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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Roller Coaster

2 replies [Last post]
Wed, 04/11/2012 - 23:37
jodanchudan
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I've been trying to pick away at Roller Coaster lately (going to be an extended work in progress I think!) and I was wondering whether you know where he got his ideas for this. Is it based on some jazz tune? The phrasing seems so out-there and very tough to learn, full of very long, convoluted phrase chains.

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Wed, 04/11/2012 - 23:59
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

He's at the top of his game here... pure Little Walter. He was the most swingin' harp player of his era. I am not aware of this song using elements from any other song, but it could be possible. Because this is a modal blues (no chord change), rhythm and phrasing take front row here. Take it one lick at a time, it's no doubt an elephant. Email me if you need the transcription.

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Fri, 05/18/2012 - 06:26
#2
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Billy Boy Arnold claims that

Billy Boy Arnold claims that Roller Coaster was based on a Bo Diddley tune called "Little Girl," though I don't hear much in that tune that resembles it.

One thing about the way Walter plays Roller Coaster is that he keeps shifting where the "one" is - the first beat of the bar. After awhile he starts anchoring his phrases on the 3 instead of the 1 and that becomes the new 1. Then he changes it again. The drummer follows Walter, but that guitar riff that starts the tune keeps playing without varying through the entire recording, giving you a consistent reference point.

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