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.
Pierre de Bethmann 4tet, from his 2012 album Go
On Change
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
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.
Pierre de Bethmann trio, from Essais, vol 1 (2015)
Sicilienne (Video)
Based on Gabrie Fauré's song for cello and piano.
Pierre de Bethmann piano solo, from At Barloyd's (2016)
Recall (simplified leadsheet and video)
Another cool swinging tune with crazy rhythms!
Pierre de Bethmann trio, from Essais, vol 5 (2020)
Thingin': transcription, piano reduction (video)
This is a Lee Konitz composition, based on the changes of All The Things…, rearranged by Pierre de Bethmann. These simple scales add such a powerful drive to this song, I love it! I've transcribed Pierre's solo, and the first part of Nelson Veras'.
Can't Help It (video)
This is a cool tune written by Stevie Wonder for Michael Jackson. I love Bethmann's voicings, really fun tune to play!
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est bass. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est bass. Afficher tous les articles
mercredi 24 novembre 2010
Carla Bley
Carla Bley is a musician I have loved and listened to for years, an inspired and unique composer, and a pianist full of surprises. Of course, you can hear some Monk in her love of dissonance and her clumsy playing (on purpose!). But to me there's more: like John Lewis, she seems to try to produce the most effect with the fewest notes possible. She keeps things simple – and always groovy: her rhythmic language is very strong.
I really like her duo albums with Steve Swallow, and her trio albums with Andy Sheppard. Her big band albums are obviously great, but I don't feel like embarking on this kind of transcription…
From Duets, with Steve Swallow (1988):
Romantic Notions #3 (Video)
This is a weird tune. It starts with dissonant, awkward chords, followed by some solos over those chords (AABB). It's a bit hard to recognize a real theme, there are bits of melody that you hear several times, but I couldn't figure out much more. But anyway, it's a great fun to play!
Edit: I just bought Carla's score for her Romantic Notions, and without surprise I got most of her rhythms wrong… I'll let it this way, because I believe that my version is very readable (if not accurate). If you want to dig in, buy her score on her website!
Útviklingssang (Video)
I suppose this is one of Carla Bley's most famous compositions, and rightly so: the melody is very beautiful and the harmony is both simple and full of subtlety. She plays this piece with great simplicity, like a song, which gives even more emotional weight to the moments of tension.
I use the chord names and structure that I found on Carla Bley's leadsheet, but if you ask me, I would rather notate G/A than Am11 ; and D/E than Em11.
From Trios, with Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow (2013):
Vashkar (Video)
This is a catchy piece composed in 6/4, an unusual meter carried by Steve Swallow's groovy bass lines. Dissonances, strange and exotic scales, rhythmic richness: everything we like!
I really like her duo albums with Steve Swallow, and her trio albums with Andy Sheppard. Her big band albums are obviously great, but I don't feel like embarking on this kind of transcription…
From Duets, with Steve Swallow (1988):
Romantic Notions #3 (Video)
This is a weird tune. It starts with dissonant, awkward chords, followed by some solos over those chords (AABB). It's a bit hard to recognize a real theme, there are bits of melody that you hear several times, but I couldn't figure out much more. But anyway, it's a great fun to play!
Edit: I just bought Carla's score for her Romantic Notions, and without surprise I got most of her rhythms wrong… I'll let it this way, because I believe that my version is very readable (if not accurate). If you want to dig in, buy her score on her website!
Útviklingssang (Video)
I suppose this is one of Carla Bley's most famous compositions, and rightly so: the melody is very beautiful and the harmony is both simple and full of subtlety. She plays this piece with great simplicity, like a song, which gives even more emotional weight to the moments of tension.
I use the chord names and structure that I found on Carla Bley's leadsheet, but if you ask me, I would rather notate G/A than Am11 ; and D/E than Em11.
From Trios, with Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow (2013):
Vashkar (Video)
This is a catchy piece composed in 6/4, an unusual meter carried by Steve Swallow's groovy bass lines. Dissonances, strange and exotic scales, rhythmic richness: everything we like!
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
Stéphane Kerecki
From Focus Danse, Stéphane Kerecki Trio, w/ Mathieu Donarier (sax) and Thomas Grimmonprez (drums) (2007)
Anna
Resilience
Anna
Resilience
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 !
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 (Video)
Nice and rich harmonies, some stride, some cool licks, what more could anybody want? Mary Lou Willians really is the queen of swing!
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 (Video)
Nice and rich harmonies, some stride, some cool licks, what more could anybody want? Mary Lou Willians really is the queen of swing!
Pop & Co
Clare and the Reasons
Pluto
Crumb
Bones
The "jazziest" Crumb tune, 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
Dust if off (with some lyrics !)
The Wicked and the blind (leadsheet + bass)
Despair Hangover & Ecstasy (leadsheet)
A Mess Like This (leadsheet)
Forever Pavot
Les Cigognes nénuphars
Joe & Rose
Philippe Katerine
Nu (Video)
This may seem like a silly song, but the are some wild modulations and non-functionnal harmony!
The Lemon Twigs
These Words
Piano arrangement of this song that has been stuck in my head for a very long time now…
Sountrack
Portrait de la Jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Anne Sylvestre
Une Sorcière comme les autres
Charles Trénet
La Cigale et la Fourmi (leadsheet)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Swing and Sleep (Like a Shark) (II, 2013)
Stevie Wonder
Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing (Innervisions, 1973)
Pluto
Crumb
Bones
The "jazziest" Crumb tune, 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
Dust if off (with some lyrics !)
The Wicked and the blind (leadsheet + bass)
Despair Hangover & Ecstasy (leadsheet)
A Mess Like This (leadsheet)
Forever Pavot
Les Cigognes nénuphars
Joe & Rose
Philippe Katerine
Nu (Video)
This may seem like a silly song, but the are some wild modulations and non-functionnal harmony!
The Lemon Twigs
These Words
Piano arrangement of this song that has been stuck in my head for a very long time now…
Sountrack
Portrait de la Jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Anne Sylvestre
Une Sorcière comme les autres
Charles Trénet
La Cigale et la Fourmi (leadsheet)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Swing and Sleep (Like a Shark) (II, 2013)
Stevie Wonder
Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing (Innervisions, 1973)
Labels:
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Hendrix,
jazz,
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The Dø,
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