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September already. Who can believe it?

My piece this month is Con Alma, by bebop trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie. This song seems to bring out the best in every jazz improviser, and I have always wondered why. Now that I have played it, I'm guessing it is because the unusual chord progression supports two descending and one ascending guide tone lines. (Jazz players love to create melodies by embellishing guide tone lines, which are melodic lines formed by connecting chord tones of succeeding chords in a progression.) I don't know if this is unique, but I have never noticed it in other songs I have played.

I am playing the piano, working from a lead sheet. The drums and bass are on a backing track.

Ed


https://app.box.com/s/3djk2t65ltr8ameg01k0djs656tdb8ua

Until my new dp arrives, can't record or share. I am working on Mendelssohn songs without words, op 19 no.6, working on musicality; and bach invention 13 working on page 1 on figuring and with the metronome. ...metronome is my friend...uggggg...i can't sit still after I err on a measure...frustrating. .hehe.

Hey Ed . . .Look man, you get better and more fluid wi this stuff as time goes on loved the electric bass for a change, and I could well imagine a trumpet lead in this. I got one gone, but . . no vid editor yet. I keep getting thwarted each time I d/load one, and just bloody lose it . .I`ll stick it on S Cloud . . ha! Like now.

https://soundcloud.com/peterws7/song-2-sept-2016

Peter, video or no, that was terrific playing. Your rhythms are solid and compelling. Another excellent recording!

Ed

Thanks for sharing those tracks! You are both inspirational. I am also trying to learn how to play from a lead sheet, but it is a long road! Last month I learned the chorus of one of my favourite songs and would like to share:

https://m.soundcloud.com/richardv_piano_exercises/blues-my-naughty-sweetie-chorus

Richard, what a neat song, very catchy and appealing. Don't think I've heard it before. You're certainly doing well at playing from a lead sheet. You play with a good rhythmic feel, and I like the way you vary the accompaniment style.

Ed

Great sound and improvisation with the Con Alma. Like the progression of it and surprised I'd never heard it before. I'm interested in it now, for later. Nice playing, Ed.

Your sound always has a bright positive feel to it, Peter. Nice music to listen to, to feel positive about life. Real recently found out I may have found a job ... so was feeling great listening to this. Fine playing as always.

Really great piece, Utkonos. This reminds me of some jewish folk songs that we used to do in choir. I loved all of them. Great choice and fine job with the lead sheet. Look forward to seeing you here with more to come.

My entry this month is from a lead sheet too. There was no melody written in so that is from listening. I liked Ella's version of it and tried to stay fairly close to the her version of melody. I wanted to work on my stride and this was a nice slow piece for it, called You've Changed. It is a 1942 standard by Carl Fischer. Bill Carey did the lyrics for it (cute lyrics) and it is a bit of a cry song.

Jeff, cool stride! I like the way you add grace notes before the low notes, and also the way you play two-note shells instead of single low notes. Also, there is a lot of variety in your left hand playing, not just repetitive patterns. Takes a lot of concentration, but it sounds great!

Ed

Thanks, Ed. For me the concentration mostly gets replaced with practice. So I can only do a tune like this on a one off basis. My Dad could play any tune at any time like this, but I am still far away from that. I blew the Ebm coming out of the bridge in the LH, although it was practiced correctly. It was ever so slight of a mind slip and ... missed it. I'm trying to keep a trickle of these tune types on the go now, but not sure I'll be trying improvisation just yet, though I'd like to give it a serious try at some point.

It was great! I can't imagine how it is possible to work all that out by ear and make it sound so cool. The Latin rhythm one from last month was really amazing too.

Just a little bit of improv to help me with arpeggios and hand independence


[video:youtube]cumZJ-jwXn8[/video]

https://youtu.be/cumZJ-jwXn8

Is this just a topic where people can post recordings? An alternatrive for the 3-monthly recitals, or has these piano bar topics other meanings?

You just post recordings you've made during the month. Bit of fun and banter.

Piano bar has a lighter feel than the quarterly recitals. Like, a live feel although a lot o` work will have gone into what`s played. . .you might like to try out ideas here for future posting in the quarterlies or themed recitals.

Or you might just like to listen and comment. With a drink, AND a smoke!

Now, you can`t do that in a REAL piano bar these days . . . Gone is the fog! So sad . . .

Well here I go for the september edition... Hope you enjoy it

https://soundcloud.com/jdg072/entertainer

There you go, johan d, nice job and lots of fun!

Utkonas

Nicely done. Chugged along like a good`un; had an almost Greek folk feel to it. Are you from that sunny place?

Greener

Good dance stuff from that era, I played a lot of it. Only to find out the oldies (then) wanted the modern songs . . . .Enjoyed the stride piano style, and the instrument sounded super!

Larry Shone

You had fun wi that. Why not try extending the arpeggios for a bit . . . more fun? You doin` fine, buddy. Playing around often produces surprises!

Joplin`s always a good choice. You`ve got your fingers round this fine. Sounds good to go!