George Benson Tip Jar

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CHOPS BUILDER

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TIPS JAR • GEORGE BENSON IN THE TRADITION OF DJANGO REINhardt and Wes Montgomery, George Benson spices up his improvisations with octave melodies. “But sometimes when I’m playing plain octaves, I feel my solo is empty,” says Benson of the octaves in Ex. 1. “For fullness, I’ll place a Ex. 2].” For fifth or fourth between the octaves [E Ex. 1

Ex. 2

an even richer sound, Benson inserts major or Ex. minor sixths, depending on the harmony [E 3], and for maximum fatness, he adds fourths Ex. 4]. “It gives the effect of chords and sixths [E being played within octaves.”

Ex. 3

Ex. 4

             

















   1

T A B

1 4 4 GUITAR PLAYER APRIL 2002 guitarplayer.com

4 2 1

4 4 1

4

8 5

10 7

8 8 5

1 2

1 4 3

10 8 7

1 1 4 3

1 2 4 3

3

3 5

5 6

5

7

3 4 5 5

5 5 7 7

PH OTO S : H A N D S H OTS — PAU L H AG G A R D ; B E N S O N A N D B R E AU — G P A RC H I V E S