How To Play Like Tommy Flanagan

In this thread we explore the style of Tommy Flanagan.

Tommy Flanagan Biography:

Download full biography: Tommy Flanagan Biography.pdf (17.7 KB)

Tommy Flanagan is one of the most important pianists/accompanists in jazz, appearing on hundreds of albums as a sideman as well as a leader. His trio work has been highly praised by his contemporaries as well as later generations.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: Tommy Flanagan - Suggested Discography.pdf (16.6 KB)

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on Tommy Flanagan’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

You Go To My Head - The Tommy Flanagan Trio

This transcription exercise covers Tommy Flanagan’s piano solo on ‘You Go To My Head’, starting at 02:05.

Click here for the start of the solo

PAY ATTENTION, transcription exercise start with 2 bar - pickup!!

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

You Go To My Head Transcription Exercise.pdf (39.3 KB)

You Go To My Head Transcription Exercise.mscz (28.9 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing parts
  • Chord changes : transcribe the missing chord changes

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

You Go To My Head - Album: The Tommy Flanagan Trio

Click here for the start of the solo

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

You Go To My Head Transcription.pdf (53.1 KB)

You Go To My Head Transcription.mscz (36.1 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

You Go To My Head Analysis.pdf (143.5 KB)

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

Enjoy!

-Tuomo

1 Like

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Denzil’s Best - Eclypso

This transcription exercise covers Tommy Flanagan’s piano solo on ‘You Go To My Head’, starting at 01:00.

Click here for the start of the solo

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing parts
  • Chord changes : transcribe the missing chord changes

Denzil’s Best Transcription Exercise.pdf (50.3 KB)

Denzil’s Best Transcription Exercise.mscz (23.5 KB)

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

Denzil’s Best - Album: Eclypso

Click here for the start of the solo

Here is the transcription of the piano solo:

Denzil’s Best Transcription.pdf (57.7 KB)

Denzil’s Best Transcription.mscz (29.6 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Denzil’s Best Analysis.pdf (318.5 KB)

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

Enjoy!

-Tuomo