Hi Folks,
I just record two version of I'm Confessin'. Neither one is perfect, but it will give you an idea of how I improvise on it using all the ideas that I've been teaching you. There are similarities to the solos, but they are different and pretty good examples of what can be played. Of course there are hundreds of different ways to play it but this is a good start.
Trying recording with the track and pleaae send some videos. And don't hesitate to ask questions.
Enjoy!
Duke
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:Swing
Duke Robillard
charlie christian
I'm Confessin'
Les Paul
Herb Ellis
Joe Pass
Print Chords & Tab
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Hi Duke,
This is great Marty and I liked your solo ideas a lot! When you were playing the melody my wife thought it was me. She's not easy to fool either. Nice track also! Duke
Hi Duke,
Thanks for the feedback. That's quite the compliment to fool the Duchess even for a second. It's probably because I've learned everything I know about this style of music from you. Thanks as always for teaching on SJ!
Been working on this one this week (and cursing myself for not working on it since I last worked on this back in 2014!!! Can it be that long ago???) Thanks Duke for an awesome lesson!
Very nice take on Confessin' Charlie! I really enjoyed that and the fact that you improvised on it building off my example. Very good! Duke
Nive job Bruce, This old Harp player (learning bass guitar now) was impressed with the performance! Keep on practicing!
Thank you, Bob! To me, it's not practicing, it's having fun!
Hey Duke! Here is yet another try at I'm Confessin'. I feel like I'm making progress, but I'd really love to get your feedback. Thanks!!
Hey Duke, as promised, here's another shot at I'm Confessin'. A few flubs, but it's really come along. Working on this tune after getting your feedback has really opened up my ears! I've been working hard on it, and I'm feeling pretty good about the results.Thanks for encouraging me to keep at it on this one!
Bruce, I would love to hear that actually. I am always interested in my students progress. I am really enjoying teaching at Sonic Junction!
I'm glad you are enjoying it, Duke, because it's the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to learn from you! And I'm having a heck of a lot of fun too!
Hi Peter, Thanks for sending this. First, good job on the rhythm, it's nice and steady. You're pretty close on the melody. I realize this is a tough one and you did a good job. I think you will have fun with the Muddy Waters song. Thanks for the kudos on my Johnny D's show. Nice to see you there! Duke
Hi Bruce, Nice job on soloing. I like the quote from Sweet Georgia Brown on the bridge! Now what I noticed is that you seem to want to play ahead of the track in general. The idea with this tune is to relax and swing along at the tempo of the track. Now you've got the chops, so I'd like to see you playing along with the track and try to make youself slow down with the rhythm and get more in the relaxed groove. But, good playing in general. Just trying to point out thing that should help. Thanks, Duke
Thanks, Duke. You've hit the nail on the head, alright. The other day I watched one of Jerry Portnoy's lessons where he was saying that the main thing he heard early on from Muddy and other greats was "Take your time!", and I was thinking about that as I was *trying* to slow myself down on this. You should've heard the takes I threw away. :-) Talk about a runaway train! So THANKS A LOT for saying that, I really appreciate it, and I'll make that my main focus for now -- I've let that bad habit go on far too long. I hope you don't mind if I show you another example with this tune after doing some more practicing with this in the forefront of my mind. Thanks again -- I'm going to really take your advice to heart. Best regards, Bruce
Hey Duke. Finally as promised, with mistakes and all of course! ;-) I know I stared rushing like crazy during the double-time feel. Oh well. Now that you've got a new lesson up, I just wanted to wind this one up. Looking forward to Hoochie Coochie Man, especially because I was starting to learn the harp part from Jerry's lessons, so it'll be fun to work on it with both instruments!
Thanks! I sure learned a lot working on this one!
Hey Duke, I just wanted to say how much these performance examples are helping me. I now hear that I was playing it really stiff, not understanding the correct grove until actually seeing you do it in context. Hope to get a video done soon, but I'm still absorbing the examples. I feel guilty stealing all these beautiful licks! But I'm going to do it anyway! ;-) Thanks so much!
That sounds great Charllie! Really, you're improvising is good are you are really getting the feeling of playing ovrr the changes. Good work! Also, I love the tremelo picking effect over the last bridge. My only critisim is TURN YOUR GUITAR UP! Or the track down. I'm using the delay on my little Roland cube on my take. Duke
Ok here's my 'warts and all' video. I'm LOVING playing this song - can't thank you enough for teaching us, just hope I'm not letting the team down! Got lots of licks that go out my head as soon as the camera rolls!
Kept it clean (Les Paul thru Fender Champ) but have had it sounding lovley adding tremelo effect. What's the effect you're using on your performances?
Looking forward to whatever's coming next on Sonic Junction!
I stole them also Steve! Duke
Have a good show!
I'm gonna steal your bewitched bothered and bewildered and maybe even the Flinestones licks.
Thanks Again Duke.
Hey Steve, We sure wern't talking about the same one.There is some really great playing in there! Really good job. Love your vibrato (I'm jealous!!!) And you quick riffs and attack give it a Django flavor. My only suggstion would be to find a few notes or short riffs that fit a bit better over the Db#11 chord. Other than that, i am truly impressed and happy that you are improvising on it. I may steal a few of your licks! Duke
Thanks Duke!
Glad we've connected. Love Django. I hope to come back to this lesson when time alows to work on the Db#11. I have a show today and it may get busy close to the holidays.
Cheers
Steve
Hi Bruce, Yes, I sometimes use my finger instead of a pick for some things. It's the best sound really. Looking forward to your video.
Looking forward to hearing it Charlie!
Steve, your video sounded great on what you posted. Now I want to hear the whole thing! Duke
Hi Duke
Are we talking about the same upload. Comlete. Altho i am not copying.
I'm also working up to sending a video. This piece is quite a bit more challenging than most of the prior lessons, but I'm really enjoying it and learning a tremendous amount. I'm still not quite able to play it in time with the track, but it's getting closer all the time. I find I'm also enjoying playing this one with fingers instead of a pick; I feel like I can get a lot more variation in tone and "color" with my fingers. Thanks again for your work on showing us this one, it's really a great tune.
Cheers - what a bonus to get two such great performances! Can I ask what effect you have going (lovely echo-y sound going on)? I'm close to sending a video - I know it doesn't have to be perfect, but I want to do this lesson justice!