Robben Ford Discussion

jconstant

So I'm trying to learn the solo Robben plays on this tune when he did the Letterman show with Bruce Willis. The song is in Am and for the IV, instead of Dm7 their playing either an F7 (which I think would be the common progression) or maybe Fm7. My ears should be better than this, I know. Can someone else take a listen and either confirm or set me straight?

I'm really trying to understand that simple little phrase he plays over the chord in that first verse of his solo. I can play it, but I want to know the theory behind it.

Here's the vid if that helps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iigXHUozaUo

Thanks,
Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Red Suede · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

F9 at the 8th fret.

jconstant · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Red!
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Red Suede · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject:

You're welcome.

jconstant · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject:

So I'm studying the dimished scale now and I'm pretty sure that's what I'm dealing with on this lick over the F9. But one note doesn't 'fit' according to the little I know about diminished scales. The lick contains the following notes in order starting at the 8th fret:

F, G, Bb, D, F, E, D, Eb, G, Ab, D, F, E, G

I believe an F diminished scale looks like:

F, G, Ab, Bb, B, Db, D, E, F

So, I'm wondering why the Eb is in here and the whole thing sounds so damn good.

Red, or anyone else, can you shed some light on this?

Thanks,
Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Too Many Gittars... · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:22 pm Post subject:

The most likely explanation is that RF just felt like putting it in, even though it's a note outside the scale that surrounds it. Probably doesn't hurt being the b7 relative to the F9. It also sounds good because it comes as a surprise to your ear, after getting used to the diminished sound, like coloring outside the lines. RF likes to mix up all many harmonic resources, mostly pentatonic, mixolydian, and diminished scales. This is part of what makes his playing so refreshing and unpredictable.

I don't know if this helps. It's just my take.

Rob

Red Suede · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

Robben talks about this sort of thing on "The Blues and Beyond". sometimes he'll change or add a note just because he likes the sound of it. Music especially the melodic side of it is usually never just a straight scale or mode. a melody or cool line is usually comprised of a combination of mode, interval, chord tone, etc. A cool melody or line is usually never just the one aspect.

jconstant · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I'm back to working on this song again.

I always seem to have trouble picking out the little chord movements that are above and beyond the basic structure of the tune. Hoping you guys can help again.

I'm trying to figure out the three chords playing at the beginning of the bridge (at 0:59 and again at 1:13). The chords are on beats 3, 4, and 1 of the bars and the top notes of each chord are E, F# and G.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Red Suede · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject:

You know, I got the recorded version and also listened to a bootleg I have of this tune and Robben plays an F13 instead of F9 for the second chord (I think that's what it's supposed to be, I think he just didn't want to get picky with Paul Shaffer), which is E flat on the A string, A on the D string, D on the G string and F on the B string. Cool chord. As for the other part, I just listened to it and what I got was three note triads on the B,G,and D strings, the first triad is E, C and G at the 5th fret, move that fingering up to the 7th fret for the second triad and the last triad is at the 10th fret and those notes are A on the B string, E on the G string, and C on the D string. All minor triad voicings. Genius at work.

jconstant · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:24 am Post subject:

Thanks, Red. I think you're absolutely right. I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't figure out something that simple. I just figured it had to be something more complicated, but I should know better.

And I agree, I love that 13 chord.

Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Red Suede · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

What I love about Robben is he'll use triads with such skill that they infer something more against the bass player's notes and the chord will sound more complex than it really is. That's knowing harmony and having good taste. Have you guys ever heard his version of "I Put A Spell On You"? Wonderful.

Bluelobster · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:09 am Post subject: spell

ahhhhhhhhhh i put a spell on you by Robben& the blue line. What a great cover . Never recorded ???

Sampo · Member Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Finland

Bluelobster · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:30 am Post subject: hi

Hi sampo thanks for the tip , i think i've never listened to this Mallach album but now i know where that song came from. In fact i've been lucky to see the Blue line performing it in 1990. As for Tenth av tango, i heard this played in trio during a masterclass ,same year; and till 2003 i was totally unaware of the Bruce willis album.

henkholland · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:37 am Post subject: I put a spell on you

Totally agree about Robben's version of this song. Very beautiful. Still on my wishlist to figure out the chords and to play it in a band. Robben's version also was played at a German TV broadcast called Jazz in Concert in 1991.
http://www.online-discussion.com/RobbenFord/viewtopic.php?t=1242&view=next&sid=709bdc8a9965a942fb97e0c1c199ae1c
There are more recordings of this song surfing around from that area (1987 till 1991), but unfortunally none of them official released (except on Bob Malach's CD). Robben seems not to look back in his old repertoir. Just playing supernatural Truth. Except (for example) Talk to you daughter together with Larry Carlton.
Henk