Guitar Logic

48 Bonus - July 2024 - Stella by Starlight

I'm excited to present this month's bonus material: a beautiful arrangement of the jazz standard "Stella by Starlight" for fingerstyle guitar. This arrangement is straightforward, featuring mainly eighth notes and triplets in some sections to create rhythmic interest. It includes arpeggiated chords throughout, with the melody of this enchanting ballad outlined within.

Groove Is in the Heart

"Groove Is in the Heart" is a vibrant dance track by Deee-Lite, released in 1990. The song blends elements of funk, disco, and house music, creating a memorable groove that remains a favorite on dance floors. Featuring a catchy bassline by Bootsy Collins, the track stands out for its eclectic and funky appeal. With playful lyrics by Lady Miss Kier, a colorful music video, and a distinctive sound, "Groove Is in the Heart" reflects the joyful spirit of the early '90s dance music scene and bring...

47 Bonus - June 2024 - minor ii V scale

Improvising over minor ii V progressions can be challenging, but I've put together a PDF that simplifies this process. Inside, you'll find a clear explanation and an effective trick to streamline your improvisation using a single 5-note scale for both Dm7♭5 and G7alt chords. This approach makes it easier to navigate these changes and resolve smoothly into the I minor chord. I've included five different fingerings for the scale to help you find it across the entire guitar neck.

You Can Call Me Al

"You Can Call Me Al," a song by Paul Simon from his 1986 album "Graceland," blends upbeat pop with world music influences, particularly South African rhythms and instrumentation. The song gained popularity not only for its musicality but also for its quirky music video featuring Simon and comedian Chevy Chase, which contributed to its enduring appeal.

I made this cover as a transcription of the original, but arranged for fingerstyle guitar. The arrangement is designed to be played in th...

46 Bonus - May 2024 - Minor Swing

For those who enjoy Django-style guitar, here is a nice little transcription of his famous "Minor Swing"!

"Minor Swing," composed by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in 1937, is one of the most iconic pieces in the Gypsy jazz repertoire. Known for its infectious rhythm and virtuosic improvisation, the song showcases Reinhardt's pioneering guitar work, blending traditional Gypsy music with jazz influences.

This transcription features an 8-bar theme, repeated twice with diff...

45 Bonus - April 2024 - Smokestack Lightning Variations

For April's monthly bonus tabs, we've got another blues piece to delve into. This set comprises 8 variations on the iconic "Smokestack Lightning" by Howlin' Wolf, intended for fingerstyle play.

Within these 8 variations, the aim is to demonstrate the creative avenues available when working with any melody. Diversifying your approach can infuse freshness and intrigue into your performance, steering away from monotonous repetition.

Regarding technique, I recommend employing regular ...

Freddy King - Sad Night Owl

This is my rendition of the exquisite blues classic, 'Sad Night Owl' by the legendary Freddie King. For this cover, I used my old guitar again, aiming to capture the essence of this beautiful G major 12-bar blues with an archtop jazz feel. In this arrangement, I've embellished the melody by incorporating additional bass lines inspired by the original composition. When transcribing the solo, I opted for slides instead of bends to better suit the character of the guitar. A suggestion for those ...

Arrivederci Roma

"Arrivederci Roma," composed by Renato Rascel in 1955, encapsulates the sentiment of farewell to Rome in its lyrics and melody. The song reflects the timeless appeal of the eternal city, expressing emotions of nostalgia and longing for its beauty. Rascel's composition has endured as a classic Italian anthem, resonating with listeners worldwide. Over the years, numerous prominent artists have covered the song, including Dean Martin, Mario Lanza, Nat King Cole, Connie Francis, and Andrea Bocell...

44 Bonus - March 2024 - Fingerstyle Booster 12

This Fingerstyle Booster is something I've been practicing a lot lately, focusing on the apoyando technique. It is an excerpt from the flamenco composition "Alegrías en Sol" by Manolo de Huelva, and it can serve as great material to improve your picado technique.

The exercise contains two parts, first in the key of G minor and then in the key of G major. As you already know, your apoyando/picado technique should always be executed strictly alternating index and middle fingers on your r...

C'est si bon

"C'est si bon," a catchy tune that translates to "It's So Good," first charmed audiences in 1947. Composed by Henri Betti with lyrics by André Hornez, the French song gained international fame with English adaptations and recordings by artists like Eartha Kitt and Yves Montand. Its cheerful melody and simple message of enjoyment have made it a mainstay in jazz repertoires, a playful standard ripe for improvisation and a reminder to savor life's sweet spots.

This fingerstyle arrangement...

43 Bonus - February 2024 - Put Your Head on My Shoulder

This month's bonus tabs feature the fingerstyle arrangement of Paul Anka's song "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."

"Put Your Head on My Shoulder" is a classic pop song written and performed by the Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka. The song was released in 1959 as a single from Anka's second studio album, also titled "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." The track became one of Anka's most successful and enduring hits.

All The Things You Are - Bach Style

Here is a nice blend of jazz and classical music. In this arrangement, I incorporated melodic shapes from J.S. Bach's Cello Suite and integrated them into the harmonic structure of jazz standard "All the Things You Are." I made a deliberate effort to include the thirds of each chord in the line, as the melody of "All the Things You Are" itself is composed of thirds from each chord.

While I have previously shared a version of this arrangement on my Patreon site, I have made several enhan...

You Gotta Move - Delta Blues

"You Gotta Move" is a classic blues song that has been covered by various artists over the years. Originally recorded by Mississippi Fred McDowell in 1965, the song captures the essence of traditional Delta blues with its raw, soulful vocals and slide guitar accompaniment. Over the years, artists like The Rolling Stones have also recorded their interpretations, further cementing the song's significance in the blues genre. 

This cover features a fingerstyle rendition with a capo on ...

42 Bonus - January 2024 - Bobby McFerrin - Drive

Here is a groovy riff from Bobby McFerrin's composition, "Drive." This versatile riff can be played with both fingerstyle and flat pick techniques. Set in drop D tuning, the riff consists of two distinctive parts. Playing it is not only satisfying but also serves as excellent practice for honing that funky feel in your right hand.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" is a jazz standard composed by Joe Zawinul, originally performed by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet in 1966. Known for its infectious blend of jazz, soul, and R&B, the track has a catchy melody, contributing to its status as a timeless jazz classic.

This guitar arrangement, comprised of four repeating parts, is designed for simplicity and ease of play. Originally in the key of Bb major, I've placed a capo on the first fret to make it more accessible, now render...

41 Bonus - December 2023 - Fever

I am pleased to share with you a New Year's bonus: an easy-level transcription and arrangement of the jazz classic 'Fever,' based on Peggy Lee's iconic rendition.

"Fever" is a classic jazz and pop song that has been covered by numerous artists since its original release. The song was written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell and was first recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. Little Willie John's version was a bluesy and soulful rendition that became a hit on the R&B charts.

Pick Up the Pieces

"Pick Up the Pieces" is a standout instrumental funk track by the Scottish band Average White Band (AWB). Released in 1974 as part of their second album, the song quickly soared to the top of the charts in the United States. With its infectious saxophone riff, tight rhythm section, and dynamic brass arrangements, "Pick Up the Pieces" solidified AWB's presence in the funk and R&B scenes of the 1970s.

I initially planned to arrange it in the flat pick style with an electric guitar, bu...

40 Bonus - November 2023 - Fingerstyle Booster 11

This is a slightly challenging fingerstyle exercise because, in addition to an arpeggiated pattern for the right hand, it involves several pull-offs and hammer-ons for the left hand. All of these elements need to be nicely synchronized.

I recommend keeping your little finger (pinky finger) on the string right after the initial hammer-on from the index to the pinky. This can be a little tricky because it might feel like you need more strength, but just keep it on the string while you pla...

One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer

"One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" is a classic blues composition that has been interpreted by numerous artists throughout the years. The guitar arrangement presented here draws inspiration from the rendition by Amos Milburn, a distinguished rhythm and blues singer and pianist who originally recorded the track in 1953. The lyrics narrate a tale of a man facing adversity who seeks solace in alcohol to cope with his troubles. Infused with a bluesy and upbeat ambiance, the song has seen diverse...

Just a Gigolo

"Just a Gigolo" is a popular jazz standard that was first composed by Leonello Casucci in 1929, with lyrics written by Julius Brammer. However, it was the vivacious rendition by Louis Prima in 1956 that truly propelled the song to enduring fame. Prima's dynamic and charismatic performance, characterized by his signature energetic vocals and vibrant trumpet solos, injected a sense of playful exuberance into the song. This guitar arrangement is based on his version and is essentially a transcri...

39 Bonus - October 2023 - Watermelon Man

For this month's bonus material, I am happy to present a fingerstyle arrangement of Herbie Hancock's fantastic tune 'Watermelon Man.' The original song is in the key of F major, but this arrangement is in E7 to facilitate better hand positions. You can effortlessly play it in F by placing a capo on the first fret. The tune exudes a strong blues vibe, although the form deviates from the standard 12-bar blues, following a regular 16-bar structure.

I hope you enjoy playing it!

The Petite Waltz

Arranged for jazz guitar, this rendition of Joe Hayne's Petite Waltz draws from the Pierre Felere and His Orchestra version. With its roots in French musette, this adaptation serves as an exercise for mastering guitar triads, blending seamlessly with an old Hofner guitar and a lo-fi backing track.

La Bohème

"La Bohème" is a French chanson by the legendary singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, released in 1965 as part of his enduring repertoire. This iconic song serves as a nostalgic ode to the bohemian lifestyle in post-war Paris. Through its emotive lyrics and Aznavour's distinctive delivery, it transports listeners to the vibrant cafés, struggling artists, and the fleeting romance of that era.

In this fingerstyle cover, I use a capo on the second fret and arrange the song with a verse-ch...

38 Bonus - September 2023 - Legato Study

Here is another set of exercises focused on pull-offs, hammer-ons, and good timing. I strongly recommend using a metronome for these exercises. Start at a very slow tempo initially, and as your timing improves, gradually increase the speed.

Each exercise consists of a legato section in triplets, utilizing the F Phrygian mode, followed by a brief E major chord response. In each subsequent exercise, the legato section remains the same but is extended by an additional triplet. This approac...

At Last - Etta James

"At Last" is a song by the American blues and soul singer Etta James, released in 1960 as part of her debut album titled "At Last!". The song was originally composed by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film "Sun Valley Serenade" in 1941. Etta James' rendition is widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs of all time and has been covered by numerous artists.

I created this arrangement for the electric guitar. It was much easier to capture the beauty of Etta James' phra...

37 Bonus - August 2023 - Straight, No Chaser

This is a jazz guitar theme adaptation of the brilliant song 'Straight, No Chaser' by Thelonious Monk. This composition is a renowned jazz standard, essential for musicians to familiarize themselves with.

The piece is played in F major within a 12-bar blues progression. This adaptation is specifically designed to identify the most playable positions on the guitar fretboard. In the attached PDF, you will find markings for picking. Above these markings are numbers that indicate left-hand ...

San Antonio Rose

"San Antonio Rose" is a classic Western swing song written by Bob Wills, the iconic bandleader, and musician, with lyrics by his band member, Tommy Duncan. The song was first recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys in 1938. "San Antonio Rose" is known for its catchy melody, lively rhythm, and distinctive blend of country, jazz, and swing elements. The song became one of the signature tunes of the Western swing genre and is often regarded as one of the greatest country music songs of all ...

In a Sentimental Mood

"In a Sentimental Mood" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington. The song was first recorded in 1935 by Ellington and His Orchestra. However, one of the most influential renditions of the piece was by John Coltrane, found on the album "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane". The track beautifully blends Coltrane's distinctive playing style with the classic elegance of Ellington's composition, resulting in a sublime and timeless piece of jazz history.

This fingerstyle cover is directl...

36 Bonus - July 2023 - Waters of March - CHORDS

Once again, we will take a look at the composition 'Waters of March' by Antonio Carlos Jobim. For the previous cover, we had a combination of melody and chords. This time, I present to you the transcription of only the chords from his version with Elis Regina.

The composition is very complex in terms of specific structure, so I have divided the entire song into parts, and each part fits on one page of the PDF file.

As in the chord-melody cover I worked on, we will also use a capo ...

Waters of March

"Waters of March" is a renowned Brazilian bossa nova song composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It is characterized by its rhythmic intricacy and poetic lyrics that depict the cyclical nature of life. With its jazz-inspired harmonies and elegant improvisations, the song showcases Jobim's musical genius and enduring legacy in the realms of bossa nova and jazz fusion.

For this arrangement/transcription, a capo was applied to the 1st fret to facilitate the playing of complex chords. The goal w...