Comments On Playing....
hi. i just did a session a week or so ago on a (very warm) bluthner grand piano, and thought you guys might want to hear or comment on my playing. i did have to tame it down a bit due to the acoustics and overly warm sound with a lack of bass punch but here goes.....
someday my prince will come:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/01%20someday%20my%20prince%20will%20come.mp3
someone to watch over me:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/02%20someone%20to%20watch%20over%20me.mp3
turn around:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/03%20turn%20around.mp3
thanks in advance,
steve
someday my prince will come:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/01%20someday%20my%20prince%20will%20come.mp3
someone to watch over me:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/02%20someone%20to%20watch%20over%20me.mp3
turn around:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/03%20turn%20around.mp3
thanks in advance,
steve
There are no comments, leave a comment.
very lyrical, i enjoyed it! i wish i had've been into jazz for longer that way i could give u a non classical opinion.. all with good time though!
good stuff!
good stuff!
for what its worth, which is really not much, this is my opinion :
someday my prince you play outside of the idiom. its sounds like it is trying to be classical version of the tune. it is much slower than is the norm these days and is not played with a jazz waltz feel which has also become the norm these days. most players these days pull tune out of the gig bab to say "ya i can play a jazz waltz too, and up tempo to boot, here it is.." but you pull it out of the bag and say to me,
"i like the tune and this is what i decided to do with it"
thats all fine and good, i am allways in favor of original treatments of tunes and breaking convention. but not really if its just because you have never taken a moment to check out how the masters have treated a tune in the past and embark out on your own just because you never took the time to check out any of the master approaches.
in the end i think a slow approach like you are doing could unquestionably work, but me then adding in those classical like left hand parts makes the tune sound more like "way way back when my prince came to the wrong party on the wrong day"
now if you had played it slow and like you played "someone to watchover me " you really might have had something. that is greatness how you treat that tune and a great example of solo jazz piano playing for any begining jazz piano playing forum member to strive towards. i not only like it in " i loved listening to it and would listen to it anytime happily" but it also covers many of the basics required for solid solo jazz piano players that so many beginers have a hard time getting to or achieving.
you do these on "someone to watchover me "
1.)you set up a pleasant left hand series of voicings to play with a simple rhythmic figure
2.) this allowed you to have great time all the way through and set up a nice grove that really can not be improved on. (the absolute highlite of your work on this cut)
3.)i could tear apart your voicings one by one and suggest ways you could have added more tension but why should i... the ones you use sound great. maybe they sound great because they are great ...
maybe they sound great just because of the great groove... who cares why? i dont... they sound great! great work.
4.) in the end my analysis is the simplicity of the arrangement allowed you to play the entire cut with a great feel and great groove
it is a great testament to the truth that in the end scales, chord voicings ... technique etc, etc blah blah blah... who cares.
great job! sounds great, i loved it
keep up the great work!
michael critch
jazz pianist and teacher
cape cod, massachusetts
ps i have not had a chance to listen to the third cut yet, but i am looking forward to it.
peace.
someday my prince you play outside of the idiom. its sounds like it is trying to be classical version of the tune. it is much slower than is the norm these days and is not played with a jazz waltz feel which has also become the norm these days. most players these days pull tune out of the gig bab to say "ya i can play a jazz waltz too, and up tempo to boot, here it is.." but you pull it out of the bag and say to me,
"i like the tune and this is what i decided to do with it"
thats all fine and good, i am allways in favor of original treatments of tunes and breaking convention. but not really if its just because you have never taken a moment to check out how the masters have treated a tune in the past and embark out on your own just because you never took the time to check out any of the master approaches.
in the end i think a slow approach like you are doing could unquestionably work, but me then adding in those classical like left hand parts makes the tune sound more like "way way back when my prince came to the wrong party on the wrong day"
now if you had played it slow and like you played "someone to watchover me " you really might have had something. that is greatness how you treat that tune and a great example of solo jazz piano playing for any begining jazz piano playing forum member to strive towards. i not only like it in " i loved listening to it and would listen to it anytime happily" but it also covers many of the basics required for solid solo jazz piano players that so many beginers have a hard time getting to or achieving.
you do these on "someone to watchover me "
1.)you set up a pleasant left hand series of voicings to play with a simple rhythmic figure
2.) this allowed you to have great time all the way through and set up a nice grove that really can not be improved on. (the absolute highlite of your work on this cut)
3.)i could tear apart your voicings one by one and suggest ways you could have added more tension but why should i... the ones you use sound great. maybe they sound great because they are great ...
maybe they sound great just because of the great groove... who cares why? i dont... they sound great! great work.
4.) in the end my analysis is the simplicity of the arrangement allowed you to play the entire cut with a great feel and great groove
it is a great testament to the truth that in the end scales, chord voicings ... technique etc, etc blah blah blah... who cares.
great job! sounds great, i loved it
keep up the great work!
michael critch
jazz pianist and teacher
cape cod, massachusetts
ps i have not had a chance to listen to the third cut yet, but i am looking forward to it.
peace.
hey, man that was great i really enjoyed it, keep'em coming.
jv'
jv'
hey steve how many years have you been playing?
jv'
jv'
nice one steve, 'someone to watch over me' is lovely music.
thanks for all your kind words!
part of the reason i played so 'restrained' on tracks 1 and 3 was due to the room and the piano; i felt it just wouldn't do it justice or sound great playing 'prince' in a herbie-esque way. mike - i do know the classic recordings of this (miles, keith jarrett, herbie, even herbie and chick together!) but i guess the acoustics and recital hall feel just got to me!!!
it had always been my intention to play 'someone to watch over me' in a minimalist style with as few unnecessary notes as possible. it is one of my favourite ballads (nevr let me go is another corker) and i wanted the melody to shine, and not to let the harmonies detract from it.
the blues - i wish i'd played that with a bit more 'oomph' too 7! however, i did like really stripping it down in the first few choruses to really let the right hand sing expressively, as i think came out. there are a few other takes where i went further 'out' with whole tone stuff and extra keys but it just sounded a bit too messy.
jv - i'm 21 now, i had lessons when i was a kid but by no means took it seriously or even really practiced jazz properly until i left school at 18, though i had played in jazz bands and function groups. i'm from the uk, and got my classical grade viii, but left classical there until earlier this year when i took it up again. i just started at a pretty good music college over here with amazing players and teachers so am hoping to soak up all this exposure to great music!
cheers again for taking the time to listen - be great to hear any of you guys in return and repay the compliment!
part of the reason i played so 'restrained' on tracks 1 and 3 was due to the room and the piano; i felt it just wouldn't do it justice or sound great playing 'prince' in a herbie-esque way. mike - i do know the classic recordings of this (miles, keith jarrett, herbie, even herbie and chick together!) but i guess the acoustics and recital hall feel just got to me!!!
it had always been my intention to play 'someone to watch over me' in a minimalist style with as few unnecessary notes as possible. it is one of my favourite ballads (nevr let me go is another corker) and i wanted the melody to shine, and not to let the harmonies detract from it.
the blues - i wish i'd played that with a bit more 'oomph' too 7! however, i did like really stripping it down in the first few choruses to really let the right hand sing expressively, as i think came out. there are a few other takes where i went further 'out' with whole tone stuff and extra keys but it just sounded a bit too messy.
jv - i'm 21 now, i had lessons when i was a kid but by no means took it seriously or even really practiced jazz properly until i left school at 18, though i had played in jazz bands and function groups. i'm from the uk, and got my classical grade viii, but left classical there until earlier this year when i took it up again. i just started at a pretty good music college over here with amazing players and teachers so am hoping to soak up all this exposure to great music!
cheers again for taking the time to listen - be great to hear any of you guys in return and repay the compliment!
steve
i thought that all 3 songs were excellent. it is great to see some of the people on this forum actually producing some music - rather than just talking about it. i sometimes think that many are reluctant to play because there is nothing harder than playing in front of your peers - and inviting them to criticise - well, you are very brave.
your playing of the two ballads reminded me of the keith jarrett 'the melody at night with you' album (in fact he plays 'someone to watch over me' on this album). i think i remember that he did this after recovering from a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome. like your playing on this, his music is stripped down to bare essentials, and does not set out to impress with pyrotechnics or even clever re-harmonizing. and in your playing you can detect that very musical approach that so many young players don't have - in your very effective dynamics, use of space - and in the re-phrasing of the melody that is subtle and original. you can hear that you have real control over the piano - and that probably comes from your classical background.
i would have been happy to own up to any of these pieces as mine - i certainly wish that i had your level of competence at 21! great playing steve.
i thought that all 3 songs were excellent. it is great to see some of the people on this forum actually producing some music - rather than just talking about it. i sometimes think that many are reluctant to play because there is nothing harder than playing in front of your peers - and inviting them to criticise - well, you are very brave.
your playing of the two ballads reminded me of the keith jarrett 'the melody at night with you' album (in fact he plays 'someone to watch over me' on this album). i think i remember that he did this after recovering from a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome. like your playing on this, his music is stripped down to bare essentials, and does not set out to impress with pyrotechnics or even clever re-harmonizing. and in your playing you can detect that very musical approach that so many young players don't have - in your very effective dynamics, use of space - and in the re-phrasing of the melody that is subtle and original. you can hear that you have real control over the piano - and that probably comes from your classical background.
i would have been happy to own up to any of these pieces as mine - i certainly wish that i had your level of competence at 21! great playing steve.
where in the uk u from?
doug:
"i sometimes think that many are reluctant to play because there is nothing harder than playing in front of your peers - and inviting them to criticise - well, you are very brave."
well, seeing as last week at college there was a workshop with acoustic triangle (tim garland, gwilym simcock, malcom treese) and as my first time playing to my peers (who are all pretty damn amazing) i had to get up and play free jazz with them and tim / malcom, this didn't seem too bad! ;) anyway, if you are a gigging musician, or are aiming to be, then you are exposed every time you play, and you never know if someone listening will be 'up' on jazz!
thanks for your kind comments.
inbi - london.
"i sometimes think that many are reluctant to play because there is nothing harder than playing in front of your peers - and inviting them to criticise - well, you are very brave."
well, seeing as last week at college there was a workshop with acoustic triangle (tim garland, gwilym simcock, malcom treese) and as my first time playing to my peers (who are all pretty damn amazing) i had to get up and play free jazz with them and tim / malcom, this didn't seem too bad! ;) anyway, if you are a gigging musician, or are aiming to be, then you are exposed every time you play, and you never know if someone listening will be 'up' on jazz!
thanks for your kind comments.
inbi - london.
very restrained with special attention on every note...the best thing was the amazing sense of articulation and dynamics; very beautiful textures...a great focused effort
i hope you don't mind me transcribing your blues solo
i hope you don't mind me transcribing your blues solo
(sorry to hijack this thread a little)
pringe- i used to live in maidenhead.. west of london. what school do u go to??
pringe- i used to live in maidenhead.. west of london. what school do u go to??
styles - well i'm flattered but i'm sure there are much better examples...still, i suppose the age old rule of "if you like what you hear then transcribe" still applies! check out michel petrucciani; he has been a major listen of mine in the past, as have sonny (rollins and stitt), diz, bud, wayne shorter to name but a few. i also like the whole 'textural' thing, e.g. jan garbarek, keith jarrett, pat metheny, john abercrombie, etc.
inbi - trinity college.
inbi - trinity college.
pringe,
i just got around to listeneing to your tunes. very nice. i like the way your intro on someday my prince transitions so smoothly into the melody.
you have inspired me to go ahead and make some recordings of myself and link to them here (i have to get a wav to mp3 converter first and figure out how to use mp3 downloading websites).
i just got around to listeneing to your tunes. very nice. i like the way your intro on someday my prince transitions so smoothly into the melody.
you have inspired me to go ahead and make some recordings of myself and link to them here (i have to get a wav to mp3 converter first and figure out how to use mp3 downloading websites).
thanks mark.
i don't mind hosting them for you if you email them to me, i find soundclick et al a pain in the arse!!!!!!
let me know if you want me to and i'll shout you my email ad.
cheers.
i don't mind hosting them for you if you email them to me, i find soundclick et al a pain in the arse!!!!!!
let me know if you want me to and i'll shout you my email ad.
cheers.
pringe,
i should also add that your recordings made me reexamine the way i was doing ballads, and when i played today (i do a weekly concert at a senior center) i played my ballads much simpler and i found my ballads got the biggest applause (whereas normally it is boogies that get the biggest applause). this is what this site is all about.
i should also add that your recordings made me reexamine the way i was doing ballads, and when i played today (i do a weekly concert at a senior center) i played my ballads much simpler and i found my ballads got the biggest applause (whereas normally it is boogies that get the biggest applause). this is what this site is all about.
pringe,
i really liked your tunes, especially satin doll. what it is you're doing with your left hand in the beginning--i know you're using shells, but you do a few other things too.
-adam
i really liked your tunes, especially satin doll. what it is you're doing with your left hand in the beginning--i know you're using shells, but you do a few other things too.
-adam
which tune? the first one (prince)?
pringe,
satin doll. (sorry).
-thanks, adam
satin doll. (sorry).
-thanks, adam
but adam, i don't think he played "satin doll".
"prince" was beautiful - great melodic sense, nice harmonies
"prince" was beautiful - great melodic sense, nice harmonies
cynbad,
you're right--i must have listened to another link--sorry (i feel kinda stupid).
-adam
you're right--i must have listened to another link--sorry (i feel kinda stupid).
-adam
hi steve
i am in no position to critique your work but, i just wanted to say how much i have just thoroughly enjoyed your music.
great stuff
thanks
lee
i am in no position to critique your work but, i just wanted to say how much i have just thoroughly enjoyed your music.
great stuff
thanks
lee
pringe
i enjoyed your playing - i have just learnt a new set of chords for someone to watch from the 'just standards' real book with a lovely descending bassline.
i think a great gershwin ballad you don't here that much is "isn't it a pity" - works really well in a nice laid back style.
marksdg
i am about to start my first regular gig - at a (quite classy!) old folks home who have a baby grand. i was going to play all ballads but they like to boogie? great! i have andre previn playing an awesome boogie version of 'they all laughed'on his gershwin album - that should go down well!
cheers
bro'
i enjoyed your playing - i have just learnt a new set of chords for someone to watch from the 'just standards' real book with a lovely descending bassline.
i think a great gershwin ballad you don't here that much is "isn't it a pity" - works really well in a nice laid back style.
marksdg
i am about to start my first regular gig - at a (quite classy!) old folks home who have a baby grand. i was going to play all ballads but they like to boogie? great! i have andre previn playing an awesome boogie version of 'they all laughed'on his gershwin album - that should go down well!
cheers
bro'
turn around was really nice good work man!!
hi. i just did a session a week or so ago on a (very warm) bluthner grand piano, and thought you guys might want to hear or comment on my playing. i did have to tame it down a bit due to the acoustics and overly warm sound with a lack of bass punch but here goes.....
someday my prince will come:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/01%20someday%20my%20prince%20will%20come.mp3
someone to watch over me:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/02%20someone%20to%20watch%20over%20me.mp3
turn around:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/03%20turn%20around.mp3
thanks in advance,
steve
someday my prince will come:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/01%20someday%20my%20prince%20will%20come.mp3
someone to watch over me:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/02%20someone%20to%20watch%20over%20me.mp3
turn around:
https://www.fattraffic.co.uk/audio/03%20turn%20around.mp3
thanks in advance,
steve
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