Adam Rogers killer playing on this...

[projam619]

Great clip! I've always been tempted to start from square one with Benson picking. But it feels so unorthodox that I can never adapt to it, so I go back to the traditional grip. But the tone one gets from the Benson grip, plus the feel of the pick slicing at the strings at that angle, seems better than the traditional grip. Anyone here change to Benson grip for their right hand?

[Steve Snider]

That is so killer. Adam is amazing. Had the good fortune to see him in a Monterey CA with Lost Tribe and he has definitely evolved so much as a solo artist. Love his playing.

[projam619]

Originally Posted by Structo

You know, I can handle about 10 seconds of millions of notes being played.
But if it is just for the sake of a million notes without any melody structure, then I get bored quickly.
Sorry not my cup of tea.

I agree with you to an extent about melody in modern jazz. I love hearing the note choices and interesing chords of "modern" jazz guitarists, but overall their compositions don't grab me so much. Seems there's less "swing" and groove in much of their music. I'd rather hear Grant Green, Martino, instrumental Benson. But there's no denying the deep musicality and creativity behind Rodgers, Moreno, Kreisberg, etc

[jb70]

Originally Posted by projam619

but overall their compositions don't grab me so much. Seems there's less "swing" and groove in much of their music. I'd rather hear Grant Green, Martino, instrumental Benson. But there's no denying the deep musicality and creativity behind Rodgers, Moreno, Kreisberg, etc

i guess i'm the opposite. while green, martino, and benson are great players, i don't think much of their writing. to me it wasn't until guitar players like metheny, abercrombie, and ralph towner came along that the overall level of composition caught up to the level of the playing (even though there are some wes montgomery tunes that i really dig!)

[clintb]

Originally Posted by scottl

How about this one? He outlines the changes beautifully.

Thanks for trying, but I wasn't familiar with the song, so I had no idea if he outlines the changes beautifully.

So I listened to a bunch of versions of it on YouTube. I first listened to the Frank Sinatra version. OK, there's a melody, but it doesn't seem like a very strong one. After listening to it a bunch of times, I could still only remember the melody of the first line.

Then I listened to a bunch of instrumental versions. I couldn't really detect the melody at all! But with some versions, like a Joe Pass one I heard, and some piano versions, I could hear how they played over the chords because they actually played the chords.

So to fully appreciate this particular video, it seems like you really need to know the song really well.

[dlguitar64]

Jazz is not always about instant gratification.Sometime it takes several listens before the form and harmony become clear and it is like one of those fractal 3d paintings from the 90s where finally see the spaceship pop out of the picture(Mr.Pitt from Seinfeld).Those moments are very exciting to me and i find that often music like this has more long term value then something that is obvious from the first listen.

[jb70]

Originally Posted by clintb

So to fully appreciate this particular video, it seems like you really need to know the song really well.

correct

[pinner]

Amazing stuff!!! I love Adam. Thanks Scott!! It is different to those used to more of a traditional approach. You almost have to change the way you listen. Sit back and listen to the whole picture. I love it!!!

[clintb]

Originally Posted by dlguitar64

Jazz is not always about instant gratification.Sometime it takes several listens before the form and harmony become clear and it is like one of those fractal 3d paintings from the 90s where finally see the spaceship pop out of the picture(Mr.Pitt from Seinfeld).

I was never able to see those images either! I guess I'm screwed! LOL!

Originally Posted by dlguitar64

Those moments are very exciting to me and i find that often music like this has more long term value then something that is obvious from the first listen.

I can sympathize with that point of view. I guess that's why I tend to like progressive rock more than a lot of pop music. Sometimes pop music is too simple and immediately accessible that I quickly grow bored of it.

[harry65]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jazzgtrl4]

Originally Posted by jb70

i'm really going to start working on my economy picking. i didn't realize just how much adam uses it

Yes this....ive made the switch to economy and have really focused on my techniqe. I dont use Benson picking... Adam makes it look so easyyyy. it just flows.

[gawfshot]

If you read up on Adam or attend a clinic, he's MOST passionate about classical guitar... and he plays jazz at this level. I wish I could find the adjective!

[Jim S]

Originally Posted by clintb

I guess I don't "get" this kind of jazz. I can't tell if the band is actually playing a composition or just noodling. I can't tell if the guitar is playing something that goes with the bass part. So I have no idea if he has great harmonic concepts.

I actually like the way it sounds, I just don't understand it.

Ditto.


It's over my head.

[projam619]

Originally Posted by jb70

i guess i'm the opposite. while green, martino, and benson are great players, i don't think much of their writing. to me it wasn't until guitar players like metheny, abercrombie, and ralph towner came along that the overall level of composition caught up to the level of the playing (even though there are some wes montgomery tunes that i really dig!)

That's a good point. I guess its just personal taste. For some reason, I never could get into ECM jazz, Frisell's stuff (though his playing is obviously topnotch), even much of Metheny's catalog. Precisely the stuff that would wield strong influence upon the newer modern guys. In terms of composition, I don't have the ears for this stuff; perhaps an epiphany awaits in the future.

[jb70]

Originally Posted by projam619

That's a good point. I guess its just personal taste. For some reason, I never could get into ECM jazz

yeah, it just comes down to personal taste. some of my favorite music ever has been released on the ECM label and most of the modern jazz guitar players have been influenced by that music. that early metheny, frisell, abercrombie, towner, and bass desires (sco and frisell) music changed my life.