Freddie Green style big band rhythm guitar

I wanted to show how you can take a simple chord progression and make it more interesting. The chords are for the tune "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone". C/// E7/// A7/// //// D7/// G7/// C/// D-7/ G7/ repeat.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• freddie
• green
• big
• band
• rhythm
• guitar

[JPCguitar]

Yes, it's common knowledge that he used one note at a time a lot of the time. However, if you don't know the voicings it does you little good. Freddie knew the chords and so should anyone trying to play this style.

[lougar1]

That is a GHS made D' Angelico replica. It has a Bartoloni pickup on it and that helps. There is another D'Angelico replica made by Michael Lewis out of Grass Valley. Those are much more, around 14 thousand.

Beautiful job of showing Rhythm guitar in the Freddie Green style.

[JPCguitar]

Close. The guitar is a Vestax made D'Angelico NYL-2 with a floating Kent Armstrong "Hand Made" single coil pickup (which is basically a floating P-90). Strung with D'Addario "Chromes" 12gauge set with a 13 on the high E.

[seth3556r]

that was epically out of sync

[MichaelLydon]

On my computer the sound and video are way out of synch--??? Too bad because it looks and sounds good, just not together!

[MrElm5150]

Agreed on the out of sync issue! Please redo this :) I would really like to learn from you.

[rothjus]

Nice playing but Freddie Green only actually played one note at a time on the D string. 

[pickinstone]

One thing you failed to mention that you execute beautifully, is the see-saw motion of your struming hand. I studied with a master of Freddie Green's style and he made that point to me. Also, don't be afraid to comp this style with single notes on the D string. That allows to to really pay attention to movement without worrying about voicings to 'fill' out the harmony. Green often played one or two note 'voicings' (hate that word) and that was all he needed to cut through the band. Nice playing.

[ParentalAdvisoryBass]

@jonkiiboy It really depends what kind of bass player youre compin for. If the bassist is going a little more "up there" and playing a higher register, play roots, especially if its a solo. If hes staying low, then go for just maybe 3rd and 7th of the chords, unless you want to sound super boomy lol

[lexo30]

Really nice playing. This kind of guitar playing used to be what the guitar in jazz was basically for, and it's scandalous that it's not really taught anymore. Great to see that you're flying a flag for it.

[BasketClash]

@thailow117 Green's style is very dependent of a good drummer, what Green basically did was make it sound like the drums were playing notes, I'm simplify it a bit but think of the guitar as an extension of the drum kit. The drummer will laying down the swing beat, the guitar just gives it harmonic shine. Listen to Count Basie to get an idea, and I'm not even a big fan of swing but Green's comping is just magical to listen to with an entire orchestra.

[meghan3192]

yeah, or else it gets kinda muddy sounding

[Spimp4]

@thailow117 freddie green played quarter notes to make the drum beats sound like they have harmony to them. he played only a few notes of the chords like 2-4 at a time.