In this lesson I explore the unique chord melody style of one of my favorite jazz guitarists whom I’ve always felt deserves much more recognition. I’m referring to the late Canadian guitarist, Ed Bickert (1932-2019) who not only is known by hardcore jazz guitar fans for his gorgeous chord voicings, but also for his swinging lines and warm tone. Musician Don Thompson, who played bass with Bickert from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, once said about his chords, “The inner voice movement was perfect, the logic  impeccable, every chord was the best possible chord … it was perfection all the time.”

If you happen to be among the many jazz guitar aficionados who are not familiar with him, let me share 3 noteworthy facts about Ed Bickert:

1. While everybody else was using an archtop, Ed Bickert was one of the first jazz guitarists to adopt a solid body….that is, a Fender Telecaster with a humbucker!

2. As a result of his sophisticated comping and rich chord voicings, he was often hired to back up soloists in a pianoless rhythm section. As a matter of fact, when he was with the Rob McConnell Big Band, there was no piano in the rhythm section which is highly unusual for a big band! In other words, Bickert was known for his ability to harmonically hold down the fort!

3. Whatever recognition he did obtain internationally, is probably thanks to the fact that Jim Hall highly recommended him to saxophonist Paul Desmond. As a result, Desmond introduced him to a wider audience in his recording, “Pure Desmond”. Personally, ever since I was fortunate to hear this recording back in the mid 70’s, I have made it my mission to get my hands on everything I can find with Bickert on it!

In the video I play and analyze various chord melody snippets I have transcribed from my favorite Ed Bickert solos. Believe me, it’s an info filled jazz harmony lesson! And to show you how you can apply the info over a known standard, I share with you an etude I wrote using several of the snippets over the changes to Autumn Leaves!

PDF & AUDIO DOWNLOAD:

The “Ed Bickert Chord Melody Snippets” lesson files, can be downloaded for $10.00. The download includes the following files:  PDFs with both regular notation and detailed TAB for 13 snippets and an etude using them over “Autumn Leaves”, MP3s and Band in a Box files of everything, and also Midi files if you rather practice using  “Guitar Pro” or the free downloadable notation app: “Muse Score”.

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Suggested:

Ed Bickert’s Solo on Manha de Carnaval

Lego Chord Melody_Melodic Minor

Self Accompaniment using Major II-V-Is