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.

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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