How To Play Like Lennie Tristano

In this thread we explore the style of Lennie Tristano.

lennie

Lennie Tristano Biography:

Lennie Tristano Biography.pdf (22.0 KB)

Lennie Tristano is one of the pivotal characters in modern improvisation, and an important figure in the rise of jazz education, his methods of learning jazz and improvisation in a structured way has given a direction to educators and students since.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: Lennie Tristano - Suggested Discography.pdf (16.1 KB)

  • Crosscurrents - Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, several personnel 1949
    Spotify Link Here
  • Lennie Tristano - Solo, Trio & Quartet w/ Lee Konitz (sax), Peter Ind, Gene Ramey (b) & Art Taylor (dr) 1955, released 1982
    Spotify Link Here
  • The New Tristano - Solo Piano 1962
    Spotify Link Here

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on Lennie Tristano’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.

Transcription Exercise No. 1

317 East 32nd Street - Album: Live At The Confucius Restaurant

This transcription exercise covers the theme chorus and Lennie Tristano’s 1st chorus of piano solo on ‘317 East 32nd Street’, solo starting approx. at 2:40.

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

317 e 32nd Transcription Exercise.pdf (37.4 KB)

317 e 32nd Transcription Exercise.mscz (24.9 KB)

  • Theme : transcribe the melody played by Lee Konitz (alto sax)
  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars

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. 1

317 East 32nd Street - Album: Live At The Confucius Restaurant

Here is the transcription:

317 e 32nd Transcription.pdf (45.5 KB)

317 e 32nd Transcription.mscz (32.4 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

317 East 32nd Street Analysis.pdf (214.5 KB)

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

Enjoy!

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Line Up - Album: Lennie Tristano

This transcription exercise covers first 2 choruses of piano solo on ‘Line Up’.

Hint, solo starts from the beginning of the track, but Tristano doesn’t play until bar 9!

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Line Up Transcription Exercise.pdf (34.9 KB)

Line Up Transcription Exercise.mscz (21.6 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars

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

Line Up - Album: Lennie Tristano

Here is the transcription:

Line Up Transcription.pdf (40.2 KB)

Line Up Transcription.mscz (25.4 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Line Up Analysis.pdf (147.6 KB)

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

Enjoy!