Recent Posts

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Aug 28, 2013

Hi Charles, My guess is Jim Hall and Kenny Burrell still can earn a good living. But in the jazz context its quite difficult. I do many restaurant gigs and a few jazz rooms where people actually listen but beautiful melodies and nice improvisation don't seem to be what most folks want these days. The mass media influx of contemopary music seems to have somewhat erased the interest in that type of music. But I always believe it will come back to some extent. In my humble opinion there is just too much music being put out there. Now that anyone can make and market music it's a free for all and its a sad thing in certain respects I think. Duke

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Aug 28, 2013

We will get to Sunday Mornin' soon Guys. Thanks, glad you like it! Duke

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Aug 28, 2013

We do a Charlie Christian soon. Which one I'm not sure yet. Maybe flying home, Shivers or Seven Come Eleven. All great tunes! Duke

Mike Caren
Mike Caren Aug 28, 2013

Hi Robert ... welcome to Sonic Junction.  Yes ... "Cold, Cold Feeling" is a great tune.  All the lessons are up.  

If you had a fourth lesson to the series, what would you want broken down?

I'm asking as maybe Jerry can integrate what your looking for in future lessons.  Thanks!

Mark Rhodes
Mark Rhodes Aug 28, 2013

Well, Duke, when you get to a CC tune, will it be "Seven Come Eleven"? Barney and Herb (as well as many others) recorded it. I love his solo on "Flyin' Home" with the Benny Goodman Sextet. Charlie is "The Man" to me!

Mark Rhodes
Mark Rhodes Aug 28, 2013

Congratulations, Duke! Playing with Dylan has got to be a thrill. Glad to see a mention of Herb Ellis among your faves---I have learned a lot from his three "shapes" books. Love to hear him play. You too! Glad I found "Sonic Junction," and am thrilled to be learning from a guy who loves so much of the same music that made me want to play guitar in the first place!

Robert
Robert Aug 28, 2013

Hey Jerry,

How long (hours of play) does a typical Honer 1896 last you before you blow a reed and replace it? Seems like I'm buying new ones way to often.  The cost just keeps going up and I'm discouraged constintly buying  new ones every couple of months. Does playing softer help them last longer? When I watch you play it seems like your really driging in and playing  them hard. Could you comment on life span of typical hohner 1896 harmonicas and how to make them last longer?

Gualtiero Accornero
Gualtiero Accornero Aug 28, 2013

Thanks Duke! From the CD "Guitar Groove a rama". I can play all the theme, the difficolt are the bacground chords in the guitar improvvisation! I don't understand the "progression".

(sorry for the delay)

 

chris gill
chris gill Aug 26, 2013

JERRY,

Thank you so much for sharing your Blues Harp knowledge!

Do you have any helpful tips on how to use the Harp ( WITH RACK) when you are playing guitar as well ?

Is the Harp the Lead instrument mostly? I'm not sure how to incorporate both and Singing into the songs?

Thank You!

 

 

Mike Caren
Mike Caren Aug 26, 2013

Hi Tom ... nice videos!  Are you playing the acoustic or electric?  We will have another open mic night in September and then one over the holidays (Dec / Jan).  The plan is to have one every 3 months or so.  I put up an announcement in a week or so for the next one.

Thanks for posting.!

charles bevell
charles bevell Aug 24, 2013

Hi, Duke, have been playing jazz guitar for forty years, and play for free far more than for any money. Is anyone in the Raney, Robillard, Kessel, Ellis, Burrell, Hall genre making a living at this nowadays? Or, does straight jazz not cut it anymore? Thanks.- Charley Bevell  Bloomington, IN  

Rich G
Rich G Aug 23, 2013

Hi Jerry,

 

I was wondering if you could tell me if the signature harp riff on this song (I have it on the Rhino High-Five album) ends with a hand or throat vibrato (warble?), or a combination of both?  The way they do this song on that album gives me chills, kind of like "Rollin and Tumblin" by Baby Face Leroy, Muddy Waters and Little Walter, or Junior Wells "Good Morning Little School Girl." I have been spending a lot my practice time with this song as well as "Born in Chicago" and, especially,  "Walkin' Blues" (Buttefield). I'm sure I am not playing them exactly right, but they are starting to sound okay, and I find that I get better and better at bend control and rhythym as I work on his music.

 

Thanks,

 

Rich

Robert
Robert Aug 21, 2013

Hey Guys,

Absolutly love this sight! Afew weeks back Jerry Portnoy did a series of lessons on "Cold,cold feeling". I'm quite sure  one lesson is missing or was removed. The series  sequence had: Performance/3rd position/????????? missing lesson????/backing track. A total of 4 peices. Can you guys look into this? Thanks!

JC Papa
JC Papa Aug 18, 2013

Floating Bridge (Sleepy John Estes) - particularly like the Eric Clapton (Another Ticket) and Gregg Allman (Low Country Blues) versions.

Ricky "King" Russell
Ricky "King" Russell Aug 17, 2013

Hello,

I have a Fender Telecaster with A DeArmond "Hershey Bar" pick-up in the neck position, and

it sounds great. What I might do is find another guitar to put the pickups in and leave the Strat intact.

Good Luck!

anthony gorski
anthony gorski Aug 17, 2013

Hey Duke

you are incredible - I'm so thankful for this site - your insite

and everything- just pure taste! I have a request - could you put together a transcription of the old tune "until the real thing comes along" - struggle with this tune - whenever u have time...

thank you for sharing your wealth of insights - pure gifts 

sincerely

anthony from winnipeg

Jerry Portnoy
Jerry Portnoy Aug 16, 2013

I'll be doing it soon!

Allan Mandell
Allan Mandell Aug 12, 2013

Hey Duke ~  when you're up in Victoria for the Vancouver Island Blues Bash, if you feel like stepping out of the downtown harbor area for a bit, I'd like to offer to show you around  -  some local color if you're up for it  -  lots of gorgeous nautical scenery   -  otherwise, see you when you hit the stage !  Allan

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Mar 14, 2014

Hi Allan, Don't know how I missed this, sorry. Maybe next time! Duke

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jul 28, 2013

Terry, No the L-5 is nlong gone, but it did go to a good home and I have played it on a gig when I was in the owners home town. Duke 

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jul 28, 2013

BG, Yeah, I just love playing different axes all the time. Bad habit! Duke

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jul 28, 2013

Hey Peter, Thanks, yes, surf green is the coolest of all guitar colors! Duke 

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jul 28, 2013

Hi Eric, Yes they are mine alright. Some I have already sold or traded though. Duke

Mike Caren
Mike Caren Jul 25, 2013

Hi Allan,

Good question. Yes, you can get feedback and Q&A on any lesson.  Duke, Corey and Jerry will generally get back to you in a couple days, buy may take up to a week depending on their tour schedule.

Great having you a part of Sonic Junction.

terryguitar
terryguitar Jul 24, 2013

do you still have the black L5 you used on you Tbone video?

Terry

Allan Mandell
Allan Mandell Jul 21, 2013

Quick question:  does Duke et al. just give feedback on the current lesson, or can we dive back into the pile and work on stuff from past lessons and still be able to get feedback & commentary from our blues gurus ?       - thanks -

 
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