On Green Dolphin Street (Jazz standard)

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 16 Jul 2012 7:12 pm

The first Jazz tune I ever played was On Green Dolphin Street--I was 16 and I was auditioning for the high school Jazz band. I got the gig, but I couldn't play Jazz at all.

All these years later, I wanted play the tune on steel. The head is a pretty simple arrangement, but I really wanted to have fun blowing over the changes. There are so many great versions of this tune and I've listened to many. Joe Henderson's version with the Wynton Kelly trio may be my favorite.

Anyway, it's really difficult to play Jazz on this instrument, I'll admit. But I'm going to keep trying, hoping to find a balance between playing Jazz on the instrument and not forgetting the instrument I'm playing. This particular version gets away from the steel guitar a little, but I'm finding my own way, not really looking to please anyone.

The take was not completely improvised--after playing the tune for a few days, I had a couple of ideas worked out. Nothing wrong with doing that--in fact, it's better to do that and get to the heart of what you're trying to say than just improvising by "bowling for notes", as Bob Hoffnar so humorously coined the phrase.

Backing track is just an Aebersold track. Thanks for listening, comments welcome!

http://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/green-dolphin-street

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 16 Jul 2012 8:02 pm

Mike, nice playin'! What tuning are you using? I think "Green Dolphin Street" is also one of the first Jazz tunes I learned to play on guitar back when I was around 17 or 18. I love the changes and still enjoy playing it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 Jul 2012 8:43 pm

Nice, Mike!

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 16 Jul 2012 8:58 pm

"On Green Dolphin Street" was also one of the first jazz tunes I learned on guitar, back in the early '70's. After learning the chords from the back page of the Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar book, I was rarin' to go...

That was a nice version, Mike. Good solo.

Dan Simard · Post by **Dan Simard** » 17 Jul 2012 2:23 am

There's a pattern I noticed on "Body and soul" that you used here also. where you repeat a pattern a half-tone higher than the "harmonic" one. I guess it would sound strange if it was very long but the way you do it, it's just a great moment that gets our attention. I forgot to mention, it's around 1:12 (I posted a comment on SoundCloud).

Great job once again, I listened to "Body and soul" numerous time and even sent it to one of my non lap steeling friends (which represent 100% of them).

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 17 Jul 2012 4:56 am

oh that tune brings back memories for me too - it was the tune called when i auditioned for the college jazz band - of which i had never heard of and proceeded to butcher....they put me in "Lab band" hehehe

thats great - keep them standards coming mike

Stephen Watson · Post by **Stephen Watson** » 17 Jul 2012 6:17 am

Oh, very nice.

I'm thinking Keely Smith on this one.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 17 Jul 2012 6:37 am

nice as usual!!!!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 17 Jul 2012 7:13 am

Thanks for taking the time to listen.

Tuning is C6/A7. I'm not ready to give up finger picks, as you can hear I used them here. A few of the lines are strictly with the thumb, though, as I like the way it sounds to palm block and get that staccato feel. Also, those lines are a little beefier.

I have a soft spot for the tune, but it is definitely not one of my favorites.

One of the things that I think has been most influential to me is the simple idea and lesson plan that Lennie Tristano had for his students: write out a solo exactly how you would like to play. This is so simple, yet so profound. While I didn't do that here, it has made me so much more aware of my own inner voice and, when I practice, I try to listen to and bring out that inner voice on my instrument. I think that is how we get closer to developing a unique style.

I hope I can get to the point where I can improvise freely and deeply but in a more relaxed manner. I can hear the tension in my playing, as if I feel like I'm going to drive off a cliff.

G Strout · Post by **G Strout** » 17 Jul 2012 7:14 am

Good stuff Mike!!

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 17 Jul 2012 8:39 am

Quote from Mike "I can hear the tension in my playing, as if I feel like I'm going to drive off a cliff."

That's how I always felt whenever I heard Herb Ellis taking a solo. He always sounded like he was on the edge of a serious crash.....but he never did

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 17 Jul 2012 2:33 pm

Thats a very special tune. Great to hear it on steel.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 17 Jul 2012 7:28 pm

I love that tune and your rendition is great. Thanks for sharing, Mike.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Jul 2012 8:00 am

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. Much appreciated.

Tuning is C6/A7 and I'm playing my Clinesmith lap steel.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 18 Jul 2012 2:19 pm

I finally got the time to give this a lesson. Nice job, Mike!

Chris Gabriel · Post by **Chris Gabriel** » 18 Jul 2012 3:03 pm

I love your rendition! Man, what a sweet tone on your Clinesmith guitar...

It's great to hear straight ahead jazz with steel guitar as lead instrument. thank u for posting!

I like your use of the #11!

Chris

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 19 Jul 2012 6:50 pm

Thanks, Chris and Brad. Learning more every day.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 22 Jul 2012 11:07 pm

WOW.
Thanks Mike that was GREAT!

Chris Griffin · Post by **Chris Griffin** » 22 Jul 2012 11:33 pm

Really cool, Mike

The Steel Guitar Forum

On Green Dolphin Street (Jazz standard)

On Green Dolphin Street (Jazz standard)

Nice...