[BH9]

Ever listen to other instruments? Regina's clinic on blues flexibility.

 

[Randy Hunter]

Ever listen to other instruments? Regina's clinic on blues flexibility.

Yes, Regina Carter was the guest artist at our Emory University Jazz Festival in 2015. She is superb. It's great to listen to musicians of all instruments (including vocalists) for blues phrasing, inflection, etc. I just chose to base this series on saxophonists to address some of the specific ways the lines can be performed on our instrument. I considered adding motifs from other instruments, and may as the series unfolds.

 

[BH9]

It’s a great series, thank you!

 

[Randy Hunter]

It’s a great series, thank you!

Thanks so much! I'm having a great time transcribing the licks and assembling the videos. I'm also learning more about the players as I do this.

 

[Fader]

Damn....Randy - It's obvious to me that you've been stealing all my best blues licks (and making them better).

You've even swiped some I don't remember creating, forcing me to invent them all over again (by carefully studying your examples)

 

[Randy Hunter]

You've even swiped some I don't remember creating, forcing me to invent them all over again (by carefully studying your examples)

And I'll swipe them too, Bro!!!

 

[Randy Hunter]

Just wanted to let anyone following this thread know that a student of mine just completed an excellent transcription of Buddy Tate's entire solo that Motif #7 is taken from. If you want a copy, send me an email at randy(at)randyhunterjazz.com - Of course, better yet, you may want to transcribe it yourself first and compare notes afterwards!

Randy Hunter
https://www.beginningsax.com - Jazz Improv & Beginning Sax Lessons
https://randyhunterjazz.vhx.tv - Access all of my lessons via monthly subscription

 

[Randy Hunter]

This one was taken from Illinois Jacquet's tenor saxophone solo on a tune called, The Blues That's Me! You'll find it on YouTube at 6:07 in this B Flat concert blues. Illinois Jacquet was another one of the Texas Tenors that worked through the ranks of The Count Basie Band, where he replaced Lester Young. His most famous recording was the solo on Lionel Hampton's version of Flyin' Home. You might also wish to check out his recording of Harlem Nocturne.

Randy Hunter
https://www.beginningsax.com - Jazz Improv & Beginning Sax Lessons
https://randyhunterjazz.vhx.tv - Access all of my lessons via monthly subscription

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Arnett Cobb and Illinois are among my favorite Texas Tenors! These are so incredible Randy

 

[Randy Hunter]

Arnett Cobb and Illinois are among my favorite Texas Tenors! These are so incredible Randy

Thanks Brian! It's always great to hear from you. Glad you're enjoying the series!

 

[JL]

Illinois Jacquet is definitely one of my favorites! Did I ever mention that to me, the blues is the essential ingredient of jazz? That's one thing that all the old school players had in common; they could play the blues.

I listened to his solo on that recording and man, that's the way it's done; anyone who wants to know what the blues is all about can just listen to that solo. Randy, you picked a real gem this time around. Thanks again.

 

[Randy Hunter]

Illinois Jacquet is definitely one of my favorites! Did I ever mention that to me, the blues is the essential ingredient of jazz? That's one thing that all the old school players had in common; they could play the blues.

I listened to his solo on that recording and man, that's the way it's done; anyone who wants to know what the blues is all about can just listen to that solo. Randy, you picked a real gem this time around. Thanks again.

Thanks JL! I always listen to a bunch of blues solos by the artist before I select a motif from one of their solos. I have several favorites in the series, and this is definitely one.

And I definitely agree with you- I also feel that the blues is an absolute essential ingredient to jazz. Any great jazz player has to be a master of the blues. And you know, you often hear elements of the blues throughout the master's solos, whether the tune is a blues or not.

Randy

 

[Randy Hunter]

Thanks to everyone for checking out these videos! Ben Webster's tenor sax solo on Jive at Six is the source for this one. You'll find the lick on YouTube at 2:26 into this D concert blues. One of the great swing tenor sax players, Ben Webster is probably best known as the featured soloist on Duke Ellington's tune, Cottontail. He also often performed with Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and later in his career with Gerry Mulligan. Another recording I checked out when looking for a Ben Webster motif was Coleman Hawkins recording with Ben on a tune called Blues For Yolande.

Randy Hunter
https://www.beginningsax.com - Jazz Improv & Beginning Sax Lessons
https://randyhunterjazz.vhx.tv - Access all of my lessons via monthly subscription

 

[Randy Hunter]

I'd like to thank a fellow Sax on the Webber and Skype student of mine, Peter, for transcribing Jimmy Forrest's complete solo on Bolo Blues. It's a classic blues solo and the source for this video. You'll find the lick at 1:37 into his solo on YouTube. There are a couple of versions of the tune, so you might want to listen to both.

Randy Hunter
https://www.beginningsax.com - Jazz Improv & Beginning Sax Lessons
https://randyhunterjazz.vhx.tv - Access all of my lessons via monthly subscription

 

[Pent up Kid]

Hi Randy Another great video ....any chance of doing one on Alto sax,in the blues style , I know you play one from time to time....Take care and stay safe.

 

[Randy Hunter]

Hi Randy Another great video ....any chance of doing one on Alto sax,in the blues style , I know you play one from time to time....Take care and stay safe.

Thanks Brian! I hope you're doing well. I'l definitely do more on alto, but check out #3 in the series. It's a Sonny Stitt lick on alto. It's one of my favorites- but I guess they all are!

Randy

 

[JL]

Randy can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's maybe worth pointing out that these blues licks work fine on alto or tenor. Obviously they will sound a bit different on alto than on tenor but they should work great on both horns. And while they may 'fit' better or even sound better in some keys than in others, many of them can be transposed to a number of different keys (or all 12 keys).

 

[Randy Hunter]

Randy can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's maybe worth pointing out that these blues licks work fine on alto or tenor. Obviously they will sound a bit different on alto than on tenor but they should work great on both horns. And while they may 'fit' better or even sound better in some keys than in others, many or them can be transposed to a number of different keys (or all 12 keys).

You're absolutely correct, JL. Once you start practicing them in all keys it doesn't matter if you're playing alto or tenor. Of course, some of the nuances work better in certain keys or on alto or tenor, but that's just part of the learning process.

 

[Randy Hunter]

#10 is from Houston Person's solo on a Milt Jackson tune called Bluesology. I had the opportunity to see him live a couple of years ago and he's still sounding great. Love his sound and feel.

BTW, I just had a major facelift to my Beginning Sax website. I hope some of you will check it out. Be sure to refresh your browser if you've visited the site recently.

Randy Hunter
https://www.beginningsax.com - Jazz Improv & Beginning Sax Lessons
https://randyhunterjazz.vhx.tv - Access all of my lessons via monthly subscription

 

[JL]

Right on Randy. Another good one! Thanks. And man I love Houston Person's sound and playing. I was lucky enough to see him live some years back with Etta Jones. Needless to say, it was a fantastic show. Houston has such a great tone on the tenor...