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Topic: Inspired by Jim Cohen PSG solo |
Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 15 Feb 2019 8:48 am |
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I've been working out some bebop era jazz on lap steel and found inspiration in a terrific live Jim Cohen C6 pedal steel version of Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite on YouTube.
Recently I challenged myself to try to emulate as much of Jim's solo arrangement as possible, using slants and slurs and fast blocking runs where pedals and knee levers do some of the work on a PSG: basically trying to "reverse engineer" his solo to an 8 string high C6 lap steel.
I'm nowhere close to Jim's impeccable touch and tone (not to mention speed--my effort is at 75% tempo), but here's my attempt (backing track used with permission from guitare-improvisation.com)--hope you enjoy it:
https://www.soundclick.com/html5/v4/player.cfm?songID=13841891
You can find Jim's live track on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9KVC2Ifu48
If you see this, Jim, I hope you don't mind the imitation ... and thanks for the inspiration! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 17 Feb 2019 7:57 am
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Nice job, Nelson. There ‘s a nice little move Jim does around 1:14 with those little sixteenth notes that are an important part of the vocabulary. See if you can get that using adjacent strings for very pronounced articulation.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2019 7:19 pm
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| Thanks, Mike, for listening and for your advice. I really value your expertise in this idiom. In fact, that passage had me stymied: especially how it started with that fast half up half down whole down figure that I’m now doing on frets 7 and 8, strings 4 and 5. And I’m working out the Bb maj7 arpeggio that comes next by sliding down to the Bb on string 6 fret 6 and picking up the D and F on a reverse slant at fret 5 and straightening the bar to pick up the A on string 2. I think that’s what you had in mind — I’ll post it when I get it all coordinated! One of the a-ha moments I had working on this solo was how valuable the 4 and 5 string whole step interval is for playing whole tone scales like the ones Jim uses to come out of that B section. Living and learning! Thanks again Mike! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 17 Feb 2019 8:49 pm
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Nelson, here's the little section I'm talking about. This is how I play it. I rake a pick across the 3 strings at the end of bar 1 and first note of bar 2. It's something I've been doing for a long time so it comes a little easier to me. In case you decide to try it, don't give up if it gives you trouble, just do it fast. Make sure to use the tip of the bar only.
I don't mean to hijack your post, just wanted to share something I hope is useful.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2019 5:04 am
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| Ah, I see it! This helps, Mike—I’m on it. Thanks for sharing! |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 19 Feb 2019 9:25 am
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Hi Nelson. I'm flattered that you would want to transcribe my solo and adapt it to non-pedal steel. It sounds like you're doing a great job on it!
I think the move that Mike is mentioning at the end of his Bar 1 is one for which I use a quick hit on my Pedal 4. It's one of the reasons that I haven't ditched P4 like many other people seem to have done. Each to his/her own.
Thanks again for your interest in my playing and enjoy the journey! 
Jim
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www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Nelson Checkoway
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2019 1:25 pm
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| Thanks, Jim, for your kind words ... and for your music - I really enjoy your sound and style! |
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