2025 FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
CONCEPTS FOR COMPING: LESSON 13
Continuing the application of open and close-voiced 7th chords (aka “shell voicings”) to songs.
This month's song is called, “Beautiful Love.”
As with the previous songs, I've marked the II-V-I's. It's important to be able to spot diatonic chord progressions because they are the building blocks of the song form. It makes it much easier to play and remember the song if you can recognize the II-V-I's and other diatonic progressions.
We covered and drilled several diatonic chord progressions in lessons 4-6, then put those progressions into 4 common key schemes in lessons 7 & 8.
By the way, links to all previous lessons in this series are on the Free Lessons page in the “Members Only” area of the website.
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BLOGS PUBLISHED SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER
Note: As I wrote in the last email, I used to publish a blog weekly (every Monday) but after more than 300 blog posts I've kind of relaxed that schedule because I've said a lot of what I've wanted to say, and I don't want to publish dribble just to maintain a schedule; I want each blog to be substantive.
Thoughts on Bob Dylan: In light of the recent buzz around the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, I have some thoughts on Bob.
Concepts for Comping: Lesson 12: January Newsletter: Concepts for Comping, Blog Links, Tune of the Month & more!
TUNE OF THE MONTH
When people ask me, "How many songs do you know?" I usually say "I've forgotten more songs than most people know." I have probably over a hundred gig tapes; cassettes recorded on a portable boombox from the late 70's through the early 90's. I randomly picked one and started listening. Poor quality - but nostalgic. I have no memory of ever playing this song, yet here I am playing it on October 27, 1983. It was originally done by Donna Summer (I had to look that up!).
Debby Brown (lead vocals), John Hobbes (drums vocals), Brian Tracy (keys, sax, vocals), Gary Helm (Bass) and myself on guitar and vocals. We were a tight band.
Man, I don't regret slamming out stuff like this night after night; there's just no substitute for the on-stage experience, although after 10 years or so I did kind of burn out doing this tightly arranged, playing-the-same-parts-every-night kind of thing.
JAY
P.S. Hey, if you have anything you're interested in, let me know. Suggestions for lessons, ideas for blogs - I'd like to hear your ideas. Contact me HERE.
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