Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library
Each week, receive a new jazz transcription of a solo, with observations and playing tips. Join our weekly Zoom workshop to explore and play together.
The blues is more than a blues scale. You need to play this...
Reader, When it comes to playing the blues, we all start in the same place. Every book, every video teaches the 12 bar blues form and the blues scale. *yawn* There's so much more to the blues than that! So last week I made a video for all my "advanced beginner" friends, to show you what to play beyond the basics. Advanced Beginner's Guide to Playing Blues Piano Have you watched it yet? It's one of my favorite recent videos, and I'd really love for you to see it. Here's what we cover: Explains...
Chet Baker 🎺 slays this solo on How Deep is the Ocean
Reader, How Deep is the Ocean was a huge hit by Irving Berlin in 1932 and has been performed by just about ever major jazz artist since. It's one of those standards every aspiring jazz musician has to know. When I'm learning a standard like this for the first time, there are so many recordings to reference. But, my kinda "go to" is Chet Baker. He plays the melody so clearly, without many changes to the harmony. It's a great way to follow along with the lead sheet and feel out the tune. So,...
Herbie's 🎹 groove (and Freddie's 🎺 solo) on Cantaloupe Island
Reader, There are 3 jazz standards about fruit we should all know: Tangerine (Jimmy Dorsey), Scrapple from the Apple (Charlie Parker), and Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock). Cantaloupe Island This week we're breaking down Herbie's killer keyboard groove over Cantaloupe Island, and the incredible trumpet solo Freddie Hubbard plays. RSVP For the Cantaloupe Island Workshop This Friday at 1pm Eastern, May 30. The workshop is free, just please let us know you are coming. The workshop will hosted...
This is one of my all-time favorite Oscar Peterson lines.
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...
I used to really like Gene Harris's blues playing...
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...
I’m Still Transcribing This Gene Harris Solo…
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...
Wynton Kelly’s solo on There Will Never Be Another You is timeless... 🎹
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...