Bob's Workshop #1 "Another Day at The Office"
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Bob Sabellico |
When I received the request to provide some original music for the Bigsby website, I had so many ideas I decided to speak to Fred Gretsch about what type of music he would like to feature. He gave the musicians dream answer and told me to give him a variety of all different styles. Yes!
I started with my earliest guitar memories and went to work immediately on a piece inspired by Chet Atkins and Les Paul, two musical icons whose contributions to the world of music and Bigsby are endless. I wanted to show my extreme gratitude to them for their lifetime of work and their kindness to me when we had the occasion to meet. The song, "Another Day At The Office," is a salute to Les and Chet, my guitar heroes.
To create my own version of the Bigsby sound employed by my idols, I began by listening to their old recordings. My head began to swim with ideas and when I was ready to write I chose a Bigsby powered Gretsch Hot Rod for the job. My hands flew over the strings and when the song began to take form, I felt a palpable connection with the past. I would play a phrase and then reach down for that effortless Bigsby twang just like the big boys. I've always used a light touch with quick phrasing and the feel of that vibrato was just right for this tune.
What's interesting about writing, "Another Day At The Office," is that although I have most recently been using a non trem guitar, I am now convinced that some pieces of equipment come with a history of their own and can help form and shape the music you make. The Bigsby vibrato was an essential tool in helping me recreate a time and style of music I was not used to playing. If you listen closely to the track you will hear it used on chords, melody lines, textures and solos.
Composing this tune coaxed me to reach into my bag of guitar licks for some ideas that have been on hold for years. When it came time for the guitar solo, I got to use my jazz chops along with the Bigsby to create some phrases that are totally fresh. I'm anxious to start using it on different genres of music to see what it will add to the mix.
I'm finishing up my new CD, "Child's Play," and am Bigsby inspired, so I'm definitely including the Bigsby in my next tune. Stay in touch for more music and new ways to introduce Bigsby to your own sound.
Bob Sabellico
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