March 2021 - Potpourri

Been working on a big batch of new tunes for summer gigs. Also recording myself playing on them and really trying to be critical of what I hear. Enlightening to do this. So that has really been my main focus this past month, and not at all represented here.... this is what I got done on the challenge...

First up is a nice Bert Ligon etude I found somewhere. Not pushing this tempo so much here, just trying to flow and be specific with articulations.

I have been also working hard on my comping / voicings. This brought me to Barry Harris and his 6th diminished concepts... Basically inversions of various 6th chords (major, minor, 7, b5, etc.), with diminished passing chords. This concept goes way deep, and I am only at the beginning (memorising grips).... Hoping it will pay off in the future..... regardless it is fun.

Drop 2 Voicings.

Here is a little C6 vamp so you can hear the concept.

This is an exercise that my friend Henke told me he did a lot. Playing constant 8ths or 16ths over a tune. I have been doing this a few times a week for the past month. Only giving you a taste here, because it is boring to listen to.

Rob Easley · Giant 16ths

Comments

There will never be another you: Chet Baker Solo

I have come to the conclusion that I stray too far from the melody when soloing. This is a perfect example of melodic development and embellishment. Very short, but great little solo. Didn't put any great effort into the notation... but oh well.

Faith in You: Pat Metheny Solo: March

This all started by you sending me a bunch of charts. Faith in you was one of them. I had decided to keep mining the Frisell vein, and spent a lot of time listening to this tune. Getting it in my ears, so to speak. It was Pat's solo resonated more in the end. Amazing!! Frigging triads throughout. So melodic. Such simple and beautiful melodies. Pat also ornaments nearly every note. Muting, slipping, sliding, etc. A couple of rough patches, but very playable. Fuddled my way to "good enough".... also note the Ibanez PM-200 guitar!

I found a new baby - Charlie Christian

I spent half of this month working on an epic Pat Martino solo. Finally pulled the plug on it, due to lack of time and a right hand that just couldn't keep up. I will hopefully eventually get back to it. So, in a panic, I moved on to Charlie Christian. Short solo, and still a challenge for the right hand. My thinking now is to get a bunch of these short Christian solos under my belt. I mean he is the father of jazz guitar, and Wes learned everything he knows from him, so probably a good exercise. Charlie plays a lot on chord shapes. The phrasing is a little outdated, but he nails the harmonic outlines. He attacks every note, which is probably a product of primitive amplification, and trying to be heard over a big band. I think Legato techniques came later when gear got better.

Transcription Challenge

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