The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers?!

[andrew]

Hi all.

Long time listener, first time caller here. First let me say, what a wonderful website you have here. There are some really great lessons and transcriptions that have really helped me along my journey that is the world of jazz guitar.

So my teacher suggested that I learn The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers and I was looking for any pointers/helpful hints/suggestions/comments that you guys might have about it. The chords aren't too crazy, but it is a somewhat strange progression (at least in my inexperienced opinion) and that hemiola has thrown me off a time or two. Are there any particular scales that you would recommend trying to help get my playing off the ground?

[timscarey]

I got you.

it's in 3 keys

Gmaj, F maj, Ebmaj

the chords go

6, 4, 2, 6 Never to the 1

the bridge just hangs on Ab lydian. it's totally modal.

I like to think C lydian for 8bars, then Bb lydian, then Ab lydian. Sometimes throwing in the #5 in the scale.

As far as the Hemiola is concerned

practice clapping on the bold numbers

123123 reapeat

or just memorize how many groups of 2 there are and feel it that way.

hope that was helpful.

[JohnS65]

Try E minor Pentatonic/Blues, D minor Pentatonic/Blues, Ab Lydian, and C minor Pentatonic/Blues. You can go from there...but this is an easy way to play the tune at the begining. The other post about the keys (G, F, Eb) is correct if you want to do more on the tune.

Also...use the hemiloa section to change your soloing style so this part stands out from the rest of the tune. I like thinkin F dorian as it is easier on my brain (same tones as Ab lydian).

Originally Posted by andrew

Hi all.

Long time listener, first time caller here. First let me say, what a wonderful website you have here. There are some really great lessons and transcriptions that have really helped me along my journey that is the world of jazz guitar.

So my teacher suggested that I learn The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers and I was looking for any pointers/helpful hints/suggestions/comments that you guys might have about it. The chords aren't too crazy, but it is a somewhat strange progression (at least in my inexperienced opinion) and that hemiola has thrown me off a time or two. Are there any particular scales that you would recommend trying to help get my playing off the ground?

[sc06yl]

I love this tune! Its a great tune to get into with the rhythm section. The changes also allow for awesome development of ideas because of 'modal' nature of the tune. I say modal, knowing full well that it has plenty of changes, not like "So What". However you have pretty much 3 major scales (and related modes) to concern yourself with: Em/Gmaj, Dmin/Fmaj and Cmin/Eb maj/Ab lydian.

I wouldn't focus too much on scales in this tune, more developing licks in those keys. It sounds great, for the most part, and it is pretty easy to pull off in this tune. It is a blast I think.

If you have a chance to play it with a section, try telling them (if they are able), to keep it hard on the quaters (ie not accent the waltz feel), to let you play around with time feel of the tune (ie you may want to try phrasing in 4 beats, or 5 beats sometimes) it comes out better if the band is on board with it.

Good luck.