RE: Jimmy Raney chords HELP!1 (Abersold Play Along)

Reed Kotler Consulting ( reed@reedkotler.com )
Thu, 07 Nov 1996 13:13:23 -0800

At 01:01 PM 11/6/96 +0000, you wrote:
>Hi, I'm an intermediant Jazz guitar player. Just purchased J. Raney's
>Abersold play along CD. I'd like to see some examples (neck diagrams) of
>chords he is using in some of these songs. Trying to comp & play the
>chords written above the melody is confusing. For example: The F or Bb
>blues. When I see a chord say; F7th, Fsus,Fdim F7b5 or F7b5#9 how do I
>know what form to play. Root, 3rd or 5th in base. I'd like to see some
>chordal examples of Raney's playing here. He seems to move gracefully
>from chord to chord. When I play I seem to jump all over the neck tying
>to find & fit these 2 chords/measure. Is there a easier way to do this,
>or could someone sum up in a nut shell what comping is. I understand
>the anticipating/delaying chord thing. But what are these chords?
>I've have learned say 5 to 8 of each type, Which do I use and where?
>
>Thanks; William Reeve
>wreeve@cayman.litc.lockheed.com
>
>
William,

You are asking for alot in one message....

What I think you are saying is that you see chord symbols but
don't know what he is playing.

First of all, you should look at the voicings I posted in the
manuscript area. They make up about 80-85% of the voicings people
are playing.

Another source, which I've also mentioned before are the chords in
the various "chord sections" of the "Modern Method for the Guitar",
by Willeam Leavitt, books I, II, III.

Another nice book (which illustrates useage of the voicings I posted
to the nth degree) is "Barry Galbraith Jazz Guitar Study Series, vol 3,
Guitar Comping.", available from Jamey Aebersold. Here the chord
voicings are all written out.

As I've said in earlier post's (I know you are new to the list), it helps
to focus on a particular song in a particular key. Then we can talk
about something concrete as far as voicings go.

There are various "chord systems" for guitar players. You have to really
isolate them and work on them one at a time. I posted a very important
one but I'm not going to spend time posting anymore unless I see evidence
that anyone is working on them. It doesnt really matter to me but as far
as spending my time, I don't want to waste it. There are some things I
left out and if anyone was trying to apply it, they would have some
questions. As soon as I see any of those questions, I'll post more.

I can promise you though that Jimmey Raney is not using any secret
voicings. The number of voicings that people use in practice is
very small.

reed

Reed Kotler
http://www.reedkotler.com