Playing from a Fake Sheet (lead sheet)
(References are to my book: Jazz Piano, Methods and Songbook)
Priorities Styles (pianists)
1. Correct melody (Vol. I, p. 5). A. Rhythmic
2. Correct chords (Cycle of 5ths, II-V-I, etc.) • Swing (Vol. I, pp. 99-103)
3. Bass line (Vol. II, pp. 26-34) • Ballad (Vol. II, pp. 42-43)
4. Establish Form (AABA, etc) • Latin (Vol. II, pp. 34-35)
5. Tempo (metronome marking) • Waltz (Vol. I, pp. 39, 41)
6. Chord Progression (Vol I, pp. 26-34) • 4/4, 2/4, Cut Time (Vol. II, pp. 26-28)
7. Scale Tone Sevenths (Vol. I, pp. 50-53) • Stride (Vol. I, pp. 82-87)
8. Jazz Phrasing, Rhythm (Vol. I, pp. 74-77) • 12/8- (Triplet feel applied to ballad)
Arrangement B. Pianists (Styles/techniques)
• Stride: Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson
1. Introductions (techniques) (See Vol. I, p. 86)
• Open Voicings: Bud Powell
2. Right hand / Left hand Techniques (see below)
• Pulse: Erroll Garner
3. Style/Style Changes (see below)
• Locked Hands: George Shearing
4. Reharmonization (Vol. II, pp. 76-90)
• Big Block Chords- Dave Brubeck
5. Interludes
• Gospel: Ray Bryant, Les McCann
6. Modulations/Key Changes (Vol. II, p. 21)
• Blues: Oscar Peterson, Ray Bryant
7. Shout Chorus: A special, complete, thorough-composed riff -
like chorus played just before the final out-chorus. Often found
• Ornate, Spaces: Ahmad Jamal
in big band arrangements but also used by Erroll Garner, • Close Voicings: Bill Evans
Ahmad Jamal.
• Dynamics, shout chorus: Erroll Garner
8. Endings (vamps, tags) (Vol. I, p. 101 Coda)
• Soul, Funk Latin: Horace Silver
• Dissonance: Thelonoius Monk
Techniques • 4th Voicings:
1. Open Chords (Vol., p. 80) Mycoy Tyner, Chick Corea
2. Block Chords (Vol. II, pp. 2-7) • Classical Influence:
3. Rootless Voicings (Vol II, pp. 46-52) Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett,
4. Spread Voicings (Vol. I, pp. 88-104) Dave Brubeck
5. Broken 10ths (Vol. I, pp. 43, 45)
6. 2 beat and walking bass (Vol. II, pp. 26-34 )
7. Stride (Vol. I, pp. 82-86) Interpretation and Improvisation
1. Phrasing Melody (Vol. II, pp. 36-45)
2. Embellishing Melody (Vol. II, pp. 44-45)
3. Misc. Rules of Improvisation:
(Vol. II, pp. 58-66 and pp. 92-110)
4. . Improvisation Exercises (Vol. II pp. 61-64)
