Swinging in sixteenth notes
Sixteenth notes are often neglected by many when improvising over a swing beat. Observe how pianist David Newton demonstrates the use of sixteenth notes in his solo, at 3m33s of this video. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxFIot-2s3U] The basic rhythm for a swing beat is as shown in diagram 1 below Diagram 1 Thus an improvised melody maybe played…
Transcription of Chick Corea on Armando’s Rhumba
Transcription of Chick Corea’s solo piano playing of Jazz Salsa tune Armando’s Rhumba Chick Corea did a nice solo piano version of his own composition called Armando’s Rhumba on Legends of Jazz. Here is the youtube video : [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnSC0tRmya4&feature=related] Here’s the transcription of the video from roughly 0m44s to 1m33s : armandos-rhumba-by-chick-corea-part-1 A few points…
Mambo Influenciado (Take 1)
Jazz Piano Improvisation video and lead sheet of latin tune Mambo Influenciado Mambo Influenciado is a nice and catchy latin tune written by the great Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdes. I first came across this song when listening to the Klazz Brothers performing together with cuba percussions. Here’s the video of the Klazz Brothers doing…
Pianologist Live!!!
Just bought a new sony viewcam, here’s a trial run with me playing the popular standard “On Green Dolphin Street” with a salsa feel [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gp9FeVWZDE]
Live Piano Performance
Did a rough video recording of my live performance, check out this compilation video: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lt7alOafqY]
Learn Bossa Nova, with Piano Transcription
Learn Basic Bossa Nova Comping Styles, with Piano Transcription of 7notemode on The Dolphin 7notemode did a wonderful youtube clip on this bossa nova tune, The Dolphin. Here is the piano transcription of the head: piano transcription of the dolphin by 7notemode (PDF) The basic bossa nova pattern looks something like this Of course…
Cool Jazz Tricks #2
Learn Gospel Blues Piano Style of Ray Charles, with Video. Scott “The Piano Guy” Houston, together with guest pianist Milton Ruffin, did a nice analysis on the gospel piano style of Ray Charles. Milton explained how Ray Charles applied the 1 and 2 technique in his playing, a way of switching between the inversion of two…
Learn Stevie Wonder’s song Overjoyed
Transcription and Video of Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder, a very talented singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist, wrote this beautiful song titled “Overjoyed”. Here’s the video clip. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edxYCXaQLaw] And here’s the transcription of Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed in PDF format: Overjoyed-Stevie-Wonder-Transcription A simple song with some nice harmony and beautiful modulations. Do keep in mind…
A Story your Music Teacher didn’t tell you
“Only play what you hear. If you don’t hear anything, don’t play anything” ~ Chick Corea Chet Baker demonstrates this simple principle perfectly in his playing. Check out this video of his playing. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZAgXr3ba9s] Chet Baker possesses the ability to scat a similarly melodious solo with his voice. Another proof that he is really playing…