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 Before we get started on the music column I would like to commend the Group Deep Purple and Vanilla Fudge for putting on a spectacular show at Radio City Music hall last week. The Guitarist for Deep Purple these days is the one and only Steve Morse. If you have never and get a chance to see Mr. Morse perform I can guarantee it will be one of the most musical, spiritual, and joyous playing you have ever listen to.
Steve Morse being among one of my favorites has had a long playing career starting out with the Dixie Dregs over 30 years ago and since then has played with many note worthy musicians and groups. Weather he is with Kansas, The Dixie Dregs, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ed VanHalen, The Steve Morse Band or Deep Purple he makes it happen along with all the other members.
One of the most inspiring days in my life was getting to meet him one on one in front of IMAC in Huntington N.Y right before a Dixie Dregs concert. We did not talk very long but I can tell you just to shake his hand and for him to appreciate the fact that I’m a huge fan made me realize he’s a great person as well as a great player. O K now to my stuff.
Forgive me I am the perfect example of a person (The kind that drives others crazy) who needs complexity to get to simplicity. I’m not an Egomaniac I just tend to work better backwards and it allows me to see all the options. In this Example of Cmajor13 we will take a look how Complex = Simple = Interesting.
A. Take a Chord and its related extensions. Our Example of C E G B D F# A =Cmajor13
B. Break that chord back down to simple forms i.e. Triads, Seventh chords.
C. Start to See and Hear Some Interesting concepts.
Exercise one gives us a clear example of all the related triads that come out of our Major 13th chord. It is safe to say that most of what is going on will work well but as we get beyond the D major triad careful on the F# diminished triad. The C note should resolve to a chord tone B as it does. The interesting thing about this is that you can resolve the progression to a G or C chord. This takes place because the F# dim is acting as a D7 chord which we know will go to G. The Term used to describe this is a Secondary Dominant sound, which could be defined as a temporary displacement of key.
In Exercise two we start concentrating on Seventh chords and it gets wild because the use of large leaps for the first half resolving to chord tones with in the 4 part harmonic structure and graduating to leaps on extensions.
Exercise 3 takes us to more of the same with a twist. We are now leaping to tones on the up beat with some HMMMM existential chords like B min (b9) or F#min7 (b5) (b9).
In Conclusion you have to find things that work because theory becomes a finite resource and in order to play interesting you must expand your musical vocabulary. Warning: Depending on what kind of crowd you are playing for some of the concepts may not be suitable. A restaurant or wedding gig could not tolerate too many A tonal or contemporary sounds. Please go to the score for a PDF of the Music Notation
See Ya Soon
Michael
Michael Violette is a guitarist and music educator who owns and operates along with his family String Sound Studios a long island in home music Instruction Company. His influences range from (Just to name a few Guitarists) Django Reinhardt, Chet Atkins, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, George Benson, Howard Roberts, Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Steve Morse, Gary Rossington, Steve Gaines, Ed King, Alex Lifeson, Joe Pass, Robben Ford, and of course his teacher Peter Rogine.
He also admires and has been influenced by many other instrumentalists outside of the guitar world such as George Gershwin, Stephane Grappelli, John Coletrane, JS Bach, Art Tatum, Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, and Mozart.
Score for Ear Food
 One of the best ways to learn how to play and instrument is by transcribing other musicians’ material – AKA “picking off licks”. In this example of Bb Blues, I use a combination of just some of my favorite guitarists such as Larry Carlton, Barney Kessel and BB King.
The Blues Progression is quite often a I – IV – V (i.e. Key of A would be A = I Chord, D = IV Chord and E = V Chord). However, the Blues Progression can have many different chords as in this example in Bb.
If we analyze the melodic content, it has nice gradual ascending and descending lines. A good solo should not be too “jumpy”, and should almost form a wave if you draw a graph based on the outline of notes.
Another nice characteristic of Bb Blues is its use of chromatic tones in between chord changes. If we take a look at bar number 7 from the Bb7 Chord through the F7 Chord, this is my favorite line. It carries some unique concepts that define laws of theory. Soloing is building a vocabulary - much like someone learning words and being able to use them in many different contexts.
On page 2 of the composition, I included the chord voicings in which I feel the solo is related upon. Also included are fingerings to help you get a grip at playing this.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Michael Violette is a guitarist and music educator who owns and operates along with his family String Sound Studios a long island in home music Instruction Company. His influences range from (Just to name a few) Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Howard Roberts, Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Steve Morse and of course his teacher Peter Rogine.
Click To open Score
One Process of learning an instrument involves what I call situation playing (no not playing while a brawl breaks out at a wedding) which is performing with various instrumentations. This example of “ All of Me “ is suitable for playing in a duo setting i.e. backing up a vocalist or another instrumentalist while they play the melody and improvise over chord changes. This also would work with a pianist who is very familiar with your playing as you both backed up another instrument.
Technical Points
1. For the most part keep or drag your 4th finger on string number 3 while playing from chord to chord
2. Almost if not all bass notes are on string 5 and 6 and make use of open strings when needed
Conceptual Points
1. Strong use of substitution chords, inversions and secondary dominants
2. Solid Bass line construction using scales, skips and chromatic lines
3. Approaching target chords from a ½ step above or below
With perfect practice and good fingerings you should be on your way to jamming with the folks on All of Me. Good-bye and Good luck
Michael Violette is a guitarist and music educator who owns and operates along with his family String Sound Studios a long island in home music Instruction Company. His influences range from Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Steve Morse and of course his teacher Peter Rogine.
Click to open Score
Finding simple ways to explain concepts is a huge part of instruction and may also lead a student to form logical conclusions about other ideas. This month we will take a look at a clear approach to grasping Major and Minor 9 chords. Rather than relating a Nine to a scale degree lets see how it works using a Triad over Triad pattern. Let’s take a G Major Triad spelled (G B D) go to the perfect 5th of the chord which is D, start on that note and form a Major Triad from that point on. Doing this we get a D Major Triad (D F# A) which in turn gives us (G B D F# A) a G Major 7th 9 chord (Aka as G Major9) with of course the perfect 5th of the D chord (A) being the 9th against G Major 7th 9 chord and were also able to figure out the Major 7th interval of F#.
Take this same idea and use a G Minor chord spelled G Bb D and Play a Minor Chord from the D giving us (D F A) presto all kazoo we now have a G Minor 7th 9 chord G Bb D F A and once again we now know the 7th of the G Minor chord (F) along with the 9th (A). Notice the Major and Minor chords share the same 9th common tone of (A). In Essence a Major over Major chord applied in this fashion will give you a Major 9 and a Minor over Minor will give you a Minor 9 all the time in any key. Remember the interval of a Ninth will always be placed or voiced above the Seventh of a chord and 9, 11, 13, b9, # 9 #11 are referred to as extensions. Ok, so your homework is to figure out what a Minor over a Major chord is called using this same application. Please go the PDF link for some notated examples.
Michael Violette is a guitarist and music educator who owns and operates along with his family String Sound Studios a long island in home music Instruction Company. His influences range from Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Steve Morse and of course his teacher Peter Rogine.
Click Here to Open Notation
Originally composed in 1925 by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey "Sweet Georgia Brown" has a unique upbeat drive and is still utilized in many sports themes and Movie scores. This month's column will involve approaching the melody from a 1/2 step below, aka Lower Neighbor Notes.
Soloing around the melody in this fashion is a good way to Jazz up a tune and not keep the audience in the dark as to what song your playing. If you attempt to arrange this or another melody on your own beware of how long you stay on dissonant tones and try to make use of other connecting chromatic ideas. Take notice of the lowered 3rd (blue notes) resolving to the 3rd of many chords as well as utilizing leading tones into or on the next chord change. So yes! You can get D to work over Eb7 providing all the correct principals apply. It may be best if you learn the melody in it’s original form and compare it with this solo.
Michael Violette is a guitarist and music educator who owns and operates along with his family String Sound Studios a long island in home music Instruction Company. His influences range from Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Wes Montgomery, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Steve Morse and of course his teacher Peter Rogine.
Click to open music notation
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Clara Lofaros New Release Perfekt World
It's here..FINALLY..and I couldn't be more proud of the masterpiece we created for your listening and booty rumping pleasure! Here's what they're saying about Perfekt World already. “The album, produced by Mark Turrigiano, (Ingrid Michaelson's, Boys and Girls) continues the tradition of the new-age female singer/songwriter genre, carved out by such mainstream mainstays as Feist, Amy Winehouse, and Regina Spektor. The single, "Waterfall" will fit all mainstream rock/pop radio formats and is surrounded on both sides by an album so complete, it will challenge Morrisette's, Jagged Little Pill from start to finish.…” Check out Claralofaro.com, and the myspace and facebook links to hear a teaser of the new music and watch live video clips from our last show at Gramercy Theater with Emerson Hart.
Vince Lewis Quartet A Different Standard
This exciting new release is comprised of some of the best music ever
written. Vince has drawn from the classic hymns and placed them into a
contemporary jazz setting. Along with Tom Hildreth (bass) and Phil Riddle
(drums) the group has added Phil Thompson on woodwinds. Sure to satisfy
fans of the Vince Lewis Trio's previous music, this work will also expose
his audience to reverential treatments of meaningful and timeless Christian
favorites.
This collection is sure to bring back memories of singing these wonderful
hymns in church. Selections include, "Precious Lord Take My Hand," "In The
Garden" and "Worthy of Worship." Each tune is a celebration of the
original intent of the composer presented in mainstream jazz styles.
To order Vince's new CD or check out anything else at his website, please
visit: Vincelewis.com
2008 Recital News Please click here for more information
We are pleased to announce the 2008 recital, which will be held Sunday, June 8th, from approximately 12.00 noon until 5.00 pm, in the Gillespie room (located in the Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage House at Stony Brook Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A Stony Brook, N.Y 11790).
String Sound Studios welcomes drummer extraordinary John Donovan to our Artist Spotlight Feature. Please click here for a Bio in our News section. Please go to the guitar fretboard for our interview
Make sure to visit our Artist Spotlight section for an exclusive interview where John talks about his goals and aspirations to revolutionize the way drums and percussion are approached. For more information about John and his movie Drumline vs Drumset please visit his website John Donovan.biz
New Guitar Column
Please vist our Column section on the Guitar Fret Board for a look into "Ear Food" which will offer some insights into some uniqueideas by Michael Violette. Also a Brief Review of Deep Purple and Vanilla Fudge.
Redstone Jazz is proud to announce the release of
his new CD is a collection of
timeless standards sure to please the most discriminating jazz
guitar fan.
Accompanied by Tom Hildreth (bass) and Phil Riddle (drums) Vince
considersthis to be his finest trio recording to date.
Jazz guitar legend Mundell Lowe says "This CD is proof that
Vince is a
world class player." The great guitarist Jimmy Wyble states "The
music is
swinging and true to the composer..Difficult things sound
easy." Internationally renowned jazz and swing artist Clint
Strong adds
"Vince is speaking the language...I'm hearing a real guitarist."
Ordering information can be found on Vince's websitevincelewis.com
New Column on the Blues
Please Vist Our Column Section on the Guitar Fret Board and check out Michael Violette's new column on Bb Blues.Loaded with some nice lines he transcribed from guitar greats like Larry Carlton , Barney Kessel and BB King you should be able to make sense of these concepts with some practice .
Please Help Jessica Rose
Neuroblastoma is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest or spinal cord mainly in children age five years or younger. The younger the child and the earlier it is detected, the better the chance of curing the disease 100%, especially if the cancer is localized. Neuroblastoma is one of the most deadly childhood cancers over the age of one and once metastasized. Usually, by the time the symptoms appear, the disease has progressed to Stage 4. Hundreds of children are diagnosed each year with Neuroblastoma Stage 4. This is a very difficult cancer to beat once it has reached Stage 4. This less than favorable prognosis does not deter doctors, researchers, parents and supporters from doing everything humanly and spiritually possible to try and prolong the child's life with various treatment options as a search for a cure continues. Please Go to Her website www.care4jessicarose.org
We Would Like to Welcome Michele Rosewoman To Our Artist Spotlight Section
Please check out our NEWS Section for info on her new CD Release and read all about her in our Artist Spotlight Feature of this Month
Artist Spotlight Section Features Vince Lewis
We would like to welcome highly accomplished and critically acclaimed Jazz Guitarist, Composer, and Recording Artist Vince Lewis to our Artist Spotlight Feature. Please visit our More News section for his bio and our Artist Spotlight section for a recently published interview in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine and an Original Composition called Sues Waltz
More News
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