Bebop heads: Donna Lee

[lawson-stone]

The bebop cliche at 30 seconds is a quote from Honeysuckle Rose, and it's such a cliche we already had it once in this head.

True, though I expect it was used prior to Honeysuckle Rose, but that's how most players tag the lick. I'd forgotten that!

[Tal_175]

To crossover threads a bit, as part of my summer of rhythm guitar I've decided to bash out some Freddie Green chords for Donna Lee for anyone to use as a backing (if they choose, no obligation) Swing to Bop, if you will.

What do you all think is a fair bpm? 180? Maybe a slower and a faster version?

It's funny I just started working on this as well. But to me Freddie Green comping isn't just going chuga-chuga four to the bar hitting the same voicing but changing voicing on every beat (moving at least one line). Is that also what you mean? 180 and above would be quite a work out in that particular style especially if it's improvised (as opposed to playing a chorus with worked out movements).

[mr. beaumont]

It's funny I just started working on this as well. But to me Freddie Green comping isn't just going chuga-chuga four to the bar hitting the same voice but changing voicing on every beat (moving at least one line). Is that also what you mean? 180 and above would be quite a work out in that particular style especially if it's improvised (as opposed to a prearranged movements).

Freddie rarely changed on every beat, actually. I've been studying him a lot. And at high tempos--one note chords baby!!!

I'd definitely just work something out for this. It's going to be a while before I feel comfortable improvising in FG style rhythm guitar...

Just don't ever call it comping


I'll try a couple of speeds for y'all. Why not? Summer of Rhythm Guitar begins!

[Tal_175]

Freddie rarely changed on every beat, actually. I've been studying him a lot. And at high tempos--one note chords baby!!!

I'd definitely just work something out for this. It's going to be a while before I feel comfortable improvising in FG style rhythm guitar...

Just don't ever call it comping


I'll try a couple of speeds for y'all. Why not? Summer of Rhythm Guitar begins!

You're probably right. I have only studied Freddie Green from secondary sources. I am not that interested in big band style comping but I find it useful as a way of practicing moving voicings with passing chords.
When it comes to playing one voicing per beat in 4/4 time, things that I work on are variations of:
The main chord (first beat) - a passing chord (second beat)- substitute of the chord (third beat) - approach to the next chord (fourth beat).

Sort of like these examples:
Harmonic Techniques to Create Moving Chord Progressions using Three Note Voicings
Part 2 - Harmonic Techniques to Create Moving Chord Progressions using Three Note Voicings

Anyway, this discussion probably belongs to your rhythm thread.

[Old Nick]

Slower and faster is cool. 140 and 180?

I'd like to add a vote for 140. I think it's a good tempo for working out fingerings and picking..at least for slugs like me

[mr. beaumont]

You're probably right. I have only studied Freddie Green from secondary sources. I am not that interested in big band style comping but I find it useful as a way of practicing moving voicings with passing chords.
When it comes to playing one voicing per beat in 4/4 time, what I work on are variations of:
The main chord (first beat) - a passing chord (second beat)- substitute of the chord (third beat) - approach to the next chord (fourth beat).

Sort of like these examples:
Harmonic Techniques to Create Moving Chord Progressions using Three Note Voicings
Part 2 - Harmonic Techniques to Create Moving Chord Progressions using Three Note Voicings

Anyway, this discussion probably belongs to your rhythm thread.

Yeah, I won't distract from Donna's head any further, but these links are good stuff.

[AllanAllen]

Oh excellent, another example of Rhythm Changes spelled out. Thanks for posting that Tal!!

[mr. beaumont]

Ok, it's Monday, right? I have no idea anymore...

Here's a 3 fingered 13-16.

[mr. beaumont]

And for giggles:

Donna about 140 (more like 150)

Donna about 180 (More like 190, I was well caffeinated yesterday)

Keeping it very simple.

EDIT: Tempos were incorrect

[alpop]

This is hilarious! (To me anyway)

I will practice and do the fast one too.

[mr. beaumont]

This is hilarious! (To me anyway)

I will practice and do the fast one too.

It's totally funny.

It also sounds good!

[alpop]

It's totally funny.

It also sounds good!

Your groove is super easy to play along to so it does sound good!

[Jimmy Smith]

The virtual jam is back!

[Christian Miller]

I'm working on this for my channel - thought I may as well pop it up for proofreading etc. That said, @Tal I think you mentioned it as a typo in an earlier chart and I usually play G-Bb-Db-Eb but having checked recordings I'm sure bar 16 is as I have it here, G-Bb-Db-Bb.

Actually I picked up on a couple of little things that had crept into my playing of the head, so it was good to check through it.

[supersoul]

my take on Donna Lee. It's the version from the Real Book and not the Omnibook.

[AllanAllen]

my take on Donna Lee. It's the version from the Real Book and not the Omnibook.

Nice, no need to raspberry it. Is that a modern, like last 5 years Casino? Thoughts on it? I had a 2000's era Cherry Red one I regret selling and have been thinking about getting a new one to replace it.

[supersoul]

Is that a modern, like last 5 years Casino? Thoughts on it? I had a 2000's era Cherry Red one I regret selling and have been thinking about getting a new one to replace it.

it's from 2022. I've been on the lookout for one for a while and finally came across this one. I've played others that I didn't like as much. It feels/sounds lively and plays good.

[Mick-7]

I'm working on this for my channel - thought I may as well pop it up for proofreading etc. That said, @Tal I think you mentioned it as a typo in an earlier chart and I usually play G-Bb-Db-Eb but having checked recordings I'm sure bar 16 is as I have it here, G-Bb-Db-Bb.

Actually I picked up on a couple of little things that had crept into my playing of the head, so it was good to check through it.

I decided I should be able to play triplet notes on two different strings as well as I can on the same string, e.g., the Gb-Ab-Gb triplet at the beginning of bar 3 in Donna Lee, which one would be inclined to play on the same string. This turned out to be a good picking exercise, the goal being to be able to phrase a line exactly as you like regardless of where it's played on the fretboard.

Speaking of picking exercises, I found the attached on Scribd, it's an interesting idea.

[pamosmusic]

I decided I should be able to play triplet notes on two different strings as well as I can on the same string, e.g., the Gb-Ab-Gb triplet at the beginning of bar 3 in Donna Lee, which one would be inclined to play on the same string. This turned out to be a good picking exercise, the goal being to be able to phrase a line exactly as you like regardless of where it's played on the fretboard.

This reminds me of that time I said playing Donna Lee in every position was really good practice.

[mr. beaumont]

my take on Donna Lee. It's the version from the Real Book and not the Omnibook.

Loving the thumb.

[Mick-7]

This reminds me of that time I said playing Donna Lee in every position was really good practice.

No comment.

[supersoul]

Loving the thumb.

The thumb! for whatever reason I like it with Donna Lee. Definitely limits the positions and fingerings, but for me it really makes me think of how to phrase things with the left hand.

[lawson-stone]

Just a progress post. MM. 1-16, about 172 bpm. I played the L5ces through the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb. I play the section twice, and on the second time on a whim I turned the tone knob all the way off, sort of old-school sound.

[mr. beaumont]

The thumb! for whatever reason I like it with Donna Lee. Definitely limits the positions and fingerings, but for me it really makes me think of how to phrase things with the left hand.

I mean, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist to ever play jazz played that way, so...good company.

I'm gonna try it!

[AllanAllen]

Nice to have two bars this week.

https://youtu.be/BqEq8yokVHY?si=AXWuG0wEwyN5tQSk