Freddie Green comping on resonator guitars

[pearsall]

Hi everyone,

I've been starting to dabble in Freddie Green style comping. Does anyone have experience playing this style on a resonator guitar? Although they're not the typical instrument in big bands they're certainly 'period appropriate'. I wonder which cone system/body material would work best? 

I don't have an archtop to work with so I'm keen to hear from any jazzers!

[Brad Bechtel]

I've never heard anyone doing this style of comping on a resonator guitar.

Here are some tips for this style, regardless of what guitar you use.

freddiegreen.org/technique/berens.html

[bod]

The fourth of the videos in this old thread by Blues Willis Music might be relevant: Link to ‘CAGED in Open D thread’

[kristo]

I did this for a bit when playing in a street jazz band (based on Tuba Skinny from New Orleans). I used a 14 fret wood body single cone. I think a metal body would have been slightly louder, but I liked the lightness of the wood.

[vastopol]

I can't find anymore these videos of Mister Jonathan Stout making sparkles flying all along the neck of his tricone.

He's very prolific, and runs an intersting blog too.

I'm pretty sure that he did something in Freddie Green style.

[twang1]

Hi there,
I've been using a reso guitar in a swing setting for a long time. I play in a trio (reso guitar-double bass-trumpet) using a wooden reso and it sounds wonderful, and I use those
Freddie Green chords most of the time. I tried using an acoustic but the sound kind of disappeared. A reso guitar sound is what I think is perfect for that style, with good volume and dynamic. And since I play without drums I have to support the other two guys like I had been using a drumming-rhythm style.
I hardly take a solo but when I do it I like to use double stops with embellishments in a very rhythmic style. Single notes are not enough...
Frank

[bpmajors]

Jul 1, 2022 12:26:35 GMT Brad Bechtel said:

I've never heard anyone doing this style of comping on a resonator guitar.

Here are some tips for this style, regardless of what guitar you use.

freddiegreen.org/technique/berens.html

[bpmajors]

Thank you for posting the Freddie Green basics. I also play Gypsy Jazz and am always interested in various approaches to swing rhythm.

Brad

[pearsall]

Thanks for all of the advice, it's been good to hear other people's experiences. As much as we love resos for slide it's great to see them played in other styles as well.