A6, octaves and Wes

Guy Cundell · From: More idle ramblings from South Australia

The symmetrical layout of A6 (F# A C# E F# A C# E) is great for octaves but I find that I need to keep reminding myself that they are available. The technique tends to slow lines down which can be beneficial for increased emphasis on rhythm and phrasing. I think that this is evident in the playing of two masters of the technique, Wes Montgomery and George Benson.

This is my favorite Wes octave solo which sits nicely in A6 tuning, using most of the available range (and then some in bar 25). Db is not such a common key for steel but no matter. It’s a bit of fun.

The transcription starts with Milt Jackson’s minor pentatonic head with a few different ways of approaching it. It is fortunate that the Db7#9 chord in bars 26 & 28 is available. Note that the Head changes and the solo changes are different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVDmXnb812A

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