AboutJohn Riemer Expertise I am a jazz guitarist with 47 years experience. Having come up through the '60s jazz scene in Chicago I offer unique insight to aspiring jazz guitarists as well as technical expertise honed while teaching jazz guitar programs at several Michigan colleges
Experience Performance History
Big band
• Harrison Hill’s Invincible Artistes -Chicago
• Terry Brejla Big Band- Chicago
• Earl “Fatha” Hines-Chicago
• Kalamazoo Big Band-Kalamazoo
Trio/Quartet
• Own group at Hungry Eye -Chicago
• Monti Brothers Band-Chicago
• Benny Zuchinni Radio Allstars
• Eddie Harris
Phoenix Arizona-Duo
• Bob Ravenscroft-Phoenix
• Herrick/Riemer Duo-Mesa Arizona
Kalamazoo -solo, duo and other
• Whistle Stop-own group “John Riemer Trio”
• Chaps-own group
• Grazin’ in the Brass-Solo
• “New Connection”-Quartet co-lead with Bill Braham
• Kalamazoo Symphony “Pop series”-Roger Williams,Rita Moreno, Englebert Humperdink, Sherry Lewis.
• Andrew Lloyd Weber Showcase-Civic Theater-Kalamazoo
• Barn Theater-Augusta-Many shows
• WMU-“Great American Symphony” Curtis Curtis-Smith, “JesusChrist,Superstar”
• District 211-Kamerling/Riemer Jazz Duo-Kalamazoo
• Grand Rapids Symphony-“Five by Design”
Publications Currently self publishing "Handbook for the Jazz Guitarist
Education/Credentials Kalamazoo Valley Community College -
Computer Usage.
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery -
Guitar Design, Building and Repair. Certificate.
Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University -
Liberal Music Studies and Private Guitar Instruction. Assoc. Performance
Devry Technical School, Chicago -
Basic Electronics. Certificate.
High School, Chicago, Illinois - Graduate
College prep courses
Seminars and Clinics
Sales Techniques, Music instruction, MIDI, Sound Installation
and NAMM Shows.
You are here: Experts > Jazz > Jazz Guitar Practice
Expert: John Riemer Date: 11/20/2007 Subject: Jazz Guitar Practice
Question Hi John:
I am in the process of teaching myself jazz guitar. I am trying to immerse myself in theory (sometimes it feels like there is too much of it), and I'm learning some licks and snippets of songs as I go.
My question is; do you have any recommendations as far as a practice regime is concerned. I can only afford an hour a day for practising, and would like to get the most out of that time. Do you know of anywhere online or off that would give me a good practice method? I'm sort of after a bit of hand holding (eg. Day 1, 10 minute A Minor Pentatonic Scale, 10 minute chord changes, etc etc).
Thanks for your time
Josh
Answer Hi Josh
This is a question I hear often from students.Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) had a routine that was very effective You can design a routine yourself based on their routine.It uses a metronome, recorder, and a short term (cooking) timer. You record a chord progression for 3 minutes. maybe you have a drum machine to provide the pulse but a metronome will work as well.It is important that you make your recording with the metronome click heard on the recording.Then you playback your recording and play the appropriate scales in whole, half , quarter, and then eighth notes. You will have to evaluate your ability to keep up and adjust your tempo in the recording. I usually start at 60 beats per minute and work up from there.Next you play appropriate arpeggios against the recording. Take a minute break and repeat.That is a 10 minute routine 3 minutes recored,3 minutes scale, 3 minutes arpeggios, 1 minute rest.Give it a try and work it out for your personal needs.Chords ,Scales, Arpeggios are the basics that you want to develop with good time keeping. I hope this helps a bit!
John
