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King of Swing

Previous Contests

A Moist One in the Void

Posted Thu, 12/29/2011 - 00:20 by johndeely
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Having trouble loading the file, take 2

Chromaticism

Posted Wed, 12/28/2011 - 23:54 by George Bisharat
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I12 Swing

Posted Wed, 12/28/2011 - 21:28 by philrader
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Did this with a G Special 20 in the key of D, with a couple of bars using a Chromatic. I learned a lot doing this, and enjoyed it as well. The backing track I chose has a couple of extra bars at the beginning, making for an extra long head. This was a highly motivating exercise - glad I did it.

Travelling Swing

Posted Wed, 12/28/2011 - 10:44 by mcpat76
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I played this tune in A on a C chromatic harmonica. I used the Jazz Swing track from Jimi Lee. I enjoyed working on this conposition and I hope you will enjoy listening to it.

Swing Thing

Posted Wed, 12/28/2011 - 02:58 by patricia mifsud
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Sorry this is such a last minute entre-a bit confused with the time difference etc. The backing track is a Swing in g i've had on my ipod for ages & with some help from my son recorded it on garage band. Hope not too late.thanks again for another great challenge!!

Jumpin with Jimmie

Posted Tue, 12/27/2011 - 23:57 by jimmiemeade
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Listened to a lot of K.C. swing musicians for inspiration on this one, specifically Lester Young's Jumpin with Symphony Sid and Charlie Parker's K.C. Blues.

Too Many Bars

Posted Tue, 12/27/2011 - 19:58 by marcos
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144 Bars, give or take.

Swing in F, from ultimate backing tracks (I had to speed up the track by about 25% before using it).

Bb Special 20.

Almost didn't enter it after hearing the brutally good ones already entered, but what the heck? Nothing to lose, right?

Thanks.

Shim Sham Santa

Posted Mon, 12/26/2011 - 18:17 by walterjuke
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I used one of Jimi Lee's jam trax with a ii V I progression for this one.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Neverending Swing

Posted Mon, 12/26/2011 - 11:22 by mishaikin
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So, spending a few days, writing numbers on a blank sheet, it seemed to me like Neverending Swing :-)

The backing track is Jump Swing in C from Jimi Lee's Groovetrax CDs.
Amplified low-F Thunderbird harmonica.

Chilean Swing

Posted Sun, 12/25/2011 - 19:02 by ErwinIost
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Well, i 've been listening Swing a long time before to composite this song. i took part of a head from a song called Duke's in Bed by John Hodges and Duke Ellington...just a little part but it helped me a lot to focus my idea.
the quality of the record is not good enough but i tried to do my best.
i used the chromatic and diatonic harp and my gear is:
Chuck Gurney mic and a Peavey Classic 30
I hope you like it....

Thanks and greetings from Chile. by the way...merry christmas and happy new year for all of you and yours family!!!

Erwin

Turkey Bastin'

Posted Thu, 12/22/2011 - 18:15 by robfraser
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I'm using a Jimi Lee backing track for my entry and I've gone with a familiar walking bass line for the head, following the actual bass line of the jam track. There's quite a few West Coast harp instrumentals that use this approach but I really dig it and thought why not! I've stayed away from intricate turnaround licks (great cop out, favouring a more rhythmic turnaround style..!) and I've used a few build ups as the track progresses, hopefully to give an "developing impact" feel between choruses. continue reading...

Swingin' Boogie

Posted Thu, 12/22/2011 - 13:58 by kcairns
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I tried to come up with a head the would fit the groove, which I the repeat in the 2nd chorus, with a slight variation using octaves. I then basically, try and build on each successive chorus, through the range of the harp, from the lower, to the top end. There's a variation on a Big Walter lick in the 2nd but last chorus. The head being repeated in the last chorus.

Swingin’ Like Hell

Posted Tue, 12/20/2011 - 18:37 by str6
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Swingin’ Like Hell

Ab Suzuki Promaster Valved in 3rd Position
David Barrett Backing Track from Blowin’ My Horn

Chorus 1: AAA’
Chorus 2: AAB with fills
Chorus 3: AAB with focus on lower register
Chorus 4: AAA with volume dynamic
Chorus 5: ABC with fills
Chorus 6: AAA, rhythmic and repetitive to build momentum
Chorus 7: AAB using high end octaves
Chorus 8: ABC head sequence
Chorus 9: AAC catchy lick to bring it home

Hanging out with Peter

Posted Sun, 12/18/2011 - 08:54 by Steven Troch
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The backing track comes from Dennis Gruenling's Bad Ass Harmonica jam trax (12 bar swing in the key of D)

I use the Hohner Super Chromonica 270 Deluxe (12-hole) and a Hohner Crossover in G (diatonic).
The song has a ii - V - I transition giving it a jazzy feel. I drew some inspiration from "The Inkspots", a vocal group from the 30'-40' and some saxplayers like Illinois Jacquet to get into the groove and mood.

Chorus 1 & 2: Head (using single notes, false octaves & octaves)
Chorus 3: AAB - turnaround based on William Clarke's opening like from a song called "The Boss" continue reading...

Left-Right

Posted Sun, 12/11/2011 - 16:44 by jodanchudan
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The backing track is one of Jimi Lee's Groovetrax.

I thought about textures and changes in rhythm more than focus notes for this one.
Chorus 1 & 2: Head (based on the 3' - 3 lick in the Little Walter study song, but with a zig-zaggy rhythm)
Chorus 3: AAB - thought I'd get the speedy bit out of the way early - it'd be too frustrating mucking it up at the end of the track!
Chorus 4: More or less AAA, but with variations; texture - bends
Chorus 5: AB/AC: focussed on long notes to give me chance to breathe continue reading...