The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    Here's a partial transcription of mine from the George Benson Hot Licks Video "The Art of Jazz Guitar". After careful examination I discovered that many of the examples in the enclosed booklet were transcribed incorrectly. Even the chyron incorrectly calls it "Example 14". It's actually the 15th example.

    Most of the examples in the video show only his left hand. This split screen example shows both hands and thus allowed me to accurately transcribe his picking. I've posted two measures:




    Actual Examples of George Benson Picking-gb-ex-16-jpg

    It's a great look at GB's approach into ascending string changing. Notice how he alternate picks everything except (most of) the ascending string changes.

    What are your thoughts? Can anyone else post their examples?
    Last edited by guitars; 10-30-2017 at 08:20 PM.

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    Yes, that seems to be what he's doing here. Discussion of Benson's technique can be found at length on this epic 51 page thread - not sure if you are aware of it?

    Benson Picking technique on Gibson L5 Wesmo

    Anyway, as a essentially a Gypsy Picker I use similar picking directions although a different right hand grip.

  4. #3

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    I've heard a lot of people bash Benson's instructional video -- there isn't much in the way of explanation or guided instruction, and I think Benson himself isn't particularly comfortable in the "teacher" role.

    But if you break it down and transcribe what he's doing, as you've done, there's some real good stuff buried in there.

    As hard as it is to believe, that video provided me with a key piece to the puzzle when conceptualizing how to approach changes on guitar (not the whole thing, but a piece).

  5. #4

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    I am aware of that huge thread. My goal was to start one that’s based on actual examples of GB playing and discuss that. Let’s see how it goes.

  6. #5

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    My opinion is that the video itself is well worth the price and it contains some great insight into GB’s approach into substitutions and to his technique. The transcription booklet, which is included, must have been done by listening to the audio and not by watching the video as the tab portion is way off base.

    i particularly like the way he uses 7b9 arpeggios and how he resolves them. Also, I was amazed at how often he plays bII7 to I.

  7. #6

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    have you spent any time listening to and/or transcribing Adam Rogers? He's got an interesting technique featuring a wrist rotation a little bit towards the benson picking angle but he appears to float the right hand. He also uses economy picking all over the place. He's got 4 instructional videos out and I've spent a lot of time slowing down his improvisations on them to see what he's doing with the left and right hand.

    He doesn't sound anything like benson but uses some similar techniques which are worth investigating.

  8. #7

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    Thanks. I'm familiar with him but not his videos. Can you recommend a video that shows both hands?

  9. #8

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    Here's an actual example (and an old chestnut of a tune):
    Last edited by destinytot; 10-30-2017 at 05:32 PM.

  10. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by guitars
    Thanks. I'm familiar with him but not his videos. Can you recommend a video that shows both hands?
    Here you go and oops, he's clearly touching down, not floating.



    I picked up a couple of his masterclass videos. Very inexpensive and the improv/playing on them is worth the money alone.

  11. #10

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    Thank you all for the videos.

    Feel free to post some transcriptions with matching video so the we can discuss his ACTUAL note selectlon, left hand fingering and picking direction. I'm attempting to engage in a discussion of that as opposed to how he holds his pick.

    My believe that it doesn't really matter how one holds the pick. There are monster players holding the pick in every manner. To me the interesting aspect of his sound is how he effortlessly flows thru changes, his use of substitutions and how he actually plays the stuff most of us play, but in his own way. I think that's where the magic is.

    Any thoughts on the transcription?

  12. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by guitars
    Thank you all for the videos.

    Feel free to post some transcriptions with matching video so the we can discuss his ACTUAL note selectlon, left hand fingering and picking direction. I'm attempting to engage in a discussion of that as opposed to how he holds his pick.

    My believe that it doesn't really matter how one holds the pick. There are monster players holding the pick in every manner. To me the interesting aspect of his sound is how he effortlessly flows thru changes, his use of substitutions and how he actually plays the stuff most of us play, but in his own way. I think that's where the magic is.

    Any thoughts on the transcription?
    Taking all emotion out of it (..!), I find it helpful to reduce those sounds to 'dark and light/home and away'. (Zooming in further raises the spectre of technique.)

    Personally, I believe (a) that transcription (by ear) is either easy or it isn't, (b) that analysis - exegesis? - is unnecessary because you either hear it or you don't, and (c) if you don't hear it, it's not for you (at least, not yet).

    There's no harm in the act of showing/sharing (or talking about) per se - until, that is, other individuals shrink from the important homework they ought properly to be doing for themselves.

  13. #12

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    Suggestion re. transcription: sing it first. ('Slow down to speed up.')
    Last edited by destinytot; 10-31-2017 at 06:09 AM.

  14. #13

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    A rising tide lifts all boats...

    Re-post with 'audio example' by Benson himself, plus transcriber's commentary* - and exemplification of a process towards which each individual can either work or aspire:


    *EDIT. Not only do I find the channel content inspiring, I find the motivation refreshing (as opposed to contemptible): "This Channel is dedicated to the explanation and preservation of GOOD MUSIC!!! Please feel free to explore and share when and where necessary. Visit and view often...Comments and emails are always welcome...! THANKS FOR WATCHING!!!"


    Last edited by destinytot; 10-31-2017 at 06:47 AM. Reason: addition

  15. #14

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    The original transcribed line is GBs way of maintaining downward pickslanting for the entire line. The pick clears the strings on the upstroke so that works for 2 notes on a string. The one note per string ascending is down down necause the pick is buried in the strings on downstrokes.

    Cheers

  16. #15

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    Dan Wilson who along with rodney jones is probably the best benson picker on the planet is holding a picking workshop.

    Jazz Guitarist Dan Wilson | Product Page

  17. #16

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    Did we reach a consensus on Adam Rogers? Is he a Benson picker?

  18. #17

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    Wow, thanks for the heads up, Jack, this is an awesome opportunity. it's really amazing the level of instruction we have access to these days.

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by christianm77
    Did we reach a consensus on Adam Rogers? Is he a Benson picker?
    I don't think so. If you look at he and dan wilson, sheryl bailey and rodney jones, their angle is much more intense than Adam's and adam does much more economy picking but I think you can say adam is somewhat of a modified benson picker.

    Of course there is the school of thought predicated by benson and his disciple (and co-developer of the George Benson Guitar Method) peter farrell (who does not use benson picking but who sounds just like benson) that it's not necessary to use *that* pick angle to get the benson touch, feel and sound.

  20. #19

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    I like the look of Rogers picking, looks VERY controlled to me. Wilson Jones Bailey's looks and feels totally unnatural to me.
    J Bruno does not do the Benson thing, but is awesome. Is Pat Martino similar to A. Roger's picking?

  21. #20

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    Interesting. I can see what you’re saying about coming more from the elbow. His hand position and backward pick angle do seem classic Benson.

  22. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by Durban
    I like the look of Rogers picking, looks VERY controlled to me. Wilson Jones Bailey's looks and feels totally unnatural to me.
    J Bruno does not do the Benson thing, but is awesome. Is Pat Martino similar to A. Roger's picking?
    I think Wilson, Jones and Bailey's technique and work speaks for itself. Pat Martino picks nothing like Rogers and the sound and attack are totally different.

  23. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by setemupjoe
    Interesting. I can see what you’re saying about coming more from the elbow. His hand position and backward pick angle do seem classic Benson.
    if you look at peter's position in this video where the optical illusion (low camera angle) isn't looming, you can see his wrist and backward pick angle aren't really "classic" benson. Definitely influenced by benson but not the classic thing that wilson, jones and bailey do.



    Compare that to dan wilson's pick angle and wrist in this video:


  24. #23
    Hello everyone. Actually everything that has been said here is not truth about George Benson technique. Hey Jack how are you my friend ? I never told you that i use another technique. I have been Mr. Benson's private student for more than 15 years and YES I know EVERY detail of his technique for the simple reason that he has showed me how to do it during all those years. All the guitar players mentioned here are MONSTERS and also AMAZING guys (most of them are great friends of mine). You guys pay attention on irrelevant details (the 15? or 27? angle, and bla bla bla). I pick exactly as Benson showed me how to do. Every movement that I do i know what i'm doing. If you are interested in learn it please send me email. THERE IS NO MAN ON EARTH THAT KNOWS MORE ABOUT ME THAT PETER FARRELL", "YOU WON'T FIND THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION ANYWHERE ELSE THAN WITH MY FRIEND PETER" words of Mr. George Benson (recorded in a video that has not being showed yet). Well, what can i say to this: Peter do not has the Classic Benson picking ? Really ? hahahahahaha well, if you guys are specialist in GB, who am I or even GB to desagree. Anyway take care everyone, it would be a pleasure to help you. And thanks for having me here. GOD BLESS
    Last edited by Peterfarrell1818; 08-14-2018 at 08:49 AM.

  25. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by jzucker
    Pat Martino picks nothing like Rogers and the sound and attack are totally different.
    I agree that generally their technique and sound has little in common. That said, there was some concert audio floating around a few years ago from when Adam was playing in Michael Brecker's band that struck me as very Martino-like.

  26. #25

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    hey peter good to see you here. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was looking for my facebook messages where you indicated that it was not necessary to use the benson pick grip or angle to get the benson sound but it appears that I have deleted my older messages. Are you now advocating something different or did I totally misunderstand? I could have sworn we discussed that in great detail!