MIDIdiot Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 My jazz knowledge is pretty pathetic but man do I love listening to a tune like 'Who can I turn to' or 'a time for love'. These would be the recordings found on the best of... on verve. I understand this CD preceeded a box set (must be tons of gems on that). Well, I can see getting to the point of playing these two tunes with some work. Problem is the fake book I have has none of the selections on the CD I have. Does anyone know where I can find the changes for these tunes. I could probably get some of them down by ear but I would rather focus on the melody and improvising part by ear rather than decipher all the chords with their exact extensions. One last thing, is it crazy for me to attempt these? If anyone can recommend any other tunes that might be better suited to a player new to jazz, I'm all ears . I'm familiar with the LH A & B voicings eg 3-5-7-9, 7-9-3-5 but have a ways to go towards fluency with speed on the scales part. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88keys4me Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 It's not crazy to attempt these - but you will find it challenging unless you are comfortable playing all inversions of major and minor and augmented and diminished 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, etc., etc. That's typically what Bill Evans (and Oscar Peterson) do to color their charts. You can certainly find the original sheet music for "Who can I turn to" and other standards online or in music stores likes G. Schirmer, but they won't have the magical changes that make Bill Evans' style so incredible. For that, you'll have to listen, and know what to listen for. Jazz ballads are less about chord changes and melody than an integrated approach to harmonic creativity. Simply put - the changes dictate the melody, not the other way around. Get the sheet music and learn the changes, then take a listen to your CD. You may not understand all that you hear, but you'll get enough of it to learn some interesting things. While you're at it, consider taking some lessons in theory and harmony, or at least invest in a good book. Check out Scott's Raney's stuff at http://www.learnjazzpiano.com/ Another suggestion: pick up the Tony Bennett & Bill Evans album. You'll be mesmerized by Evan's style, and Bennett never sounded better in his entire career. My wife loves it and refuses to give my copy back to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfhyde Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/a/phrase.html?id=59215&phrase=Bill%20Evans The Artistry Of Bill Evans, Volume 1 has A time for love, Volume 2 has Who can I turn to. I love Bill Evans, he's the main reason I even play music. To me, one of his main innovations was his harmonic language, he reharmonized tunes drastically, but they were so well done it sounded like thats the may the tune should really go. You say you have a handle on his chord voicings so you can compare your knowledge of those voicings to how Bill used them. I always thought Autumn Leaves was a great first tune to learn for jazz. It has both kinds of II-V's, the one going to a minor key and the one to a major key, extended dominants too, you might want to try that first. Have fun, its always nice to meet another Bill Evans Fan! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Bill is one of my heroes, for sure. I've got tons of lp's and lot's of cd's and a couple vhs tapes of him. The only time I went to see him was the night Harry passed away and of course, he didn't make the gig. I also really like the cd's he did with Tony Bennett. I guess that's how we're supposed to play behind a singer. My all time favorite is the Affinity lp with Toots. I'm also a frustrated chromatic player so that one kills me. Another good way to learn some of those voicings and his approach is to check out some of the Band in a Box things. You can hear several tunes played in the style of Bill by some really good guys, slow it down/speed it up, look at the notation, see it on a piano keyboard,... very cool stuff.Well worth the $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analogaddict Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Originally posted by Linwood: I also really like the cd's he did with Tony Bennett. I guess that's how we're supposed to play behind a singer.Yeah, those albums are fantastic. He also did a record in 1963 with Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund, which is my all-time favorite Bill Evans album. Here, the trio blends standards with swedish folk songs with an amazing result! Originally posted by Linwood: My all time favorite is the Affinity lp with Toots. He he, I´m listening to that one right now! Sno'Peas to be precise! Marc Johnson is my favorite upright player, and I´ve seen Toots in concerts and on tv since I was a kid, so this one is special for me too. Today it´s been 24 years since he passed away, and his sound is fresh and inspiring as eve before. A true master and one of the main reasons I play the piano today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben One Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Keyboard magazine contributor Andy Laverne, a one-time student of Bill Evans, consistently provides helpful information and tidbits on Evans' approach to playing the piano in his articles. I always enjoy his insights on Evans' playing. Ben Eddie Jobson Tribute Projects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpel Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 I love Bill Evans, too. Right now, I'm driving around with his "Time Remembered" CD. It's a collection of "previusly unreleased" stuff recorded shortly after Lafaro's death. The first five tracks are solo piano. The 10 minute improv on Danny Boy is staggeringly beautiful. Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDIdiot Posted September 16, 2004 Author Share Posted September 16, 2004 http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/a/phrase.html?id=59215&phrase=Bill%20Evans The Artistry Of Bill Evans, Volume 1 has A time for love, Volume 2 has Who can I turn to. I love Bill Evans, he's the main reason I even play music. To me, one of his main innovations was his harmonic language, he reharmonized tunes drastically, but they were so well done it sounded like thats the may the tune should really go. You say you have a handle on his chord voicings so you can compare your knowledge of those voicings to how Bill used them. I always thought Autumn Leaves was a great first tune to learn for jazz. It has both kinds of II-V's, the one going to a minor key and the one to a major key, extended dominants too, you might want to try that first. Have fun, its always nice to meet another Bill Evans Fan! John I had a feeling someone would suggest autumn leaves as a starter. As for these books you mentioned, do you know if they contain the actual chords (with extensions) as Bill played them or are they watered down to conventional chords. And are the notes his transcribed solos as on his recordings? I'll definitely have to start listening to more and more of him, I'll look for some of the recordings you guys mentioned. I've browsed learnjazzpiano.com a little and found the organization of the site a little haphazard but I'll check again. Id did seem to have some good info there. I don't recall if there was a charge or not. Thanks all. Good night! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnegrad Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 As long as we're talking about Bill Evans, let me ask you this: Shortly after he died, a double album set came out (on vinyl) that was an all-star tribute. (I believe that it was a beige cover with a picture of Bill in the center.) Each song was played by a different artist, and there was a lot of beautiful stuff on it. I recall that Chick Corea's version of "Time Remembered" was particularly beautiful. Does anyone still have this album? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfhyde Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 I had a feeling someone would suggest autumn leaves as a starter. As for these books you mentioned, do you know if they contain the actual chords (with extensions) as Bill played them or are they watered down to conventional chords. And are the notes his transcribed solos as on his recordings? The quality of these transcriptions vary, some are very good note for note transcriptions and some are just lead sheats, if I get a chance I'll look at them today and get back to you. Here's a very good site with reviews of these books and transcriptions.... http://www.selu.edu/34skid/ Looks like it hasn't been updated lately but still a great resource. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDIdiot Posted September 16, 2004 Author Share Posted September 16, 2004 John, I check the contenets and 'who can I turn to' is not in them I'm sure the others are great too but I'll have to get more CDs to hear some of them. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfhyde Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 John, I check the contenets and 'who can I turn to' is not in them You're right, I got that mixed up with "What Kind of Fool Am I". vaguely appropriate.... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg Seibert Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 I went to hear Bill Evans at a little jazz club in London back in 1980, or 1981. It was the trio. He did not look well, came in at the last minute, sat down, and played wonderfully!! It was a magical experience. Gregg Without music, life would be a mistake - Nietzche QSC K10, Kurz PC3, K2500x, K2000R, Korg Z1, Roland A80, Roland S-750, 1970 MiniMoog, Synthi AKS, bunch of old rack modules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrythek Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Hi Cnegrad: Yup - I have it - it's a wonderful collection. Why - do you have some questions about it? I used to study with Andy Laverne in the early 80's and I have some photocopies of Bill's band charts that Andy had. A wonderful treasure/memento of my #1 influence... I once spent a break between sets talking alone to Bill at the Village Vanguard, begging for some lessons, which he declined. I showed him an analysis I had done for a college form and analysis class on various versions of "Turn Out the Stars" - he came back from the break and played the tune solo - for me!! I had died and gone to jazz piano heaven. I learned so much of my early jazz harmony and voicings from the various transcirption books available here and especially in Japan. I reccomend any serious jazz player to pick up a few and learn from the master himself. Last bit of Evans "lore" - be sure to visit the Bill Evan website - a good friend of mine, Jan Stevens, who DID study with Bill runs it and it's the #1 place for info on him, his recordings, and keeping the flame alive. http://www.billevanswebpages.com/ 34 Skidoo... Jerry Originally posted by cnegrad: As long as we're talking about Bill Evans, let me ask you this: Shortly after he died, a double album set came out (on vinyl) that was an all-star tribute. (I believe that it was a beige cover with a picture of Bill in the center.) Each song was played by a different artist, and there was a lot of beautiful stuff on it. I recall that Chick Corea's version of "Time Remembered" was particularly beautiful. Does anyone still have this album? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analogaddict Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Originally posted by jerrythek: I once spent a break between sets talking alone to Bill at the Village Vanguard, begging for some lessons, which he declined. I showed him an analysis I had done for a college form and analysis class on various versions of "Turn Out the Stars" - he came back from the break and played the tune solo - for me!! I had died and gone to jazz piano heaven.That´s amazing! Originally posted by jerrythek: Last bit of Evans "lore" - be sure to visit the Bill Evan website - a good friend of mine, Jan Stevens, who DID study with Bill runs it and it's the #1 place for info on him, his recordings, and keeping the flame alive. http://www.billevanswebpages.com/ 34 Skidoo... Jerry I found that site just the other day, since it was september fifteenth, I decided to check out Bill Evans on the web. That´s a great site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I discovered Bill Evans through the Kind of Blue album when I got it in 1960 or so when I was in high school. He is my all-time favorite musician, period. Marian McPartland has a radio show on NPR called "Piano Jazz". Bill was a guest and his appearance is on cd, recorded 11-6-1978. 10 tunes and conversation. It's great. I found it by accident on Amazon. If you are a real Bill Evans follower, you have got to hear this one. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmo115 Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I didn't know that Bill Evans plays keyboards too??? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_3_110.gif back to the Guitar Forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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