Sometimes it’s nice to put it in writing, and share what it is we’re currently working on and practicing in our spare time. In the same way that we need a friend to hold us accountable now and then when trying to keep fit, or stick to that new years resolution to drink less beer
I always think that the clearer we can be with our immediate goals, no matter how big or small, the more likely we are to get there faster… a form of “manifestation” if you will.
So, guys, what are you all working on at the moment? I’m excited to hear about it! Let’s support and encourage eachother to reach our musical goals!
Alex
That’s so good to hear! Glad you’re enjoying that piece. Yes, some lovely voicings for minor 6th and minor 6/9 chords in that one, plus that funky dominant 7 #11 of course!
I’m practicing the Head part of Jimmie’s Blues daily and venturing more and more into the solo part. The fast part is waaayyyy beyond my picking speed right now, but perhaps in the next few months.
I also practice In A Sentimental Mood, trying to get my fingers used to all those chord shapes. I’m trying to convince my short fingers to do the Dm(maj7), but it is proving challenging so I often “cheat”. I love the B section!
I’m not studying much theory at the moment, just enjoying the playing…
That sounds great Ville… love that you’re focusing on specific areas like that. Yeah, that fast run on Jimmie’s Blues in pretty insane! Keep it super slow, with a metronome… lock in the timing and the speed will organically start to improve.
I’m watching some of the theory related posts here but plan on diving into Gee Baby or Beautiful Love lessons soon. Those are a couple tunes I learned originally via Adam Levy’s Patreon. It will be interesting to compare and contrast the arrangements. I am also a member Matt Warnock’s jazz site and we working on Straight No Chaser this month and I also polishing up All Of Me from last month. Hoping to bring 1 or more of these tunes to my trio next month.
Within the Alex Farran multiverse, I’m working on West Coast Blues,. It all goes back to the blues and this one has enough chord changes to make improvising over them a great learning opportunity (all part of the theme of “music theory and how it relates to improvisation”).
Nice one Gideon! I’ll look forward to hearing that! Fancy posting your lovely rendition of “Great Pumpkin Waltz” over in the “Patron Performances” category?
That sounds like a great plan my friend! It’s such a fun one to improvise over. Following those chromatically descending ii-V’s is a real finger tangler!
Just what I need – some serious woodshedding on II-V’s and II-V-I’s and the Ladybird turnaround. Was just doing a little research on that (named after a standard composed by Tadd Dameron) and heard a piano version in the key of C (C - Eb7 - Abmaj7 - Dbmaj7 - C) which would make it a I - bIII7 - bVImaj7 - bII7 - and back to the tonic. The cool thing was the piano player kept a G note pedal at the top of each chord. And it’s easy to do that trick on the guitar without too much trouble. Very tasty stuff!
I’m kind of unfocused and all over the place tonight.
Not counting any solos, I think I have Speedy West And Jimmy Bryant’s The Nightrider down. Not terribly fast, but the fingers go where they should almost always.
Bill Jenning’s - Alexandria, VA - Just realized I was doing something wrong for a while and fixed it.
Played around with copping Charlie Christian licks from the Minton’s recording.
Rhythm changes and rhythm changes and the associated bridge section.
I’m a bit in a Bluesy mindset at te moment I’m working on ‘West Coast Blues’ and I’m almost there, just getting it up to speed via Transcribe-app. Also revisiting ‘Jimmie’s Blues’, still a lot of work on the fast solo parts. And meanwhile I’m also digging into ‘Jackson County Blues’, a solo acoustic guitar-piece by Cal Collins off his record ‘By Myself’. It’s a blues in E (my favorite blues-key) and it’s really great because there’s a lot happening there.
Nice work Roel… some great pieces to be working on there. I love the cut-time swing feel of “West Coast Blues”… similar vibe to Miles Davis’s “All Blues”.
Not heard Jackson County Blues but will check it out.
I getcha… staying focused with your practice isn’t easy… gotta have some clear goals in mind for sure to get the most out of your time. But sounds like you’re tidying up some loose ends on a few pieces which is always good of course!
Night Rider is a GREAT finger workout! I did a video performance of it a while back, and it’s one I definitely intend to do a full lesson on soon too.
Man, I love that Bill Jennings tune “Alexandria, VA”, it’s gonna be that, “Glide On” or “What’s New” I’ll be doing my first proper Bill Jennings YouTube lesson on
The Night Rider video is how I came across your YouTube channel. Alexandria, VA has the two different and outstanding versions, the Jack McDuff version and the more raw older one. Bill Jennings is the best.
I love the B section!
I’m working on ‘West Coast Blues’ and I’m almost there, just getting it up to speed via Transcribe-app. Also revisiting ‘Jimmie’s Blues’, still a lot of work on the fast solo parts. And meanwhile I’m also digging into ‘Jackson County Blues’, a solo acoustic guitar-piece by Cal Collins off his record ‘By Myself’. It’s a blues in E (my favorite blues-key) and it’s really great because there’s a lot happening there.