| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: McCoy Tyner rareley uses his thumbs ??? | |
| Jazz+ -- 04/21/2007, 21:20:29 -- #34645 | |
| From the Piano Forum: http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/2/14748.html#000008 Originally posted by rintincop: [QB]"I see a lot of amateurs letting their right thumb pull back towards them when it's not in play so that it's not even over the white keys. Is this always a bad habit? " Originaly posted by Disciple: "It's impractical, and a waste of motion and cause of tension IF you're not playing solely in the key of C without accidentals. If you watch McCoy Tyner's right hand, he's playing far enough back on the keys, right at the edge of the white keys, that his thumb is usually positioned well before the white keys. He usually uses just the 2-3-4-5 fingers in the right hand and I guess for him it makes sense because almost all of his right hand runs are comprised of pentatonic patterned runs in the keys of F, C, G, interspersed with occassional momentary modulations to the pentatonic mode incorporating the notes Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb. He doesn't appear to use the thumb here either, only utilizing the thumb very sparingly, his hand position changing very little in the right hand, which greatly limits the diversity of his solos. I often wondered if he had a physical abnormality or injury that dictates very little thumb use becuase for all his quartal voicings in the left hand, he does use the left thumb." | |
| 7 -- 04/21/2007, 22:14:42 -- #34645 | |
| This clip of Mr Tyner playing "Giant Steps" reveals that while there are a couple of chord voicings that he prefers not use the thumb on, they are the exception rather than the rule. I would estimate statistically that the RH thumb is getting more than its equal use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PukuQPUKfyU&mode=related&search= | |
| sdm -- 04/22/2007, 11:13:24 -- #34645 | |
| Pretty clear on this he uses his thumb as much as most people. Sheesh! | |
| andrewjazz -- 04/23/2007, 01:46:22 -- #34645 | |
| Jazz+, How does McCoy play ligthening fast runs in his right hand if he doesn't use his thumb. If only we all could some of his " patterned runs". Listen to McCoy carefully and watch a few videos of him and you'll see what was written is absolute rubbish. | |
| charlp88 -- 04/23/2007, 06:18:15 -- #34645 | |
| I am not happy with McCoys` sound recently when I first heard him many years ago his sound and improvisation was much more melodically interesting. comments please thanks Charlie | |
| charlp88 -- 04/23/2007, 06:20:59 -- #34645 | |
| sorry it should read Iam not happy with Mccoys sound. whenI first etc ; Charlie | |
| CynBad -- 04/23/2007, 15:05:20 -- #34645 | |
| You are not happy with McCoy's sound? LOL You sound like you're his teacher or something. Give the guy a break. He's close to 70 years old and we are lucky he is still with us. In recent years, he has appeared more thin and frail than he did in his youth. "JAZZ McCoy Tyner plays the Gusman tonight By MICHAEL HAMMERSLY Winner of four Grammy Awards, jazz pianist McCoy Tyner comes to Miami tonight for a concert at the Gusman Center, an event presented by Miami Dade College's Cultura del Lobo Performance Series. Born in Philadelphia, Tyner, 68, began playing piano at age 13. He has logged time with many jazz greats, including five years as a member of the legendary John Coltrane Quartet. Along with saxophonist Coltrane, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones, Tyner toured extensively and appeared on such classic albums as A Love Supreme and Live at the Village Vanguard. Tyner's percussive yet lyrical style is tinged with a strong blues flavor. Featured on nearly 80 albums, he has exerted a strong influence on younger jazz musicians over the decades. For tonight's concert, Tyner will be joined by bassist Gerald Cannon and Eric Kamau Gravatt on percussion. Concert time is 8 at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 Flagler St., Miami. Tickets are available at the door for $27-$52, $18 for students and seniors. -- LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON" | |
| charlp88 -- 04/24/2007, 06:14:55 -- #34645 | |
| Dear CYN, His age has nothing to do with it .I know he is a Master ,World class, musician .I`m just voicing my opinion .I listened to him many years ago and loved his music,it now seems he plays a lot of notes. Are you his agent? Talk about lyrical? BILL is KING. ps Oscar is 80 | |
| CynBad -- 04/24/2007, 09:27:47 -- #34645 | |
| To tell you the truth, I haven't heard him play live for a couple of years. I know he has changed trios several times over the past 5 years. He still sounded good about 3 years ago. It could be that his health is failing and it's affecting his playing. You never know. And I didn't say anything about "lyrical"... but Bill Evans, Bill Charlap, Lynne Arriale -- these are some lyrical players for sure. I wouldn't call Tyner "lyrical". I wouldn't call Peterson "lyrical". OP has gone downhill in his old age too, hasn't he? | |
| sdm -- 04/24/2007, 12:40:09 -- #34645 | |
| He was here in Portland for the February jazz festival a year ago. Sounded good to me but what do I know. It was a great show. Saw OP about the same time (6 months earlier?). They had to roll him to the piano and maybe his left hand was lacking (again, what do I know -- I didn't hear that) but it was still great. He's got to fail at some point I suppose but don't write either of these guys off just yet. | |
| charlp88 -- 04/25/2007, 03:56:46 -- #34645 | |
| Not Writing them off by a longshot. the thing about this music is--- It is as valid today as it was 30 or 40 or 50 years ago. when I listen to this music I am awed at some of the record dates. Jazz is the GREATEST Music good listening Charlie | |
| Whacky -- 04/25/2007, 07:35:55 -- #34645 | |
| It's obvious that all the great legendary jazz pianists, actually suck - and who better to make that point than we goofballs :) | |
| sdm -- 04/25/2007, 08:02:35 -- #34645 | |
| Thanks Doc. I can always count on you to set things straight. (Sorry, refuse to use those little symbols for grinning stupidly). | |
| Whacky -- 04/25/2007, 10:23:37 -- #34645 | |
| heh heh :) | |
| Santeven -- 04/26/2007, 10:46:12 -- #34645 | |
| "Return of a Virtuoso: Following a debilitating stroke, the incomparable jazz pianist Oscar Peterson had to start over" http://www.smithsonianmag.com/issues/2005/january/peterson.php?page=1 | |
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