Big Band Rhythm Guitar #1

This is the first of 17 lessons from my book, "Playing Straight Rhythm Guitar: A Swing Band Approach" by Kent Murdick. I start with four- note chords which can easily be reduced to the three-note shell chords used by Freddie Green and other big band guitarists. To see all 17 lessons, do a search for: big band rhythm guitar murdick. If you wish to buy the book ($6.50 + $1.50 postage), please e-mail me at: Lutemann@aol.com

Produced by
Kent Murdick
University of South Alabama

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Big
• Band
• Rhythm
• Guitar
• lessons
• lesson
• 1
• murdick
• freddie
• green
• comping

[koreanhendrix93]

This doesn't help with most modern big band music, with the exception of swing and some blues. If you're given funk, are you really expected to play straight quarters? Wouldn't you consider doing straight sixteenths? :S

[Lutemann]

That's correct, but there is stil a lot of swing being played out there, and most jazz palyers don't know how to do it.

[splanky87]

I usually I don't criticize because Youtube has enough vapid criticism. But, I think One and Two note voicings would be better to start out with. I studied with James Chirillo for a year and he showed me that he played only on one string for up tempos. It's also easier to hear your way through the changes without that many notes (besides the hits, sometimes the charts are overly complicated, and best bet is to just LISTEN). But... I wish I saw something like your video in High School

[Lutemann]

Hey Splanky, I got invited to play in a college jazz band because they no saxes sign up - we just got through playing Splanky.

[Lutemann]

Two reasons why I start out with four note voicings:

1) they are useful for other styles of playing as well as straight rhythm.

2) You don't need a lot of theory to learn them. Unless you have something for a reference, it's very difficult to learn shell chords or one/two note voicings.

[wallavious]

thanks for posting murdick!

[jwright123456789]

I can think of some:

Johnny Smith

Ted Greene

Barry Harris

Just off the top of my head

[getupanddosomething]

joe satriani. and many many others who didn't need the fame. my teach i consider a master, and i know many other masters who are excellent teachers

[guitarslim56]

Great masters are always great teachers. If someone can't learn from the master, then problem is with the student, not the teacher.

[TheFunkify]

Yep, lots of them. Start with Larry Carlton. Lots of greats have given lessons. Emily Remler, lots of Homespun tapes. Not just guitarists, but others too. But yes, they were able to listen and learn themselves. Doesn't mean they can't teach though.

[SMTTBF]

Andy Firth.