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Topic: A Satin Doll issue ... |
Paul Seager
From:
Augsburg, Germany
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 12:03 pm |
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In my attempts to stop being a steel beginner, I moved Mr. Scott's book to the side and dusted off the Real Book, bought during my bass playing days.
I picked out Satin Doll and started "finding it" on the steel, Now in that first bar, alternating 8ths between A & G, I hit my first challenge. How do I make this sound even? OK .. I know its a 'practice makes perfect' thing but I tried on one string (E); moved it up the neck to work across two strings & two frets; moved it up again to work on one fret across the A & G strings. All have +/- points. Obviously harmonising the tune brings less options.
I'm not expecting a silver bullet but I am trying to avoid sliding between notes (which I think is a good thing!)
Would you old masters have a recommended technique for bouncing between a closely spaced notes like this?
\ Paul
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\paul
Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 12:17 pm
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Paul, I think I know what you're getting, but this would be a tune that would perfect for a chordal treatment. Check out my blog, in particular the most recent tab/notation for Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. You can follow the same kind of logic with satin Doll.
http://www.mikeneer.com/lapsteelin/2011/11/26/block-chord-melody-have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas/
If you're worried about the sliding sound between frets, you must engage palm blocking before sliding. It is very effective and easy once you get the hang of it.
Forgive me endorsing one of my own products here, but the Bebop Lap Steel book is made for precisely this--learning how to play more challenging melodies in ways that make the phrasing more suitable for the style, in this case Bebop.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 3:29 pm
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| Quote: |
| ...a recommended technique for bouncing between a closely spaced notes like this? |
Like Mike said, blocking is very important.
Also... some songs "lay out" well on certain tunings, but not well on other tunings. I've tried to play "Satin Doll" on C6 and I could never find a smooth way to blend the melody with the chords... but the song would probably lay out well on some of the other tunings. While it's true that any song can be played on any tuning... some songs are better suited to certain tunings. It's all in the intervals. 
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My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 5:01 pm
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I literally just sat down for 5 minutes and came up with an arrangement of it in C6/A7, simple as can be. I'm going to try and do a quick video of it (I want to test my new computer anyway). Stay tuned.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 7:23 pm
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OK, I've got a little video up of the tune. Nothing fancy, just having a little fun with my Boss Loop Station and a couple of chords.
Click image for video link:
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Dan Schwartz
From:
Bloomington, MN
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Paul Seager
From:
Augsburg, Germany
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 10:51 pm
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Wow, now this is what I call a forum! I ask a question and get a YouTube lesson as a reply! A huge thanks for the response.
@Mike, actually your blog was partially the inspiration for the jazz numbers in the sense that I saw that you had the BeBop book but I figured it'd be a little too advanced. The real inspiration was listening to Jeremy Wakefield and thinking this is way more fun than Aloha Oe! 
I guess I'm going about this correctly because I had actually given up on the single note idea and had moved to harmonizing the tune but the block chords sound cool and I've got a lot out of the video just there!
@Doug, yes a different tuning did occour to me in the sense of "this is probably where tunings come in" but where I am now is to try and get the most out of C6. I started with E7 way-back-when and didn't enjoy it and only since playing with C6, I've learned to love the steel! Just out of interest, what tuning would you recommend for a song like this?
So thanks again guys. Have a good New Year celebration or as they say in Germany, einen guten Rutsch!
\ Paul
Btw Mike, I think you've just boosted Boss loop station sales
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\paul
Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2011 3:08 am
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Cool!! Now that's a stellar way to the end off the year, with one of my favorites. Great video...I also loved watching you do the bass line. Thanks, Mike!!
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L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2011 7:23 am
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Thanks for the video, Mike. The bass line demo was great fun. I do a similar, simpler version of the tune on my 8 string dobro in G13, further up the neck. I worked it out exactly like Paul suggested, from the Real Book and listening to recordings. That's an effective way for me to expand horizons and learn what's hidden inside a tuning. I'll put in a plug for Mike's Bebop book, too. It's been very helpful for me.
Best wishes for the New Year and thanks to all who contribute to the discussions on the Forum.
Bogue |
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G Strout
From:
Carabelle, Florida
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Posted 31 Dec 2011 10:52 am
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Very Nice Mike!! Great blocking and feel!
gary |
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 1 Jan 2012 6:31 pm
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I agree......
Satin Doll is a great song for steel, it is one of the first songs I used to test the waters of jazz on steel for myself. It can be played very simple to start with then work in the great stuff Mike has to offer. He has wonderful melodic ideas!
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 1 Jan 2012 8:56 pm
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C6/A7
E
C
A
G
E
C#
For strings 7 and 8 I used A and E, respectively, to make it easier to play a simple bass line. I didn't use those strings at all in the melody.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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