skykeys

Hey Harmonizer, thanks for the file! Very cool of you to have attempted to write it out. I will print it out and work on it. I'll get back to you about it when I've gone over it.

MusicFox, on the assumption that you will be able to make your midi file public, (or even send it to me in private, ), is there a way to convert that file (directly or indirectly) into sheet music, or otherwise help me to learn how to play it?

To Jazzmammal and Wastrel, you are entitled to your opinions of course. You don't like that piano intro, that's fine; understandable even. Yea, it's definitely wacky. But I don't think the playing sucks. Jazmammal, if you could recreate that intro note for note and write it out, I'd appreciate it, because, I can't do it. I have not been able to decypher the chords that Lamm plays in that intro. So, I happen to like it, and I just want to play it. It resonates with my musical sensibility. I think it's very interesting and creative. It's certainly different and more complex than most modern commercial dross. And, the feeling that the intro invokes in me, relates very well to the concept of the title of the song. Lamm could have been stoned when he played it, but I don't know that for a fact; do you? I mean, I've never seen or heard of any information about the recording of that intro whatsoever. What I perceive about it is, the melody has form and direction, and I think it's too organized to have been done completely from scratch off the top of his head one time. He must have messed around with it in some fashion in advance, even if he never actually wrote it down. The fact that the piece is "demented", as someone called it here - much earlier on this thread, makes for a great intro to the wonderfully creative and multi-time signature'd horn intro, and again, relates to the "who cares about time" concept. The horn intro is great too. Cool complex chord construction with multiple time signatures, and it resolves beautifully into the main song.

Every band that plays the song starts with the horn part. I mean, I've never heard anyone play the part in question. As far as I know, that album version is the one and only edition of the piece; and it could be that Lamm never played it again. Other live "intros" Lamm played that I've seen/heard video of, don't come close to the original.

Musicfox - outstanding that you have transcribed the intro. I'm very impressed, and excited, even if I'll have to wait - perhaps months? Hopefully no more. I mean, if no one from Chicago management gets back to you, and given that the song (and related intro) is so old, I have to believe (want to believe) that it would be okay to pass it around. I don't blame you for being cautious. But ultimately I can't believe anyone would care. How much money do they think they would be missing out on? I mean, who but a handful of piano fanatics like us would be interested. Who even knows about that intro at this point in time? Since I am the one who started this thread - originally 9 years ago, I give you a big "THANK YOU" for taking the time to figure it out. And thanks for letting us know. Regards, skykeys

So JohnH, you mean the guy did play the beginning part of that solo piano intro (and maybe most of it?) - the part that you said stumps you (and certainly stumps me)? And you think he got it right?

Have never heard this! Wow. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out though writing it out would be a pain. You need to understand close jazz voicings and harmony to be sure. If you didn't have a background in that it would make the process much more difficult. Boda, I did have some basic study in jazz voicings as a younger lad, but not an extensive one. My step son has a Bachelor's and Master's in music theory and composition (piano major), and said he could not decypher that intro either; again, not without spending far too much time on it. If you think you could figure it out, I would love to continue to discuss it with you, at your leisure. Thanks.

Thanks Joe. Yes, it sure seems that way. I tried to fish for it, just to see if anyone had run across a chart for it somewhere along the line. Thing is, I have tried to figure it out, but it quickly became frustrating, because it's difficult to pick out precisely what he's playing. A combination of the lack of quality/clarity of the original recording and the dissonance of the piece, made it impossible for me to come up with anything meaningful. If I have an unlimited about of time to devote to it, maybe I could eventually come up with something close.

I think it might be the case that some of the people who responded here (and thank you all for your input), aren't really sure of the piano intro part that I'm referring to. So, to be clear, this link is from the original CTA album version of Does Anybody Know What Time It Is; as soon as it starts playing, the solo piano part is the part I'm talking about. I have seen several versions of charts that show the music from the part when the horns kick in, which is great; and thanks to everyone who sent me or posted a linked to that chart. The horn parts start around 1:14 of the recording. But I still have never seen anything on the solo piano intro. As Reezekeys said, it is probably an improvised part and there may not be any chart for it. Thing is, the album version intro is melodically well organized enough (imho) that I have to believe Lamm had played around with it several times and had a good idea of what he was going to play, when it was recorded. It's a darn shame that a chart for it doesn't exist, and that he apparently never was able to recreate it live.

LOL , , , Me neither BF.

Thanks for posting that moj! I have to say though, what Lamm is playing there sounds almost nothing at all like the original recording on the album. I don't find it anywhere near as interesting or as well conceived. Neither the melody nor the chord structures are the same. Perhaps part of the reason is that he's playing it on a Horner electric piano. But still, it doesn't sound similar to the original album version to me. Also, it goes on way too long for my tastes. Kind of self-indulgent. I never felt that way about the original.

Entertaining responses. From a practical standpoint, I do realize that you're all correct. It's not worth the effort. No one (but music fanatics like ourselves) would appreciate it, let alone remember it. But since I am one of those fanatics, I just thought I would try to find out if there was a chart for it somewhere; if anyone every played it or knew anything else about it. And what I've found is: no one seems to know a darn thing about it. It apparently has never been played live by Lamm (or anyone else), and no charts exist for it. I am a bit surprised that there is no back story to it; like how it came to be on the album, how he came up with it in the first place, etc. It remains an enigma. Given how mysterious it is, you'd think that would be reason in itself for more information to have been uncovered about it. So, I'm not going to obsess over it or anything, but I will continue to hunt and peck at it occasionally. If any of you ever find out anything about it, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. Thanks for your input.

LOL . . . That is very funny Steve. And probably pretty accurate as well.

Yes, that album is still one of my favorites. Great stuff.

Well, that makes at least two of us looking for it. After all these years, I've not found it yet. I tried to pick it off by ear, and I didn't get far. It will take (me at least) a very long time to try to learn it by ear. But perhaps we could collaborate on it, if you are as obsessed by it as I am.

Hard to believe that it was 9 years ago that I first wrote this post asking for info about that piano intro. I'm sorry to say, 9 years later, and I'm no closer to playing it. I just can't figure it out by listening to the recording - which is not clear enough to discern those "dissonant" chords. (using the correct word now). On a side note, it's interesting that this forum still remembered my ID and password.

Demented - a perfect word for it, thanks Jon. I broke down and bought the sheet music for the song - which does not include the piano-only intro. But still, the chord changes just in the beginning of the sheet music are interesting. It may even help me to establish a base from which to try to figure out that prelude intro. But it will take me more than a week. What I love about that intro is that it's so, different; so, demented. And yes, that first album was one of my favorites growing up also. Recently, for whatever reason, I've become hooked on it again. Both of my sons (20 and 17) love "Does anybody really know. . ", and other hits on that album as well. I may have a particular affinity to that song because, well, , I have a reputation for not being an on-time airline. I gets there, when I gets there. Regards.

Cnegrad, ah yes. Of course. I should know that. Geez, I must have been tired. Thanks for pointing out my inadvertent joke.

Thanks to everyone who responded. Thanks for that link mlh. Unfortunately that does not have the piano intro. The part on this sheet music is the formal start of the song, as the whole band kicks in. The piano intro I'm referring to is before that part; it's just the solo piano "prelude" that stands apart from the rest of the song. It is on the "album" (CD) but rarely played on the radio. I agree that the music sounds correct from the point where it starts. Intentional or not , that's hysterical! I think I've been accused of playing a lot of those type of chords! Very funny cnegrad. Yes, you'd think I could just find those chords by playing mistakes, and that certainly would be easy. When I was a kid, I used to think that jazz meant "playing any crazy notes and chords you want, on top of whatever is happening". I was a dope. Exactly. It's that pesky piano-only intro that I'm looking for. Mojazz, are you referring to the usual radio version intro (like harmonizer said), or the piano-only prelude? If you can find it, I'd certainly be interested, either way. Thanks Rod S. I sent you a response. I appreciate it. Hopefully one of these opportunities will manifest the piano-only prelude. Thanks for everyone's help. Regards.

Has anyone here ever seen the sheet music for the jazzy piano intro part to Chicago's "Does anyone know what time it is"? I've always wanted to (try to) play that piece, but that is a very difficult piece to figure out by ear, at least for me, in trying to get the exact dissident chords he used. I don't know if an accurate score of that intro even exists, but, if anyone knows where I could find such a thing, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd point me in the right direction. Thanks.

Hi all. I discovered and started posting on this forum a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to the introduction, until now. I love this forum. There are lots of interesting and helpful people. I go by "skykeys" here, but my name is Lou. I'm 49, a widower, with two sons. I live in a nice town called Nether Providence, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. "E A G L E S - Eagles!" Actually, I'm more of a baseball/Philles fan, though I love football too, and most other sports. I've been playing piano since I was 12. I started out playing drums; used to take my mother's basting brushes and wooden spoons and play drums on her pots and pans since I was a young as I can remember. My parents (mis)directed me into playing piano eventually, and I've always looked back. Actually, I'm very happy to play piano, but it's my parents fault I'm now mentally defective. I used to be a computer programmer, though I'm in technical sales now. I've met many programmers and engineers who are musicians, and vice versa. It's a topic worthy of a thread or two some time. Personally, I've had my share of tragedy. Not to bore anyone, but there is no denying that my wife's death from cancer two years ago is the elephant in the room for me. It had a gargantuanly intense emotional impact on my life and my boys lives. I'm moving on with my life now, and I'm okay (more or less), but the traumatic affect of her death will be with me always. Besides that, 10 years ago, my best friend, who was the drummer in my old band, died from cancer. The "wisdoms" I've taken away from these events sound trite - but they have very deep meaning for me: Life is short, and it is precious. Don't sweat the small stuff - and it is almost all small stuff. You can't get time back. You usually regret later, what you don't do now. Last year, I almost got laid off from IBM, and honestly, I didn't give a damn. So there you go! . . . . anyway, here's my list of current and past keyboard equipment: Current: Just recently got a Yamaha S90ES - and I love it. I have a Samick Baby Grand piano in my living room. It's no Steinway, but it sounds great. Old: Roland RD-700 (the older, non SX; a nice board) Ensoniq E-prime (still a good board for piano) Ensoniq VFX (was nice in its day, but now almost worthless) Ensoniq DP1 (a very nice piano for an 8 bit sample) Korg DW8000 (a decent board then; outdated now) Mini-moog (wish I hadn't sold it) Clavinet (great sound, but too one dimensional to lug around) Wurlitzer EP (a classic, but sound is closely reproduceable with modern digital pianos) Yamaha CP70 (great in it's day; impractical now) ARP Omni (interesting then; totally worthless now) Fender Rhoades (still a classic sound; most modern keyboards are very close, but still not quite there) Amps: I currently use a Roland KC-500. It's not bad, but I'm not happy with the sound of the horn. I'm looking to upgrade at some point. I also have a Carvin bass cabinet/amp for when I play keyboard bass with my rock band, but I recently replaced it with a JBL JRX118SP subwoofer - which additionaly works well as a sub for the whole band. I like all kinds of music. Rock, prog, jazz, classical. folk. Thought it depends on what mood I'm in, I usually say my favorite album of all time is Genesis "Selling England By The Pound". I lament what might be the passing of the album format in today's MP3 download mix and match song world. SEBTP and albums like it might never have been created. Things are so fragmented now; and yet, I believe something interesting will evolve from it. It always does. From an old poem: "Time flies, suns rise, shadows fall, but love is forever, overall". Peace.