Easy jazz melody?

**Thaum1el** · 08-24-2011, 08:59 PM

I always thought that "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" is a great melody. It was the first "jazzy" melody I learned to pick on a guitar.

Also, if you want to hear how it sounds with a little speed and a pick, I usually play around with "Limehouse Blues", with a Django speed and feel (try to play what the violin plays on that

, but a little quicker. Never mind the soloing though).

**ottocat** · 08-25-2011, 03:53 PM

I figured out "This Old Man " by ear the other day . You don't get much farther outside than that.
My15 month old Grandson was hollering and displeased , I picked up his toy computer that plays melodies .Pushed the button , and it played "This Old Man" , He instantly shut up . I went out to the studio and figured out the melody.
I play it for him and he bops his head and plays air guitar . I'm working up a harmonized chord solo . Music truly soothes the savage beast.

**Thaum1el** · 08-25-2011, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by ottocat

I figured out "This Old Man " by ear the other day . You don't get much farther outside than that.
My15 month old Grandson was hollering and displeased , I picked up his toy computer that plays melodies .Pushed the button , and it played "This Old Man" , He instantly shut up . I went out to the studio and figured out the melody.
I play it for him and he bops his head and plays air guitar . I'm working up a harmonized chord solo . Music truly soothes the savage beast.

I love that!

**brwnhornet59** · 08-25-2011, 05:31 PM

I did that with Itsy Bitsy Spider. I was able to imply 13 different non repeating chords for my reharm. It was much fun!

**ottocat** · 08-25-2011, 05:58 PM

Killer. I had been listening to the little melodies on his toy and thinking ,I should learn some of those , and harmonize them . I have become very melody conscious over the last year.I've seen a vast improvement in my playing .
My ear has become a lot more accurate also .
I have another form I call "Acid Bluegrass " . I'm just starting "Children's Bop" , I just started playing with a new "rock band" , My buddy say's " Try playing Coletrane chord tone solo's over Kiss or AcDc changes . Great idea.

**Thaum1el** · 08-25-2011, 06:21 PM

That sounds like a grand idea, actually! Jazzing up your rock'n'roll! After all, wasn't that what the Old Gods of Jazzdome used to do? Take old, popular tunes and turn them into jazz? I might be sounding like a trad. fundamentalist moldy fig or something, but talk about payin' our dues to use a blues man expression - we're always told to mimic the masters. What better way than to actually do what they did!

**ottocat** · 08-25-2011, 06:36 PM

I agree completely , I have an outside sense of humor . I sing also .
I've been doing a slide version of "Okie from Muskogee " Nothing like a version of a hippy hating song done rockish . Stand by your man Tammy Wynette me singing it gets laughs . I like to think of what I do as fusing genres for entertainment purposes .I try to make a lot happen if you're paying attention .
Jim Compalongo is one of my favorites he plays "Bad Country"