Billie's Bounce - Take 1
New video up. This is the 3rd and final song I'm working on for my LAMA scholarship demo. (The first 2 were Texas Flood and Overture 1928.) In the coming weeks, I'll post more versions of these songs, perhaps showing improvements.
This is "Billie's Bounce" by Charlie Parker. I played the head in my LAMA admissions demo in January. (Trivia time. I believe this was the first tune recorded at Bird's first session as a leader. Dizzy Gillespie filled in on piano as a last minute replacement for Bud Powell. Trumpet player? Miles Davis, 19 years old.)
I've attempted to copy Bird's solo exactly as he played it. The guitar has limitations that make it difficult to duplicate some sax techniques, but I was pleasantly surprised at how this sounded when I played it back. Still needs a lot of work, but it's better than I expected.
I slowed the music down to 3/4 speed. That monster lick at 1:29 is killing me. I'll buy myself an expensive meal if I ever get that one up to full speed. And pay no attention to the open D clunker on the middle of it. That never happens.
Other than that, I just need to improve my timing on some of those licks and slowly work up to full speed. Maybe find some sustain so those consecutive slides don't die out.
jason (8 Mar 2008 at 6:19am)
Charlie Parker solos will build your chops and ear no doubt. Are you transcribing the tune or working out of Orinthology?
Joe (8 Mar 2008 at 8:07am)
Mostly learning by ear without writing any of it down. (I need to start doing that.) I have a Charlie Parker for Guitar book that I use to verify what I've done and get suggestions on where to play the notes on guitar. Most of their methods don't suit me, but it's good to have that other perspective.
Damien Riley (8 Mar 2008 at 7:57pm)
Rock and Roll Doggy! You are doing well! Great site.