Improvising on the EC

[Randy Stein]

This Thursday is a the last gig for the trio I started 2 years ago. Our lead is moving to Buenos Aries.

My friend and unbelievably accomplished accordion player Rodger French and I started out playing some tangos, Jobim and Gershwin and eventually built a really nice jazz repertoire. We added a guitarist to fill in the sound (bass player would have been nice too).

Playing jazz has really increased my knowledge of music in general. Understanding modal chords and playing off of chord charts has increased not only my understanding of music theory but how my instrument allows me the freedom to adapt and play freely within a jazz structure. Playing with the guitar and accordion, which easily chord triads or adding in the 7th for a 4 note structure made for some interesting arrangement choices. Making the third or seventh a diminished or suspended note in either a major or minor makes fingering at times tricky as well as often having to make choices for the proper effect and sound for the EC. Also soloing and improvising became less of a challenge and offered a lot of freedom and leeway as I understood a jazz chord structure. For example:playing off the 4th or 5th note in a chord made improvising and chording more interesting and gave the trio a unique sound. It also allowed me a lot of direction to solo and improvise.

All and all it has made me excited about playing and a new found appreciation for the EC as an instrument with a lot of flexibly to adapt to any musical style. On to the next group.

just saying...

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[ttonon]

This Thursday is a the last gig for the trio I started 2 years ago.

Hi Randy,

 

Thanks for the notice. I'm sure many of us here can share with you the ups and downs in finding/losing good musical partners. I hope the future brings for you additional rewarding musical experiences. Is there any way you can share some recordings from this group?

 

Thanks,

Tom

www.bluesbox.biz

[Randy Stein]

youtube - Rodger French Trio

I hope to have someone video our gig this week.

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