Hi Folks,
This week we are working on the first chorus of Blue Harlem. Tiny Grimes masterpiece of jazzy blues. The bends and phasing here are indictative of the way blues was played on an electric guitar in 1944. The cool phrases and sliding 9th chords are all part of Tiny's tenor guitar prowess. His bluesy swinging style is one of the most important sounds of the late forties-early fifties as far as rocking guitar goes. This week we concentrate on this style and learning the first verse of this amazing solo note for note.
Enjoy!
Duke
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
texas blues
Duke Robillard
tiny grimes
blue harlem
Print Chords & Tab
Loop 2:02 Breakdow of Blue Harlem Solo - First Chorus
Loop 9:28 Practice Loop of Intro and First Part of Solo
Loop 10:35 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hey Bruce, That's much better. That's true, thinking 12/8 puts it in a different perspective. Even though its really a swing feel, thinking 12/8 helps you keep in time on a slow tune. I use that trick also when things are really slow. good job, Duke
Thanks, Duke! After a week of listening to this video, I can now hear where it's still just a little rushed, or certainly could be more relaxed in some places. I'm been making an effort to keep that in mind in my practice this week, because I'm hearing that the more I get that under control, the more musical it's sounding; the more it sounds like a musical voice. Thanks again! Bruce
Hi Kevin, That's very good. you have the phrasing and are keeping right in time. Playing this slow can be hard but you nailed it! Duke
Thanks Duke. It seemed a little odd just jumping in with an isolated solo. I think it will feel much smoother when I include the intro and the other two solo sections.
Duke, Here is my take.
Hey Bruce, Yes that is better, just keep thinking, laid back..... Duke
OK, I think I'm getting a better handle on the groove. I started thinking about what I'd play on piano with this track, and I realized that I'd be doing those slow blues chord triplets, like a 6/8 or 12/8 feel. So that's what I'm thinking about here, and I hope this is more on track! Thanks again, Duke.
Hi peter, good job, You're getting the notes but the feel needs a little work. Think, laid back. Duke
Hey Duke! I posted a video here a couple of hours ago, but I've been practicing and it got quite a bit better. So if you saw the prior one, please watch this one too! This song is teaching me a LOT about feel, and this is definitely the best guitar playing I've ever done. I can't wait for next week! Thanks! Bruce
Sounds great Bruce! You still have a tendency to be ahead of the beat a bit. try and relax as much as possible when you do this. All you phrases are good and have lots of feeling. As all the old blues masters use to say when any youngster took a solo "take your time son, take your time". That is truly what real blues playing is all about..... duke
Hey Duke! I think this should sound a lot better. Hope so, anyway! Thanks for the feedback! Bruce
Nice !!!!!!
Good meeting you in Tuckertown Tom! Duke
very,very cool
Thanks Tim! Duke