FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

    • CD delivery: how long does it take? Within Europe 2-5 days, it is quite variable, outside Europe 7 days, sometimes up to 10 days. Occasional (longer) delays are possible, but do not occur often. The CDs are mailed with standard priority mail, too keep the cost down for you, there is no tracking on this type of mail. If your discs no not arrive (which happens very rarely), you can always choose to get a refund, or a new shipment.
    • If you specifically require registered mail (with tracking), $12 will be added to the cost of shipping, and this kind of shipping is done only twice a week.
    • Which product is best for me? It's best to see the product comparison table and choose from that. You know best what you want and what your level is, and the table clarifies what you get with each product, and what not. For instance, it is important to know if you really want notation and TABs, or whether you want something more visual, do you want backing tracks, do you want complete solos, or dou you want simpler things explained. Furthermore, there is another page to help you choose http://www.mattotten.com/products/what-to-choose .
    • I am not very handy with computers, can I use the fretboard visualiser plugin? It does require installation of a VSTi host software and the plug-in. It is certainly not difficult, and can be done in 5 minutes if you're generally comfortable with computers, but if installing software, or working with a audio/midi application is something you are not comfortable with, then consider getting the CD version with fretboard videos, to be used instead of the software.
    • Can I use the Jazz Exercises on a Mac?
    • Everything can be used except the fretboard visualizer, which is a Windows software.
    • The mp3 audio files and pdf files with lessons and notation can be used. The midi files can be used, but not with the midi visualizer. However, the CD version now also contains fretboard videos, that you can use in stead of the plugin, on any computer. If you have Band-in-a-Box, another option is to use that in stead of the fretboard visualizer to play/display the midi and audio files.
    • V2.4 In the latest versions of the CD, which has videos in wmv as well as mp4 formats.
    • Can I use the midi files in other midi software?
    • Yes, but the midi channels (11-16) are associated with strings (1-6). Not all midi software will make this distinction: so you can always play and display the midi, but the channel information may or may not be used properly. So in some cases you will see the right notes, but not always played on the same strings as the original. Band-in-a-box can display the midi correctly, including position/string.
    • Do you have chord melody arrangements of standards? Only the DVD Private Sessions discusses some actual jazz standards for solo guitar. All other material is based on original tunes, but often mimicking the style of well known standards.
    • In 2017 a book will be published by Hal Leonard with solo arrangements of standards, made by Matt Otten.
    • What skill level do I need to start with the Jazz Exercises? The Jazz Exercises are not meant for beginning guitar players. If you cannot play the most common major and minor scales with some degree of confidence, you will have a hard time with the exercises. So, in that case, you're better off starting with a basic guitar book, that treats basic chords and scales. If you choose a jazz oriented book, you'll learn some jazz chords at the same time. Be aware that the exercises are not meant to teach you to play the guitar, they are meant to use you existing guitar skill to get started playing jazz. It is not course in technique, but a course in developing improvisation skills. Having said that, if you are a beginner, combining the jazz exercises with a more basic (jazz or general) guitar book can work very well.