LearnJazzPiano.com archives: A focus on a stride players right hand

loveforJAZZ -- 02/06/2007, 14:01:25 -- #32913

I was transcribing a phrase of Fats Waller's music and I noticed that Fats Waller's chords in the right hand seem to be doubled up with an octave the same way you would voice block chords. This makes his chords in the right hand sound even richer. For example: For a C major chord in the right hand you would have the notes as followed: C (Tonic)  E   G   C(Octave)                           Or for a A minor chord in the right hand you would maybe voice it like this: A (Tonic)  C   E   A(Octave) Did I incorrectly transcribe this? Is is supposed to sound like this, this rich? Is this how Fats Waller and other stride and honkytonk pianists usually play their chords or do they play their chords in the right hand a different way?

jaledin -- 02/06/2007, 16:02:11 -- #32913

I can't say for certain about the exact piece of music you've transcribed -- of course -- but that's a pretty common sound and technique. I know for sure Fats Waller does this on many of his records, though.

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