Go (Pierre de Bethmann 4tet, from his 2012 album Go)
Another complex tune in 5/4 and 3/4. You can find the leadsheet (and some samples) on his website. The solo is uncomplete, but you can have a good idea of how Bethmann approachs this tune.
On Change (Pierre de Bethmann 4tet, from his 2012 album Go)
This tune is, like many other Bethmann's compositions, really complex and hard to play. I've notated the theme in 7/4 6/4 7/4 5/4, you could write it in 13/4 - 12/4 or another strange thing, it seemed right to me this way…
Pardi : Leadsheet and transcription (Pierre de Bethmann 4tet, from his 2012 album Go)
Pardi (from Chaud-Froid, 2022) Video Here
Two versions of this tune, a favorite of mine! A simple and beautiful melody is combined with strange chords and odd metrics.
Recall (from At Barloyd's) (simplified leadsheet and video)
Another cool swinging tune with crazy rhythms!
Sicilienne (Pierre de Bethmann trio, from his 2015 album Essais, vol 1) (Video)
Based on Gabrie Fauré's song for cello and piano.
mercredi 24 novembre 2010
Guillaume de Chassy
From his amazing Piano Solo album :
Valse Dombelle
Slava, based on Prokofiev's first violin concerto. Impressive, beautiful, worth checking!
Valse Dombelle
Slava, based on Prokofiev's first violin concerto. Impressive, beautiful, worth checking!
Steve Coleman
From Motherland Pulse (1985)
Wights Waits For Weights (VIDEO)
The Glide Was In The Ride : a groovy bassline, some odd time signatures, a great Geri llen solo: it's make my day !(VIDEO)
From On the Edge of Tomorrow (1986)
Little one I'll miss you
Theme of this beautiful song, as sung by Cassandra Wilson.
Nine to Five
From On the Rising of th 64 Paths (2002)
Round Midnight
Beautiful live version of this marvellous song that you can find on a bonus track of the On the Rising of th 64 Paths album. Sax and guitar version.
Eight Base Probing (Video)
From Weaving symbolics (2006)
Ritual trio (earth)
Fantastic song, based on a simple but irregular structure that reminds me of Coltrane plus odd measures. I've transcribed the main theme and the first part of the solo.
VIDEO HERE
Wights Waits For Weights (VIDEO)
The Glide Was In The Ride : a groovy bassline, some odd time signatures, a great Geri llen solo: it's make my day !(VIDEO)
From On the Edge of Tomorrow (1986)
Little one I'll miss you
Theme of this beautiful song, as sung by Cassandra Wilson.
Nine to Five
From On the Rising of th 64 Paths (2002)
Round Midnight
Beautiful live version of this marvellous song that you can find on a bonus track of the On the Rising of th 64 Paths album. Sax and guitar version.
Eight Base Probing (Video)
From Weaving symbolics (2006)
Ritual trio (earth)
Fantastic song, based on a simple but irregular structure that reminds me of Coltrane plus odd measures. I've transcribed the main theme and the first part of the solo.
VIDEO HERE
Marc Copland
From Bookends, with Dave Liebman (2002) :
Bookends
Blackboard
From the solo album Time Within Time (2004) :
Rivers Run
Bookends
Blackboard
From the solo album Time Within Time (2004) :
Rivers Run
Laurent Coq
From Live at Duc des Lombards, with David el Malek and Olivier Zanot
Act up
Piece for 2 saxophones and piano.
Act up - Solo 1
Still incomplete, but…
From At Barloyd's (2018)
Social Call
A fantastic version of one of my favorite standards (leadsheet and transcription of Gigi Gryce's version is here !)
I've made a video of it.
Act up
Piece for 2 saxophones and piano.
Act up - Solo 1
Still incomplete, but…
From At Barloyd's (2018)
Social Call
A fantastic version of one of my favorite standards (leadsheet and transcription of Gigi Gryce's version is here !)
I've made a video of it.
Chick Corea
Armando's Rhumba (Solo piano : Originals)
Impressive solo version of this great tune. 100% complete !
Impressive solo version of this great tune. 100% complete !
Thomas Enhco
From Feathers (2015):
Letting You Go : transcription, leadsheet and video
A beautiful and moving ballad.
Je voulais te dire : transcription, leadsheet and video
Another beautiful ballad, with a very long theme (more than 2 minutes!)
Letting You Go : transcription, leadsheet and video
A beautiful and moving ballad.
Je voulais te dire : transcription, leadsheet and video
Another beautiful ballad, with a very long theme (more than 2 minutes!)
Bill Evans
Israel – Explorations (1961)
Wonderful version of this minor blues.
The two lonely people – Alone (1968)
This song is on the bonus version of the album. It's a work-in-progress version : each song of the "official" record is made of different recordings edited together. The two lonely people is one take, in-progress, and wasn't meant to be heard like this, and yet it's really interesting – and beautiful.
I've transcribed the theme and the first solo, and they're just perfect.
The second solo is really different : it seems that Evans was throwing up ideas for and edited version. Then he just dashes the theme...
Wonderful version of this minor blues.
The two lonely people – Alone (1968)
This song is on the bonus version of the album. It's a work-in-progress version : each song of the "official" record is made of different recordings edited together. The two lonely people is one take, in-progress, and wasn't meant to be heard like this, and yet it's really interesting – and beautiful.
I've transcribed the theme and the first solo, and they're just perfect.
The second solo is really different : it seems that Evans was throwing up ideas for and edited version. Then he just dashes the theme...
Édouard Ferlet
Édouard Ferlet published in 2012 a marvelous album called Think Bach, in wich he doesn't play Bach but play with Bach. His compositions are inspired by the Master's work, and modified in many ways
A la suite de Jean
This one is based on the famous Prelude from the 1rst cello suite. The theme is really beautiful, and it's followed by a free-improvisation. You can hear another improvisation in this video.
Réplique
Inspired by Bach's preludio in C#M (here I've written in Db, which is much easier to read), from the Well-Tempered Klavier Book I, but instead of 3/8, it's in 5/8. Good luck ;)
You should check Brad Mehldau's version of the same prelude, Rondo, also on 5/4 !
Infinité, a Airelle Besson composition, from Aïrés (2017)
(Almost) complete transcription
Piano reduction
Leadsheet version
A la suite de Jean
This one is based on the famous Prelude from the 1rst cello suite. The theme is really beautiful, and it's followed by a free-improvisation. You can hear another improvisation in this video.
Réplique
Inspired by Bach's preludio in C#M (here I've written in Db, which is much easier to read), from the Well-Tempered Klavier Book I, but instead of 3/8, it's in 5/8. Good luck ;)
You should check Brad Mehldau's version of the same prelude, Rondo, also on 5/4 !
Infinité, a Airelle Besson composition, from Aïrés (2017)
(Almost) complete transcription
Piano reduction
Leadsheet version
Tigran Hamasyan
Two transcriptions from his solo album A Fable :
Someday my prince will come
The Spinners
Someday my prince will come
The Spinners
Yaron Herman
From his solo album Variations (2006) :
Libera Me, Wonderful version of this Fauré piece (from his Requiem).
I've made a video of this transcription !
Libera Me, Wonderful version of this Fauré piece (from his Requiem).
I've made a video of this transcription !
Stéphane Kerecki
From Focus Danse, Stéphane Kerecki Trio, w/ Mathieu Donarier (sax) and Thomas Grimmonprez (drums) (2007)
Anna
Resilience
Anna
Resilience
Brad Mehldau
Live in Marciac :
Unrequited
Lithium - The Nirvana song. This is how you make a piano rock ! (complete) VIDEO HERE
Dat Dere
Secret Love
It's Allright With Me
- - - - - -
Live in Tokyo :
Things Behind The Sun
Nick Drake song, Live in Tokyo version + intro of the Live in Marciac version !
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Paul Simon cover, you can find the leadsheet of the wonderful original song here !
Monk's Dream
Obviously an amazing Thelonious Monk cover.
- - - - - -
10 Years Solo Live :
Waltz for JB
And I Love Her (Beatles song)
Knives out (groovy Radiohead cover)
Think of One (Monk cover) VIDEO
- - - - - -
Nearness, with Joshua Redman :
Always August
A wonderful Mehldau tune, you can find the leadsheet here.
In Walked Bud
- - - - - -
Variations on Bach's Goldberg Theme, from After Bach II (see the complete transcriptions)
I. Aria (Video)
II. Variation 1, minor, in 5/8 (Video)
III. Variation 2, minor, in 5/8 (Video)
IV. Variation 3, in 7/8 (Video)
Brad says it's in 7/4, but I believe it's way easier to read in 7/8 – and more coherent with the other variations… Sorry Brad! V. Variation 4, Backbeat (Video)
VI. Variation 5, Jazz (Video)
VII. Finale (Video)
Transcription is a form of translation, and choices must be made to make the musician's improvised choices understandable. Here, I admit that I had a hard time figuring out what Brad Mehldau was thinking.
So I made two versions of this transcription: a "simple" 4/4 version (with some quirks when I think Brad forgets a beat) ; and another one that navigates between 4/4 et 6/8, because at times it seems like Brad is thinking that way. I think the second one is easier to read, but you may disagree – in any case I don't think either one is perfect.
- - - - - -
Other :
Hey You
A very symphonic rendition of Pink Floyd's classic (from a radio show, see here) (Video)
Crazy Quilt – Modern music, with Kevin Hayes and Patrick Zimmerli
Transcribing a 2 piano stuff is rather hard...
O Que Sera – Brad Mehldau trio : Live
I haven't transcribed all the solos, but the main parts are here. Wonderful 2 hands counterpoint in here ! Notice the strange whole-tone modulations : Fm – Gm – Am – Bm – C#m etc.
Thelonious – Live at la Villette
Amazing cover of the Thelonious Monk song. Listen to the original here.
Trailer Park Ghost – Elegiac Cycle
Theme and beginnig of the solo
Teardrop – Jazz à Vienne
Massive Attack cover, as seen on Jazz à Vienne 2010 video.
Paris – Places
Monk's Dream – Live at the Village Vanguard: The Art of the Trio Vol. 2
Rondo – After Bach
This one is based on the Prelude and Fugue in C sharp Major BWV 848 from The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach. But guess what ? It's in 5/8 !
By comparing with this live version I realised that that piece was ENTIRELY written ! At first look, I thought that the part starting at measure 130 was an improvisation, and I thought that the 4/8 measures he plays sometimes were “mistakes”... It turns out it's perfectly thought : he plays exactly the same notes and the same rhythm on the live version !
You should check Édouard Ferlet's version of the same prelude called Réplique, also in 5/8 !
Unrequited
Lithium - The Nirvana song. This is how you make a piano rock ! (complete) VIDEO HERE
Dat Dere
Secret Love
It's Allright With Me
- - - - - -
Live in Tokyo :
Things Behind The Sun
Nick Drake song, Live in Tokyo version + intro of the Live in Marciac version !
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Paul Simon cover, you can find the leadsheet of the wonderful original song here !
Monk's Dream
Obviously an amazing Thelonious Monk cover.
- - - - - -
10 Years Solo Live :
Waltz for JB
And I Love Her (Beatles song)
Knives out (groovy Radiohead cover)
Think of One (Monk cover) VIDEO
- - - - - -
Nearness, with Joshua Redman :
Always August
A wonderful Mehldau tune, you can find the leadsheet here.
In Walked Bud
- - - - - -
Variations on Bach's Goldberg Theme, from After Bach II (see the complete transcriptions)
I. Aria (Video)
II. Variation 1, minor, in 5/8 (Video)
III. Variation 2, minor, in 5/8 (Video)
IV. Variation 3, in 7/8 (Video)
Brad says it's in 7/4, but I believe it's way easier to read in 7/8 – and more coherent with the other variations… Sorry Brad! V. Variation 4, Backbeat (Video)
VI. Variation 5, Jazz (Video)
VII. Finale (Video)
Transcription is a form of translation, and choices must be made to make the musician's improvised choices understandable. Here, I admit that I had a hard time figuring out what Brad Mehldau was thinking.
So I made two versions of this transcription: a "simple" 4/4 version (with some quirks when I think Brad forgets a beat) ; and another one that navigates between 4/4 et 6/8, because at times it seems like Brad is thinking that way. I think the second one is easier to read, but you may disagree – in any case I don't think either one is perfect.
- - - - - -
Other :
Hey You
A very symphonic rendition of Pink Floyd's classic (from a radio show, see here) (Video)
Crazy Quilt – Modern music, with Kevin Hayes and Patrick Zimmerli
Transcribing a 2 piano stuff is rather hard...
O Que Sera – Brad Mehldau trio : Live
I haven't transcribed all the solos, but the main parts are here. Wonderful 2 hands counterpoint in here ! Notice the strange whole-tone modulations : Fm – Gm – Am – Bm – C#m etc.
Thelonious – Live at la Villette
Amazing cover of the Thelonious Monk song. Listen to the original here.
Trailer Park Ghost – Elegiac Cycle
Theme and beginnig of the solo
Teardrop – Jazz à Vienne
Massive Attack cover, as seen on Jazz à Vienne 2010 video.
Paris – Places
Monk's Dream – Live at the Village Vanguard: The Art of the Trio Vol. 2
Rondo – After Bach
This one is based on the Prelude and Fugue in C sharp Major BWV 848 from The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach. But guess what ? It's in 5/8 !
By comparing with this live version I realised that that piece was ENTIRELY written ! At first look, I thought that the part starting at measure 130 was an improvisation, and I thought that the 4/8 measures he plays sometimes were “mistakes”... It turns out it's perfectly thought : he plays exactly the same notes and the same rhythm on the live version !
You should check Édouard Ferlet's version of the same prelude called Réplique, also in 5/8 !
Giovanni Mirabassi
NY #1 - Live at Blue Note Tokyo
Theme only: Great tune.
My Broken Heart - Live at Blue Note Tokyo
Solo and theme. Beautiful Evans-like waltz.
Theme only: Great tune.
My Broken Heart - Live at Blue Note Tokyo
Solo and theme. Beautiful Evans-like waltz.
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk is a genius. And he's an interresting pianist, with some real interresting licks, and an amazing tempo. Good luck for playing this, it's really not that easy…
From the fabulous solo Paris 1954 recording
Well you needn't (Video)
I had some some trouble writing down the names of the chords. When Monk plays the theme, in the A sections the melody implies F - Gb, but the bass plays something else (a chromatic line over F). In the solos he clearly thinks F almost exclusively. Very different from the Real Book version!
Evidence (Video)
Eronel (Video)
Off Minor (Video)
On this last one, I love how simple most of his chords are (exept for the Bb7/D7 endings), and how swingy they sound. Notice measure 63, when he makes a lick in 12/8 over 4/4.
From Thelonious Monk & Sonny Rollins (1954)
Work (Video)
I love this song, with the call and response with the left hand.
From The Unique Thlonious Monk (1956)
Tea for Two (Video)
(You can also check Fats Waller's version here)
From Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants (1959)
The Man I Love (Video)
We know that this session did not go well, and that Miles and Monk had various arguments. This precise passage has been the subject of numerous glosses. Monk plays a weird solo, fooling around the melody, with a lot of silence. And then, he stops playing, and all is left is silence, for an eternity. Miles enters as if he were saying "what the hell are you doing?", and the pianist starts swinging again as if nothing had happened. A fun moment, also fun to transcribe :)
From Thelonious Alone in San Francisco (1959)
Everything Happens to Me (Video)
From Solo Monk (1964)
Sweet and Lovely
From Underground (1968)
Thelonius
From the fabulous solo Paris 1954 recording
Well you needn't (Video)
I had some some trouble writing down the names of the chords. When Monk plays the theme, in the A sections the melody implies F - Gb, but the bass plays something else (a chromatic line over F). In the solos he clearly thinks F almost exclusively. Very different from the Real Book version!
Evidence (Video)
Eronel (Video)
Off Minor (Video)
On this last one, I love how simple most of his chords are (exept for the Bb7/D7 endings), and how swingy they sound. Notice measure 63, when he makes a lick in 12/8 over 4/4.
From Thelonious Monk & Sonny Rollins (1954)
Work (Video)
I love this song, with the call and response with the left hand.
From The Unique Thlonious Monk (1956)
Tea for Two (Video)
(You can also check Fats Waller's version here)
From Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants (1959)
The Man I Love (Video)
We know that this session did not go well, and that Miles and Monk had various arguments. This precise passage has been the subject of numerous glosses. Monk plays a weird solo, fooling around the melody, with a lot of silence. And then, he stops playing, and all is left is silence, for an eternity. Miles enters as if he were saying "what the hell are you doing?", and the pianist starts swinging again as if nothing had happened. A fun moment, also fun to transcribe :)
From Thelonious Alone in San Francisco (1959)
Everything Happens to Me (Video)
From Solo Monk (1964)
Sweet and Lovely
From Underground (1968)
Thelonius
Jason Moran
All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller (2014)
This album is a modern and playful hommage to the great Fats Waller.
Handful of Keys (Video)
Fats on acid!
Jitterbug Waltz (Video)
A 4/4 neo-soul waltz, sort of… Piano + Tarus Mateen's amazing basslines.
This album is a modern and playful hommage to the great Fats Waller.
Handful of Keys (Video)
Fats on acid!
Jitterbug Waltz (Video)
A 4/4 neo-soul waltz, sort of… Piano + Tarus Mateen's amazing basslines.
Rémi Panossian trio
From Bbang (2013)
Blue Box suite
The Blue Box suite (my title) is a series of three compositions that share common melodic and harmonic ideas. I especially love the part 2, but I've transcribed the entire Suite anyways!
Simplified leadsheet for the entire Suite.
1. Inside the Blue Box (Video)
2. Outside the Blue Box (Video)
3. Beside the Blue Box (Video)
Healthy Cab : Transcription and Leadsheet (VIDEO)
Blue Box suite
The Blue Box suite (my title) is a series of three compositions that share common melodic and harmonic ideas. I especially love the part 2, but I've transcribed the entire Suite anyways!
Simplified leadsheet for the entire Suite.
1. Inside the Blue Box (Video)
2. Outside the Blue Box (Video)
3. Beside the Blue Box (Video)
Healthy Cab : Transcription and Leadsheet (VIDEO)
Pop, Rock & Co
Blind Faith
A short but great band, with nothing less than Eric Clapton, Steve Windwood, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech.
Had to cry today
Bumblefoot
Blue tongue (from The Adventures of Bumblefoot, arranged for solo piano)
Every Time I Shake My Head (It's Like Christmas) (from Hermit, arranged for solo piano)
Lost (from 9/11). Some cool and tricky riffs in 5/8, octatonic licks and big dissonances: what's not to like? (Video)
R2 (from 9/11 or Uncool, depending of versions). A tune with a latin feel, that goes into real frenzy. I've made a piano arrangement, sort of, but I don't really think it's playable on piano… (Video)
Clare and the Reasons
Pluto
Crumb
Bones
The "jazziest" Crumb tunes, beautiful chords and a very tricky 5/8-6/8 moment !
Locket
Nina
Étienne Daho, the French icon of the New Wave
Tombé pour la France
Week-end à Rome.
The Dø
• From Both ways open jaws
Dust if off (with some lyrics !)
The Wicked and the blind (leadsheet + bass)
• From Shake shook shaken
Despair Hangover & Ecstasy (leadsheet)
A Mess Like This (leadsheet)
Forever Pavot
Les Cigognes nénuphars
Joe & Rose
Jimi Hendrix
Freedom (my own arrangement, some parts re-harmonized)
Begninnings
Philippe Katerine
Nu (Video)
This may seem like a silly song, but the are some wild modulations and non-functionnal harmony!
Sountrack
Portrait de la Jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Anne Sylvestre
Une Sorcière comme les autres
Temples
Shelter song (arranged for piano)
Charles Trénet
La Cigale et la Fourmi (leadsheet)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Swing and Sleep (Like a Shark) (II, 2013)
A short but great band, with nothing less than Eric Clapton, Steve Windwood, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech.
Had to cry today
Bumblefoot
Blue tongue (from The Adventures of Bumblefoot, arranged for solo piano)
Every Time I Shake My Head (It's Like Christmas) (from Hermit, arranged for solo piano)
Lost (from 9/11). Some cool and tricky riffs in 5/8, octatonic licks and big dissonances: what's not to like? (Video)
R2 (from 9/11 or Uncool, depending of versions). A tune with a latin feel, that goes into real frenzy. I've made a piano arrangement, sort of, but I don't really think it's playable on piano… (Video)
Clare and the Reasons
Pluto
Crumb
Bones
The "jazziest" Crumb tunes, beautiful chords and a very tricky 5/8-6/8 moment !
Locket
Nina
Étienne Daho, the French icon of the New Wave
Tombé pour la France
Week-end à Rome.
The Dø
• From Both ways open jaws
Dust if off (with some lyrics !)
The Wicked and the blind (leadsheet + bass)
• From Shake shook shaken
Despair Hangover & Ecstasy (leadsheet)
A Mess Like This (leadsheet)
Forever Pavot
Les Cigognes nénuphars
Joe & Rose
Jimi Hendrix
Freedom (my own arrangement, some parts re-harmonized)
Begninnings
Philippe Katerine
Nu (Video)
This may seem like a silly song, but the are some wild modulations and non-functionnal harmony!
Sountrack
Portrait de la Jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Anne Sylvestre
Une Sorcière comme les autres
Temples
Shelter song (arranged for piano)
Charles Trénet
La Cigale et la Fourmi (leadsheet)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Swing and Sleep (Like a Shark) (II, 2013)
Joshua Redman
From Compass (2009) (Video)
Faraway
Great groovy song. You'd better find a great bass player and a great drummer to play this song!
Identity Thief (Video)
With James Farm
From the amazing 2011 album of this supergroup (Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, Eric Harland).
Chronos
Polliwog (Video)
Nearness, with Brad Mehldau:
Always August
A wonderful Mehldau tune, you can find the leadsheet here.
In Walked Bud
Faraway
Great groovy song. You'd better find a great bass player and a great drummer to play this song!
Identity Thief (Video)
With James Farm
From the amazing 2011 album of this supergroup (Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, Eric Harland).
Chronos
Polliwog (Video)
Nearness, with Brad Mehldau:
Always August
A wonderful Mehldau tune, you can find the leadsheet here.
In Walked Bud
Nahre Sol
Nahre Sol doesn't really give titles to her melodies… Not really convinient !
A beautiful waltz, Reunited with my piano after my move. You can see the original video here, and I've made a video with it.
A Scarlatti-inspired tune. You can see the original video here, and I've made a video with it.
Since she asks, let's play her game and find her influences! It is obvious that the main structure is based on Scarlatti's Sonata K.27 in B minor: same melodic motifs, same techniques, same arpeggiated figures with crossing hands (bars 4-7 for example), same descending scale with repeated notes (bars 23-24)… The harmonic language is much more modern, the M7 and m9 chords remind me of Maurice Ravel. On the other hand, I don't know where the non-functional harmony comes from - it reminds me of Wayne Shorter, but I doubt he is one of her influences! Might be from Poulenc? Any ideas?
A beautiful waltz, Reunited with my piano after my move. You can see the original video here, and I've made a video with it.
A Scarlatti-inspired tune. You can see the original video here, and I've made a video with it.
Since she asks, let's play her game and find her influences! It is obvious that the main structure is based on Scarlatti's Sonata K.27 in B minor: same melodic motifs, same techniques, same arpeggiated figures with crossing hands (bars 4-7 for example), same descending scale with repeated notes (bars 23-24)… The harmonic language is much more modern, the M7 and m9 chords remind me of Maurice Ravel. On the other hand, I don't know where the non-functional harmony comes from - it reminds me of Wayne Shorter, but I doubt he is one of her influences! Might be from Poulenc? Any ideas?
Martial Solal
In trio format
Aigue Marine (Jazz à Gaveau, 1962)
A beautiful Solal theme
Jazz Frit – (Martial Solal Trio, 1965)
The name of this tune is a joke about free jazz ("frit" and "free" have the same pronunciation in french ; "jazz frit" means "fried jazz")
Solal never really liked free jazz, he likes harmony and rythm too much for that. But it doesn't mean that he can't improvise freely (meaning with a great liberty). Impromptulm (see below) is a good example, solos 2, 3 etc of Jazz Frit are another :)
Navigation (Longitude, 2008)
Great tune composed by Martial Solal. Rather complex rhythm inside. Theme + unfinished transcription of the solo
Piano Solo
Fascinating Rhythm (Nothing But Piano, 1976) (Video)
I realised that I was mostly transcribing relatively slow Solal tunes, mainly because they are the ones I can hope to play (I don't). So I challenged myself to transcribe the fastest tune I've heard, and I wasn't disappointed: 350 BPM is the fastest tempo I've encountered! It's less than three minutes, but wow, there's so much going on!
Night in Tunisa (live from 1976) (Video)
Lick from Parisian thoroughfare (Martial Solal and Stéphane Grapelli, Happy reunion, 1980)
Impromptulm (Best of live, 1985) A "free" improvisation (it's not free jazz, just improvising freely !)
Ballade (Martial Solal Improvise pour France Musique, 1995 (Video) A strangely beautiful ballad, with a beautiful theme, first rubato, then in 3/4. The solo is crazy.
Que reste-t-il de nos amours/I whis you love (Jazz 'n (e)motion, 1998)
Charles Trénet' song, as played by Martial
On green dolphin street (Live at the Village Vanguard, 2008)
I LOVE Solal's playing. I'm rather suprised to see how close he is from the theme, both melodically and harmonically, and how inventive he is in his way to play standarts.
Centre de Gravité (Live at the Village Vanguard, 2008)
A mysterious composition by Martial Solal.
Marche Turque (Turkish March) (My One and Only Love (Live at Theater Gütersloh), 2018)
A very playful improvisation on this famous Mozart song.
VIDEO HERE
'Round Midnight (Live on Ottobrunn, 2018)
From the penultimate concert of the French master, here is an impressive set of variations on 'Round Midnight. He was then 95 years old, and still he has an idea every second, it's absolutely amazing!
VIDEO HERE
My One and Only Love (My One and Only Love (Live at Theater Gütersloh), 2018)
VIDEO HERE
Happy Birthday (Coming Yesterday : Live at Salle Gaveau 2019, 2021)
A very funny and impressive set of variations on this traditional song, from Solal's very last piano solo concert.
VIDEO HERE
Aigue Marine (Jazz à Gaveau, 1962)
A beautiful Solal theme
Jazz Frit – (Martial Solal Trio, 1965)
The name of this tune is a joke about free jazz ("frit" and "free" have the same pronunciation in french ; "jazz frit" means "fried jazz")
Solal never really liked free jazz, he likes harmony and rythm too much for that. But it doesn't mean that he can't improvise freely (meaning with a great liberty). Impromptulm (see below) is a good example, solos 2, 3 etc of Jazz Frit are another :)
Navigation (Longitude, 2008)
Great tune composed by Martial Solal. Rather complex rhythm inside. Theme + unfinished transcription of the solo
Piano Solo
Fascinating Rhythm (Nothing But Piano, 1976) (Video)
I realised that I was mostly transcribing relatively slow Solal tunes, mainly because they are the ones I can hope to play (I don't). So I challenged myself to transcribe the fastest tune I've heard, and I wasn't disappointed: 350 BPM is the fastest tempo I've encountered! It's less than three minutes, but wow, there's so much going on!
Night in Tunisa (live from 1976) (Video)
Lick from Parisian thoroughfare (Martial Solal and Stéphane Grapelli, Happy reunion, 1980)
Impromptulm (Best of live, 1985) A "free" improvisation (it's not free jazz, just improvising freely !)
Ballade (Martial Solal Improvise pour France Musique, 1995 (Video) A strangely beautiful ballad, with a beautiful theme, first rubato, then in 3/4. The solo is crazy.
Que reste-t-il de nos amours/I whis you love (Jazz 'n (e)motion, 1998)
Charles Trénet' song, as played by Martial
On green dolphin street (Live at the Village Vanguard, 2008)
I LOVE Solal's playing. I'm rather suprised to see how close he is from the theme, both melodically and harmonically, and how inventive he is in his way to play standarts.
Centre de Gravité (Live at the Village Vanguard, 2008)
A mysterious composition by Martial Solal.
Marche Turque (Turkish March) (My One and Only Love (Live at Theater Gütersloh), 2018)
A very playful improvisation on this famous Mozart song.
VIDEO HERE
'Round Midnight (Live on Ottobrunn, 2018)
From the penultimate concert of the French master, here is an impressive set of variations on 'Round Midnight. He was then 95 years old, and still he has an idea every second, it's absolutely amazing!
VIDEO HERE
My One and Only Love (My One and Only Love (Live at Theater Gütersloh), 2018)
VIDEO HERE
Happy Birthday (Coming Yesterday : Live at Salle Gaveau 2019, 2021)
A very funny and impressive set of variations on this traditional song, from Solal's very last piano solo concert.
VIDEO HERE
Art Tatum
Dardanella (video)
After You've Gone
Also incomplete, but as I think I'll never be able to play the fast part, I think it's enough :)
VIDEO HERE
After You've Gone
Also incomplete, but as I think I'll never be able to play the fast part, I think it's enough :)
VIDEO HERE
Henri Texier
From Izlaz (1988)
Les Là-bas : A groovy tune, built on a great great bass line you've probably aldready heard ! (leadsheet version)
From Izlaz (1988)
Idemo : I love Henri Texier. This french double-bassist always writes great melodic themes, and this is one of those.
Izlaz
From An Indian's week (1993)
Mâshala : a Bojan Z tune, as played by Henri Texier.
Laguna Veneta
Amazon Blues Theme and the bass solo
Simone Signoret
Don't buy ivory, anymore !
Les Là-bas : A groovy tune, built on a great great bass line you've probably aldready heard ! (leadsheet version)
From Izlaz (1988)
Idemo : I love Henri Texier. This french double-bassist always writes great melodic themes, and this is one of those.
Izlaz
From An Indian's week (1993)
Mâshala : a Bojan Z tune, as played by Henri Texier.
Laguna Veneta
Amazon Blues Theme and the bass solo
Simone Signoret
Don't buy ivory, anymore !
Baptiste Trotignon
From Solo (2003)
The Dream is Gone (leadsheet) I made a video of this transcription.
Youpala Fantastic song, rather hard to play… some nice rythm stuff inside. I believe this transcription is my masterpiece… You can check this video to have an idea of how he plays it live. Impressive!
From Solo II (2005)
Como tu me voi Nice Nino Rota waltz.
Love me tender Marvelous cover of the Elvis song. Just the theme.
Home Another long and beautiful composition, starting like a ballad, and moving to a 6/4 ostinato. I've made a video of this song.
From Fool time, with David el Malek (2007)
Al admat Israel Nice 7/8 tune.
Sunday the 13th Beautiful Monk-inspired theme.
From Hit (2015)
Abracadabra (I stopped transcribing as soon as I realised I will never be able to play the left hand rhythm, sorry guys)
The Dream is Gone (leadsheet) I made a video of this transcription.
Youpala Fantastic song, rather hard to play… some nice rythm stuff inside. I believe this transcription is my masterpiece… You can check this video to have an idea of how he plays it live. Impressive!
From Solo II (2005)
Como tu me voi Nice Nino Rota waltz.
Love me tender Marvelous cover of the Elvis song. Just the theme.
Home Another long and beautiful composition, starting like a ballad, and moving to a 6/4 ostinato. I've made a video of this song.
From Fool time, with David el Malek (2007)
Al admat Israel Nice 7/8 tune.
Sunday the 13th Beautiful Monk-inspired theme.
From Hit (2015)
Abracadabra (I stopped transcribing as soon as I realised I will never be able to play the left hand rhythm, sorry guys)
Fats Waller
Tea for Two
A perfect solo piano by Fats Waller. Great arrangement! Video here!
(You can also check Monk's version here)
Baby Oh! Where can you be?
Another piano solo with the melody played in the middle voice. Video here!
A perfect solo piano by Fats Waller. Great arrangement! Video here!
(You can also check Monk's version here)
Baby Oh! Where can you be?
Another piano solo with the melody played in the middle voice. Video here!
Mary Lou Williams
I've discovered the Zodiac Suite, by the great pianist, composer an arranger Mary Lou Williams. Written in 1945, the suite contains 12 parts corresponding to a sign of the zodiac and to musicians born under that sign. The suite was recorded in trio format, then played in concert with a big band (Ben Webster was guest soloist) and with an orchestra.
The trio format is fascinating. The music is very avant-garde, sounding like the 1950's third stream ; the harmonies are very modern for 1945 ; tempo changes all the time, alternating between a tempo and rubato…
Finally, I've managed to transcribe the entire Suite! It took me six years of very non consistent work… There might be some minor mistakes in my transcription, due to poor recording quality : some voicings are really hard to recognise, as you can't really hear some of the notes…
1. Aries (dedicated to Ben Webster and Billie Holiday)
The tune starts with a nice swing theme, in the cycle of fifths. The you have some cool call and response with piano and bass, and an improvisation on a Db7 ostinato. The ending shows a very quiet tone (Bm/Cm), then some big chords on a C pedal.
VIDEO HERE
2. Taurus (dedicated to Duke Ellington, Ellis Larkins and Mary Lou Williams herself)
There's almost no improvisation in this tune in trio format – but it's still jazz to me :) Check the great b9 chords you can see in measures 14 or 34, and the nice sounding 13h chords meas. 31 !
VIDEO HERE
3. Gemini (dedicated to Benny Goodman, Harold « Shorty » Baker (then Williams' husband) and Miles Davis)
Here a more playful one. It begins with two bass lines : a descending Dm arpeggio overlapping an ascending CM arpegio. I love the way Williams plays with the melody (a simple CM scale in thirds), adding a note each time it's repeated. Then there's some boogie woogie !
VIDEO HERE
4. Cancer (dedicated to Lem Davis)
Another one without improvisation. It's a duet with bassist Al Lucas, with a beautiful dark and sad theme in Ebm. I love the chords played at the end of the theme (mes 4 to 6, for example).
Measure 23, the theme is played in tempo with the bass.
VIDEO HERE
5. Leo (dedicated to Vic Dickenson)
This tune is a kind of march, with a middle section with wide chords.
VIDEO HERE
6. Virgo (dedicated to Leonard Feather)
Lead sheet version
This tune swings a lot (sometimes it even looks like early bebop). Written parts alternate with "classic" improvised ones, so I decided to make a leadsheet (well, a simpler version of the score) so you can have fun with it !
Have you seen the wonderful ending chords ?
VIDEO HERE
7. Libra (dedicated to the "dearest friends, Dizzy, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Monk)
A solo piano song, with a lot going on. It's hard to tell how much it's written, how much it's improvised. I love the Scriabin-like part meas. 41.
I've indicated the new sections by a doubled bar line, you can pause a little there.
VIDEO HERE
8. Scorpio (dedicated to Imogene Coca, Ethel Waters, Katherine Dunham, Al Parker)
This one demonstrates, once again, ML Williams' talent for basslines. When listenning to the alternate take, you can heart that most of this is written.
VIDEO HERE
9. Sagittarius (dedicated to Eddie Heywood)
Isn't this incredibly beautify? This short piece totally fulfills my love for harmony, another one of my favorites in the Suite.
VIDEO HERE
10. Capricorn (dedicated to Frankie Newton)
Be prepared, lots of chords in here!
VIDEO HERE
11. Aquarius (dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Josh White, Eartha Kitt)
I love this tune and the rhythmic strengh Mary Lou has! Sounds like a dance but I can't figure out any genre, I you have any idea…
From bar 85 she goes into a dotted/triplet vibe that results in these strange time signatures. This seems to be the best way to write it, but don't be afraid, it's easier to play than you may think!
What a pity that the recording quality is so bad, I'm not sure I've heard all of the right notes…
VIDEO HERE
12. Pisces (dedicated to Al Hall, Phil Moore, Barney Josephson)
At last, the last piece of Mary Lou Williams' Zodiac Suite ! It begins with a chromatic theme in thirds with a Bb pedal at the right hand, that alternates with a kind of chromatic waltz with the big chords Mary Lou loves.
VIDEO HERE
--------------------------------
Other tunes :
Fifth dimension
This one is a blues, based in the first section on a great riff (MLW has a gift for great bass lines). The next section is more common; I had trouble transcribing the left hand, as it's nearly inaudible, but I'm sure you can fill the blanks by yourself :)
Mary's Special
Some nive harmonies, a cool melody, some stride… Everything we need !
The trio format is fascinating. The music is very avant-garde, sounding like the 1950's third stream ; the harmonies are very modern for 1945 ; tempo changes all the time, alternating between a tempo and rubato…
Finally, I've managed to transcribe the entire Suite! It took me six years of very non consistent work… There might be some minor mistakes in my transcription, due to poor recording quality : some voicings are really hard to recognise, as you can't really hear some of the notes…
1. Aries (dedicated to Ben Webster and Billie Holiday)
The tune starts with a nice swing theme, in the cycle of fifths. The you have some cool call and response with piano and bass, and an improvisation on a Db7 ostinato. The ending shows a very quiet tone (Bm/Cm), then some big chords on a C pedal.
VIDEO HERE
2. Taurus (dedicated to Duke Ellington, Ellis Larkins and Mary Lou Williams herself)
There's almost no improvisation in this tune in trio format – but it's still jazz to me :) Check the great b9 chords you can see in measures 14 or 34, and the nice sounding 13h chords meas. 31 !
VIDEO HERE
3. Gemini (dedicated to Benny Goodman, Harold « Shorty » Baker (then Williams' husband) and Miles Davis)
Here a more playful one. It begins with two bass lines : a descending Dm arpeggio overlapping an ascending CM arpegio. I love the way Williams plays with the melody (a simple CM scale in thirds), adding a note each time it's repeated. Then there's some boogie woogie !
VIDEO HERE
4. Cancer (dedicated to Lem Davis)
Another one without improvisation. It's a duet with bassist Al Lucas, with a beautiful dark and sad theme in Ebm. I love the chords played at the end of the theme (mes 4 to 6, for example).
Measure 23, the theme is played in tempo with the bass.
VIDEO HERE
5. Leo (dedicated to Vic Dickenson)
This tune is a kind of march, with a middle section with wide chords.
VIDEO HERE
6. Virgo (dedicated to Leonard Feather)
Lead sheet version
This tune swings a lot (sometimes it even looks like early bebop). Written parts alternate with "classic" improvised ones, so I decided to make a leadsheet (well, a simpler version of the score) so you can have fun with it !
Have you seen the wonderful ending chords ?
VIDEO HERE
7. Libra (dedicated to the "dearest friends, Dizzy, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Monk)
A solo piano song, with a lot going on. It's hard to tell how much it's written, how much it's improvised. I love the Scriabin-like part meas. 41.
I've indicated the new sections by a doubled bar line, you can pause a little there.
VIDEO HERE
8. Scorpio (dedicated to Imogene Coca, Ethel Waters, Katherine Dunham, Al Parker)
This one demonstrates, once again, ML Williams' talent for basslines. When listenning to the alternate take, you can heart that most of this is written.
VIDEO HERE
9. Sagittarius (dedicated to Eddie Heywood)
Isn't this incredibly beautify? This short piece totally fulfills my love for harmony, another one of my favorites in the Suite.
VIDEO HERE
10. Capricorn (dedicated to Frankie Newton)
Be prepared, lots of chords in here!
VIDEO HERE
11. Aquarius (dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Josh White, Eartha Kitt)
I love this tune and the rhythmic strengh Mary Lou has! Sounds like a dance but I can't figure out any genre, I you have any idea…
From bar 85 she goes into a dotted/triplet vibe that results in these strange time signatures. This seems to be the best way to write it, but don't be afraid, it's easier to play than you may think!
What a pity that the recording quality is so bad, I'm not sure I've heard all of the right notes…
VIDEO HERE
12. Pisces (dedicated to Al Hall, Phil Moore, Barney Josephson)
At last, the last piece of Mary Lou Williams' Zodiac Suite ! It begins with a chromatic theme in thirds with a Bb pedal at the right hand, that alternates with a kind of chromatic waltz with the big chords Mary Lou loves.
VIDEO HERE
--------------------------------
Other tunes :
Fifth dimension
This one is a blues, based in the first section on a great riff (MLW has a gift for great bass lines). The next section is more common; I had trouble transcribing the left hand, as it's nearly inaudible, but I'm sure you can fill the blanks by yourself :)
Mary's Special
Some nive harmonies, a cool melody, some stride… Everything we need !
Bojan Z
From Soul Shelter (2012)
Full Half Moon
Simple and beatiful tune, love the melody on this one. It really develops further than I transcribed (try figure it out yourself !)
Sweet Shelter of Mine
Here we have some serious stuff… The intro/outro is in regular 4/4, I've notated the theme in 5+5/8, it seemed the easier way to do. The solo is mainly in 5+4/8... here it gets really tricky. But don't worry, he's making mistakes too :) (measure 76 or 96, he "forgets" a 8th, sometimes he adds one or two...) Good luck however !
Hometown
A rather simple tune (it's 4/4, but the 6/4 part can be tricky…), originally played with piano + Fender Rhodes, arranged for a solo piano.
Bohemeska
Swingy “Monkish” tune !
303
Once again, some odd measures here ! It starts in 3/4 around a D7b9, and it transforms into a fast 4+5/8 around Cm/D7, with very nice colours.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
From Transpacifik (2003)
Set It Up
- - - - - - - - - - - -
From Solobession (2001)
Who's Bob
The opening tune of the album, based on two chords. Great to warm up :)
Don't Buy Ivory, Anymore !
Beautiful song by Henri Texier, as played by Bojan.
Multi Don Kulti
Full Half Moon
Simple and beatiful tune, love the melody on this one. It really develops further than I transcribed (try figure it out yourself !)
Sweet Shelter of Mine
Here we have some serious stuff… The intro/outro is in regular 4/4, I've notated the theme in 5+5/8, it seemed the easier way to do. The solo is mainly in 5+4/8... here it gets really tricky. But don't worry, he's making mistakes too :) (measure 76 or 96, he "forgets" a 8th, sometimes he adds one or two...) Good luck however !
Hometown
A rather simple tune (it's 4/4, but the 6/4 part can be tricky…), originally played with piano + Fender Rhodes, arranged for a solo piano.
Bohemeska
Swingy “Monkish” tune !
303
Once again, some odd measures here ! It starts in 3/4 around a D7b9, and it transforms into a fast 4+5/8 around Cm/D7, with very nice colours.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
From Transpacifik (2003)
Set It Up
- - - - - - - - - - - -
From Solobession (2001)
Who's Bob
The opening tune of the album, based on two chords. Great to warm up :)
Don't Buy Ivory, Anymore !
Beautiful song by Henri Texier, as played by Bojan.
Multi Don Kulti
Various
Bill Carrothers
In the wee small hours of the morning (Video)
Marc Ducret
Fanfare
I tried to figure out the time signature of the melody, it's what sounded the most accurate/easy to read to me!
Miles Davis Second Quintet
Pee Wee (from Sorcerer, 1967)
I wanted to check if the Real Book leadsheet was correct (turn out it's ok!), I ended up transcribing the whole tune, including Wayne and Herbie's great solos – I love how he plays with small patterns and silences. (Video)
Armel Dupas
Petite Bretonne
A nice waltz. Video
Stan Getz
I love this ballad, and I love Stan Getz's version :
Here's That Rainy Day (Video)
Leadsheet
Aaron Goldberg
Yoyo (Video)
Theme and solo, from his wonderfu 2015 album The Now.
Gigi Gryce : Social Call
I love this Gigi Gryce song, sweet melody, inspiring harmonics, and beautiful lyrics by Jon Hendricks. This transcription is based on the instrumental version from the 1955 album When Farmer Meets Gryce.
Complete transcription with a video.
You can also check Laurent Coq's version here !
Allan Holdsworth
Golden Lake, from The Things You See with Gordon Beck
Milt Jackson
Tahiti (from Wizard of the vibes, leadsheet)
Joubran Trio
Sama-Sounounov
Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh
Topsy - only solos
Nguyên Lê
Evening Glory, from Walking on the Tiger's Tail (2005) (Video)
Is this still jazz? Is it some king kind of classical music? Anyways, it's a rich and complexe piece, with gorgeous harmonies and some wild rhythmic writing.
John Lewis
From his fantastic piano solo recording, Evolution (2004)
Cherokee (Video)
Ode Trio (piano and arrangement : Ohane Dourian)
A very cool arrangement of the French song La Bohème
La Bohème
I've made a video of this transcription !
Michel Portal
Dolce. Theme, from Bailador (2010)
Sun Ra
Enlightenment (Video)
A transcriptions of the main parts of the song. A lot is going on here !
Dan Tepfer
Nines (video)
From his great duet album with Ben Wendel.
Jacky Terrasson
Try To Catch Me (Video)
Nice tune, alternating an atonal riff and a fun latin-feel part !
Teddy Wilson et Lester Young
Piano stride is hard but so much fun. I love the 1956 Pres and Teddy album (but who doesn't ?), and most of all Louise.
Louise 1 (only Teddy Wilson's solo)
Louise 2 (with Pres's theme)
(Video)
In the wee small hours of the morning (Video)
Marc Ducret
Fanfare
I tried to figure out the time signature of the melody, it's what sounded the most accurate/easy to read to me!
Miles Davis Second Quintet
Pee Wee (from Sorcerer, 1967)
I wanted to check if the Real Book leadsheet was correct (turn out it's ok!), I ended up transcribing the whole tune, including Wayne and Herbie's great solos – I love how he plays with small patterns and silences. (Video)
Armel Dupas
Petite Bretonne
A nice waltz. Video
Stan Getz
I love this ballad, and I love Stan Getz's version :
Here's That Rainy Day (Video)
Leadsheet
Aaron Goldberg
Yoyo (Video)
Theme and solo, from his wonderfu 2015 album The Now.
Gigi Gryce : Social Call
I love this Gigi Gryce song, sweet melody, inspiring harmonics, and beautiful lyrics by Jon Hendricks. This transcription is based on the instrumental version from the 1955 album When Farmer Meets Gryce.
Complete transcription with a video.
You can also check Laurent Coq's version here !
Allan Holdsworth
Golden Lake, from The Things You See with Gordon Beck
Milt Jackson
Tahiti (from Wizard of the vibes, leadsheet)
Joubran Trio
Sama-Sounounov
Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh
Topsy - only solos
Nguyên Lê
Evening Glory, from Walking on the Tiger's Tail (2005) (Video)
Is this still jazz? Is it some king kind of classical music? Anyways, it's a rich and complexe piece, with gorgeous harmonies and some wild rhythmic writing.
John Lewis
From his fantastic piano solo recording, Evolution (2004)
Cherokee (Video)
Ode Trio (piano and arrangement : Ohane Dourian)
A very cool arrangement of the French song La Bohème
La Bohème
I've made a video of this transcription !
Michel Portal
Dolce. Theme, from Bailador (2010)
Sun Ra
Enlightenment (Video)
A transcriptions of the main parts of the song. A lot is going on here !
Dan Tepfer
Nines (video)
From his great duet album with Ben Wendel.
Jacky Terrasson
Try To Catch Me (Video)
Nice tune, alternating an atonal riff and a fun latin-feel part !
Teddy Wilson et Lester Young
Piano stride is hard but so much fun. I love the 1956 Pres and Teddy album (but who doesn't ?), and most of all Louise.
Louise 1 (only Teddy Wilson's solo)
Louise 2 (with Pres's theme)
(Video)
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