Hi Steve and Brett,

If you can give yourself a set of tools that works broadly, in a lot of situations, then you have less to figure out each time you work through a tune.

I've worked out a few be-bop heads over the years (Joy Spring, Confirmation, etc) and they're not easy, but they're easier if you give yourself some latitude here than there. Don't be rigid about fingering assignments. When you use three fingers, remember, any finger can easily play any note at any time, they're not "pre-assigned" to certain notes in a position.

Sometimes, you can choose to slide a half-step on one string rather than always feeling like you have to tap everything.

So when you have F# G G# A, for example, slide the 3rd finger into the A. If you have hand movement as an ongoing strategy, the timing of this will be way better than using the pinky.

As an alternative, try sliding the 1st finger for the F# and G.

Also, sometimes you have to reverse-engineer a few notes before a tricky lick to set up what happens next.

It might just be time for a skype lesson Steve

And to Steve A, cool suggestion about the chromatics on two sides of the instrument. In certain situations it would work really nicely.

Thanks Greg thats what I mean't to say.

Brett

Yes Greg I'm way overdue, and thankfuly I'm just getting back to work and when I procure a useable internet connection it will be one of the first things I do!