Monthly Archives: July 2011

Intervallically Speaking: Fun with Tenths, Part 2 (“Blue Monk”)

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Mike Neer

Let’s put our tenths to use. This is one of the simplest ways we can do it, using the tune “Blue Monk” by Thelonious Monk. It may be a Jazz tune, but it is based in Blues and much of … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Henry Bogdan, Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Mike Neer

Lookie, Lookie, Lookie Here Comes Cookie – The Midnight Serenaders M: There is a pretty good scene in Portland, right? H: Yeah, there’s a big acoustic scene here—it’s more old-time Country music, Bluegrass is really big. There are a lot … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Henry Bogdan, Part 1

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Mike Neer

Henry Bogdan is one of the few players of the modern era who has embraced the National Tricone resonator as his main instrument. His playing with The Moonlighters was particularly influential (especially to myself) in the resurgence of traditional string … Continue reading →

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Intervallically Speaking: Fun with “Tenths”

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Mike Neer

One of the most common devices of Blues and Stride and even Jazz piano players is the use of tenths in the left hand. What do I mean by “tenths”? Well, it is the interval of a tenth from the … Continue reading →

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New book in the works and other news….

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’ve begun working on a new book called Concepts For Improvisation that I am really excited about. It is geared toward the steel guitarist, although it will be broad in scope and not focused on any specific tuning. It will … Continue reading →

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Talking Steel Guitar with Joel Paterson, Part 2

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: Your record has a really good balance of hot rod steel tunes and pretty tunes mixed with just some great swampy, greasy things. It’s just super. Your Panhandle Rag really invokes Jimmy Day for me. And Boppin’ Steel Guitar … Continue reading →

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Talking Steel Guitar with Joel Paterson, Part 1

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Mike Neer

Joel Paterson is a helluva musician. He is widely recognized as a guitarist in the Rockabilly, Jazz, and Blues styles from his associations with Chicago groups like Devil In A Woodpile, Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms, Kelly Hogan’s Wooden Leg, and … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 4

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: I had once heard a story about how your Bigsby was stolen. Can you tell me about it? L: What happened was we went to a Western Swing meeting up in Sacramento at the Sky Lanes, which was a … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 3

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: How did you end up in California? L: I went to Austin to play a gig and we do a show with Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys and I’d already met him in the UK and I did … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 2

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: Do you think you picked up a good sound approach from the beginning or did you have to go back and correct a lot of bad habits? L: I’m sure I’ve got a ton of bad habits and stuff. … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 1

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Mike Neer

Lee Jeffriess, to many of us, needs no introduction. He has been one of the driving forces in the revitalization of steel guitar in Rockabilly and Western Swing for more than 15 years. As a member of Big Sandy and … Continue reading →

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