This week's Free Hands Friday session with Steve Adelson was incredible! With Dan Chapman hosting, Steve walked us through a number of different valuable techniques for walking bass lines, some insights on how to apply simple musical theory for chord shapes and some great tips for setting up the Stick. Steve is a fantastic educator and advocate of the instrument - what a joy it was hearing him and Dan riff on his rich history with the instrument.

This session really exposed the benefits of how having a basic understanding of theory can take your playing to new levels. Steve shared effective use of alterations, substitutions and how to increase your musical vocabulary. Steve also emphasized the importance of finding your own unique sound and arrangement for everything you play. Some of the techniques from his instructional video, like the kerchunk and the claw were on full display in his version of "Moondance" and "Sleepwalking". Had a lesson with him recently? Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a lesson.

Steve shared some stories from back in the day when he was playing with Les Paul, giving us some backstory on conversations that he had about Les playing with Django and Wes Montgomery - if there was a giant of Jazz in the Stick World, it would have to be Steve.

Lastly, Steve also just celebrated a birthday - happy birthday Steve!

Next week's session will be with Dan Chapman, who will be sharing his experience on growing up with Emmett and the making of his documentary on him as well - sure to be a great opportunity in learning how the Chapman Stick came to be. An invite will be sent out to everyone following the Free Hands Academy on g+. Thanks for tuning in and thanks for watching.

wish I was there...dang.

We were missing you Kev!

Kataway and Bas had some log in trouble - but it was still an excellent crowd. The 10 minute conversation that I had with Steve after the recording blew my mind - he basically relayed some information on how to arrange chords and solo over the descending part in one note samba.

"actually two notes..." - Steve Adelson

Great session - and Dan was a fantastic host! I can't wait for his session next week.

'Twas lotsa fun. Thanks to Gene engineering the event and Dan for hosting with some great questions. And our participants had some good input. The 50 minutes literally flew by. Felt like 15. I had so much more to say.
Hope we can all chat again soon. Very gratifying to share ideas with all.
steve A

The Spy chord, awesome! Apt name for that mixture of notes.

cheers,
kev

+1 for the Crimson Jazz Trio. It stands on it's own.

I would love to hear SA swing some other KC tunes (or other prog classics).

Despite the login trouble I had, i enjoyed and it was great to gather with a stick lovers


Cheers,
Bas

I really tried to login but it was not working. The computer asked me to download a "hangout", which I did and it has been installed on my machine. I tried again...impossible...Sorry guys...specially for you Gene and Steve...but I was able to see live your presentation. I love these combinations with LH and RH...which I explore myself a lot. A simple triad in the RH to complete the LH gives to the basic chord a lot of possibilities, lot of tensions (if you wish of course) a lot of width to different chords you want to use. I know very well these concepts and appply it to the stick is simply beautiful...thank you guys...

Another great Free Hands Friday lesson. Much appreciated! Always enjoyable to watch and learn from Steve Adelson.
Harry

What app is used for these sessions - Skype?