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I have the opposite problem. I've spent so much of my time on solo piano that it comes much easier to me than combo. It's a different kind of playing though since it's mosty two handed voicings.

The difficulty for me in solo jazz playing is implying the rhythm at all times. I don't particularly like too much rubato playing so I don't do that. But if it's not a ballad, I can't always imply a good groove. Something I've got to improve on.

I tend to play it more like classical. More play on dynamics and such. Teacher's influence

I have a solo piano gig on Sunday. Formal event. Cocktail hour playing.

You're quite a resource here. Very nice! Thanks!

So actually that Cm7 was just a Fourths voicing now. Listening to Finale made be realize that he syncopated the melody. That wasn't that obvious to me just reading the score.

Lot's of work transcribing here...

Listening to it emphasized the fact the voicings themselves weren't too unusual.

Talking about solo piano, at one of our jams, the pianist played a very complex solo piano intro to Stella before going into combo. I noticed a lot of players do this so it's something I'd like to do too.

Scott, I didn't realize there was more music on your site. I just discovered that I had to scroll down

Listening to My Favorite things. This is solo piano and you have a good sense of time because the pulse didn't disappear for a millisecond. That was excellent.

You're right about the expectations of technique in Jazz. And maybe because Monk got away with purposely playing with his typical rough style that that has been an approach by many although I think it's also an excuse for some.

I think the newer Jazz pianists are collectively more like "pianists" than "piano players" now. Maybe it's because most had Classical training. I myself have only been playing piano for 6 years so there's still technique building needed. But I'm always sensitive to thinking about the technique aspect as a goal.

I understand completely what Chris is talking about because my teacher plays with a touch that fits that exact mode he describes. His LH is buttery and his RH always has an intentional tone that makes the melody or solo line sing. It's really a fantastic goal to work on. Sometimes as jazzers, we seek the fast playing stuff. But the nice tone on the solo is the other aspect that's equally satisfying.

Hey, why not post some solo stuff for us here? I don't recall any solo piano that you've done. Did I miss it?

And on another topic: Does anyone here play Beatrice? If so, has anyone seen the chart that has the Em A7 to Dmaj in it? I'm wondering because I've never played it with a Dmaj7 anywhere in the tune, but this guy I recently played with has this. I've listened to the original recording (Fuchsia Swing album) and I don't believe there is a Dmaj in there. I can't say that I don't like it, but was just wondering where this chord may have come from. Link to clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxMIiTW59Co

I've posted a lot of things playing solo but I wouldn't call it solo piano style. Most of what I posted was with an imagined rhythm section. Nef would be a nice challenge. It's hard for me to keep a groove going on that.

I don't know Beatrice, but for some reason I recollect Chris Bell playing that. But I may be confusing some other female names for tunes.

It would be great if somehow all tried to play some common tunes so we can share in the ideas. We can give a shot at Blue Monk too, now that Scott has that as a contribution to the fray. I don't want to give up on the Blues idea because that's actually hard for me.

Hey I don't mind the challenges but don't leave me to do it alone because then it's boring. If I'm going to screw up, it's best to do it alone

I'll start posting a recording soon. Maybe another stab at Stella tomorrow.

Very nice tune. Looks easy enough to learn.

I've seen that chart, but have never played it with a Dmaj7. It is there on that recording, though, in passing to Dm, at 0:38-0:39. You can hear the movement from F# to F-nat. The Dmaj7 lasts for only about 0.5sec.

You'd be surprised. Listen to the clip again. If you know the changes, you'll also hear that Jaki Byard doesn't know them too well. I imagine this might have been a case where the composer (Sam Rivers) maybe wanted to record this piece and put it in front of the players at the session? I really don't know, but to me it sounds like but Byard is just soloing over the changes Fmaj/Gb+4, Dmin/Ebmaj and Amin/Bbmaj in ways that don't lead to each other very well, but Sam has obviously blown over the changes a few times so makes things make real sense.

But yes, it seems like a pretty straight forward tune when you looks at it initially.

You're also right about Chris playing this (and quite well too). I believe he actually may have played the Dmaj chord that I'm talking about too, that's what made me think that there might be another version that Sam recorded that I haven't heard that has that chord in there.

Ya, but it's not used by the soloists at any time is it? I thought I heard a passing note in that sequence at :39 too, but on the second time in the head and on the head going out and the rest of the Sam's solos there is a Dsus or Dmin there, except for one time at 2:12 again.

I do like the Dmaj though it gives it a really different colour than what you'd expect to hear there.

Yes Jaki was outlining the chords. I was following the changes in my head and it has a Blue in Green quality to it. Are you challenging me scep?

I don't know this tune at all. But I think I can figure it out (if I can remember the melody ).

Huh? Do want company or don't you? Or are you suggesting that you will screw up if we don't play it with you? Or...?

In any case, I'm game for doing some tunes together. I'm still looking into BiG, Stella and I'd actually like to hear other people play Beatrice just because I've been wondering if anyone would come up with different voicings for solo piano than I would.


Also, JW, I do now remember your 'solo' recordings, but they don't count because as you said you were playing with an imagined rhythm section. So, I'd like to hear the stuff you'd do for your Sunday gig. Bring along your H4 and record yourself.

Of course I am.

Sunday gig? -- no, I'm not going to record that. Fortunately it's not exposed playing. But it's an awfully regulated Steinway. I'd probably have tendonitis after. And I'm lucky if they tuned it since last time.

OK so we have a lot of stuff to work on. Great.

Did you change the words on my post? I thought I wrote it "was best to do it as a group". That was weird...

The gauntlet is dropped...

That's pretty funny. No, I didn't change your post last time. I may have put the word 'cows' in this time though.

Hey Scep, it's these challenges that make me learn so I tend to go for the more difficult tunes and less on the 'How High the Moon' stuff. So if I like it, I will have a tendency to stick with it for awhile like I have with Nef and Giant Steps.

I've worked on something similar to this. The chromatic movements remind me of Along Came Betty (Benny Golson)

Thanks.


Oh no no no no!
Never a Dmaj7 there. (now suddenly not so sure, goes and listens to his own playing . . )
Oh. I did. Sorry.
So first time through I played a F# C (D7) going from E7 (instead of the Em7(b5) to A7 to D7 (something I picked up from KJ.
Second through the melody I play a . . . Dmaj7. Oh well, just shows you.

but for the record, I don't approve of that chord there, I feel it kills the tune and I promise I will never play a Dmaj7 there again.

Moving this forward (from the archives) so we can find it in a related area.

Beatrice - Chris Bell Trio
http://www.box.net/shared/b69rgvsjzi

That was so well done BTW Chris. I remembered you playing this because I made a mental note that this was a good tune to learn.

I just uploaded two videos of Stella I made this morning. (see below)
The first is just the head. I've been trying out some block chords and a rubato approach. Not sure if I like it though.

The second video is just improv. I've been trying to incorporate triad pairs in my lines. It holds together pretty well for about a minute and then I lose it. Oh well!

Beatrice is a nice tune. I used to play it with the Ron Baxter 4tet. I'll get into again and see what I can come up with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii3kFhKHsjs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAth95U0jCY