Chromatic runs

emicad

Carter O`Brien wrote:

We had a very cool discussion on this solo and the chromatic run a little while back, at:

viewtopic.php?t=213

I've been working on this crazy run for literally 3 years & still don't have it up to Django's speed, but it's my favorite to use as a warm up when practicing and it's so satisfying when you get the last note right on the ascending part.

Hi Carter,
how do you pick this damn run? I think you had the time to develop your way to play it in 3 years...

Carter O`Brien

well, I hope after all this time I'm still doing it the way mandino showed, but let me see if I can dig up the tape, as I don't want to pass on anything wrong (I had loaned it out, can't remember if i got it back)!

mmaslan

The run in the Minor Swing solo is indeed a fully chromatic triplet run on the descent and a combination of chromatic and diminished on the ascent, as Michael wrote. Dennis's transcription is right on. I play the descending part in straight alternate picking and it sounds fine as long as I practice it regularly. I think it's too fast to use the triplet picking pattern, but somebody with a better right hand might be able to pull it off.

For the ascending glissando-like run on the high E, John Jorgensen wisely recommends that you build it up in four note segments, setting target notes first at G, then at B, etc. It's working for me.