| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Fingering Question | |
| ziggysane -- 05/20/2007, 17:45:52 -- #35167 | |
| Hey guys. I'm working on some of my fingerings. The question I have pertains to sliding on the black keys when playing jazz. For example, when playing classical (which I don't do often mind you) I wouldn't dream of doing a slide unless it was called for because it's not idiomatic. Conversely, I wouldn't hesitate to do so when playing blues or bluesy things. But when playing Parker-esque lines, or literally playing something out of the Omnibook, would you recommend using black-key slides to articulate the half steps (in time of course) or do you think it's better to individually articulate each note with a separate finger? | |
| tangman06 -- 05/20/2007, 18:38:10 -- #35167 | |
| i think it's better to play each note with a separate finger. that way, you can control the duration and volume of each note, whereas when you slide into a note you can't control these as well. | |
| hepcatmonk -- 05/21/2007, 00:26:43 -- #35167 | |
| sometimes slides from a black key are the best ways to handle an awkward passage. Please note however -- you have to practice this a lot, as controlling the volume and control of the notes is quite difficult. Actually, it's called for in some situations in classical music; i forget where, but in one of the chopin etudes there's a situation where this is called for. Also in some of the nocturnes in the cortot edition. When it's done, it needs to be CONTROLLED, and I usually try to look for other, less awkward solutions. I usually like to individually articulate each note unless it's SO fast I can't. There's a certain part of Bud Powell's solo on Cherokee that I can only do with that technique, and it sounds like that's what he also employed. | |
| Scot -- 05/21/2007, 11:27:53 -- #35167 | |
| Use slides when you need to, but make sure they sound like notes- don't let the slide get in the way of time unless you want the effect. | |
| 7 -- 05/21/2007, 13:08:20 -- #35167 | |
| Saxophone fingering and technique (especially in Bird's case) calls for a number of gestures that are virtually the same as single crushes (half-step up or down grace notes), double crushes (a half-step + a half-step "roll"), and what could be termed "multiple crushes" (any number of quick half-step glisses up or down into the target note). The only natural way to approximate these fleeting gestures is by use of "slides". | |
| DrJazz -- 06/05/2007, 15:35:49 -- #35167 | |
| Yes, I agree with 7 - also you have to remember that The Omnibook is a transcription from Eb alto sax, so if you're reading from the 'Concert' edition you're not even in the same key as Parker was, as the sax is a transposing instrument. Many of the fast runs in his solos are practically unplayable on piano. At least when reading Bud Powell transcriptions you know it's possible! Tim | |
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