How To Play Like McCoy Tyner

In this thread we explore the style of McCoy Tyner.

mccoy

McCoy Tyner Biography

Download full biography: McCoy Tyner Biography.pdf (21.7 KB)

If I had to name a 60s’ pianist who has shaped the modern jazz piano, and who has changed the way generations of piano players have approached improvisation, one of the first name to come to mind would be McCoy Tyner. His career expanding over 7 decades, and his attribution in John Coltrane’s legendary quartet, Tyner has and is a major influence to pretty much every musician in jazz.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: McCoy Tyner - Suggested Discography.pdf (18.1 KB)

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on McCoy Tyner’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

Vision - Album: Expansions

This transcription exercise covers the first 32 bars of McCoy Tyner’s solo, starting at approx. 1m21s.

Click here for the start of the solo

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Vision Transcription Exercise.pdf (32.3 KB)

Vision Transcription Exercise.mscz (24.0 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo/comping.

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

Have fun!

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 1

Vision - Album: Expansions

Here is the full transcription of the first 32 bars of the piano solo:

Vision Transcription.pdf (41.9 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Vision Analysis.pdf (282.2 KB)

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

Enjoy!

-Tuomo

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Bessie’s Blues - Album: Crescent

This transcription exercise covers the first 2 choruses of McCoy Tyner’s solo, starting at approx. 0m31s.

Click here for the start of the solo

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Bessie’s Blues Transcription Exercise.pdf (36.6 KB)

Bessie’s Blues Transcription Exercise.mscz (24.7 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo/comping.

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

Have fun!

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 2

Bessie’s Blues - Album: Crescent

Here is the full transcription of the first 2 choruses of the piano solo:

Bessie’s Blues Transcription.pdf (44.3 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Bessie’s Blues Analysis.pdf (193.9 KB)

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

Enjoy!

-Tuomo