Hello Friends,
This week we are working on the 2nd solo chorus. I open the chorus with a typical "Duke" lick that works well to start a chorus. It starts with the Bb in the form of a basic triad with the 3rd on top at the 11 to the 13th frets. I do a downstroke rake from the G string at the 12th fret (which is the fingering of a G minor) which is easier to understand when you see me so it. I end the rake on a high F at the 13th fret then do a riff that trills and makes it's way back to the Bb in 2nd position. Then it's back to first position for the 4 chord riffs and the rest of the verse. That beginning riff on the one can be useful in many styles of music, so get it down and practice it until it's really fluid. The rest of the chorus is along the Duke style you are used to playing so have fun and post yourself playing with the track.
Enjoy!
Duke
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Swing
Print Chords & Tab
Loop 0:00 Run-Through of Johnny's Blues 2nd Chorus Solo
Loop 0:36 Breakdown of Johnny's Blues Solo, 2nd Chorus
Loop 15:11 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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There's a story I heard about Bix where the publisher was trying to get a transcription of him playing "In a Mist", but Bix couldn't stop himself from improvising every time he got into it. "Just play it the same way", the publisher pleaded, and "I can't" was all Bix could say. Wonderful ideas,Duke! That lick you were demonstrating in many variations is in my head often. How you approach a note is so important, isn't it? It's like using a spice in cooking, how you approach and leave a note. Chicken is always chicken, but the flavors in which you envelop it make it Italian or Cuban or French.
Thanks for these great series of lessons! They have already influenced my playing.
Love it! Thanks Duke