Entries for November, 2008

Kenny Burrell Transcription: Freight Trane

Got another Kenny Burrell transcription for you (my best cut at it anyway). This is Kenny’s first solo break, which happens around 2:05 on the original track from the Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane CD/Album.
This a MIDI cut of what it sounds like.
To view the transcription, you’ll need Sibelius’s Scorch plugin (don’t worry, it’s free).

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Keith Jarrett

Watching things like this sometimes makes me wish I hadn’t given up piano lessons for guitar when I was 13:

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We All Need More Bootsy Collins in our Lives

After I heard that a Kentucky-based Guitar Center donated 25 guitars to Bootsy Collins’ charity, the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation, I decided that since it’s Friday, we could all use a dose of Bootsy’s special brand of being:

Honestly, why this guy isn’t as big as Hendrix is beyond me. He rocks!

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RIP: Mitch Mitchell (1947-2008)

Sad news for Hendrix fans. Mitch Mitchell has died at 61 (that’s a much younger Mitch on the right). He was Hendrix’s drummer for the original Jimi Hendrix Experience from 1966-1969 as well as for another lineup with Billy Cox on bass.
There’s got to be one crazy-ass reunion (and jam) going on in heaven. I [...]

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Robot Guitar V2

Gibson’s got a new version of the so-called “robot guitar” out. Being a bit of a techie, I’d love to fool around with one.
The thing I find coolest about this guitar is not really the tuners, although I can imagine that would be useful for just keeping the darn thing in tune while you’re playing. [...]

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Jeff Beck: Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s

Jeff Beck has a new CD called Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s. I just read a review that said it was pretty kick ass. Just in case you’re a guitar player who prefers living under rocks and hasn’t heard of Jeff Beck:

(No offense to Mr. Beck, but don’t you agree that he has a [...]

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Yes, Rush SHOULD Be in the Hall of Fame

Yes. Okay, it’s a short post. But what else needs be said. They’re right.

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Todd Rundgren: Arena

Todd Rundgren, who I’ve mentioned before, has a new CD coming out that apparently gets back to his guitar roots. Great!
But after reading this quote from a review, I’m wondering if “Arena” is really the best title:
Arena was recorded entirely on Rundgren’s laptop in a linen closet and a bedroom, and if there’s one quibble [...]

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Kenny Burrell Transcription: C-Jam Blues

A while back I did a number of Kenny Burrell transcriptions. Here’s one from Ellington is Forever Vol. I (work that ’stache Kenny!). This is from Kenny’s first solo break, which comes in at about 4:15. Here’s the MIDI version, so you can hear what it sounds like: C-Jam Blues. The transcription follows the break.

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Django Styled SMB Theme on Guitar

Ran across this awesome video while fartin’ around in the tubes today. I love it! (I’ve always wanted one of those “gypsy jazz” guitars.)

The guitarist is a guy named Adrian Holovaty. He’s got a couple of other nice vids linked from his page. Helluva player!

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The Smell of Modes in the Morning

In my opinion, modes are the most misunderstood category of music theory, especially among guitarists. Many guitarists have only a basic understanding of the modes, if any. You hear them sometimes, casually saying things like, “Oh yeah, well, modes are easy. You just start playing a major scale on any degree and that’s a mode.” [...]

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Slow Day, So…

Hmm, since everyone seems to be, you know, voting today, it’s been a slow guitar-news day.
If he were still alive, I’d write in Joe Pass for President. I’ll never forget the first time I heard him. I was in college at the time and discovered “Joe Pass: Virtuoso” (the first one) in the library basement [...]

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So, I’ve Been Thinking…

One of the reasons I started this blog was to encourage myself to post more free lessons and transcriptions. And, as you can see, I haven’t done that.
I will be in the near future. So, if you have any ideas (I’ve got plenty, but it’s always nice to hear from other people), leave a comment!

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New Paul Gilbert Instructional Video

I’ve always been a fan of Paul Gilbert’s. I learned much from his first instructional video, Intense Rock, and can honestly say that I still use some of his techniques to this day.
So, let’s hope his new one is just as good.

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Job at the Martin Guitar Factory

I’ve been to the Martin guitar factory twice and have the sound-hole cutouts to prove it. I like to go every year or so because I find it’s inspiring. It renews my appreciation for my guitars, which, sadly, I sometimes take for granted. Especially my custom Heritage Eagle. It was built in a factory similar [...]

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