Lesson #3: Wes Montgomery's solo on Billie's Bounce

[pasamelallave]

exellent!

[masnak1994]

I know this is a stupid question... but what is the benefit of copying solo's?

And do I have to know the chord progression when I copy that solo?

by the way thank you for your amazing video's:)

[allegedartistlessons]

@masnak1994 Copying a solo is like copying language; it's simply a way to aquire tools to help you communicate. It's helpful to know the chord progression, so you can relate to the harmony.-Tone

[GeorgiaBoy1961]

@masnak1994: The greatest jazz musicians of the recent past all learned to play by copping licks from the greats before them. Charlie Parker stole stuff from Lester Young, before finding his own style. Wes Montgomery played Charlie Christian records note for note on the way to finding his own voice. In order to really understand a solo, you need to know the underlying chords (harmony) and the bassline, preferably both. Copping famous licks is also a way to give your playing depth.

[RubyTuesday93]

what kind of strat is that?

[allegedartistlessons]

@RubyTuesday93

Just a regular no frills American from the 90's. Lace Sensor Pick-Ups though...

[RubyTuesday93]

@allegedartistlessons nice, it sounds and looks great!

[FabrizioVegliaguitar]

sounds great

[FilizzolaBMX]

awesome. Thanks for the trasncrption.

[buddhistguitarist]

that was awesome man! what scales is that solo using?

[sysphus13]

@buddhistguitarist there's really only one scale...and then there are alterations..I reccomend you learn "the 5 shapes" of the major scale, which is really 5 shapes of every diatonic mode..making 7x5=35...learn it in 12 keys and you have 12x35=I'm bad at math. But you should think in terms of 1 scale..it makes it less complicated when thinking about chords and scales..At least in my experience :)

[shamsheer123]

sounds great

[KevsTheLowEnd]

nice work. I'm going to check the site and hopefully learn some of this. No idea how well it'll transfer onto a bass. Im considering lifting the bassline, so ill bounce that over to you once i got it written down.

[allegedartistlessons]

That would be awesome!

[fpadilla671]

I was on your site and I was wondering where'd you find Wes's interview from, id really like to read more...

[allegedartistlessons]

I know, I got a lot more I could do but I have make sure I can play through them without making a mistake. LOL!

[fpadilla671]

show us some more Wes covers

[fpadilla671]

wow so thats how a REAL relic strat should look like... how old is it?

[allegedartistlessons]

Well, it was in mint condition when I got it 8 years ago. I think it was made in the 90's though.

[fpadilla671]

superb playing but whats that brown lookin residue in the bottom of your frets?

[allegedartistlessons]

Ha! Ha! Yeah, the finish is wearing off of all my frets. It's even worse now.

[mibifinalist]

man i transcribed this solo, i don't think wes is flying about all over the neck like you are? his bassy tone relies more on 1st and 2nd position blues scales and bop modes rather than 3rd 4th and 5th like your playing? (there are exceptions, eg the third chorus)

[waldo2384]

No, this guy in the video got it right. Wes did not use his LH pinky, and moved up and down the neck a lot instead. That's what gives him the good tone.

[Bhab667]

haha this made me smile,

its one of my favorite recordings of wes's and you nailed it. and about the gibson I5 comment, who cares its not the guitar its what you play with it

[allegedartistlessons]

Thanx a lot. Yeah, I just don't have a couple extra grand lying around for the Gibson. LOL!

[johnnyguitarcarson]

allegedartistlessons

I use the thumb alot , check me out

thanx for posting

[Gian8919]

Are you playin' with the thumb?

Great solo, but if you have a Gibson l5......

[CarlosMacMartin]

Very skillful & tasteful playing indeed!

[boogieboychris]

Hey there, cool video! Please check mine out and rate and comment if you like. Much appreciated! Chris.