Shakehip@aol.com
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 12:38:22 EDT
<<The limited note range is the main thing, and don't tell
me you can do 16th note runs on your feet (and if you can I'd love to hear
it...
:)) Peadals are great for walking stuff and boogaloo-type lines, but you can't
play every kind of bassline on them.>>
Ha ! Jazz organists don't really play notes on the pedals note for note.
That was a rumor Jimmy Smith did nothing to discourage. The only exception
of the classic Blue Note Players was Groove Holmes during the '70s when he
got into that Nova Bass thing. The purpose of the pedals is to add an
extra thud to your line. If you can make any of John Patton, Reuben
Wilson, Jimmy McGriff, Lonnie Smith, Mel Rhyne or Jimmy Smith's gigs (players
who are very much alive and gigging) you'll notice their feet hovering over
one or two pedals - - The exception to the rule is ballads... and then some
players do a "simultaneous" walk, but the ones with the really heavy
basslines, like the one I mentioned above (Charlie Earland included) simply
don't play basslines on the pedals note for note.) All the action is in the
left hand... and that's why you don't hear them switching drawbars or Leslie
Speeds a lot while they're playing. - - If you ever go to Showman's Cafe
in Harlem examine the pedal board on the B-3 and notice how its warn down - -
and check out some masters in action. (THere are certain players who
pretend to play pedals incidently, but I'll spare names.)
Actually I like The Jersey Kings a lot. The main reason I'm POd at Blue
Note is because there are many organists who can play the you know what out
of the box in the NYC area, and believe me... they choosed an excellent
keyboardist.... but passed over quite a few legit players.
Anyway, this'll be my last public say on this... I know how long threads can
get annoying but I'll be happy to respond privately to anyone.
Ed
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Tue Sep 21 1999 - 18:45:29 MET DST