Finally a guy who knows what he's talking about. My boyfriend plays rhythm guitar in a swing band. We have watched countless "instructional" videos, and 99.9% of them don't have a clue as to what they're talking about. Most of the online teachers don't even own an acoustic archtop with high action strings. It's really a big drag to see some kid with a flattop cowboy guitar, or worse yet, an electric guitar, try to teach Freddie Green's style and technique. But this guy is the real deal. So nice. By the way, my boyfriend is 52 years old and plays an acoustic archtop with high action strings; he plays the beautiful shell chords (3 notes, sometimes only 2 noted or 1 note). But like Freddie, he doesn't teach the art of rhythm guitar.
Very informative Brian, thank you. Its good to hear a genius level master talent such as yourself, stressing how critically important it is for a player to go deep. For them to express the notes with a specific and PERSONAL feel. It is through this that a person can develop a life long relationship that continuously gives.
Brian "Betz", You covered important principles of big band-Freddie Green voicings in 12.5 minutes. Thank you so much. I loved it and it left me salivating for more details. You moved so quickly I could not recognize the fingering girth. You did mention (I think I heard) the importance of the 3d & 7th (I'm assuming major 3d/7th & minor 3d/dom 7th). I think I heard Emily Remler refer to these as "guide tones". I would be interested in an instruction session discussing the girths you use. Thanks js
Hey Brian---you didn't mention the best teacher of this style, without a doubt. The best Freddie Green style books are by Charlton Johnson. He would know---he succeeded Freddie Green when he died, and played for the Count Basie Band for many years. Not to mention every other big name in the jazz field. He has every chord shape there is and then some. This is a very challenging style of playing to learn properly.
Charlton only played in the CBO for 6 years. He played an electric/acoustic single cutaway guitar. His books outline only 23 chords. He is hardly the best teacher of this style.
I've found that the people who call this style "old" are the ones who suck at it and because it _seems_ so simple (it's not), they won't put in the hours it takes to do it right. (You do it right!)
Great tips on "doing it right" (with Bucky's advice embedded). It's not easy to master this style on the electric guitar but I will benefit from your video tips. I play with the London Jazz Orchestra in London, Ontario (Canada) - big band - playing everything from Count Basie, Ellington, to Gordon Goodwin. Thank you for sharing and demo-ing your knowledge.
Thank you for posting this, Brian. This is definitely the best video I have seen on the subject. It really helped me out a lot. You're a great player and a great teacher. Please keep the great videos coming.
Actually, it's not quite true that Freddie never played with a pickup. He tried. The other band members hated it so much that they sabotaged his amp. Big band guitar charts are very misleading. The arrangers simply sum up all the notes that the band is playing at any given point, decide what chord that might be in context, and that is what they write in for the guitar part. Freddie did not play those complex extended chords (like F9b13). He simplified everything - or as some people put it, he "extracted" simpler chords. If a chord is an extension of a 7, then play a 7. The guitar is a rhythm instrument in a big band, NOT a harmony instrument. If a dozen other people are combining to make that F9b13, why should the guitar have to play that as well? This is one of the things that makes big band guitar fun AND challenging, deciding what chord and voicing you will actually use in place of what is written. Brian's advice about volume is right on. You don't want the guitar sticking out. You often cannot even hear Freddie distinctly on Basie recordings, but the pulse is still there. You don't necessarily have to HEAR the guitar, but Freddie makes you FEEL it.
Hi, thank your for this video. I had a great teacher in the 1970's who turned me on to the voicings' and style, and have been playing it for years, but the right hand technique that you describe was the "secret sauce" .
Finally a guy who knows what he's talking about. My boyfriend plays rhythm guitar in a swing band. We have watched countless "instructional" videos, and 99.9% of them don't have a clue as to what they're talking about. Most of the online teachers don't even own an acoustic archtop with high action strings. It's really a big drag to see some kid with a flattop cowboy guitar, or worse yet, an electric guitar, try to teach Freddie Green's style and technique. But this guy is the real deal. So nice. By the way, my boyfriend is 52 years old and plays an acoustic archtop with high action strings; he plays the beautiful shell chords (3 notes, sometimes only 2 noted or 1 note). But like Freddie, he doesn't teach the art of rhythm guitar.
Very informative Brian, thank you. Its good to hear a genius level master talent such as yourself, stressing how critically important it is for a player to go deep. For them to express the notes with a specific and PERSONAL feel. It is through this that a person can develop a life long relationship that continuously gives.
Brian "Betz",
You covered important principles of big band-Freddie Green voicings in 12.5 minutes. Thank you so much. I loved it and it left me salivating for more details. You moved so quickly I could not recognize the fingering girth. You did mention (I think I heard) the importance of the 3d & 7th (I'm assuming major 3d/7th & minor 3d/dom 7th). I think I heard Emily Remler refer to these as "guide tones". I would be interested in an instruction session discussing the girths you use.
Thanks
js
I been looking for this clip great lesson on this style
Kinda old and kinda yesterday are kinda great. Love Freddie.
this is such a great vid
Nice, thanks for that. Have a regular jazz gig in London, going to try it out this weekend.
I would love a follow up using rhythm changes!
Thank you Brian - very interesting video!
interesting ......but a lot of ...."wizzzzzz " on the strings ( new ? ) spoils the beautiful acoustic "cello" tone .
Thank you!
Hey Brian---you didn't mention the best teacher of this style, without a doubt. The best Freddie Green style books are by Charlton Johnson. He would know---he succeeded Freddie Green when he died, and played for the Count Basie Band for many years. Not to mention every other big name in the jazz field. He has every chord shape there is and then some. This is a very challenging style of playing to learn properly.
Charlton only played in the CBO for 6 years. He played an electric/acoustic single cutaway guitar. His books outline only 23 chords. He is hardly the best teacher of this style.
Wow, he ONLY played with Basie for 6 years? What a loser! Did your boyfriend play with Basie. then?
I've found that the people who call this style "old" are the ones who suck at it and because it _seems_ so simple (it's not), they won't put in the hours it takes to do it right. (You do it right!)
Too much talking!!!
Terry Richards too much to say
Great video! Freddie was a master at comping and not overplaying. Being a competent rhythm player is where its at.
Thanks Brian! These are some great tips and especially you learned from Bucky! I'm workin on this right now as I'm a huge Freddie Green fan!
Great tips on "doing it right" (with Bucky's advice embedded). It's not easy to master this style on the electric guitar but I will benefit from your video tips. I play with the London Jazz Orchestra in London, Ontario (Canada) - big band - playing everything from Count Basie, Ellington, to Gordon Goodwin. Thank you for sharing and demo-ing your knowledge.
I agree. That's why i looked up Freddie Green. He is underestimated.
Sooner or later, everybody ends up back with Freddie Green!
Thank you for posting this, Brian. This is definitely the best video I have seen on the subject. It really helped me out a lot. You're a great player and a great teacher. Please keep the great videos coming.
That’s my music teacher y’all 😂
Could you talk about some of the players that play FG style ?
What a clear, precise teacher---thank you!
Actually, it's not quite true that Freddie never played with a pickup. He tried. The other band members hated it so much that they sabotaged his amp.
Big band guitar charts are very misleading. The arrangers simply sum up all the notes that the band is playing at any given point, decide what chord that might be in context, and that is what they write in for the guitar part. Freddie did not play those complex extended chords (like F9b13). He simplified everything - or as some people put it, he "extracted" simpler chords. If a chord is an extension of a 7, then play a 7. The guitar is a rhythm instrument in a big band, NOT a harmony instrument. If a dozen other people are combining to make that F9b13, why should the guitar have to play that as well? This is one of the things that makes big band guitar fun AND challenging, deciding what chord and voicing you will actually use in place of what is written.
Brian's advice about volume is right on. You don't want the guitar sticking out. You often cannot even hear Freddie distinctly on Basie recordings, but the pulse is still there. You don't necessarily have to HEAR the guitar, but Freddie makes you FEEL it.
You're hot man! Greetings from Australia.
LOVE IT! You DA MAN BRI!
Hi, thank your for this video. I had a great teacher in the 1970's who turned me on to the voicings' and style, and have been playing it for years, but the right hand technique that you describe was the "secret sauce" .
One of the best lessons out there on this.
Enjoyed this, thanks and all the very best from Munich, Germany.
Verah nyce gyspy
Excellent lesson!
Great stuff
Hi Mr. Betz
Excellent lesson
This is my music teacher guys
Jayana Carr same Mr.betz
Jayana Carr this is my music teacher to
my music teacher irl 😂
I'm liking this, gonna use it on my resonator
I don't even play guitar,I play bass in a big band and I found this very interesting and informative. Excellent!!
Can you recommend any other artist that play in this sort of style well?
Eww Mr.betz u swear u famous 🤢😷~Starr
Good im in loudenslager