JULY 2010 NEWSLETTER

Summer Greetings,
For me, the bittersweet month of July possesses memories of Ted that engender my most profound happiness (our fortuitous first meeting on the 9th, which we commemorated with a celebration), and my most profound sadness  - the loss of Ted on the 23rd.
Now five yeas will have come to pass since that ill-fated day. I felt it an appropriate time to offer a special remembrance:

TED GREENE
September 26, 1946 – July 23, 2005

“A modest credo of mine is: Music is about how it makes us feel, while we’re in it and later when we’re remembering it.  And more important for some, music is about the effects of this, on us, on our lives… and those of others.  There are a million and one things to think about here, if one is so inclined.”    Ted Greene

IN MEMORY OF HIS LOVE, HIS MUSIC,
HIS PASSION, HIS HUMANITY.

My dearest Ted
Always in my heart, my love forever.
Barbara

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In mid-June we chose to share something incredible with everyone:
A Ted Greene “Special Recording Session” circa 1977.  For those of you who have not discovered this phenomenal collection, the information can be found on the Home page. 

CHECK OUT the "Special Recording Session" video on Youtube

New video: Alas, we have exhausted our reserve of lesson videos graciously submitted by Steve Herberman, Brian Totten and Nick Stasinos.  However, Dan Sindel will begin posting Ted’s Music Seminar videos.  This will be done in several segments over the course of the next few months.

This July I chose a very poignant song, Time After Time, written by Sammy Cahn and Jules Styne in 1947.  Frank Sinatra introduced it in the 1947 movie It Happened in Brooklyn.   Ted played this sentimental favorite so tenderly it brought tears of rapture to both of us.

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New Material for July:

Jazz/Blues Section:
The ever-popular Jazz Turnarounds - pgs. 4, 5 & 6

Chords:
1. Minor Chords and Astronomy (Ted’s clever presentation of minor chord construction and relationships)
2. Using 3 Note Triads and 7th Chords in Short Phrases
3. Triad Exercises in Minor – Broken Chords

Tunes:
Chord Melody – Time After Time

From the Students:
Time After Time compilation by Paul Vachon
Sleepwalk compilation by Paul Vachon


At this most significant point in time, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone for their efforts in helping to perpetuate Ted Greene’s legacy.  May it extend forever beyond the reaches of time sending forth a beacon of musical light and beauty as a gentle guide for all those who wish to find this path. 

Wishing you inspiration and joy,
Barbara Franklin

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My Life with The Chord Chemist
A Memoir of Ted Greene, Apotheosis of Solo Guitar
By Barbara Franklin

BUY NOW - Available at amazon.com
All proceeds from the book go to TedGreene.com
$25.00 U.S. FREE SHIPPING

Publication Date: Nov 24 2009
Page Count: 276
Trim Size: 8" x 10"

ABOUT THE BOOK
A retrospective of Ted Greene, virtuoso solo guitarist, beloved music teacher, world-renowned author and innovator of unique music concepts for guitar. This book also includes an overview of Ted Greene's early life and musical development, plus an insightful narrative of the 13 years prior to his death

Six agonizing months after losing my beloved Ted, I slowly emerged from a state of profound disbelief, almost coma-like.  At that time I didn’t know what to do with the remnants of my life; then a path began to unfold before me. This website was started and became a saving grace.

During the ensuing years, I organized and categorized Ted’s material and personal studies. Upon completion of that massive undertaking, once again, I didn’t know what to do, so I began writing.

I wrote pages, and then threw them away, until once again a path began to unfold.  What I wrote is mostly a personal memoir.  I suppose it was what I had to write first.

From the preface:
“The decision to reveal parts of our personal life was something I deliberated over for a long time. Because our lives became so inextricably bound, I included what I felt necessary, but not without a considerable amount of apprehension. This book illustrates the many parallels between Ted the musician and Ted the person.  I felt it was important to convey how Ted was driven compulsively not just to pursue music, but so many other things he loved.”

With this in mind, here is our story.  It IS very personal and I still have apprehensions about publishing it.  My hope is that it brings you closer to Ted, as you begin to get to know and understand this unique and extraordinary man and musician.

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