On Green Dolphin Street (Jazz standard)

[Mike Neer]

First Jazz tune I ever learned auditioning for the high school Jazz band. Haven't played it since.

Playing my Clinesmith lap steel on this tuned to C6/A7, with a Jamey Aebersold backing track.

2 short choruses of improv as well as the head.

http://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/green-dolphin-street

[John Alexander]

Very nice. I like that your improvised lines don't always give me the impression of being anchored to the most characteristic aspects of steel guitar, like bar slides, or use of particular intervals dictated by the tuning, so it's possible to just hear the melodic content of the improvisation without constantly being reminded that it's steel guitar. You played steel in high school jazz band?

[Mike Neer]

Thanks for the kind words, John. That's the goal, to try and move beyond the usual characteristics of the instrument and just use it as a tool to make music. I love the steel, don't get me wrong, but I'm a musician first.

I played guitar for a year in the high school Jazz band. I didn't take up steel until I was in my late 30s (about 10-12 years ago).

[John Alexander]

Mike, I just now noticed and read your original post in the "Steel Without Pedals" section where you had already touched on the idea that is reflected in my comments above. It must have come through in your playing, as my comments were based just on hearing the recording a couple of times.

[Neil McCollum]

Excellent job, Mike! That's quite a lot for a lap steel. Now I'm off to try to duplicate it on my pedal steel.

-Neil

[Dean Rankin]

Like your playing!