Barney Kessel rules. He doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he was a studio player, not just a jazz guy, but he’s always been one of my favorite jazz guitarists. Ear candy all the way. Thanks for showing how he got that unique sound.
True! Wes usually gets all the spotlight (as he should), but I found Barney’s style to be a little more accessible for me. His “chord melody” ideas seemed to fit more common drop 2 chord shapes and other root position shapes
I'd say I disagree with you, but it's not a matter of opinion; Barney Kessel was one of the best-known, most prolific, and most respected guitarists in the history of music in the 20th century. He recorded with Charlie Parker, Billie Holliday, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Woody Herman just to name a few. He also recorded 50 jazz albums under his own name. He won "best guitarist" in polls in Downbeat, Esquire, Metronome, and Playboy magazines for 13 years, and both Kay and Gibson manufactured Barney Kessel model guitars. I recorded my first CD on the studio owner's Gibson Barney Kessel guitar in fact. You'd be really hard pressed to name ANY guitarist from that period who was as well-known and respected as Kessel, and there were quite a few amazing players from that same era like Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Howard Roberts, and Jimmy Raney. Wes started his recording career a bit later.
@@southtxguitarist8926 Thanks for that clarification! I wasn’t alive before the 90s so didn’t get that perspective. I’ve only started digging into Kessel about a year ago
@@christianstrums You're welcome. I met Barney in 1983 after hearing him play a concert with Charlie Byrd and Herb Ellis, collectively known as the Great Guitars. There was a rumor that Barney was headed over to the only jazz club in town after the show and I went there on the off chance that it was true. Sure enough, he showed up. A friend of mine was playing guitar at the club and I asked to sit in, and Barney came up to me afterwards and said something to the effect of "I acknowledge what you did there." I was going through a really rough patch at that moment and said I was worried about being able to pay the bills as a musician. His response was "Charlie Parker didn't pay his bills." Barney was kind of an enigmatic guy but I really appreciated him taking the time to talk to me and in his own way offer me encouragement. That CD I mentioned was dedicated to him, Joe Pass, and Pat Martino, and I sent Barney a copy. He was already compromised from a stroke and unable to play and I never learned whether he got it or not, but I thought it was important to send it.
Barney Kessel was probably influenced by players like Dick McDonough, George van Eps and Allan Reuss, who were all important acoustic guitar virtuosos of the swing Era. They were exceptional chordal soloists. On Electric guitar Oscar Moore of the King Cole Trio is an important influence of Barney's to check. His solo on the trio's take of The Man I love uses thirds and double stops extensively.
Barney Kessell and Herb Ellis played the King of France Tavern here in Annapolis, Maryland a lot for a long time. Herb actually lived here in town for several months. I did FM radio shows early-mid 80's with a focus on Afro-Latin jazz and fusion. I lost count after about 10 the number of Barney and Herb gigs I went to. I wanted to do a live telephone interview of Barney. He took about 45 minutes to tell me why he didn't have 10 minutes for an interview :) :) :) He's always been among my favorite guitarists. Thanks for this enlightening show, man.
Really appreciate this video because its so informative and it makes the feed on my home page feel healthy haha. Please continue and dont rush to water down content
Hi Chris! You just made my day! I have for years been very fond of Barney Kessel and his incredible guitar mastery, and the sound of the triads have fascinated me. However, I never really tried to figure out what he was doing. And here you come with the clear explanation. I thank you and will really start practicing. By the way, have you by any chance pdf files that show what you (and Barney) is doing?
Thanks! I don’t have a pdf but I just had the TAB/staff for each example in the video. I do have a guitar pro file with all the examples (same order as the video)
You bet! At least with Kessel, his approach on sixths is a lot more limited and he hardly played more than a bar. There are a handful of licks that I have found though! Might work as a little lesson in the future ;)
@@christianstrums Skeets was a Chicago jazz guitarist who retired and opened Skeet’s Guitar Shop in Jackson, MS. It was THE place for guitar players in the area-myself included.
@@christianstrums I’m more of a jazz-flavored blues guy. Stormy Monday, This Masquerade, Please come home for Christmas (Eagles & Charles Brown), most of Robben Ford’s work-but in the jazz world, I like Wes Montgomery and Howard Roberts.
Many Concise Playable Super Tips. Used a lot Sinatra (Both), early fifties crooners (like Bing), break intros for drummers like Krupa and Rich, Wreck Crew - Tommy Tedesco. Can be used for any smooth jazz or blues licks, modified like Clapton!!
Gotta keep it in the key so you have to be aware of minor AND major for each lick. A lot of them just slide chromatic shapes but yeah still need to play both
Dumb question, but when you say "add a third on top." Are you referencing the third of each individual note in sequence, kinda like a dyad, or are you using the third of the main chord?
I should’ve been more clear! Yes like a dyad. Playing two notes at once. Top note is a third above the reference note. But keeping it usually within the key so either major or minor thirds depending on the bottom pitch
@@christianstrums"either major or minor thirds depending on the bottom pitch" : do you have a video on that for a novice jazz player as myself. Greetings from Belgium ❤
Barney Kessel rules. He doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he was a studio player, not just a jazz guy, but he’s always been one of my favorite jazz guitarists. Ear candy all the way. Thanks for showing how he got that unique sound.
True! Wes usually gets all the spotlight (as he should), but I found Barney’s style to be a little more accessible for me. His “chord melody” ideas seemed to fit more common drop 2 chord shapes and other root position shapes
Two great but different players! Saw Barney Kessel twice in Mpls. and his playing was awesome! A real showman.
I'd say I disagree with you, but it's not a matter of opinion; Barney Kessel was one of the best-known, most prolific, and most respected guitarists in the history of music in the 20th century. He recorded with Charlie Parker, Billie Holliday, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Woody Herman just to name a few. He also recorded 50 jazz albums under his own name. He won "best guitarist" in polls in Downbeat, Esquire, Metronome, and Playboy magazines for 13 years, and both Kay and Gibson manufactured Barney Kessel model guitars. I recorded my first CD on the studio owner's Gibson Barney Kessel guitar in fact. You'd be really hard pressed to name ANY guitarist from that period who was as well-known and respected as Kessel, and there were quite a few amazing players from that same era like Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Howard Roberts, and Jimmy Raney. Wes started his recording career a bit later.
@@southtxguitarist8926 Thanks for that clarification! I wasn’t alive before the 90s so didn’t get that perspective. I’ve only started digging into Kessel about a year ago
@@christianstrums You're welcome. I met Barney in 1983 after hearing him play a concert with Charlie Byrd and Herb Ellis, collectively known as the Great Guitars. There was a rumor that Barney was headed over to the only jazz club in town after the show and I went there on the off chance that it was true. Sure enough, he showed up. A friend of mine was playing guitar at the club and I asked to sit in, and Barney came up to me afterwards and said something to the effect of "I acknowledge what you did there." I was going through a really rough patch at that moment and said I was worried about being able to pay the bills as a musician. His response was "Charlie Parker didn't pay his bills." Barney was kind of an enigmatic guy but I really appreciated him taking the time to talk to me and in his own way offer me encouragement. That CD I mentioned was dedicated to him, Joe Pass, and Pat Martino, and I sent Barney a copy. He was already compromised from a stroke and unable to play and I never learned whether he got it or not, but I thought it was important to send it.
Pickup a baptist hymnal and it's all thirds. No swing though :)
Barney Kessel was probably influenced by players like Dick McDonough, George van Eps and Allan Reuss, who were all important acoustic guitar virtuosos of the swing Era. They were exceptional chordal soloists. On Electric guitar Oscar Moore of the King Cole Trio is an important influence of Barney's to check. His solo on the trio's take of The Man I love uses thirds and double stops extensively.
Thanks! I need to check those guys out!
Wow man amazing. So simple in hindsight but sounds so good. Great teaching !
Thankya!
Nice info and presentation of some really good musical ideas. Thanks very much.
I F'ing love Barney. Great video.
Killer lesson….much thanks for this
This is good stuff.
Great lesson!!
i have been waiting my whole life for this video.
Glad to be of service
Thanks, Chris, for the reminder how great Barney was. Great video, kudos.
Also just realized, that ascending scale is the song from the "Nintendo Wii". 😆
I realized the same thing a day too late hahah
Very good lesson. Clear, practical, well presented.
Seems like a great way to add some extra tone to lines. Also a nice stepping stone for learning chord melodies.
dudeeee instant level up thxxxxx
wlcm!
LOL. It is, but only if you're ready for it. Sounds like you've been studying and practicing. Great job.
Barney Kessell and Herb Ellis played the King of France Tavern here in Annapolis, Maryland a lot for a long time. Herb actually lived here in town for several months. I did FM radio shows early-mid 80's with a focus on Afro-Latin jazz and fusion. I lost count after about 10 the number of Barney and Herb gigs I went to. I wanted to do a live telephone interview of Barney. He took about 45 minutes to tell me why he didn't have 10 minutes for an interview :) :) :) He's always been among my favorite guitarists.
Thanks for this enlightening show, man.
Ahaha what a guy! And thanks! Had fun picking apart this little concept from his playing. Might make another Kessel video here soon!
beaufiful.. good work
This was excellent. Thanks for sharing. My mind was blown when I first heard those albums. You demystified some of his coolest tricks!
Thankya mrjazboy! Yeah I’m probs gonna do another vid on his quartal (4ths) voicings/licks and some more chord ideas
This is excellent use of thirds. And your guitar tone is rich.
Really good stuff
This also works great in the context of gospel and r&b, 4ths too
So many good ideas. Thanks a bunch.
This briefly sounded like Stairway to Heaven...
Reminds me of Johnny Smith.
Really appreciate this video because its so informative and it makes the feed on my home page feel healthy haha. Please continue and dont rush to water down content
Great video! I love thirds on the guitar, it’s such a cool sound
Thanks Nick!
Thanks to Christian for sharing Barney and his ideas with new people! Barney would be very happy!
For sure! And thank you for inspiring me to do so!
@BruceFormanGrumps He'd play it cool though.
Awesome!
Hi Chris! You just made my day! I have for years been very fond of Barney Kessel and his incredible guitar mastery, and the sound of the triads have fascinated me. However, I never really tried to figure out what he was doing. And here you come with the clear explanation. I thank you and will really start practicing. By the way, have you by any chance pdf files that show what you (and Barney) is doing?
Thanks! I don’t have a pdf but I just had the TAB/staff for each example in the video. I do have a guitar pro file with all the examples (same order as the video)
Thanks for for introducing me to Barney Kessel and the poll winners Albums. I've been listening to them this evening
For sure! So many cool ideas to steal from them!
This is great and taught very well.
Kessel with charlie christian pickup has the most delicious bassy tone!
Thankya sir!
Great lesson! Love Barney's playing. Thirds make the lings sing more.
Thanks Christian 👍
Well done!! Great context/application!! How about sixths? Please and thank you!!
You bet! At least with Kessel, his approach on sixths is a lot more limited and he hardly played more than a bar. There are a handful of licks that I have found though! Might work as a little lesson in the future ;)
I will be working on this for sure . Thank you !
Super good thank you very much
Thank you for such an amazing lesson. Please continue sharing such contnet! :)
For sure!
thank you❤
Great job. Have you ever heard of Skeets McWilliams? I think he was a contemporary of Kessel.
Have not!
@@christianstrums Skeets was a Chicago jazz guitarist who retired and opened Skeet’s Guitar Shop in Jackson, MS. It was THE place for guitar players in the area-myself included.
@@sideman7117 Sweet! What are some of your favorite recordings?
@@christianstrums I’m more of a jazz-flavored blues guy. Stormy Monday, This Masquerade, Please come home for Christmas (Eagles & Charles Brown), most of Robben Ford’s work-but in the jazz world, I like Wes Montgomery and Howard Roberts.
Great material and great tone. Are you using flatwounds?
Thanks! Nope, just some daddario nyxl with wound third. 12s I think
Many Concise Playable Super Tips. Used a lot Sinatra (Both), early fifties crooners (like Bing), break intros for drummers like Krupa and Rich, Wreck Crew - Tommy Tedesco. Can be used for any smooth jazz or blues licks, modified like Clapton!!
Great job!!
I love the sound of this guitar (it's all in the magic hands of the player of course). What kind of Eastman is this? Many thanks.
Why, thank you! it’s in Eastman AR503CE with a Lollar Novel CC. Just got that new pick up a month ago and love how it blooms.
Also, I’m running it direct to my Apollo solo with a little bit of compression
double stops sound sooo cool on guitar! great ideas!
Thanks! Just ripping off Barney Kessel licks haha
do you have to beware of minor thirds ? can you just play the third relative to the note your playing or do you have to mind the key?
Gotta keep it in the key so you have to be aware of minor AND major for each lick. A lot of them just slide chromatic shapes but yeah still need to play both
Diatonic thirds should do the trick 👌
1:26 Reminds me of the Mii Channel theme
Totally is 😅
Mariokart 😂🎉
Thank you, Christian.
I was mowing the lawn and then….
😅😅😅😅
Dumb question, but when you say "add a third on top." Are you referencing the third of each individual note in sequence, kinda like a dyad, or are you using the third of the main chord?
I should’ve been more clear! Yes like a dyad. Playing two notes at once. Top note is a third above the reference note. But keeping it usually within the key so either major or minor thirds depending on the bottom pitch
@@christianstrums it's all good. Thanks for the explanation. I thought that's what you meant, but just wanted to make sure. Great lesson
@@ByTheSpirit84 For sure! Thanks for helping me clear things up
@@christianstrums"either major or minor thirds depending on the bottom pitch" : do you have a video on that for a novice jazz player as myself. Greetings from Belgium ❤
@@bartleenboute-debel3239 that might have to be my next video!
Sick! I’m learning double neck pedal steel and this approach is (chef’s kisses) the way to approach bop. I will be practicing, thank you!
Oh dang! Pedal steel is such a beautiful instrument 🥲 glad to help!
I prefer 3rds and 6ths
Can you explain the Bb minor 7 - minor iv substitution for the C7?
That could be a whole lesson… but to simplify, you can use a minor iv sound over any V7 chord as a substitute
The line I played used a Bb minor arpeggio rather than the C7
WOOWWW 0:09
Pow
why not 3rds? because they are corny and conventional unless superbly used in sophisticated ways.. 🎸😎
… like Barney and this guy!
What is the definition of corny?
Why don’t players do this? *Proceeds to reinvent the wheel* 🙄🤦♂️
Key word: “more”
great video Saludos
the reason more guitarrists dont do that is cuz it sounds prissy dated and easy lissenin' oppressive
K
WTF kind of comment is this....
@@erickochenderfer9870An oppressive comment, apparently.
@@erickochenderfer9870 dont you like being oppressive, .. what.. too woke now?
@@HABLA_GUIRRRI Stop being cryptic. What are you attempting to convey?