Easy jazz tune for diminished tuning

[chromaddict]

This started out as a Django tune called, Swing Gitan.  I wrote a new melody and changed the name to Swing Giant, but then I couldn't resist changing it to Diminished Giant.  A lead sheet and recording are attached.  The track is split left & the harmonica is on the right. 

On a C# dimi, the first phrase starts with blow button on hole 5, then release the button and slide down to hole 3.

The 2nd phrase is all draw from hole 4, draw, draw button (repeat pattern on hole 3, 2, & 1).

The 3rd phrase is all on hole 1, blow button, draw, blow button, blow, blow button.

The 4th phrase is all draw, hole 2, 3, 4, 5.

Stay on hole 5 for the 5th phrase, blow, blow button, release button & slide down to hole 3 again.

Then blow button holes 4 & 5, then draw.

Then it's the 5th phrase again, only slide down one hole farther to hole 2.

The next phrase is all on hole 3, draw, draw button, draw, blow button, draw...draw button, draw, blow button, draw.

Then all on hole one again, similar to phrase 3.

Then the whole thing repeats, except the last 2 phrases are like phrases 4 & 5.

I hope someone has a C# dimi handy

[Bluesy]

VERY nice! Swingy and catchy. When you finished playing the melody I was waiting for either a harmonica or piano solo. Kudos, Chromaddict!

Tom/Bluesy

[Jimmy Halfnote]

 Yeah, yeah, i agree with Tom, now get working on a B section, impressed by your playing , was that an MK ?

                                                                                                                                               jh.

[chromaddict]

Thanks guys.  I meant it more as an instructional tune rather than a performance.  I was attempting to write something that would be accessible to new dimi players, assuming that there are a few lurking about.  It was played on the G48W.

[triggerfinger]

Chromaddict

Nice tune for new dimi players! I understood you intent.

What do you consider to be "accessible"?

[chromaddict]

Several of the phrases are all blow or all draw.  And some others are played all on the same hole.  I also tried to minimize any leaps, within the phrase and going from one phrase to the next.  The second phrase is a diminished scale, which I actually prefer to think of as 2 stacked diminished chords, an A dim & a Bb dim chord.  It works well over dominant 7th chords, and is very easy to play on dimi.  The scale is only a 2 note pattern.  You could do something similar with augmented tuning using a whole tone scale, over the same dominant 7th chord.  Interestingly, a whole tone scale is 2 stacked augmented chords, only a step apart.

[nicolas olmos]

excellent tune, how about if  it is included a short solo bass ?
sheers

[chromaddict]

Sure, a bass solo would work well.  I can also imagine the bass playing in unison or harmony with the melody line.

[Jason Rogers]

Hey man, that's a nice little tune and recording.  It brought a smile to my face as I heard the familiar sound of the dimi.   

[Bluesy]

Thanks guys.  I meant it more as an instructional tune rather than a performance.  I was attempting to write something that would be accessible to new dimi players, assuming that there are a few lurking about.  It was played on the G48W.

Chromaddict:
You had the G48W re-tuned to diminished tuning? That Suzuki has a great sound! Not a lot of overtones or nasal chaff in the sound. Just for info, who did the re-tuning for you?

Tom/bluesy

[chromaddict]

Pat Missin did the retune.