on Jane’s label, Pink Bubble Records; all three received national radio play and press. She has performed solo and in duo and group settings regionally and around the country at clubs, festivals, and concerts as well as live TV and Radio appearances in New England.

Since joining the faculty in 1994 at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jane has contributed many arrangements for solo guitar to the Guitar Department library, and has performed solo recitals and concerts with her group in the Berklee Performance Center and Recital Halls.

Discography
The Jane Miller Group "The Other Room" (2000)
The Jane Miller Trio "Secret Pockets" with guests Jay Ashby and Bill O'Connell (1998)
The Jane Miller Group "Postcard" with guests Patty Larkin, Mick Goodrick, Mili Bermejo and Ken LaRoche (1993) SONiA "Me, Too" (1998)

Performances
Regattabar, Scullers, The Berklee Performance Center,The Firehouse, The Iron Horse, Club Passim, The Acton Jazz Cafe, The Hatch Shell, First Nights in Boston, Hartford, and Worcester, NOW Summit in Washington, D.C., Pride Festivals in San Diego, Baltimore, and Worcester, Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival, MD, Capital Region Guitar Show, Saratoga Springs, NY.

TV and Radio
Live appearances throughout New England, including WGBH-FM, WICN-FM. Composed and recorded theme music for "Barbara...and You," for Leominster Cablevision, as well as other jingles and themes. Former Jazz Coordinator for WCUW-FM, Worcester, MA.

Arts Lottery Grant recipient, award given to worthy artists and composers funded by Massachusetts Arts Lottery.
Reviews & Feedback 95/100 with 329 ratings
jpbluestring

Nice lesson - will have to work on this one. Thanks

artoo

Always nice to learn from a teacher who knows what they are playing

PatW

Little gems that I can't believe I'm only learning now after many years playing.

Weyeswon

Tips like the 3rd of the key was the position to start the lick is exactly what I'm looking for. Love the teacher so far!

JTboogie123

Are you kidding me .... I love this lady's playing. Real thing .... breaths the music.

danielhakmeh

Great teacher

magali.letizia

Great teaching and easy to understand

case42

Great, teaching, I've caught a few of your live sessions and though jazz may not be my favorite I'm finding myself being drawn to your methods.

PartyPiglet

helped me to understand the II-V progression

jimmyk

I always mix both of the practices, get frustrated, but tenaciously go back and try again. This was a real good lesson. I'll think of this time separately, and maybe on even and odd days. Jane, I always enjoy your lessons Thanks, Jim

jp93722

I found the jazz and blues talk very informative. There was a lot of information, but it was not overwhelming. It pushed my knowledge envelope and I walked away learning a lot (e.g. new chords/tweaking the blues template). Thank you.

scout1290

I have been playing for 30+ years and that tip she gave to reference points was amazing. Mind blown. I never even thought about that before.

grburgess

I like her calm friendly approach.

batscat1

I like the way Jane Miller breaks down jazz piece by piece for (just about) anyone to understand.

kentejosh

She explains tensions well.

halgeirsvage

I'm still learning to play the guitar, but I love the jazz sound. And Janes lesson makes it understandable, yet quite a bit is outside my grasp but I get the feeling from her tone and way of teaching that these are things I'll learn as the seri

Iwilllearnhow

Interesting waiting to learn how to start and play - but like the Jane

foulkes52

Morphing to the Jazz stamp!! love it!

hrussell

Learned a new shortcut that I will be using in my jazz playing

pjonas45

loved it , but not sure I can get there.

stoosh

New to jamplay. Would be nice to have a 10 second rewind like amazon movies. Been playing for 40 years. Want to learn something new.

tomhitt

Nice introduction to the moveable chord structures I'm working on - thanks! ~TH~

wfoster1917

She's very warm and knowledgable. Open to different types of learners.

leeclouds

OHHHHHH !!!!! just an amazing teaching! thank you! 'n delivered with grace :)

mariemusic

Perfect lesson! Beautiful melody with jazz chords.

Pech

Really like this series so far...the explanations, pace and content.

Grosenthal

Really wonderful. Gets right to it.

matstar

she is one of my favs....so good great teacher

tristramtrent

The printable charts don't seem to cover every example played but they are helpful. This is right on the edge of what I can do so I am repeat watching it, great material.

tritone33

This is what I have been looking for. Right on target.

saxdude

This lesson just presents patterns for the pentatonic, which was sooooo useful! Thanks Jane!

vinaygideon

Very good teacher, she tries to understand the mind of most novices by relating to her own. As students are pretty familiar, even like to play blues, but now want to search for something deeper and more sophisticated. However, for someone bare

shadrax

Will study this one over and over!