For this latest installment, I have tabbed the tune Billie’s Bounce by Charlie Parker for C6 lap steel guitar. This is a great place to start to get a feel for how you can lay a melody out for good bebop articulation. In this particular arrangement, I have stuck very close to the original melody, but the way it is laid out on the fretboard leaves open the possibilities of some nice triplet embellishments in the form of rakes, especially in measure 8.
Give it try and let me know how you like it. I’ve compiled a book called Bebop Lap Steel Guitar which arranges a number of bebop heads in this way, from easy to difficult.
Also, as an added bonus, I’ve attached the magnificent guitar solo by George Benson from his recording of Billie’s Bounce and his LP Blue Benson.
