In Progress
« Swing Harmony: Turnarounds, Vamps and Line Cliches - Part 1, Major Turnarounds | Main | More Example Tunes »
Saturday
Jan162010

BOOK: Masters of the Plectrum Guitar

DateSaturday, January 16, 2010 at 11:42PM

The pre-bebop styles of block-chord solos and solo guitar chord melody are almost completely lost arts. There are few living practitioners, and few resources to learn from. However, there is one book out there which is still in print that provides a great deal of insight, as well as a multitude of transcriptions:

Masters of the Plectrum Guitar (Mel Bay)

Transciptions of Eddie Lang, Carl Kress, Dick McDonough, George M. Smith, Carmen Mastren, and Tony Mattola, as well as couple duet pieces. Modern technology also provides you the opportunity to check out the book before you by it at Google Books.

Masters of the Plectrum Guitar (Google Books Preview)

I particularly suggest taking a look at the full transcription of "Sutton Mutton" by Carl Kress on pgs. 42-45. I still haven't gotten around to learning the slow section, but I love the first section, and it's often the first thing I play when testing out an acoustic archtop. Thanks to Mike Faltesek for bringing it to my attention.

AuthorCampus Five | Comment13 Comments |
in , ,

Reader Comments (13)

First - thanks for getting the blog going again --- lots of useful information and you are very kind to share it. You should write a book. I'd buy it.

Second -- I thought a plectrum guitar has 4 strings and often had different tunings ... seems like most of the pictures and all songs in the book are 6 string, standard tuning ... any thoughts/insignts/comments ?

Thanks again for all your efforts.

January 20, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterH Hansen

Hey brother! I got that whole thing down and also finished Stage Fright. You gotta learn that one too so we can rock the duets mcdunough/kress style

January 21, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMichael Faltesek

I think it just means that you are to use a pick (plectrum) and not fingerstyle.

January 21, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMichael Faltesek

Yes ... a plectrum is a pick, but a plectrum guitar is (from what I can tell by reading about) is a guitar with 4 strings, similiar to a tenor guitar. From what I have read is that these guitars were often tuned to banjo tuning too (what ever a banjo tuning is ?). It's kind of interesting because I kind of always viewed these three note early swing chords (freddie green chords, 3 note dead strings etc. -- what ever they are called ..) as phased that way so that they provide a strong back without interfering with the solo instruments at higher pitches; I had never realized that these chords might have first existed for a much more practical reason -- you only had 4 strings to work with in the. It would be interesting to see if with a different tuning and only 4 strings that maybe some of these early changes also have real finger movement reasons for why the changes work.

January 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterH Hansen

Yes ... a plectrum is a pick, but a plectrum guitar is (from what I can tell by reading about) is a guitar with 4 strings, similiar to a tenor guitar. From what I have read is that these guitars were often tuned to banjo tuning too (what ever a banjo tuning is ?). It's kind of interesting because I kind of always viewed these three note early swing chords (freddie green chords, 3 note dead strings etc. -- what ever they are called ..) as phased that way so that they provide a strong back without interfering with the solo instruments at higher pitches; I had never realized that these chords might have first existed for a much more practical reason -- you only had 4 strings to work with in the. It would be interesting to see if with a different tuning and only 4 strings that maybe some of these early changes also have real finger movement reasons for why the changes work.

January 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterH Hansen

H Hansen -
The "Plectrum" of "Masters of Plectrum Guitar" refers to pick-style guitar, as opposed to finger-style.
The fact that there is also something called a "plectrum banjo" has nothing to do with the title of the book.
I'm not sure I've ever actually seen a plectrum guitar in person - tenor guitar, sure - not plectrum. I don't think plectrum guitars were common enough to have that much effect. Eddie Lang was already defining chordal jazz guitar in '27 and '28 well before the switch that led a lot of banjo players to get tenor or plectrum guitars. I wouldn't give much credence to the history of using three note chords in rhythm guitar being because of banjos having 4 strings. Also, don't think the guitar chord voicings are similar to the banjo ones either.

Mike - I'll get working on it! Doing a duet would be a great thing to have in our repitoire.

January 24, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCampus Five

Had a look on Google Books ; will check some of them with the recordings.

Another book of interest is The Great Jazz Guitarists 1 by the late Ivor Mairants.

Jon

February 11, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJon Taylor

It’s a film called Hungry for You and it’s in pre-production now. I play the lead vampire. I didn’t want to be a vampire but was forced into it so I’m struggling with my vampire powers and not wanting to turn the girl I love into a vampire. The script is really great and has a wonderful storyline. It’s been fun. The creator, Linda Andersson, has a really cool comic strip of Hungry for You that she is going to release soon. It’s sort of a teaser and a way to start the marketing for the project in a bigger level.
cheap uggs
cheap uggs
red bottom shoes
cheap uggs
UGG Adirondack
UGG Bailey Button
UGG Bailey Button Triplet Grey
UGG Classic Tall Chestnut

November 10, 2011 | Unregistered Commentercheap ugg boots

The particular content is very helpful with regard to new bloggers and provides an excellent starting place to start with. May talk about your posting on my subsequent post. Many thanks.
31 day fat loss cure
diet solution program
SEO Company India
muscle x edge
diet solution program
how to enlarge your penis
What is Vimax
Vimax
vimax

November 12, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterroderick

Now this kind of particulars are very well worth looking for, straight answers for site visitors together with something to suit your needs as will definitely show the conventional in the author.
motocross gear
dirt bikes for sale
motocross gear
motocross gear
yamaha motocross dealers
suzuki motocross dealers
used motocross bikes for sale
motocross gear
motocross pants
motocross helmets

November 20, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterroderickmerr1229

The various ranges of Gucci purseshermes bag are stylish and impressive. Just to mention a few popular Gucci fashion ranges such as the Babouska, Britt, Charlotte, The Duchess,chanel camellia wallet Hysteria, Jackie, Duchessa, Hobo, Queen, Joy, Boston, Indy, Moon, Princy and Pelham to contemplatehermes men bags purchasing.For ladies who prefer a large bag the tote is a perfect choice. A few Gucci ranges to choose from are Jolicoeur,louis vuitton replica wallet Shopper Bag, Mini Tote, Brit Tote, Brit Shopper, Hysteria Tote, Messenger Diaper, Sukey,mulberry alexa Jolie, Messenger Bag, Waist Bag with a large range of colours to choose from.For the man in your life you can choose from Men’s Wallets and Messenger Bags. There are number of styles and colour choices chanel bagsavailable.To add even more pleasure to the luxury handbag mix you can choose a matching wallet and tote bag. I personally love to havechanel replica matching luxury designer products. But ladies if you prefer to have different styles and colours let your imagination be your guide. There are no hard and fast ruleslouis vuitton bags.The choice of the crystal finish on some of the handbags and tote bags ranges is one of my favourite looks. hermes constance bag replicaWith all the Gucci flair materials such as Guccissima leather, quality supple leather, Gucci web,hermes picotin mm jacquard fabric accented with leather trim and silver toned Gucci clasps or light gold hardware and the signature Gucci logo plate makeshermes bolide tote bag having just one Gucci product very desirable.For ladies who love Gucci fashion visiting the very stylish Gucci Outlet in your city or the Gucci website can be a breathe taking hermes mini constanceand overwhelming experience causing you to ponder - How do you choose from hermes lindy pinkall these amazing styles and colours?What is my budget? Yes ladies a budget is a good start especially with such an amazing temptation.

December 9, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterchanel bags

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.