How To Play 'You Bet Your Love' (Herbie Hancock Live Rhodes Solo)

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR COMPLETE VIDEOSCORES OF THESE TRANSCRIPTIONS! I am in the process of creating videoscores for all my transcriptions - I've already done quite a few but it will take me a while to get them all done - let me know if there are any you wish me to prioritise, or new ones that you'd like me to do!

I've recently had the preamp and amp of my suitcase Rhodes serviced by an ex-CBS technician, and he's done an amazing job. I also managed (just about) to tune the Rhodes myself, although it still needs voicing and balancing a bit more I think. Anyway, to celebrate the Rhodes sounding so great, I thought I'd record a Rhodes solo I transcribed from a live Herbie Hancock performance. The solo's taken from a gig he did at Chelsea College in London, in 1979. The gig was part of a tour supporting his 'Feets Don't Fail Me Now' album, and the video was shown as part of a TV series called 'Rock Goes To College'. Herbie was touring with a suitcase Rhodes that was a Peterson amplifier version like mine, but it was modified to include tweeters in the speaker cab (I believe) plus some modifications to the preamp. This is all in addition to the well-known hammer tip mod. Bryan Bell was his keyboard tech at the time, and I think his Rhodes may well have been tuned and voiced by a woman called Ellen Altshueler, for whom I have no more information.
I just found out that Bryan Bell got the job with Herbie after turning up unannounced at his Beverly Hills mansion in 1975. Bryan had met Herbie on the road when mixing the Maravishnu Orchestra several months previous, and Herbie had said that if Bryan needed a job, to call him first. Bryan spotted Herbie's '63 Cobra and said 'I'm a car guy too, let's go for a ride and talk about it'. Herbie told him that the Cobra was broken, but Bryan said that wasn't a problem - he could fix it right there and then. So Bryan got Herbie's tools out, fixed the car - and they went for a drive that day. Bryan then worked for Herbie over a period of 8 years and 15 albums :D
I created this video by editing down the 12" version of 'You Bet Your Love' (which has no Rhodes solo), and then soloing over the top of it. I hope you enjoy it - I've done quite a few of transcriptions of Herbie's playing (since he's my hero along with Don Blackman and a few others) so hopefully I'll get some more videos up when I have time.

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[dzlvs8]

oh, so thats all I have to do. Good explaination. ?????

[tomogradymusic]

@dzlvs8

If you're patient (and if you'd read the info) you'd understand that these videos are intended to come with a complete score / transcription of the solo. Have a look at my video of Chameleon for instance - I've already shared a note-for-note transcription. This one is coming soon when I have time.

[paypower66]

hello my name is Paride and wanted to know what amp do you recommend with my Rhodes Mark II to have a sound like yours? thank you and best wishes

[tomogradymusic]

@paypower66

Hi Paride - thanks for the message. My Rhodes has quite a mellow sound because I deliberately voice it that way - it's less to do with the amp, even though the preamp and Rhodes amp do obviously make a difference. Any powerful amp with a fairly flat response even at the low bass frequencies should be good - Fender Twin, Roland JC120... The best thing you can do is to voice your Rhodes though, using the tonebar screws. I hope that helps! Thanks, Tom

[funkytennis]

This is amazing - any chance you could upload the transcription. I think this is my favourite solo of all time

[tomogradymusic]

@funkytennis

Hi there, glad you enjoyed it - yes, the transcription should be up sometime soon, so please keep checking back. I've already added transcriptions to some of my other videos.

Cheers,

Tom

[tomogradymusic]

@MrCurtisByron

Thanks!

[MrCurtisByron]

I like it yeah ;)

The way you open the chords at 01:39 is awesome.

You really do understand the unique Herbie's touch.

Cheers.

[tomogradymusic]

@goofparade

Yeah - it's the best! Thanks,

Tom