Hi Folks,
This week we are finishing up "Why Don't You Do Right". The lesson consists of learning a new intro that I use for the recording. Then I demonstrate many examples of types of things that work around the vocal. Half step arpeggios, minor 6 and 9s, fast repeated blue notes and more to spice up the vocal. We also talk about not getting in the way off the vocal or stepping on it. One thing is to roll the tone back so you have a soft dark sound that is in a totally different frequency range than the voice.
I really can't wait to hear many of you play this one. You're going to have a great track to play with this time so I want to hear all of you out there do a recording of it.
Come on now, don't be shy!
Enjoy........DUKE
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
standards
Duke Robillard
Lil Green
Why Don't You Do Right
Peggy Lee
Print Chords & Tab
Loop 0:00 Breakdown of Duke's Intro
Loop 4:05 Run-Through of Duke's Intro
Loop 4:22 Fills and Backing a Vocalist Breakdown
Loop 8:23 Example of Fills around the Vocals
Loop 13:28 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Wow Bruce, That's great! really sounds cool and in the pocket. you added a geat dimension to it Bruce. thanks! duke
Thanks, Duke! And also Steve and Marty!
Hello Duke! As promised, here is a version with me on piano. I hope you'll pardon my self-indulgent tounge-in-cheek fantasy on the album cover design.:-) It ended up sounding surprisingly cohesive, I think. And the litte USB microphone did a pretty good job. You can hear my clock ticking at the beginning of the track. Anyway -- I hope you like it! Best Regards, Bruce
Hey Bruce thats really great, very nice.
Very cool!
Hi Bruce, I hope to do more like this with Sunny, and a tune of mine with me singing will be coming be fore long. Thanks, Duke
Wow, that will be great, Duke! I've always loved your singing too.
Great Job Bruce! Really nice and good solo and tone. The way you came out of the solo into the vocal was a perfect setup for Sunny. That's an important part of having the vocal there to learn to play around and compliment it instead of stepping on it. And that guitar! I used to have that exact model. Love it!!! I think of that as a huge telecaster because the pickup is close to the bridge. When you roll back the tone it retains it's clarity because of the position of the pickup. Great axe!! Duke
Wow, thanks so much, Duke! And my guitar thanks you as well. ;-) I was doing my best to work the dynamics to be sensitive to the vocal and it was really great to have this track to work with. I was trying to imagine myself in the position of laying down a track for recording, rather than just thinking of it as a practice song. I don't usually (i.e. never) roll back the tone as I did on this song, and it was really interesting to see how it affected the overall tone and feel of the guitar. Please pass along my thanks to Sunny and Brad! It was a really inspiring track. Please do more!!! ;-) Thanks again, Duke!
Very good Marty! Nice take on it and nice light touch. Duke
What do you think, Duke? Better? I think so!
Wow, thanks very much, Peter! Thanks also for noticing my guitar. ;-) It's a 1942 Epiphone Century. The tuners, bridge and pickguard are non-original, but it's a great guitar with a lot of vintage mojo and really fun to play. Thanks again for the kind words; they are very much appreciated!
Hi Duke! So here's my best so far with this one. I feel like this tune has been great for my playing. Thanks so much for doing it, and especially for that great track. It really made it fun to work with. I love the up-frontness of the bass! Thanks again! Feedback, as always, is deeply appreciated. Regards, Bruce
PS Loving the new album (The Acoustic Blues And Roots)!! I forgot to check the box on the site to get you to sign it, so I'll have to do it for sure on the next one. ;-)
Duke, I had a musical epiphony today. Listening to my performance of this, I realize that I had not committed myself to the time and the groove. I worry so much about hitting the correct notes that I'm losing track of the rhythm. The intro is pretty good because it's pretty rehearsed. When I start improvising, my rhythm is getting pushed to the back seat. I realize intellectually that it's easier to take a bum note and "make it work" than fix broken rhythm, but I need to make myself aware of it when I'm playing. I just tried playing piano with this in mind, and I don't think my playing has ever sounded more musical. So, with that in mind, looking forward to more practice time this weekend! ;-)
I'd love to hear you play piano to it Bruce.
I'd be delighted to record a piano version for you, Duke! By the way, I played a wedding gig once for the daughter of the guy who was the drummer in Roomful of Blues in the early 70s. I don't recall his name, but I remember him being a great player and having this huge old powerful bass drum. I seem to remember that his "father/daughter" dance was to a Beatles ballad like "Let It Be" or "Long and Winding Road" or something, which seemed an odd choice. But folks pick funny songs. I once played a wedding gig where the first husband/wife dance was to Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp". Go figure! ;-)
Glad you're enjoying playing to it Tom, Duke
Great backing track . Lot of fun playing with it . Just love Sonny's voice !! Thanks
Yes Charlie, That is a great album. Got it on vinyl! Duke
Nice stuff !!! Thanks again Duke .
Thanks Duke - and thanks for the refresh on that gorgeous chord! I got it now. Really love this tune - thanks for turning me on to Dave Barbour - picked up a great album of his and Peggy's live radio shows. Awesome stuff!
Nice Steve, I hear some les Paul-isms in there!
Love Les Paul,
Thanks Duke
Sonny's voice is beautiful, makes me blush.
Steve
I ve been jamming on this this morning. I came up with a structure for the versus but not the solo yet. So, its something borrowed and somethings stole.
Thanks Duke
Steve
Sweet Steve !! That is some tasty playing. What a great way to start the day. I like the double stop / hammer on riff --- and the open string thing twists my mind.