Spent hours and hours playing with the French virtuoso Daniel yesterday afternoon. He pulled out his Django Rienhart fake book and we read through a bunch of songs, holy crap I could hardly believe I was playing this stuff. It moves really quickly, has beautiful changes and is flat out fun to jam on. He is a ridiculously good guitarist who was on his way out of town with his Thai wife. She was ready to split, but he pleaded that it's the last time he'll get to play with me, so please. one more hour, OK? It's the kind of thing where he doesn't get to have a rhythm player lay it down for him too often, and when he finds one, he likes to stretch out and let it rip. This was one of the few times I regretted not having a little video camera with which to roll tape and upload to Youtube. Just a great time playing, learning (it was definitely a guitar lesson for me) and I need to revisit some of those Django voicings he showed me). I ended up with a nice blister on my thumb from gripping so hard. Well worth it.
Afterwards I gave a guitar lesson to my friend Al, that focused on the diminished chord, which to me is what separates hamronically interesting music, from the normal stuff that everybody plays. There are a number of ways that you can use it, and I showed him a few examples. He was way into it and asked if we could get together today for another go-round. He says, 'I know you're busy, but if you have time...' To which I replied, 'dude I am anything but busy, and if you're into it, let's do it'
So we're on for 3pm this afternoon, same time, same station. And he downloaded the Django fake book into his 'stick', and will print out a copy for me to take home. Very cool news, that. (I can add it to my other books that I don't hardly use). kidding, I'll use this one, it's a great reference work.
I even managed to concentrate long enough to get a good way into the next song, which is called 'American Song' Here's what I have so far.
D7..................................G7..............
There's a certain music that everybody knows
C7........................................F......................
Can't say where it started, but I sure know where it goes
D7....................................G7................
Right around the circle, hang on it won't be long
......Bb.........Bdim.........F........D7.........G7........C7.......F
On a railroad line to a simpler time you'll find an American Song
Beethoven used this harmony, ain't nothing new under the sun
Six goes to the Two chord, Five goes to the One
If you add a little ragtime, all your friends can swing along
And if I'm blue here's what I do, I play an American song
Up a lazy river with Sweet Georgia Brown
Shine On Harvest moon, over the sleepy town
McCartney took a crack at it when he wrote Rocky Raccoon
Nice one, Paul, but all in all it's still an American tune
