How To Play Like Elmo Hope

In this thread we explore the style of Elmo Hope.

elmo1

Elmo Hope Biography:

Download full biography: Elmo Hope Biography.pdf (18.0 KB)

Elmo Hope is one of the greatest, unsung heroes of ‘50s bebop and hard bop. Being a close friend of both legends Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, interaction with them and other bebop masters of the ‘40s shaped his style into a true originalist, both as a pianist as well as a composer.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: Elmo Hope - Suggested Discography.pdf (16.4 KB)

  • Trio And Quintet - Quintet w/ Charles Freeman Lee, Stu Williamson (tr), Frank Foster, Harold Land (sax), Percy Heath, Leroy Vinnegar (bass) & Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler (dr) 1953-54
    Spotify Link Here
  • Here’s Hope! - Trio w/ Paul Chambers (b) & Philly Joe Jones (dr) 1961
    Spotify Link Here
  • High Hope! - Trio w/ Paul Chambers, Butch Warren (b) & Philly Joe Jones, Granville T. Hogan (dr) 1961
    Spotify Link Here

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on Elmo Hope’s style, soloing, comping as well as an overall look into the tradition of jazz through his artistry.
  • Exercises are transcription-based, following with a closer look into certain details of his playing. This way we can combine ear-training with learning the language of jazz, as well as analyzing closely what is happening.
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Transcription Exercise No. 1

Happy Hour - Trio And Quintet

This transcription exercise covers the theme chorus and Elmo Hope’s piano solo on ‘Happy Hour’, starting at approx. 0:05.

PAY ATTENTION, theme starts with a pickup!!

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Happy Hour Transcription Exercise.pdf (51.3 KB)

Happy Hour Transcription Exercise.mscz (17.6 KB)

  • Theme Chorus : transcribe the missing parts and chord changes
  • Solo : transcribe the missing parts

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with supporting material and an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo, and how to practice with it.

If you have any questions with the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

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Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 1

Happy Hour - Album Trio And Quintet

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

Happy Hour Transcription.pdf (67.2 KB)

Happy Hour Transcription.mscz (28.5 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Happy Hour Analysis.pdf (174.6 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Kerplunk - Album Jackie McLean: Lights Out!

This transcription exercise covers the Intro, as well as 3 choruses of Elmo Hope’s piano solo on ‘Kerplnuk’, starting at the beginning of the track.

PAY ATTENTION, intro starts with a pickup bar!!

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Kerplunk Transcription Exercise.pdf (36.2 KB)

Kerplunk Transcription Exercise.mscz (20.1 KB)

  • Intro & Solo : transcribe the missing parts

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with supporting material and an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo, and how to practice with it.

If you have any questions with the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 2

Kerplunk - Album Jackie McLean: Lights Out!

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

Kerplunk Transcription.pdf (44.1 KB)

Kerplunk Transcription.mscz (26.1 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Kerplunk Analysis.pdf (195.0 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!