Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

Reader, There are so many Oscar Peterson solos that I love. It’s hard to name a favorite, but this one on It’s Alright With Me is definitely one of them. (Perhaps second to the intro on Nice Work If You Can Get It, but we already transcribed that one) Oscar’s technique is on pure display here. Rhythmically perfect, the articulations really swing. But, at the same time, it’s quite approachable to play, and structured around simple soloing techniques. (I throw my hands up in disbelief on his...

Reader, Last week I ran out of time to finish the Gene Harris transcription I was working on. It was considerably more difficult than I thought it would be. I used to really like his playing, especially over the blues. But after spending so much time immersed in his playing these past weeks, I LOVE Gene Harris' playing. The tune I've been looking at is called Bluesology. I first learned of this tune from Monty Alexander, but when I saw the Ray Brown Trio had also played it, I just had to dive...

Reader, I'll be real, sometimes transcribing a new solo every week is pretty ambitious. And on top of an already busy schedule this week, I thought it would be a good idea to transcribe this crazy solo Gene Harris with the Ray Brown Trio. (Bluesology - from Live at the Loa) Here's the recording if you want to try it yourself. Long story short, I just didn't get it done in time. And I'm not going to half-ass it just to get it out today. I'll have it ready to share next Wednesday. That said, I...

Reader, This week we're taking a look at the great standard, There Will Never Be Another You. Specifically, looking closely at one of the solos by the great Wynton Kelly from 1951. Full transcription below... New Course: Jazz Piano Chord Voicings Learn the most important chord voicings, step-by-step, in 35 video lessons. Learn More Join us on Friday's free Zoom workshop. This Friday, May 2nd, at 1:00 ET on Zoom. We'll be looking at the tunes chord changes, practice comping over them, and do a...

Reader, The thing about Chet Baker's playing is how intentional he is. He's rarely flashy. Instead, he plays singable melodies, with colorful notes, hip rhythm and with a clear tone. Join our workshop this Friday This week we look at how to take the written melody off a lead sheet, embellish it, and really make it swing. We'll use all the melodic ideas we've been focused in our last few workshops. On Zoom at 1pm Eastern, this Friday, April 25. Yes, I'm coming Today's Transcription Each week I...

Reader, In 1958, the Miles Davis Sextet laid down On Green Dolphin Street in a Columbia Records studio in New York City. The track was later re-released on several compilations, including as a bonus track on the 50th anniversary release of Kind of Blue. There is so much to learn by studying Miles' solo on this track. Let's take a look... Let's Play This Solo at Friday's Workshop Over the past few weeks we've been focused on how to connect chords and scales together through scale running,...

Reader, I'm kind of a nerd about watchmaking. I love watching videos of people tearing down watches, and learning about how they work. At first glance, a watch is a simple dial that we take for granted. But, the more you look at a watch, you realize that behind every movement is a gear. And behind every gear is another, or a spring, or a timing crystal. What appears simple at first, is actually an incredibly complex orchestration of 1,000 factors, all of which have to come together with...