You are on page 1of 81
TW ieteh Oe ore SECU ec meee rea Cee LC ek Ue fe iu Ue Te a eu aa Ce Renee c Se Me MeO ee eels co emer ec JAZZ MASTERS Charlie Christian by Stan Ayeroff Consolidated Music Publishers New York «Lion + Teli = Sydney + Cologme Contents DU AR HAR Charlie Christian 4 Noteson the Solos 6 A Note on the Fingering 8 ANote on Swing Explanation of Symbols 8 A Guide to the Charlie Christian Guitar Style 9 Passing Tones 9 Grace Notes 9 Appogiaturas 10 ‘The Chromatic Seale 10. Common Positions for Playing off of Chords 11 Playing through Changes 14 As Longas Live 15 Dinah 16 Good Morning Blucs 18 Guys GottoGo 20 Honeysuckle Rose (I) 23 Honeysuckle Kose (1) 25 Honeysueklo Rose (ll) 27 1. Can't Give You Anything but Love Ida, Sweet as Apple Cidler 30 TSurrender Dear 3.2 Te Found a New Baby (1) 33 Tve Founda New Baby (]]) 35 Lips Flips 37 Pagin’ the Devil 41 The Sheik of Arby (I) 43 The Sheik of Araby (M1) 45 Stardust (1) AT Stardust (11) 49 Swing te Rap = 51 Upon Teddy's Hill 64 Discography — 70. A Guide to the Charlie Christian Guitar Style Although it is not the intention of this book to deal extensively with ‘chord construction and counterpoint, this seetiom presents several pi ions and concepts used most often throughout the sols that follow. This should serve as an aid to understanding and playing the music of Charlie Christian. The reader is strongly encouraged to fill in any gaps with supple mentary instrrction and reading, First, « word about certain contrapuntal devices used throu solos. hs Passing Tones(P.T.) 1. Seatewise—fill in the notes of the chromatic seale between chord Lancs. F ee 2. Chromatic—fill in the notes of the chromatic seale between chord tones, PE, Note: Usually a passing toncfallson 4 weak beat or weak part of the beat, however, it is characteristic of Charlic Christian's style to play accented pass- tng lanes (falling on a strong beat or strong part of the heat). Grace Notes(G.N.) Very often the #2nd i played before the major 3rd, Less offen the major 7th is played before the toot. F Gx. 10 Sometimes the 6th acts as a grace note to the b 7th, a — GN, Appogiaturas (App.) 2nd to Bri. ‘The 4th often precedés the grace note figure, F Che Christian made extensive used of the chromatic scale. The chart ‘that follows will attempt to show how it is possible to use all twelve notes of the chromatié seale, The Chromatic Scale Functions of Each Seale Degree as Related toa C Chord G Root (chord tone) C8 Db chromatic passing tone between root and 9th De 9 (chord tone) 1D Oth (chord tone); alo functions as 2Ind—sealewise pasting tone between root and ard DE Eb chromatic passing tone between 9th and [Oth (3rd) Eb bard (blues note); also chord tone in minor chard E 3rd (chord tone) F appogiatura 4th usually followed by # 2nd to 3rd; also scalewise passing tone hetween 3rd and Sth FHGb chromatic passing tone (when preceded by 4th) between 3rd and Sthyeg. EF FAG Gb bSth (biues note G 5th (chord tone) Gi Ab chromatic passing tone hetween Sth and 6th G# $5th (altered chord tone) A. 6th (chord tone); sometimes grave note to. 7th Bb b7th (blues note) B major 7th (chord tone in major 7th chord); sometimes a grace note to root Ch chromatic passing tone between root and. b7th Common Positions for Playing off of Chords Major Chord (Tonic) F major Added Chord Tones Ornaments: ox [ee arn rT BT, ¢ an. 2 é yn F major ‘Added Chard Tones ‘Omaments ECE ox ¢ Br. . . APP. mun Ba. rr. et] a on, 4 = | toro Stasi ed Chord Tots pacts Sox ial = 3 ee i ve i tH ia ¢ om Dominant 7th Chords Bee ° fA Fe Added Chord Tones Ornaments = : eT. BT. u Added Chord Tones Ornaments, Th”. Heats i i? $ oo PI6 FET va ty a 1 se Fim ee Minor Chords Br. Added Chord Tones Ornaments ~ ye + * +o + es oeie a . 1 Added Chord Tones Ornaments ft er s eee T) sn pT. om : reg er ‘Ornaments rr. PT. ? Playing through Changes Charlie Christian was a master at playing through « series of chords, often a eydle of Sths type of progression. He did this by connecting the va ous positions illustrated in a smooth and exciting manner. He often antici pated the approaching chord during the previous one (anticipation—ant.) creating a fecling of great drive. Throughout the solos you will find extensive vuze of the interval of the tritone ( #4th) te chromatically connect a series of 7th chords. ‘Here is an excerpt from “I'Can’t Give You Anything but Love” illustrating thany of the points discussed in this section. (mesnme 8) Ab7 iat pt 3h br R GN. ods Gh £ a ae ee 2. , ge Es ——F ee a) Db sa fe (Amt 8b7) (ameb7) R ithe — Sed She er 4 As Long as I Live Words by Tea Koehler Mus by Harold Arien {solo middle eight only) 4=120 = a ai2 3 Beer Dm/B or — © ® o—_. byl . yed to Ark Mi sration. Ts Sr om Dinah by Sam Lewis, Joo Young, and Hazry Akat d=ll6 aby 1 bo i 1 1 = @ ® —— Somyicht ©1925 by Mile Music, Ine. Copyright Renewed 1953. Used with Penmisiin All Rights Reser 16 Lyrics by Jamey Rushir Good Morning Blues sc by Coun Bai nd Fa Dh F m7 FT Bb? ————— f= z =F SS == s = 4 ® o—_——_. ¥ cue — S55 ret Ss —— : ® ® a oe FA AP Gm? C7 Gm7 a F Bbm Food SSS ®@—OO-O8 @ © 1988 by Bregman, Voces sna Comin ln. Copyright Renewed 1946, All Rights served, aed by Permission. Guy's Got to Go - — = ec 1 & 13 p—i—— =———_—_}+ = - a a Se @®———— ® ® 2 = pages 2 2 ‘4 — 2 9 —* il 1g ed 2 ® @ O—— 6 o— o— o ef © o 1 “i » : = _— SS SS ® —_—_—————_ &——__ 8 oe : Cm? Fv — a ae = = SS o—e— aoe BS fr | Bb 2 ysuckle Rose (I) by Fats Waller and Andy Rezaf THe the vette ht T= The Tre Lad TT Tee The th bp. Db 1 3 a —s meh © ‘eeeretinal — —? : to Chel & Co Bs Mane publi} $29 by Sen Bow In: Gopi Renewed nlaned rm Chapel (Untersong Musi pul 23 43 oo A # Bee 2 tee er ee e ® © o——- 8 @— ® 980 BT ba yg 3 2% = by Fats Waller and Andy Razaf 2 oO ® @ ©@o Copyright © 1909 by Sunt aos ae, Co en angel to Chappel in, In. (eterna Mas. pabihes) Inteheion Cnpyethe Somes ite Rested toed by Permian = seysuckle Rose (IIT) by Fats Waller and Andy Razat o——_ »——_ 6 © 8 @— oo Db i 4, 2 2 2 i SS = SS SS ® ® Sapte 2000 Satyr I c., Tne (Inetore Masi, pablsher SRE 2080 Sty Do Gees Renewed no Car Te tro Me, ol 7 MES i dg pe yh = SS SS | . ® ©o0— @— @—— @ &@— © © @2eegd by Dorothy Fields “% Give You Anything but Love sad Jimmy McHlogh Copyright © 1928 by Mile Muss, in. Copysigh! Renewed, Wed with Persson. All Rights eseree, Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider Lyriceby Eadie Leonard Music hy Eddie Munson J=108 ~ a fie = ——f—4 jf * BbT pa £ A i pat é = fis 5 : © ® ® ; SSS] =< == ©® ®@ @— @——_____Y——___Y——_- @ @ BbT a Zz 2 4 F SSS —— o &— Oo o— ® o—— (© Copyright: Edward B. Marks Musie Corporation. Used ‘by Permision, All Rights Reserved, 30 J Surrender Dear by Gordon Clifford and Harry Barris J-92 1 a = t ea 2S ——_ =e cy ; a ee. EF ithhba : a SS eS : -@ ® @ © O— @ oO Am ate ~ o pee — ® © ® @ ® © ® ® @ CCoparight © 1931 hy Mie Me, Ine, Goparicht Renewed, Ud with Pemson. AIH hts Retnve a9 ‘Words and Music by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams © copyrieht 1926.by MCA Mure. Dini of MCA The, New All Rights Heseret Used by Fermionon. 93 1 & 2 D Dm a omy — o—— oe Words and Music by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams Found a New Baby (II) Toate bg 14 1 = o— @— &— o— @ ” : MCA nes NaF, L See 22S AN Dron fH ns Ne Yor, opt Rowe 35 ysuckle Rose (I) by Fats Waller and Andy Rezaf THe the vette ht T= The Tre Lad TT Tee The th bp. Db 1 3 a —s meh © ‘eeeretinal — —? : to Chel & Co Bs Mane publi} $29 by Sen Bow In: Gopi Renewed nlaned rm Chapel (Untersong Musi pul 23 43 oo A # Bee 2 tee er ee e ® © o——- 8 @— ® 980 BT ba yg 3 2% = by Fats Waller and Andy Razaf 2 oO ® @ ©@o Copyright © 1909 by Sunt aos ae, Co en angel to Chappel in, In. (eterna Mas. pabihes) Inteheion Cnpyethe Somes ite Rested toed by Permian = seysuckle Rose (IIT) by Fats Waller and Andy Razat o——_ »——_ 6 © 8 @— oo Db i 4, 2 2 2 i SS = SS SS ® ® Sapte 2000 Satyr I c., Tne (Inetore Masi, pablsher SRE 2080 Sty Do Gees Renewed no Car Te tro Me, ol 7 MES i dg pe yh = SS SS | . ® ©o0— @— @—— @ &@— © © @2eegd by Dorothy Fields “% Give You Anything but Love sad Jimmy McHlogh Copyright © 1928 by Mile Muss, in. Copysigh! Renewed, Wed with Persson. All Rights eseree, Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider Lyriceby Eadie Leonard Music hy Eddie Munson J=108 ~ a fie = ——f—4 jf * BbT pa £ A i pat é = fis 5 : © ® ® ; SSS] =< == ©® ®@ @— @——_____Y——___Y——_- @ @ BbT a Zz 2 4 F SSS —— o &— Oo o— ® o—— (© Copyright: Edward B. Marks Musie Corporation. Used ‘by Permision, All Rights Reserved, 30 J Surrender Dear by Gordon Clifford and Harry Barris J-92 1 a = t ea 2S ——_ =e cy ; a ee. EF ithhba : a SS eS : -@ ® @ © O— @ oO Am ate ~ o pee — ® © ® @ ® © ® ® @ CCoparight © 1931 hy Mie Me, Ine, Goparicht Renewed, Ud with Pemson. AIH hts Retnve a9 ‘Words and Music by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams © copyrieht 1926.by MCA Mure. Dini of MCA The, New All Rights Heseret Used by Fermionon. 93 1 & 2 D Dm a omy — o—— oe Words and Music by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams Found a New Baby (II) Toate bg 14 1 = o— @— &— o— @ ” : MCA nes NaF, L See 22S AN Dron fH ns Ne Yor, opt Rowe 35 AbT Ey aby ® ® 7 e a «4 o—— ® ©*—— oo o— 1 1 fA z Pagin® the Devil by Walter Page and Milt Gabler — eee © Copyright 1972, Coroners Mie, Ine, AM Rights Reserve, aed by Permission. 41 Eb ‘Ab7 Eb BbT/F EMG cr x = Jatt * + o— Fm7 Bb7 ch? BbT 3. 3 ot 4 ~ # £ & == | @ o— Eb Ab Eb7 ‘Bb7 2 A Z © oa— @— oo The Sheik of Araby by Harry &. Smith, Francis Wheeler, and Ted Snyder ® @ Copyright © 1921 by Mis Mase, ne. Copyright Renewed. Ute with Peemson. Al RightsReserved Le F7 = ® eo ) Tl @ = Gr ~~. o— is o— —_ 6 e— > 2 @® © The Sheik of Araby (11) by Hany B, Smith, Francis Wheeler, and Ted Snyder ® e— g— (Copyright ©1921 by Nile Music, ne. Copyright Renewed. Used with Perminion. All Rights Reserved 45 be owt oll a @ & ® @— 0 @ i Bb 1 bd Stardust (I) bby Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish 3 o—__— ®—— _ @—— ® © & O— aS pat SS Se 2 o— &— 8 z Eb7 oe : ——————— = = & & & e—— FO &—_ &— ‘Copyright ©1924 byy Mills Music, Inc. Copyright Renewed, Used with Permission AM fights Reserved. a7 @ @ @ 5 ae iz = ——— — == ‘s © Ebm feup pau a é f< cH athe abe — SS Stardust (1) try Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish ssrajght thythm ____-.----.---------------- DI Nb » Copyright © 1929 by Mill Music, In. Copyright Renewed. Used with Permission, All Rights Reserved. 49 Haig Wyte 22 os SS ee soe mT Bb7 — ©®De— oe 2— &—— de sof” 45 Ay th he Swing to Bop GAHDBE 2 Bb 4 da1i2(imtbridgd Z me —— z = eo o— o—-,__- ® ==. ah AbT7 ’ i i A - = Ss =F >. © ® © 52 53 pb ® @® ® So ————————— _ +—~— 8 o Eb? 1 ® & ® ® @ =| — a T eee ® © — a= ae ———, = 1 44 1 3 1 A ay oa f 4 Hehe pale ee hdd oe = o— a @ ® @ g = é Aust ae ee eee ee @® © oa = o— aa: ds 7 ® @— 0 &@— 0 @— © &— Oo OG Begs a geek & — = == o—____———-_ ®—__ 8 @©@ ® ® 50 ‘Part II —End Solo Bom i i é i et SSS Bom 61 63 Up on Teddg’s Hill —_—= = . ® © —————_ ® (first bridge) ; ka 4 ze 4h. pg = ———— 2 = ——S = = = Ss o—— ——— of I So o— ® &— e—— steep 2 , epi fet p+ age a oe —_——S . = 67 eo 6 ® oo 2 Db ~ foie = —— = es * - ce ee ee ree #3 ‘ oa SSS 7 e o—_ @ @ e¢ @o Discography ‘The following is » diseography of Charlie Christian's recorded output. Some albums are imports and some are out of print, Either write the record company ot look in the vintage jazz section of your nearest major record store (or one thal specializes in rare and out-of-print jazz albums), Solo Flight—The Genius of Charlie Christian ad Columbia CG 30779, John Hammond Colléetion. “As Long as I Live,” “Honeysuckle Rose (1),"" “I Can't but Love,” “F've Found a New Baby (I1),” "Stardust (1). ve You Anythiig Charlie Christian With The Benny Goodman Sextet And Orchestra Columbia CL 652. Solo Flight—Charlie Christian With The Benny Goodman Sextet, Septet, and Orchestra CBS (Columbia), Aimes-Vous le Jazz no. 3 62-581. (Printed in Holland) “As Long as I Live,” “Honeysuckle Rose (I),” “I Can't Give You Anything but Love,” “P've Found a New Baby (1) nrender Dear,” “Stardust (Il), “The Sheik of Araby (1)."” John Hammond's Spirituals To Swing—The Legendary Carnegie Hall Concerts of 1938/9 Vanguard (6) VRS 8523/4 “Good Morning Blues,” “Honeysuckle Rose (II1)," “Pagin’ the Devil.” Charlie Christian—Archive of Folk Music — Jazz Series Everest FS-219 Write for information to Everest Records, 10920 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 410, L.A., California 90024. Lips Flips,” “Swing to Bop,” “Up on Teddy's Hill.” Charlie Christian Five 1939/1941—Jaz= Anthology ‘Musidise 30 JA 5181. (Printed in France) “Dinah,” “Honeysuckle Rose (L1),” “Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider, of Araby (ID." the Sheik Introducing an exciting new series for serious jazz musicians: The Jazz Master Series Bus Fowl by Clilford Jey Ssfane Ingles Celie Night in Tunisia HHeliuernations Strictly Confidential Tempus Fugit and more. 2 oeowoc82 Charlie Christian by Stan Ayerafl Include: Honeysuckle Race ‘Stardust Dinah ‘Swing to Bap Can't Give Vou Anything but Love sand more, Se ogyneooas Designeet for the musilan veh styles and techniques of contain valusble nat Groin’ High Stes By Statight Four Boxy Stina ror bh Seopa Djengo Reinharae by Sten Averett Includes: ‘Nusaes Dinah Shine Georgia On My Mind ‘You Rases! You Sava som 2 it cited by the unique oppcrtunity to learn the 2 graats, Thess Books one of the artcts mort impartent recordings fe first in thes ew sari ‘Charlis Perker by Stuart iecott tncsudee: Eire of Parasion ‘52nd Street Theme Til lemember April 08 For AILE lata ‘a0e2—Far EP a ‘Thelonious Monk bby Stuart Isacoft Includes Ruby My Desr (Nisan You OFF Minar and mo, Sienoecoeo lgal ruc iat oF diel from: Mune Sale Corporaion, ant BA orooss ret ulti mactia rock groupe Mystic Reiagtts of the Oingo Boingo. & surrealistic thanter-mue grou centounder and leader of Dr. Jazz, contemporary swing band, He cu plays gitar for Vikki Carr, and ie eth See compeser, grranger, aid tession ‘ultarist on the West Coset. Stan isthe author of Django Reinhart, anther 45 Doak in tie laze Mastorsoros ISBN 0-8258-c08a8

You might also like