Ok! It's Rick Estrin and I'm back here at Sonic Junction with the last verse of this piece and the final lesson of this series. This verse is another "riff" verse and most of the time we're using a softer attack than we are in the rest of the song. When I say "softer attack" it only means with less volume - We still want a clear, focused tone. In other words, although it's played a little softer, the sound of the note should be just as distinct as it would be at a louder volume. We gradually increase the volume and intensity over the IV chord and release it with a loud double-stop right as we get back to the I. Then we're back to the main riff and we take it home. I hope you've enjoyed this series. Feel free to write me at Sonic Junction with any questions or comments you may have. See you next time!
Rick
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
Print Chords & Tab
A Harp in the Key of E.
Loop 0:25 Run-Through of 9th Verse
Loop 1:01 Breakdown of First 4 Bars
Loop 2:54 Breakdown of IV Chord
Loop 3:24 V Chord and Turnaround Breakdown
Loop 5:37 Practice Loops
Loop 6:46 How To Learn It
Loop 9:12 Closing Thoughts
Comments
Log in to leave a comment
Hey Rick,
I'm in woodshed mode these days. Lots to work on. Just thought I'd reach out and say hello. I hope you and the guys are doing OK in this wacky time. You've got a decade on me but we're both in the danger zone :) Hope to see you next October when you come to the Bull Run.
Best,
Bill
Hi Bill, Good to hear from you too. This is a crazy time for sure - With any luck, I'll just stay in the house and avoid getting sick - At my age, when they start having to make decisions on who gets treatment, I'll be expendable. In the meantime, there's plenty to keep me occupied. Thanks for checking in!
Hi Rick - Thanks for the lesson—lotsa good stuff in there. I've been listening to "Contemporary" too—sounds like you've still got a good lead on "Father Time"...
BTW, in an earlier segment in this series, you mentioned listening to other musicians and analyzing what they do. Who are some of the players (besides bluesmen)? Jazz/R&B saxophonists? Big bands from the '40s-'50s? (I think I heard you mention Glenn Miller.) Thanks!
Thanks! I'm glad you're diggin Contemporary! I just mentioned Glen Miller because the phrasing on one little section reminded me of "String of Pearls". A lot of big band stuff, Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, and tons of other artists from that era all played stuff that people like Little Walter listened to and adapted ideas from. I have dug sax players like Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Forrest, Willis Jackson, and Stanley Turrentine, to name a few. I've listened to organ combos like Brother Jack McDuff, Bill Doggett, Jimmy McGriff, and many more.
Rick,
Well, thanks for giving us this piece. You may have needed to come up with a another lesson but this was a great one. And if anyone thinks they have this all wrapped up with a bow on it, they can check out the new record because you do a bunch of things differently on that so there's more to learn there. Personally, I'm at the point where I've got the basic notes and phrasing figured out but there's so much dynamic and tonal variation to key in on and also just keeping that swing. The rhythm is so infectious when you get it right, but if you slip and fall out of the pocket for an instant it stands out like a sore thumb. Demanding piece if you ask me. Thanks again.
B
Thanks Bill, I'm glad you dug the series, and yeah there's always lots more to learn, for all of us. As you know these lessons are just a means to a never ending end - They're just vehicles for growth.