Fingering Question on LearnJazzPiano.com

Jazz Piano Book Reviews • Piano Teacher Search • Jazz Piano Links • Jazz Piano Lessons

Fingering Question

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?

by ziggysane on 05/20/2007, 17:45

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

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.

LJP Like

by jazz guy on 05/20/2007, 18:38

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.

LJP Like

by hepcatmonk on 05/21/2007, 00:26

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.

If I'm not back in 24 hours, call the president.

Scot is available for skype jazz piano lessons (and google hangouts, phone call, etc...)
Use the contact link at the top of the page.

LJP Like

by Scot Ranney on 05/21/2007, 11:27

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".

LJP Like

by 7 on 05/21/2007, 13:08

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

LJP Like

by DrJazz on 06/05/2007, 15:35

Reply to Thread

Please sign in to post.

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 1 - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 1 of this educational jazz piano book contains 15 jazz piano exercises, tricks, and other interesting jazz piano techniques, voicings, grooves, and ideas Scot Ranney enjoys playing.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version - videos

Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 2 - jazz piano tricks of the trade you can use today

"Latinesque"

Volume 2 has 14 jazz piano exercises and tricks of the trade, and quite a bit of it is Calypso jazz piano related material, including some Monty Alexander and Michel Camilo style grooves. Jazz piano education is through the ears, but books like this can help.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Tim Richards' Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 3 contains 12 jazz piano exercises and explorations by the acclaimed jazz piano educator, pianist, author, and recording artist Tim Richards.

Tim wrote the well known "Exploring Jazz Piano" and "Improvising Blues Piano" books and has several others to his name.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Jeff Brent's Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 4 is by Jeff Brent, a jazz pianist, composer, teacher, and author of "Modalogy" and other acclaimed jazz theory and education books. In this book Jeff shares detailed analysis of transcriptions of live performances. He covers everything from the shape of the songs to the tricks and licks he uses in improvised lines to the ideas behind his lush chord voicings.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Jazz piano education is cool.

be the main character in your own story

Fingering Question

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

by jazz guy on 05/20/2007, 18:38

by hepcatmonk on 05/21/2007, 00:26

by Scot Ranney on 05/21/2007, 11:27

by 7 on 05/21/2007, 13:08

by DrJazz on 06/05/2007, 15:35

Reply to Thread

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

"Latinesque"

LJP Jazz Piano Blogs

Most Recent Discussions

Articles

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazz piano education is cool.

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In

Sign In to LearnJazzPiano.com

Fingering Question

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

by jazz guy on 05/20/2007, 18:38

by hepcatmonk on 05/21/2007, 00:26

by Scot Ranney on 05/21/2007, 11:27

by 7 on 05/21/2007, 13:08

by DrJazz on 06/05/2007, 15:35

Reply to Thread

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

"Latinesque"

LJP Jazz Piano Blogs

Most Recent Discussions

Articles

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazz piano education is cool.

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In