Am I the Last Person to Realize This About Ornithology? 🎷
Published 8 months ago • 3 min read
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Reader,
Ornithology is the study of birds. And the tune Ornithology was written by Charlie "Bird" Parker.
I'm ashamed I didn't put that together until this morning. Seriously, how did I get through music school without learning this essential piece of jazz trivia?
Every week I get an email from someone who's taking the 7-day soloing challenge complaining that these concepts are "too basic." And I have to sit them down and reassure them lovingly and patiently... yes, they are basic... but are you using them? 🤔
They are so practically useful. And this solo from Barry Harris on Ornithology is a perfect example of them in action.
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Join our workshop this Friday
This week we'll learn about chord / scale pairings and practice ways to run continuous 8th note scale lines over changes to common progressions and a tune.
On Zoom at 1pm Eastern, this Friday, Feb 28.
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Today's 2-5-1
Each week I share 2 transcribed phrases, 5 ideas observed from 1 featured jazz recording.
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Ornithology
Recorded by the Barry Harris Trio in 1958. Featuring Barry Harris (piano), William Austin (bass), Frank Gant (drums)
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Important - Barry has recorded several versions of this tune. This transcription comes from the album Breakin' It Up, on the first solo right after the head. |
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Download the transcription: Ornithology.pdf
On Day 2 of our 7-day soloing challenge, we talk about approaching the harmony from a half-step below.
Look for the annotations "1*", "2*" etc. in the notation above. Each of those points out an example of approaching an arpeggio by a half-step, or by a series of half-steps.
It happens 6 times in just one time through the changes...
- In bar 4 - approach from Bb into a G major arpeggio.
- Bar 5 - a long chromatic approach into the C7(b9) arpeggio.
- Bar 7 - a lead into an F major arpeggio.
- Bar 9 - a 2 beat lead into Bb7 arpeggio
- Bar 13 - a little disguised, but that's a Gm7 arpeggio with that E natural on the end leading us into D7
- Bar 15 - approach from above into Bm7 arpeggio
Can you spot two more of these in the lead in, in bars 1&2?
This week on the YouTube channel
 This 5 Min Exercise Gives You Soloing Confidence
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Josh Walsh
Say hi 👋🏻 on YouTube or Bluesky.
Or, just reply to this email.
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PS .
Holiday Workshops Start on Tuesday
We're kicking off a new series teaching 4 holiday tunes in 4 jazz styles. You need to RSVP now to participate.
- White Christmas - George Shearing style block chords and drop-2 voicings
- O Christmas Tree in a swinging Red Garland style with syncopated left hand comping
- I'll Be Home for Christmas as a lush ballad with 5 and 6 note chords.
-
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town in a style inspired by Erroll Garner
Included with your membership. Just RSVP so I can send the link."
But, I still need to know you are coming so I can send you the link. Please let me know you are coming by clicking the button below.
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