| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: playing songs in public | |
| ronald1 -- 10/17/2006, 04:35:03 -- #30510 | |
| I'm getting to the stage when I'm about to venture into the world of public playing, and am expanding my repetoire as quickly as possible. My problem is that the songs I play seem a little sparse in content (even though they're obviously some of the great songs) possibly because my right hand plays just the melody, and the effect is even more obvious when it is a piece with simple harmonic content (such as mr pc. which I learnt today). What do you guys do? Is it just a case of spreading the harmony evenly throughout both hands, or do you really need to inject a bit more rhythm to some tunes? Also, do you do anything differently when playing a tune with a simple chord structure? thanks very much, Ronald. | |
| SolArt -- 10/17/2006, 05:05:29 -- #30510 | |
| You should strive to play fuller, richer by learning to voice your chords better, and you really should for starters play more notes along with the right hand, such as filling in the other chord tones under the melody in the same hand for example. You don't need to use every chord tone however. It's a matter of taste. I recommend using a wide range on the keys as well, as it adds interest; don't just stay in one register all the time. This is one gripe I often am aware of when hearing others play. Good rhythm of course helps. Don't forget arpeggios, and not only ascending ones. A "short" chord (one hand) can be broken up by playing it quickly down, not only up. In fact this sounds better & more "loungey" to me. When you play in public don't be afraid to experiment, as long as you know your chords & scales well enough so that no obvious "klunkers" slip out too much. | |
| albetan -- 10/17/2006, 10:21:07 -- #30510 | |
| In order to get some ideas in performance, please go to: Search LJP: jazz lead sheets : files | |
| Jazz+ -- 10/17/2006, 13:43:34 -- #30510 | |
| "filling in the other chord tones under the melody in the same hand for example. You don't need to use every chord tone however. It's a matter of taste. " And you can do it just on beat one (and beat three if needed) when the chord changes. Once you lay down the chord tones under the melody on beat one you can hold them with the pedal and play single note melody the rest of the measure. On Mr PC , I would lay down a Perfect 5th interval in whole note rhythm low with the left hand. I would play the melody with single notes (in quarters without the double eighths) and then play triads with single note bass for the C- Bb C- kicks at the end of each prhrase. | |
| jace -- 10/17/2006, 14:44:26 -- #30510 | |
| maybe you can get some ideas from this guy. http://youtube.com/watch?v=aFKOZWrl6Ck | |
| pphilip -- 10/17/2006, 18:48:24 -- #30510 | |
| What was that ??? | |
| jace -- 10/18/2006, 11:38:30 -- #30510 | |
| what was what | |
| Scot -- 10/19/2006, 11:54:12 -- #30510 | |
| I watched the youtube video. Wow, I can't believe the comments I was reading about this guy's playing. I don't like to rip on people, but if people think that stuff is any good, it proves my theory of the dumbing down of music listeners everywhere. If a person wants to hear some great piano players doing their solo thing, listen to Kenny Barron, Walter Norris, Monty Alexander, Brad Mehldau, Oscar Peterson, Chic, Herbie, the list is almost endless. Don't waste your time listening to the kind of stuff that's on the youtube video, that stuff will only make you get worse. | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 14:06:19 -- #30510 | |
| That song that he was playing was a rap song that he transcribed, so I guess it didn't sound very good on the piano. jamie cullum did his own version of that song as well. http://youtube.com/watch?v=iJgBAQSH0uY | |
| CynBad -- 10/22/2006, 14:17:10 -- #30510 | |
| LOL I thought it was a joke at first. I want to know how I can get that mall gig. I would just sit there and doodle around and probably sound better than that... | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 14:33:38 -- #30510 | |
| Did you watch Jamie Cullum's Version of Frontin? | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 14:37:18 -- #30510 | |
| Do you guys think Jamie Cullum is good at improvising? | |
| pphilip -- 10/22/2006, 15:28:29 -- #30510 | |
| I watched the the Jamie Cullum thing. Not a bad singer... | |
| casparus -- 10/22/2006, 16:18:53 -- #30510 | |
| The sooner we all realize when one treads upon the familiar to her audience-- without many obvious gaffes-- the more bookings you'll be signed for. When this noodler once thought he would craftfully lead his listeners through an 8 minute abridged version of 'Rhapsody In Blue' to a room of blank faces, only to be followed by a rousing, near standing ovation after Celine's "The Love Theme From Titanic" ( or whatever it was called ) that old adage "It's all about them" was finally and solidly confimed as legit. | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 17:40:22 -- #30510 | |
| I don't understand why you need a piano player in a shopping mall. I bet when he's not playing, all the kids would go and start banging on the piano. | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 17:53:50 -- #30510 | |
| Jamie plays a crazy piano solo with this song. http://youtube.com/watch?v=BoB-vyg6znU&mode=related&search= | |
| jace -- 10/22/2006, 17:55:18 -- #30510 | |
| how does he stand on the keys and doesn't make it sound terrible? | |
| Scot -- 10/22/2006, 22:26:05 -- #30510 | |
| Yes, it's important to give the audience something familiar, no question about that, but one ncould give them that same tune and play it well rather than meander about. It's important to connect with the audience. I play a lot of tunes that are immediately recognizable... some of them are because I really like them, some because they've been requested a lot (including the Titanic song :) The challenge for a musician who wants to be pro, make a living at it, is play music that makes him/her feel fulfilled musically as an artist while at the same time giving the general public something they can relate to and enjoy. It's a tough balancing act, but one that is challenging and fun, at least for me. | |
| SolArt -- 10/23/2006, 10:59:10 -- #30510 | |
| "I don't understand why you need a piano player in a shopping mall. I bet when he's not playing, all the kids would go and start banging on the piano." It's much better than elevator music. Who cares, they often pay VERY well! About the kids you gotta' stop 'em. | |
| jmkarns -- 10/23/2006, 11:51:39 -- #30510 | |
| You can't go wrong if you honor the music, while at the same time know your audience. | |
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