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  • Mike Brose
    Participant
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 4
    #3512 |

    I love the new look, Ron! I have 3 things on my current practice list:
    1) Choir accompanying – my role in my church has been steadily growing, including having my own small group to accompany whenever we get scheduled about once a month.
    2) Jazz Ballads – I started that series today in honor of the new look. I’m going to add The Inchworm to the list in addition to Indian Summer & I Got it Bad since I had already been working on it.
    3) Classical – I try to keep something classical on top of the pile, too, and lately that has been Debussy’s “La Fille aux cheveux de lin.”

    Ron
    Keymaster
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 21
    #3513 |

    Hey Mike!

    Funny you should mention the choir accompanying! Another student asked me about this last week and I’m working on a blog post about it. If you have any specific questions or experiences you’d like to shore, let me know and I’ll address them in the blog.

    Jazz ballads are so much fun to play! My pet peeve is when some drummers automatically go into a double-time feel as soon as the piano solo starts. It only really works when it happens organically, not when it’s forced. What’s wrong with playing a ballad, anyway? Why make them all into swing tunes??? Inchworm is a great tune to play, and not many people play it anymore. It will set you apart 🙂

    I love the Debussy. I didn’t know it so I found a clip on Youtube. Lang Lang plays it well. He gets beyond the notes, which he doesn’t always do on Mozart, etc.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 5
    #3516 |

    That’s funny…..I’m planning to start on the Jazz Ballads too. I’ve always loved the sound of jazz music but never knew how to go about playing it. Joules Holland always filled me with awe when I watched him as a teenager. Looking forward to getting started. P.S. The new look is great Ron!

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 16
    #3518 |

    Also loving the new look Ron! Louis Prima could always get away with jazzing up a ballad. But mostly I prefer other jazz artists to keep the ballads soft and pretty (like Ella Fitzgerald). Timbo
    P.S. Hi Mike and Catherine
    P.S. Why do I have the sudden urge to go and explore the Jazz Ballads lessons? 🙂

    Ron
    Keymaster
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 21
    #3519 |

    A lot of the classic rock musicians mention hanging out with Holland. He must have been quite a presence on the British music scene at one point! I think there’s some stuff you him and Charlie Watts playing blues and boogie woogie, but I’m not sure.

    You should get a copy of The Real Book, volume 1. It has leadsheets for the most commonly played jazz tunes, including some great ballads.

    Ron
    Keymaster
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 21
    #3520 |

    Tim, Have you heard this Ella Fitzgerald album?

    It’s just her and Ellis Larkins on piano, playing mostly ballads. Wonderful, timeless music!

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 16
    #3521 |

    Ron, I’ve not heard that album before, but it’s beautiful. I have this album, which is similar and excellent:Intimate Ella (duets w/pianist Paul Smith). By the way, how do you post a youtube link on this site?
    Tim

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 16
    #3522 |

    P.S. The album you showed me is available on iTunes for only $5.99. But strangely, it doesn’t have the song “Ive Got a Crush on You.” You must have the extended version. It’s still a good deal for the 12 songs being offered.
    Tim

    Mike Brose
    Participant
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 4
    #3524 |

    Ron, I like Lang Lang’s version on You Tube,too….way better than the version I bought on iTunes years ago. I started working on The Inchworm as a follow up to my performance of Bein’ Green. I like it so much for its simplicity of a basic two chord progression. I can really explore them at a relaxed tempo that matches my technique on piano and vocals.

    Tim & Catherine, nice to meet you! I look forward to sharing experiences.

    – Mike

    PS Patricia Barber did an interesting live performance of The Inchworm. It does go uptempo in the middle, so sorry about the pet peeve, Ron, but I like the vibes.

    Ron
    Keymaster
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 21
    #3527 |

    Tim, I saw Ella do a concert with Paul Smith once. Amazing!

    To pose a YouTube link you just paste the url here, like this:

    Ron
    Keymaster
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 21
    #3528 |

    I have the Ella/Larkins on an old LP. I’ll have to dig it out and check how many songs are on it. Maybe the CD is different.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 5
    #3529 |

    Nice to meet you too Mike! Isn’t this nice to be in an environment surrounded by people with the same interest? This was a good idea Ron. I go on a discussion forum for college but it’s something that I HAVE to do. It’s amazing all you can learn from general online conversation. This is a nice option to learning more. I look forward to future chats. I’ll keep you posted on how my Jazz Ballads progress…

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 5
    #3530 |

    P.S.it’s Jools Holland.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 5
    #3531 |

    Hi to you too Tim!

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    March 25, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    Post count: 16
    #3533 |

    Hi Catherine,
    Here’s Jools Holland with Boz Scaggs.

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