Just the melody.

[GuyBoden]

Here's my 'Just Friends', the simplistic basic melody, I'll be playing it live tonight, so I hope I can relax and remember the melody.

Notice, I'm singing the song internally as I play it, as well as probable embellishments.

It's played on my impregnable carbon fibre Winter guitar.

[ragman1]

I'm singing the song internally

Absolutely, as I tried to explain to Cliff. If you can't hear it internally what is there to play? Trouble is, it takes quite a lot of time and work to so internalise these tunes to the point when it all becomes pretty well automatic.

One thing I've noticed about professional recordings is that they're very plainly feeling exactly what they're playing. It's never just pushing it out, they know exactly what they're doing. There's emotional content and that's what communicates the tune so well.

[lawson-stone]

As a singer, melody is the first part I learn of a song. Of course, I hear the harmony as I'm listening to the song, but my primary effort is to learn the melody, and then the words. So as a guitarist, when I play the melody, I often hear the words to the song (if there are any), which helps me to phrase the tune.

For a tune like Take Five, which has no words AFAIK, this doesn't work, of course. And nobody paid much attention to my rendition of that melody anyway – AllanAllen's has 555 views, mine has 5...

[Sidebar: "When you feel like yelling at the world, just take 5... just take 5... just take 5."]

Here's my take on Wave, along with a short blooper video.

I love this tune and often find myself playing it over and over. It has all sorts of wrinkles and hidden spots that are a delight to explore. I personally find the words a little creepy, but not being a vocalist that hardly bothers me. I liked your handling of it. I find it a hard tune to "make my own" in the sense of making interpretive changes in it without disturbing the essence of it. I really enjoy just playing it, pretty much as you did.

[lawson-stone]

Here's my 'Just Friends', the simplistic basic melody, I'll be playing it live tonight, so I hope I can relax and remember the melody.

Notice, I'm singing the song internally as I play it, as well as probable embellishments.

It's played on my impregnable carbon fibre Winter guitar.

What an interesting instrument! I'm hearing more space between the main phrases than I think is written. Perhaps you're doing it rubato, but I think there is almost a full measure extra between the phrases. Unless of course *I'm* counting/reading it wrong, which is a very strong possibility.

[GuyBoden]

What an interesting instrument! I'm hearing more space between the main phrases than I think is written. Perhaps you're doing it rubato, but I think there is almost a full measure extra between the phrases. Unless of course *I'm* counting/reading it wrong, which is a very strong possibility.

That's how I'm hearing it. But, it's much easier with a backing track.

[Mick-7]

I'm hearing more space between the main phrases than I think is written. Perhaps you're doing it rubato, but I think there is almost a full measure extra between the phrases. Unless of course *I'm* counting/reading it wrong, which is a very strong possibility.

It's often played double time - half notes become quarter notes, etc.

When it comes to playing this particular melody, Bird is tops:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRkZeGFONg

[AllanAllen]

From the advice I got in my vocal thread. I learned to play the melody instead of doing what comes naturally through the lyrics.

https://youtu.be/jfmJRosUM-k?si=IkfkoZLtko43tYZ9

[guitarvegas]

Back on "Four". Working on this tune has been the best thing I have ever done....
Four v2_mixdown.wav - Google Drive

[kris]

Back on "Four". Working on this tune has been the best thing I have ever done....
Four v2_mixdown.wav - Google Drive

The idea here is to play the melodies of a jazz standards...

[GuyBoden]

I thinking about learning the melody to "Here's That Rainy Day".

Any recommended versions?

I have the Paul Desmond and Jim Hall version on cd.

[Mick-7]

I thinking about learning the melody to "Here's That Rainy Day". Any recommended versions?
I have the Paul Desmond and Jim Hall version on cd.

Ah, I was planning to play that one too! Lots of ways to treat it, I've heard it played slow or medium tempo, swing or bossa.

Here's a good (slow) rendition:

I like this one too:

[guitarvegas]

I thinking about learning the melody to "Here's That Rainy Day".

Any recommended versions?

I have the Paul Desmond and Jim Hall version on cd.

Yes, certainly! I would go to Barney Kessel he does my favorite rendition of this.

[GuyBoden]

Ah, I was planning to play that one too! Lots of ways to treat it, I've heard it played slow or medium tempo, swing or bossa.

Here's a good (slow) rendition:

Thanks, that's so good, I've got it on repeat.

[mr. beaumont]

Important note about "Rainy Day," it's been played in both major and minor...that might influence your interpretation or note choice...particularly at the end...

[AllanAllen]

This is nice. They're all pretty simple at this stage.

The complexity of a melody does not affect its beauty.

[wzpgsr]

What Is This Thing Called Love?

[John A.]

I thinking about learning the melody to "Here's That Rainy Day".

Any recommended versions?

I have the Paul Desmond and Jim Hall version on cd.

Wes did a few versions. I like the live versions best.

But I think this is one of those tunes for which it really helps to reference vocal versions to actually learn the melody. Sinatra is more or less definitive.

[guitarvegas]

My favorite version!

[GuyBoden]

At the moment, I'm listening to this Stan Getz version for a great sax rendition of "Here's that Rainy Day":

[ragman1]

I really like this song. I might have to do something about it :-)

[GuyBoden]

I really like this song. I might have to do something about it :-)

Yes, it seems a pity to ruin such a beautiful melody with my own rendition, but, needs must, necessity compels, there's a gathering acceptance that it just can't be avoided. You first then.

[ragman1]

Give me time. I'm still debating whether to start it with a minor* and/or if bossa might sound nice...

* The Jazz Standards site says the maj/min thing is, I quote, 'a bone of contention among the more rabid players'. Gosh, imagine :-)

[GuyBoden]

* The Jazz Standards site says the maj/min thing is, I quote, 'a bone of contention among the more rabid players'. Gosh, imagine :-)

Obviously, there will be no disagreements on this forum thread, because the 'bone of contention' is with the chords not the melody. Hopefully

[lawson-stone]

Here's my attempt. I've played this forever as a chord-melody piece, but have never once actually just played the bare-bones melody. Without the chord-melody shapes to guide me, it's like I've had to re-learn the tune. I created a very bare-bones backing track to pace it.
I'm also committed to posting my clips despite imperfections and outright clams. I hope that isn't too distracting.

[GuyBoden]

Here's my attempt. I've played this forever as a chord-melody piece, but have never once actually just played the bare-bones melody. Without the chord-melody shapes to guide me, it's like I've had to re-learn the tune. I created a very bare-bones backing track to pace it.
I'm also committed to posting my clips despite imperfections and outright clams. I hope that isn't too distracting.

Well done, nicely played, I like the chord backing too, I'm inspired.

I'll be repeatedly listening to various versions of the song over a few days and trying to sing it, before I even make an attempt at playing it.