"Alone at Midnight" | BYCU Forum

TommyD
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Posts: 133

"Alone at Midnight" Apr 6, 2014 11:56:44 GMT -6

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Post by TommyD on Apr 6, 2014 11:56:44 GMT -6

John G, I've been working on the study for "Alone at Midnight" in your book "Jazzin' the Blues" and must tell you that I love the melody. It's beautiful. I wish that study was several pages longer. To that I point, I was wondering if you had any suggestions for sheet music of tunes reminiscent of "Alone at Midnight" or composers/artists to listen to. Your book is my first dabbling in jazz, so I don't really know what, or who, to look for to find sheet music for a tune such as "Alone at Midnight." By the way, do you have any recordings?

Thank you for such a great book, and series of books. I know there is talk of a "Rockin' Blues You Can Use" book. I'll be among the first in line for it when it comes out. All of the studies you write for you lessons are fun to learn and play, and they make me eager to learn more. I find myself whistling your tunes during the day.

Tom

JohnG
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Posts: 193

"Alone at Midnight" Apr 7, 2014 16:39:46 GMT -6 TommyD likes this

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Post by JohnG on Apr 7, 2014 16:39:46 GMT -6

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your very kind words. Messages like yours cheer me immensely. I have to give much credit to my co-author Dave Roos. We wrote the tunes together, but I'm not sure I could have done it alone. Dave is a very talented musician, and a good friend.

Check out Wes Montgomery's recording of "Round Midnight," a beautiful ballad by Thelonious Monk. Wes' version, on The Artistry of Wes Montgomery, is stellar. There is a good transcription of Wes playing that tune, and others, by Tim Fitzgerald. It's from a BBC show called 625 Alive, back in 1965. The recording is hard to find, but there is one on youtube - for now. You can also try Kenny Burrell's CD, Midnight Blue. Other jazz guitarists you might like are Barney Kessell, Peter Bernstein, Peter Leitch, to name a few.

I am hoping to start work on "Rockin' BYCU" later this year. It really helps me to hear from you and others.

Thanks again.

JG

TommyD
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Posts: 133

"Alone at Midnight" Apr 7, 2014 17:50:06 GMT -6

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Post by TommyD on Apr 7, 2014 17:50:06 GMT -6

I just listened and watched Wes Montgomery on Youtube playing "Round Midnight." I was surprised to see that he only uses his thumb when picking and strumming. When I finger pick I have to use my index finger for the up strokes. I was impressed! John, thank you for the names of those artists. I'll start looking them up.