A Guide To Help You Play Better Jazz Piano
by
Ron Drotos
History and overview:
Duke Ellington had such a long career, lasting into the 1970’s, that I’m often surprised to learn how early some of his songs were composed. “Solitude,” also sometimes called “In My Solitude,” was written in 1934!!!
It’s a great tune to play, and should be on your “short list” of ballads to learn, after “Misty” and Ellington’s own “In A Sentimental Mood.”
Recommended videos/recordings:
(for international readers who may not have access to these YouTube links, I’ve indicated the original album names wherever possible so you can listen to them on music streaming services, etc.)
Duke Ellington Orchestra
The original 1934 recording
Duke Ellington: Masterpieces By Ellington
An amazing, extended arrangement
Duke Ellington
An early solo performance by Ellington
Ben Webster: Big Ben Time
Musical ideas and jazz piano practice tips:
“Solitude” provides a wonderful musical contrast between the ‘A’ Sections and the bridge. The ‘A’ Sections feature a plaintive melody over a simple chord progression that was later used by Elllington’s musical collaborator Billy Strayhorn on “Take The ‘A’ Train. The progression is the same, except for the vi chord in m. 2 of “Solitude.” The standard song “Exactly Like You” uses it as well.
The harmonies sound great as they appear in The Real Book, but if you want to sound more “Ellingtonian,” play the following chords under the melody in measures 5-6:
Ab/Bb for 1 beat, Gb/Bb for 3 beats
Gb/Bb for 1 beat, E/Bb for 2 beats, EbMaj7/Bb for 1 beat
Then resolve to the EbMaj7 chord in m.7. Duke loved to use these types of triads to harmonize his melodies in parallel motion and it adds a nice flavor as the chords move farther and farther away from the key of Eb before ultimately resolving home again.
The tune’s bridge uses a standard bluesy chord progression, starting on the IV chord, that was very popular during the Swing Era. The standard “Stormy Weather” uses a similar progression during its bridge, and it can be fun to get a little bluesy during the bridge to “Solitude” before returning to the plaintiveness of the final ‘A’ Section.
For a real treat, be sure to listen to the extended arrangement on the album “Masterpieces By Ellington,” which I’ve linked to above.
Enjoy the journey, and “let the music flow!”
Further links and resources:
The Development Of Duke Ellington’s Compositional Style
A detailed and informative study by Eric Scott Strother. Includes numerous transcribed musical examples of Ellington’s piano playing and orchestrations.
The Best Way To Use The Real Book
How To Learn Jazz Piano
A podcast to help you learn jazz piano more effectively
Mastering The Real Book: A 10-week Skype Intensive for Jazz Pianists
Previous Song Table of Contents Next Song
Learn the 5 Essential Left Hand Techniques with my free ebook: Left Hand Techniques for Jazz Piano
You'll also get my weekly jazz newsletter with practice tips and inspiration
