PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[Gabriel Stutz]

Hello. I figured I'd introduce myself. I am a pedal steel player from Chicago who has been playing loads of honky tonk and finally decided to learn jazz - on guitar and perhaps later on the steel. What are some good first tunes to start with? I just learned Blue Bossa, which I really like, although I get the impression it's a little stale to some people who've been playing a while... Nonetheless, something that has common changes that would be applicable to lots of songs and a nice stong melody would be helpful.

Thanks.
Gabriel

[eleven7]

hey there Gabriel,

I'm somewhat new here as well. Joined a while ago but this is my 1st
post also.

Here are some popular songs with very common changes that
you'll be able to use elsewhere.

1.)Summertime

2.) Sofly As In a Morning Sunrise

3.) Autumn Leaves

- Jack

[sunflower]

Welcome , its good here
Get yerself the realbook vol 1 theres loads of standards in there
http://www.playjazz.com/FBO076.html

there are other books but everyone refers to that book for jams etc
I've got the old semi-legit fifth edition
apparently the now fully legit sixth edition has the errors corrected.

I always loved the steel playing and solo on 'own sweet way'
by the Notting Hillbillies don't know who he/she is
but to me that's Jazz right there.

[Gabriel Stutz]

Yes, indeed. The steel on that song was done by Paul Franklin. He's a badass Nashville session guy. He on loads of recordings. He's on a Dire Straits record (the name of which I've forgotten - plays Baritone Steel on a couple tracks! as well as E9th), so there's the Mark Knopfler connection...

Gabriel

And I forgot to say thanks to you guys for the suggestions...!

[jazzerchick]

Hey, Gabriel! Welcome.

We love pedal steel in Tx. There are a couple of guys here who are great
C/W players that also hold their own on a jazz gig. Do you know
Denny Mathis?

Green Dolphin St. seems to be a good one to do on steel.

[Jazzy]

Hi, and welcome

Pedal steel is a fantastic instrument. Yeah, Paul Franklin is amazing. He`s done lots of things with Dire Straits and Knopfler solo.

You should check out the Brian Blade Fellowship. On the two first records Dave Easley is playing pedal steel there.

( In my own jazz group I have a very good pedal steel player. You can listen to some of of my tunes here: myspace.com/michaelaadalgroup )

later,
Michael

[Gabriel Stutz]

I don't know Denny Mathis, but I'm a huge Dave Easley fan and really like those BB Fellowship records - I'm partial to the one with Jeff Parker. Dave Easley actually grew up with and is a very close friend of the guy who taught me the steel and they learned how to play jazz together. I'm always glad to hear steel in jazz so I'll be checking out Michael's link. So many steel players are so hardcore country that they only tap a tiny bit of the instrument's potential. It's too bad.

Gabriel