first standardcover

[Zgroff386]

this is my cover of duke ellingtons classic....I'm really starting to love jazz but I was a total blues guy before this please give any feedback you'de like, I would love to hear it Thank you

YouTube - Zack Groff In a Sentimental Mood Guitar Cover

[ksjazzguitar]

Off course, this should probably be moved to the "Showcase" room, but I'll leave that for some mod to worry about.

Overall, it is very nice. But since I'm a picky a-hat:

Intro:

Well executed, but it seems to be in a different "mood" than the rest of the song and sound mismatched to my taste.

Measure 2:

You switched the melody to and F on beat 1. I would have played a G over beat 1 (as the melody is commonly played) or at least not played the E-string there so the ear can "hear" it as changing to the F on beat 2.

Measure 6:

You really cut that D7 with the E on top short. That is 3 whole beats. There were a couple of spots where I felt you could have paused a bit more, but this feels like I was robbed of a few beats.

I also prefer a #11 for that D7 with the E on top, but your 13 sounds good too.

Measure 11:

In the second A section, you skip over several measures. You seem to combine measures 11 and 15 and go straight on to measure 16.

Measures 19 and 20:

I'm used to hearing the melody hear. After that first chord, there should be 3 notes for each of the dominant chords: #5, 13, and root. But on checking and listening to some authoritative versions, they ain't there. The Real Book strikes again! So, never mind.

Measure 27:

Same problem as measure 11.


Overall, it is nice. There were some good chord subs in there. I would slow down, and enjoy the melody. I'd learn the melody and sing it to yourself while you play so you get the pacing right. (True, the lyrics were added later, but they can be a good guide.) And be sure to connect the melody better in the phrases, especially in the bridge - sometimes you are stopping the melody short in the middle of a phrase.

But good work. Keep it coming.

Peace,
Kevin

[Zgroff386]

Well I couldn't of asked for a better response, thank you. If I could ask one thing, what do you think would be a good song to try next?

[ksjazzguitar]

Originally Posted by Zgroff386

...what do you think would be a good song to try next?

While I do agree with the previous post, that Uggs are the key to good CM playing, he's explained that well enough so I'll move on.

What tune next? That really depends on you. When I'm dealing with a student looking for repertoire for CM, my first question is: What songs do you know? I would much rather have them work on something I know than try to shove something down their throats.

That being said, if you are doing this rubatto style ballad thing, I might recommend looking at "Misty," "As Time Goes By," "Autumn in New York," "Body and Soul," "Over the Rainbow," "Prelude to a Kiss," or whatever. I tend to like to do standards as they seem to be more "marketable."

The one thing that I would definitely recommend is that you don't give up on a CM because it is hard. When I was starting out, I would sometimes give up because I ran into an obstacle and would decide that the song was undoable. But then (of course) I would hear someone else to it and realize that it was very doable. Just keep at it - the more you do it, the easier it gets.

Keep it up.

Peace,
Kevin

[Reg]

As always... Kevin made great comments for you... I enjoyed your playing... would have dug a little more improve... but that sometimes takes a while. I would start to think in more that one moving part. You basically played your version of melody and added harmony as you needed. Try and start thinking of a second part, could just be a bass line that's going on and you play it as you think fit. They call this technique compound lines... Two lines going on at once and interacting... but only one is heard at a time. Helps give you more to work with still only playing single attacks. Creates the effect of more layers...obviously once you start start thinking of one more part... you'll hear a third etc... And you begin to develop arrangement techniques for solo playing... Do you ever play a jazz box... As far as new tunes, probable stay with easier tunes as Kevin pointed out... I also like... Gental Rain, I Got it Bad, Bye Bye Blackbird, Don't get Around Much Anymore. Maybe look at some jazz blues tunes to work on your feel, Centerpiece , Broadway,( not on Broadway). Best Reg