What a day I've had! Started off first thing in the morning- around 9- taking my meds. Something in this process gave me a sore throat. Then the power went out. It was a popping sound, meaning that the transformer is out. It happens a couple times a year, and lasts about an hour at most. This one was more like half an hour.
Then a text on my phone from Xfinity telling me telling me the internet and TV service are on the fritz. So when the power did come back on, it took a couple tries to get the internet back up to snuff. I much prefer a morning where everything works, and in which I can ease into my day. But time and several cups of coffee finally turned things right-side-up.
Music news. I've been getting some new subscribers for the YouTube page. About 20 or so new people in the last week or so.. For me, that's a lot! And some of these folks leave me comments or questions. This is encouraged. I enjoy the communication, and it's cool when I can help somebody with some aspect of their playing.
For instance, I had someone ask what scale I used for a particular tune. I wrote back that I just used your basic major and minor scales, but approached it more from the standpoint of melody. In other words, inventing my own melodies, which are usually pretty simple, and building on them.
Actually, I'm more inclined to mix simple declarative musical statements with longer lines, just like you would in your everyday speech. What the old-timers would call telling a story. Using dramatic contrasts. Using space--something I always to well to remember, being more notey by nature.
There is no one approach to improvising. Pat Martino had a more virtuosic approach to playing, like you'd hear from some of the 19th century piano masters like Chopin or particularly Liszt. His mojo was in those long, convoluted lines and their distinctive shapes.
On the other hand, Jim Hall, also a great guitarist, had a more purely melodic approach. He didn't have licks, or lines as such, but rather would improvise from the melody of the tune. He also did a lot more chording. His comping, when working with horn players or piano players, is nothing short of amazing.
I listen to a lot of players, but I think I'd have to say these two are my absolute favorites- and in very different ways! What I try to do as a guitarist is to combine these two approaches- or at least alternate between them in the most musical way I can. Kind of a “best of both worlds” approach..
One player I think has achieved this kind of synthesis is pianist Michel Petrucciani. Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans rolled up into one. Anyway, this is my two cents for the moment. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading this drivel. Much love. More later.
