How to play Count Basie piano ending?
just wondering the proper version of how to play the count basie piano ending. it's heard at the end of a lot of big band pieces, you know the chromatic piano part where everyone comes out and the piano plays high up. please can someone spell it out or notate it for me. i've figured out a basic version but it doesn't sound right!
thanks
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the count basie ending i normally use has the right hand playing a c octave with an f in the middle, while the left hand plays a c and an a (a sixth) with the d added. i leave the "outside" notes the same and move the d to d# and the f to f#, then i move the d# to e and the f# to g for the last hit.
play this version up so that your left hand little finger is playing the c that is one octave above middle c.
hope this helps! i stole this version from monty alexander, probably from the satin doll tune on the live in montreaux disc.
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by Scot Ranney on 09/26/2011, 09:14
fc - f#c - gc (both notes played together, high up the keyboard)
or:
fc - ebc - ec (ie: encircling the 3rd of the c chord, e)
putting these together gives these chords, all played with c as the top note:
dm7 - ebdim7 - c/e
one thing i've come to realise about this ending is that it fits rhythmically with the 'take the a train' ending - so if you're playing with a guitarist one of you can do count basie, the other duke ellington- and it'll sound great!
you can download scales and fingerings for them all over the web, there might even be something on this site (i guess there should be a beginner's area, huh?). once you get your scale fingerings down (major and hopefully minor scales) fingering the exercises you're talking about will be much, much easier. almost automatic, in fact.
learning jazz consists of two things: knowing the science behind it (chords, fingerings, key signatures, what goes with what) and being able to use that science to make art or at least good jamming music.
so as you practice jamming and having fun and making music, be sure to put in 40% time learning those scales.
just had a thought- i bet there are your tube videos of how to play scales, check those out as well specially if you're a visual learner.
Scot is available for skype jazz piano lessons (and google hangouts, phone call, etc...)
Use the contact link at the top of the page.
by Scot Ranney on 10/10/2011, 10:58
"
for instance, take the two words "fuming" and "furious." make up your mind that you will say both words, but leave it unsettled which you will say first. now open your mouth and speak. if your thoughts incline ever so little towards "fuming," you will say "fuming-furious;" if they turn, by even a hair's breadth, towards "furious," you will say "furious-fuming;" but if you have the rarest of gifts, a perfectly balanced mind, you will say "frumious."
"
Scot is available for skype jazz piano lessons (and google hangouts, phone call, etc...)
Use the contact link at the top of the page.
by Scot Ranney on 09/29/2011, 18:41
thanks!
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