Several months ago I shared a tune on the occasion of being at pianogroove for a year; I thought today would be appropriate to share something else for two reasons. First, itâs now been about a year since I started regular lessons with @Tuomo; it also happens (inside knowledge) to be his birthday today. Happy birthday Tuomo!
My goal was and still is to improve with improvisation and early on, Tuomo suggested that I start with one of the tunes in his beginning transcription series. Confirmation is a famous Charlie Parker tune; seemed like it took me forever to learn it, and Iâm still working on a more interesting LH and the improv of course. Hereâs a version with three choruses of improv, the first of which is Hank Jonesâ first solo. Upon listening to my rendition, I realize I have lots of room for improvementâtempo is a little irregular at times despite using a metronome, I overdid it with triplets, thereâs not enough breathing room, and it doesnât swing as well as I would like. As Tuomo has told me, itâs all about the eighth notes.
@gregb Thank you so much for birthday wishes! Now got to the age where Iâm closer to 70 than my birthâŠ
Your arrangement of Confirmation is getting better every time I hear it! Also your left hand accompaniment in the solo sounds authentic and supportive, and youâre right, itâs all about the eight note feel.
One of my main influences, and a pianist I learned a ton about eight notes and phrasing is Tommy Flanagan, hereâs a recording of his with similar (a bit faster) tempo, but a good example of great eight notes in the solo:
For my birthday, Iâd also like to share my renditions of Confirmation, first one recorded at Mezzrow Jazz Club in NYC sometime pre-Covid, the second one is a solo recording I did ca. February 2021:
Hey @Tuomo , Happy Birthday!!! Most generous of you to give us such a delightful present on the occasion of your Bday. A treat to hear you play outside of the zoom sessions.
Best,
James
@Tuomo youâve only got a few more decades to catch up to me (in age).
Iâd seen the mezzrow video before and look forward to the not too distant future when youâll be playing there again. The solo version is a real treat and a beautiful example (and inspiration) of how itâs possible to put an original stamp on a classic bebop tune!
About three weeks ago, I posted a clip of a version of Charlie Hadenâs âNightfall.â Iâve recently come back to working on that and incorporated one of @gregbâs great suggestions on improving it. The chord changes on bar 12 are a bit muddied. But itâs still very much a work in progress. I welcome any helpful suggestions. (Turn the volume down to about a third.) Enjoy!
Thank you @Kristeta. Really appreciate the positive feedback!
You asked â[W]hat tools do you use to do your audio recording?â
I use a MacBook Pro and Appleâs Logic Pro to record.
I play a Roland RD-2000, a wonderful instrument on its ownâwith great keyboard action. Of late itâs become a rather pricey MIDI controller. I have several virtual pianos. The one you hear on âNightfallâ is the VSL [Vienna Symphonic Library] Synchron Concert D-274 (Full Library). Itâs beautifully sampled from a Steinway D-274. Itâs expensive (around $625.00), but, wow, what sounds are available. With the ability to position its 11 microphones however you wish, the ability to shape sounds is virtually endless.
Here are a couple of examples. The insets show the microphone placements. The second is classical, but it gives you an idea of the range of the VST (or Apple AU) with a MIDI controller. Enjoy!
Hi Scott and sorry for the late reply. I like this version better; itâs a really haunting mood that I think you captured well.
I went back to listen again to the Charlie Haden/John Taylor version; you may want to consider using some of Taylorâs diminished, augmented, and sus chords which I think add to the mood. I spent about a half hour trying to figure out what they were doing for the first 8 bars and I think I got somewhat close (attached). I didnât bother with a careful notation of the rhythm but I did try and include key tension notes and inner voices that resonated with me!
if I may ask, what tools do you use to do your audio recording? Thank you!
