Frary's 1950s-inspired Betty Lou of '52 is up next. This solo espouses a higher level of difficulty than preceding solos, but the ambitious are welcome to challenge it.
Chevy 'Rod | The 1950s were a golden age for hotrods, diners and rock 'n roll.
Study Tips
Betty Lou of '52 is based on a repeating chord progression of Cmaj7, Am7, Fmaj7 and Gadd9. These chords are arpeggiated with the P-i-m-a 2X pattern in both the vamp (introduction) and codetta (outro).
Betty Lou of '52 | Written and performed by Peter Kun Frary
Common Time
In this piece, a capital C is used in place of the meter signature. C stands for common time and is simply another way of indicating 4/4 meter.
Vamp
Betty Lou of '52 begins with a two-measure vamp or introduction. The melody kicks in at measure 3.
To get the feel of this piece, practice the vamp until liquid smooth. As you work on the remainder of the piece, you'll recognize bits and pieces of the vamp in between the melodic passages.
Bring Out the Melody
The C, A, F and G bass line repeats continuously as a melody floats overhead. Bring out the melody—pluck it with a stronger stroke—but tread lightly on the arpeggios. The goal is to create a musical foreground and background. In other words, melody in the foreground with arpeggios softly murmuring in the background.
Bass Sustain
Sustain the bass notes against the moving melody, i.e., keep the fretting finger on the bass note. When bass notes are released too soon, the resulting music sounds choppy, and the foreground and background illusion evaporates.
Chevy Hood Ornament | Peter Kun Frary
Tempo
Betty Lou of '52 is written in ballad style and sounds best about 76-80 BPM, the slow andante range.
Who is Betty Lou?
Years ago, Betty Lou was my neighbor and I named this piece after her.
Betty Lou of '52 | Peter Kun Frary
Denny's | Americana of yesteryear | Peter Kun Frary
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Study Tips
Vamp 
Bring Out the Melody
Bass Sustain
Tempo
