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Thread: Where to start with swing?

  1. #1

    Default Where to start with swing?

    I have been working hard on my bluegrass chops, but want to venture into the swing genre. Was looking at Minor Swing, which is simple enough, but want to start with some basic concepts of swing to help along. Anybody have any good recommendations for where to start?

  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Don Steirnberg has 3 great courses on SoundCloud. Ask him about that at camp. Or ask Brian. You are going, aren't you?
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    No I have to work Never been because it's the worst timing for me every year.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I also noticed Flinner has a course starting in a July which happens to be great timing for me.

  4. #4
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Matt's course is great. And so are Don's. Don's are open ended, while Matt's are weekly. Kind of depends on self motivation.
    Can you make the concert wed night or Thursday jam? We can talk.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
    Arrow Jazzbo
    Arrow G
    Clark 2 point
    Gibson F5L
    Gibson A-4
    Ratliff CountryBoy A

  5. #5

    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Not sure if I will make the Weds concert, although would like to. Are you referring to White Eagle jam? Don't think I can make that either this week. It is a little crazy.

  6. #6
    Chief Moderator/Shepherd Ted Eschliman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Concise demo:

    Ted Eschliman

    Author, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

  7. #7
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Mack the Knife is a very good tune to learn in the beginning. Try it here:

    http://www.jazz-mandolin.com/mack%20the%20knife.html
    -----------
    Pete Martin
    www.PeteMartin.info
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  9. #8
    Registered User rockies's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Darn . I was just going to say "Look at some of Pete Martin's stuff" and there he is ... So ... Look at some of Pete Martins stuff. There Done !
    Dave
    Heiden A, '52 Martin D-18, Taylor 510, Carlson Custom A with Electronics

  10. #9

    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    This is a great tune...the sinister aspect of the original has always appealed to me, especially with that diabolical banjo clanking away.

    When I'm learning a swing number, I enjoy going back through earlier versions to check out the feel and the chords and to understand how the song may have been altered or jazzified to fit a different format. I usually pick up on something that's been dropped as the number has evolved. A lot has been done with Mack the Knife, or "Mortitat". From Kurt Weil through Lotte Lenya, Bobby Darin, Pops, and even the Dave Van Ronk jug band is quite a trip for any song, but this one still sounds fresh to me.

    I got so used to the Bobby Darin version that I forgot the about the ominous but fun relative minor in measures 9 and 10. So if I'm in G, I play an E minor for those two measures. Just a thought.

  11. #10
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Where to start with swing?

    Dig man, there goes Pete Martin

    I just checked out most of Pete's lesson/video on soloing over the chords to Mack The Knife. Clear, cool, hip and fun...

    Hot can be cool and cool can be hot and each can be both but hot or cool, man, jazz is jazz - Louis

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