Recordings to "Slow Down" for learning?

[Mickey]

Please suggest a recording for me to slow down and learn. I'm looking for something that fluidly integrates chords and melodic-runs/licks.

I'm thinking a solo guitar recording, but not necessarily. Something clear, something simple (please, not "Cherokee").

Any genre, so long as I'm grabbing chords in the middle of runs, and picking notes between chording.

thoughts? all are appreciated.

[Charlesinator]

Mickey, maybe it's me, but ... Could you be more obtuse? Is there some song that you know that has this technique that you are looking for? If so then that is probably the song you want to try. As far as "Cherokee" any of the jazz standards have a solo guitar version of them that incorporates this mystical technique, you just need to look. There have been a couple of great threads here where they have given websites (especially on youtube) with instruction on flatpicking fiddle tunes, chord melody and walking basslines. All of these have some of what you have described that you are looking for. I've found that going to youtube and typing in keywords like: chord melody, guitar instruction, licks, jazz, bluegrass, chickin' pickin', have provided mucho grist for rut busting. As for a song I've just learned the chords for "Take Five" by the Dave Brubek Quartet. I haven't gotten to incorporate the melody yet, but I am working on it. Hope this may be of some help.

[klasaine]

I have 3 suggestions:

1 - Chord Melody: any Joe Pass form the "Virtuoso" solo albums on the old Pablo label. Though most any Joe Pass record will always have a chord/melody tune on it. And, he'll usually comp changes a bit while soloing with a rhythm section. Tons of resources with Joe ...

2 - Miles Davis' solo on 'So What' from "Kind of Blue" AND ... Bill Evans' chord changes (the best a guitar can approximate them).

3 - Larry Carlton's solo, licks and outro-solo on Kid Charlemagne. (His chord voicings and comping is super cool too.) This is a great solo over both chord changes and a KEY CHANGE ...

These suggestions have worked for me and anyone I've suggested them to though there are of course many other artists/tunes you could do this with.

Try www.tedgreene.com for a lifetime of study - lessons section and in the forums section.
Wes Montgomery almost always played notes and chords when soloing. Jeff Beck usually hits some chords when he plays solos or melodies.
Etc., Etc,. Good luck!

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by Charlesinator

Mickey, maybe it's me, but ... Could you be more obtuse?

You wouln't mind if I took that as a new signature, would you?

Didn't mean to be obtuse, and I guess I shouldn't gloat but ... it's a born talent. I never even practice!

Basically I've gotten a pretty good handle on basic grips up and down the neck. And on a separate track I'm getting better at improvising single note runs over changes. So I'm looking for suggestions of clear and relatively simple recordings that brings these two great tastes together. For my practice, as a technical skill.

I was just looking for suggestions, maybe something that worked for you back in the day when you were at this point in your learning -- I think beginner trying to cross over to intermediate.

klasine, that Joe Pass Virtuoso is too much for me at this point. As is most chord melody. I've come across some Eddie Lang that seems more "possible."

"So What" is a great suggestion, the Davis melody is clear and not loaded down with a lot of fast notes, and I've heard those Kind of Blue recordings so many times I sort of know them internally. I don't know Kid Charlemaigne but will look into it, that's great.

[klasaine]

Hey Mickey.
Yeah the Joe Pass is pretty intense stuff. I didn't know where your "level" was at. Hey, you said you had "slow down" gear .

The Carlton solo is from a Steely Dan tune off the "Royal Scam" album.
I can't emphasize enough trying to cop some of the Bill Evans voicings. That will make you a far better guitarist/musician in a shorter period of time than learning any "guitar stuff". Same with the Miles solo, but it really means nothing unless you can hear it over "those" chords. That's what influenced how he played that solo.

For easier chord/solo stuff definitely check out some Wes Montgomery. His version of Tequila, The Thumb, Movin' Wes.

[Charlesinator]

Mickey, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grK43Poye1U

This is a great first step in getting some of what you're looking for down. This isn't a song per se, but you can win friends and influence people with your new jazzy jazz chops!

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Mickey

Please suggest a recording for me to slow down and learn. I'm looking for something that fluidly integrates chords and melodic-runs/licks.

I'm thinking a solo guitar recording, but not necessarily. Something clear, something simple (please, not "Cherokee").

Any genre, so long as I'm grabbing chords in the middle of runs, and picking notes between chording.

thoughts? all are appreciated.

I'm not sure of your intentions or skill level, but I have had fun and built skill with the pay for and free downloads in the Lets Jam! (http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/) guys.

The country and bluegrass product has same tracks at different speeds, and the blues plus rock product varies tempo. The have been good for learning new things, jamming alone, and entertainment where I take it on iPod with printouts. I print both the structure of the tracks as well as the specific lessons that apply to some as well as download the video.

Again, it may not be a fit for you, but the two products I bought plus the free stuff have been perfect for me.

Good luck.

[csharp]

Here's a suggestion.

Beginning Blues Guitar by Lou Manzi (Alfred) includes a pieces called Blues For Lightnin'. This 12 bar exercise alternates between melodic licks and strumming accompanied by a steady beat on the bass strings with the thumb.

[Mickey]

Very cool. Very much looking forward to looking into these suggestions. Hoping that when I come out of the other end of these exercises in combining chords and notes, I'll do something other than stammer when somebody says: "go ahead, play something!"

M.