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  • Writer's pictureSteve Gardner

Been Frank

Updated: Jul 24, 2020


Frank Zappa the great music innovator has inspired millions over the years with his idiosyncratic style and approach to music. .



Favoring the Gibson SG through much of Frank's career, he had a totally unique and wild almost chaotic but absolutely musical style to his guitar playing. One of the prolific scales he would improvise over was the Lydian Mode built upon the 4th degree of the major scale. This basically was similar to a major scale with a raised 4th which created an almost Indian or Arabic feel or perhaps a “spaced” quality to the major.


Steve Gardner's Gibson SG and essentials on rooftop.

My rooftop with essentials.



Regardless I do love the Lydian mode and here it is alongside some other scales and modes (but it stands out) In a piece I wrote called “Been Frank” my ode to Frank Zappa. Played on my rooftop with a small amp Gibson Sg and just an iPad mic the quality of the recording is of course so what compromised.




Frank Zappa with one of his Gibson SG.



Needless to say this performance I feel captures the heart and soul of what I intended and therefore am happy to post it up on as my very first video on my new YouTube music channel, hope you enjoy it.




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Mick Leonard
Mick Leonard
٠٩ أغسطس ٢٠٢٠

Another captivating piece written by my good friend and guitarist extraordinaire Steve Gardner....

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Mick Leonard
Mick Leonard
٢٩ يوليو ٢٠٢٠

Seen a few 'Hot Rats' with Steve back in the day on Peng Chau Island! I've known Steve 25 years now and he's not only a very good friend but an extraordinary guitarist, song writer and all round musician, not to mention teacher. Peace.............

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