Robben Ford Discussion

LongIslandRod

Here's something special Steve Khan posted to his site recently. A transcription and analysis of Robben's solo on John Coltrane's Naima as done by the smooth Jazz group Shapes from 2004, produced by Jimmy Haslip. There's also a little story about a young Robben. I helped inspire Steve to transcribe this - btw

go to this link... it's transcription #39...

http://www.stevekhan.com/korner1.htm

There a ton of musical information on Steve's site worth checking out.
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Rod

PierreL · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot for the link. That's a great read.

ropiyas · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:39 pm Post subject:

Great post, man!!!
His transcription is a little hard to follow but I'll get around it.
Thanks a bunch, man.
I also found a transcription from and old Guitar Player article on Robben...I'll see if I can find the web address again.

ropiyas · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

Ok, I'm sorry it took me so long.

the lesson:
http://truefire.com/guitabulary/lessons/robben.pdf

the audio:
http://truefire.com/guitabulary/lessons/robben.mp3

Enjoy.

AndyR · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:04 am Post subject:

Hey Rod,

Thanks a bunch for the link!!!

I've grooved to that tune on the radio quite a few times, but never knew it was Robben! Sounds like Stevie on the harp. Cool

I love the 6/8 meter they use on the cut.

I did a transciption of "Naima" when I was a student at U of Md. A jazz guitar student showed me how to play the tune on guitar (which I've since forgetten Mad

)

I was able to turn the guitar chords into a piano transcription, which I still have, 29 years later, and can still play!!!

I attempted to lay down a piano/drums sequence in 6/8 like the Shapes version, but had trouble making the changes at the fast tempo. (The Coltrane original is done in a slow, rubato style against a Paul Chambers pedal point bass).

Guess I'll get back to work on it.

Thanks again.

Smile

Andy

AndyR · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:23 am Post subject:

I picked up the double-CD, "Shapes - The Big Picture" on which "Naima" appears.

In the intro of Naima, there are a series of "false harmonics" (a la Lenny Breau, Danny Gatton, Tuck Andress, etc.) which I'm assuming Robben is playing...this is a gorgeous tune!

Are there any other tunes in which Robben employs these "false harmonics?"

Smile

Andy

PierreL · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:11 am Post subject:

I'm not totally sure, but I think he uses this technique at one point in the latest Neil Larsen CD, "Orbit". I'll check that up.

AlChuck · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject:

Does Robben appear on just this track, or on others as well?

LongIslandRod · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:20 pm Post subject:

Hey guys,

Steve Khan told me Jimmy Haslap (who produced the Shapes CD) told him Robben only came in for solos. So that's not Robben in the intro.

Jimmy and Steve are very good friends - btw

Rod
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Rod

AndyR · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

AlChuck,

I think Robben only appears on 2 tracks, "Naima" and "Lobster."

Smile

Andy