Misty Chords

[billkath]

Cheers, Televad!!

[ronjazz]

look: x-x-9-7-6-6

at: x-x-7-5-4-4

me: x-6-3-3-3-3

[Nick0783]

I often use E7 (#9) on the at bit, I know it's been mentioned already.
If you don't have the DVD "An evening with Joe Pass" I would strongly recommend it. There is a section where he answers questions about his chord melody playing and chooses Misty to demonstrate the range of voicings available. Then he plays it, and it it the most sublime version I have ever heard, worth the price just for that bit.

[ksjazzguitar]

I usually play it:


-6--3------
-4--3--3---
-5--4--3---
-6--6--5---
-------6---
-----------


So, that would be Bb9sus->Bb13b9->EbMaj7. Sometimes I go:


-6--3---------
-4--3--3--3---
-5--4--2--3---
-6--6--4--5---
-------6--6---
--------------


So, that would be Bb9sus->Bb13b9->EbdimMaj7->EbMaj7.

Just some thoughts.

Peace,
Kevin

[billkath]

Cheers, Lads!!

[M-ster]

No one's suggested Ab7#11 on the "me." In Eb (which most of you are using), you delay the Ebmaj7 by using Ab7#11 for the first two beats, then Ebmaj7.

One more thing to play with ...

[ksjazzguitar]

Interesting, I'd never tried that one. I'm not sure why it works, but it does. I'll have to think about that one. Cool, learned something new. Thanks, M, I owe ya one.

Peace,
Kevin

[billkath]

Great Ideas!!

[M-ster]

Thanks, M, I owe ya one.

You are quite welcome, sir.

[Reg]

This is fun...Try
Change bars 7 and 8 to... G-7 C7#9 / F-9 Eb-9 // Ab9#11 and you can go to the Bb-7 Eb7 or sub, G-7b5 C7#9 for Bar 2.
Try again on turn around... bar 7 and 8... Eb6/9 C7b13 / B13 G7#9// C-9...
I could go on if I start playing...but maybe these will get you going
If you really want more I'll make a video with a million... that's what I do
Reg

[billkath]

Any chance to watch you play on video is welcome, Reg!

[Nick0783]

As someone else has suggested, E7 (#9) works well on the "at" part of the melody. If you don't own it already, I really recommend "An evening with Joe Pass" DVD, there is a section where he demonstrates a number of voicings for Misty, and then plays a brief version with amazing, seamless harmonic movement throughout. Well worth the price.
I first learnt Misty in Eb like yourself, but have recently worked out a version in C which allows greater scope for basslines and ringing open strings. The "look at me" bit, would be, say, G7#5, C#(#9), Cmaj 7 (at 1st position), no doubt you could work out the rest.
I always feel it's never a waste of time to experiment with transposing songs, especially with solo guitar because you don't need to match your key with anyone else.
Also, it gives you the option of modulating after you have played the tune through once in it's original key, which provides more variety for the listener.
Wonder if anyone's got any suggestions on how to take the tune from Eb to C, or vice versa...?

[ksjazzguitar]

It was ski week so no chess classes to teach today, so I had some free time and my wife wasn't on the downstairs computer - the the perfect storm to do a little recording!

This is my version of "Misty." You can hear that EbdimMaj7 on beats 1 and 2 there. Then I go into a double-time feel after the first A section. It's a little sloppy - sorry, two years of only practicing CG is bad for the jazz chops.

Enjoy.

Peace,
Kevin

[lkmuller]

Kevin, I enjoyed that. All differences aside, I do see that you are generous with your knowledge and genuinely want to help. Nuff said for now.

[Nick0783]

This is great. Channeling Joe loud and clear.

[billkath]

Great stuff, Kevin-effortless and Musical. Love the way you slip into soloing and back into CM. But-are you chewing gum, young man?

[Reg]

Hey Kevin... very nice, great job... was that a showcase type of thing, do you want critique or was it a lesson type of video... or simply for enjoyment... best Reg

[wizard3739]

great job Kevin! This video is a good showcase of your jazz guitar knowledge and abilities. more, please!

wiz

[ksjazzguitar]

Thanks for the compliments.

Love the way you slip into soloing and back into CM.

Yeah, I think that that works as long as you imply the chord changes strongly. Without accompaniment I think that's it's even more important to target chord tones and guide tones.

But-are you chewing gum, young man?

Yeah, I do a weird thing with my jaw. I need to work on that.

Yeah, Reg, I'm open to constructive criticism. But this probably isn't the best place, let me repost in the Showcase area later today.

Peace,
Kevin

[2bornot2bop]

As someone else has suggested, E7 (#9) works well on the "at" part of the melody. If you don't own it already, I really recommend "An evening with Joe Pass" DVD, there is a section where he demonstrates a number of voicings for Misty, and then plays a brief version with amazing, seamless harmonic movement throughout. Well worth the price.

I ordered a copy of this DVD and it just arrived. Thanks for making the recommendation!

[2bornot2bop]

As someone else has suggested, E7 (#9) works well on the "at" part of the melody.

I've always enjoyed a chromatic approach to the melody at bar 24 of the bridge.

l F-11 E7(#11 #9) ll EbMa7

One could even extend this chromatic approach with at bars 23 and 24:

l G-7 Gb7 l F-11 E7 (#11 #9) ll EbMa7

Of course one could use F-11 E7#11#9 as an intro just as well but I prefer using it to provide a bit of variety on the second approach to the melody at the end of the bridge on bar 24.

Try it!

[2bornot2bop]

What I need is some ideas for the "At" chord, that'll go into the EbMaj7. Something that sounds really cool!!! And something that'll have the G note on top (if that's important, maybe it's not?)

Perhaps a piano player's approach might provide you with an idea or two. Rather than going directly to the 1 chord (EbMaj7) following the pickup I'll dance to it on beat 1 chromatically for example:

F-11 E7+9 +11 ll D/Eb EbMaj9

This is probably more effective at bar 9 when you're about to repeat the melody phrase the second time through.

My preference for repeated choruses of the melody is establishing chromaticism that the ear instantly picks up on for the sake of variety. For example from bar 22 of the bridge leading back to the head I'll play:

D7sus C-11 F9 l
that's why I'm fol-low-ing

G-9 Gb13+11 l
you

F-11 E7+11+9 ll
On my

D/Eb EbMaj9 l
own

Since Misty has been done forever my chart for the first 9 bars of Misty might include many substitutions, i.e., at bar 7 below:

Bb13 ll

EbMa7 l Bb-9 Eb13b9 l AbMa7 l Ab-9 Db13 l

EbMa7 C-7 l F-7 Bb7b9 l G13 G+7 C9 C7b9 l F9 F+7 Bbsus9 Bb13b9 l

D/Eb EbMa9 l

Try it!

[ksjazzguitar]

Perhaps a piano player's approach might provide you with an idea or two. Rather than going directly to the 1 chord (EbMaj7) following the pickup I'll dance to it on beat 1 chromatically for example:

F-11 E7+9 +11 ll D/Eb EbMaj9 ...

Of course, that D/Eb is essentially the same as EbdimMaj7 I suggested. Great minds think alike.

Peace,
Kevin

[Dad3353]

...Great minds think alike. ...

...and fools seldom differ.
Please be complete; so many misunderstandings are brought about by not giving the whole story.
(No, just joshing; couldn't resist. Regretting it already...)

[billkath]

Fools Seldom Differ?
I thought it was fools err and differ?