Scott Henderson Discussion

[frankus]

The internet might be able to yield 3 Fake Books... the bootleg books of chord progressions for the standards.

My advice would be to find the one with the most songs you know in it.

My approach to voicings is pretty simple: bass-line on E or A from the bass, melody on the top strings or the middle if I can use harmonics to throw it into another octave and the chord on all the rest. But that's just for solo playing.

I don't sit and wonder about which inversion I want, but that might be the style I play, I guess it's akin to playing lines... all you then need to wonder is do the chords head higher or lower..

[Budda]

Hello!

This is a big question. The voicings you use, will go a long way towards how you sound, as a player.

One tried and true method, is to learn from a transcription of your favorite recorded version. If you like how Kenny Burrell plays "Summertime", then find or transcribe his voicings. That way, you have a head start, towards voicings you know sound good.
Also, I'd make sure I had listened to the song. Hearing how the song actually sounds, is invaluable. Listen to as many recordings of the selected song, as you can. Find your favorite versions. Analyze what it is that you like, and dislike about the different performances.

As far as the search for your voice, there are a number of approaches.

A good way to start, is by grouping different voicings into different "families".

For example, chords that change, without any voice moving more than a minor 3rd.

Another choice, is to use "Shell Voicings".
These are voicings, that only contain the Root, 3rd., and 7th. (or 6th.). These voicings don't contain any 5ths. So you have less to juggle, when comping. Also, you can add the pertinent extensions, alterations, and melody notes, with your unused fretting hand fingers.
EX:

CM7 = C E B or C6 = C E A

Am7 = A C G

Dm7 = D F C

G7 = G B F

Try playing these on strings 6, 4, and 3. Or, strings 5, 4, and 3. Keep the Roots, in the Bass. The 3s and 7s can end up on either the 3rd. or 4th. strings.