Analyzing Wes Montgomery

**princeplanet** · 03-03-2010, 09:38 PM

Hi, I've decided to pick apart some Wes solos, but there's just so many great ones! Was wondering if there were some "key" ones in terms of his "typical" approach to things. I'm particularly interested in his single line ideas and how he conceived them- MM modes and arp extensions, targeting 9ths and what not. Just blows my mind that he did most things purely by ear, surely there was some cerebral aspect to his wonderful improvs?

Anyway, any suggestions to help understand his genius would be greatly appreciated. I'm a latecomer to Wes but the more I listen the more I feel he's right up there with Bird himself for perfect improvs in terms of sophistication, swing and spirit.

**JimBobWay** · 03-04-2010, 01:07 AM

...is not a word often applied to Wes (OK, maybe the CTI stuff); anyway here are some great tunes that might serve your purpose:
* Far Wes (one of the more 'linear' solos he recorded)
* Airegin (another great single-note solo, very quick, then octaves)
* Four on Six (a good mix of his signature techniques)
* West Coast Blues (etc.)

There is a nice book titled "Wes Montgomery Jazz Method" that is readily available at many public libraries, and online resellers - the solo transcriptions are not accurate but the technique expositions are useful. My recommendation is to get a copy of the following recordings: "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery", and the Verve reissue "Wes Montgomenry - Small Group Recordings". Listen and play along, and get his sound under your fingers that way, then plug it into your own way of saying things. I know that's 'old school', but it has served me well.

**princeplanet** · 03-04-2010, 03:32 AM

Excellent, thanks! BTW, what do you think of the live recording he made in '65, I have some bootlegs and also there is a DVD of 3 gigs in Holland and the UK where you see the whole show with closeups of Wes's hands in action.... Has anyone seen these?

**Kochavi** · 03-04-2010, 07:56 AM

I would reccomend four solos I recently tarnscribed, that demonstrate wes's musical conept.
-Satin Doll: A lot of repetitions and motives, and beautiful chord substitutions of the bridge. Really worth it.
-If I Should Lose You: A very melodic and beautiful solo, a lot of nice minor ideas.
-Darn That Dream: A nice one chorus solo that demonstrate his repetition of harmonic ideas throughout the solo
-Round Midnight (live youtube): An amazing solo that to me is the true essence of wes, in all aspects. Really worth the effort.

Hope I helped

**abracadabra** · 03-04-2010, 09:55 AM

West Coast Blues goes, single-note, octaves, chord solos. So you might get a lot out of that one. I know he does this on many songs, but this one really stands out.

**JimBobWay** · 03-04-2010, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by princeplanet

BTW, what do you think of the live recording he made in '65

If you mean the Paris concert, the only reason I didn't suggest that outright is that the other live sides are somewhat less mind-boggling (the compilation I mentioned includes the "Smokin' at the Half Note" sessions). Wes really was on fire for the Paris session. I thought it might be a little trickier to try to analyze/transcribe. But the two I listed are the recordings I keep going back to...truly classic Jazz played by masters!

**Jazzyteach65** · 03-04-2010, 07:39 PM

For lyricism-Days of Wine and Roses or Misty.

Also West Coast Blues is a study in itself.

**604bourne123** · 03-04-2010, 11:35 PM

That is a very interesting study opens up the octave fingerings I typed into google there is a few sites that plays the recording also the tab is posted.

**princeplanet** · 03-05-2010, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by 604bourne123

That is a very interesting study opens up the octave fingerings I typed into google there is a few sites that plays the recording also the tab is posted.

where is this site?

**FatJeff** · 03-05-2010, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by princeplanet

...the more I listen the more I feel he's right up there with Bird himself for perfect improvs in terms of sophistication, swing and spirit.

You got that right.

I've been transcribing a fair amount of material over the past year or so (almost all horn solos), but so far I have not completed a Wes solo. Mostly because I actually want to actually be able to play the damn thing, and Wes just goes too fast for me! Early on, I thought I'd make things "easy" on myself by choosing a ballad (Days Of Wine And Roses) - what a mistake that was!

Anyway, the first 4 or 5 choruses on "No Blues" (Smokin' At The Half Note) are fairly accessible. Then he really takes off - and forget it.

**goshawk** · 03-05-2010, 11:12 AM

My teacher and I have been working through D-Natural Blues. It has a fairly easy to follow progression, some interesting substitutions and the flow of ideas in the solo is just remarkable. Bert Lignon also has a transcription on line, which is very helpful.

**604bourne123** · 03-05-2010, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by princeplanet

where is this site?

go to google chrome type in 'West Coast Blues' look under www azchords .com there is about twenty tabs of Wes Montgomery.

**Jazzyteach65** · 03-06-2010, 12:48 AM

Here are

**604bourne123** · 03-06-2010, 04:22 PM

Went to Reno won $3oo.oo playing a nickle in a slot machine when the bells start ringing and they hand you money great night.I imagine there would be lots of work playing music in the casinos.If anybody could play Wes montgomery they would be idolized.

**Jazzyteach65** · 03-06-2010, 05:50 PM

I live in Vegas, and I have gigged around town, but the competition around casinos are fierce,

**604bourne123** · 03-06-2010, 08:26 PM

all the energy that people dream of winning the cash then everyone loses and then start drinking hard liquor it happens 24 hour a day .Music is the only thing that is going to bring them back to sanity, get rich quick.

**Jazzyteach65** · 03-06-2010, 11:15 PM

Get rich quick by playing music here? There is a rift between musicians, the music union and casinos and hotels. Acts and musician's are getting cut left and right. I have seen two of my friends, both jazz guitarists lose thier gigs within the last three months here. As a matter of fact, it's kinda what killed Danny Gans, his contract was going to get reduced, and he had a heart attack from the stress.

That's the business side of music, and to be quite honest (I am not alone) the business side is straight SHIT

**604bourne123** · 03-06-2010, 11:38 PM

what I heard is people are losing their houses, can't get jobs so it is reflected in the urge to make money in the casino and its passed down the to the indirect business.,like you mentioned the lack of money is the culprit.

**Jazzyteach65** · 03-07-2010, 12:50 AM

Yup, housing foreclosures LEFT AND EFFING RIGHT here. This state has been hit harder than any other from the economic woes, and the public education is disturbingly terrible. We only graduate 49% of all high school students, as well as have the highest teen pregnancy rate. I teach at a private school, but I am effected by the student base whose parents can't afford tuition.

I could go on and on, but like a lot of folks on this site wisely say, "forget the BS, because there is music"