Piano Players for inspiration?

[Sandy Shalk]

Hello All,

Great forum! I find myself going to piano players lately to see how they approach chord changes for a tune I might be interested in arranging on guitar. The act of trying to translate piano voicings to guitar can lead to some fruitful moments. I recently snagged a chord from Marion McPartland that I was looking for for Easy Living. More often than not lately I like to listen a piano player accompany a good singer so I can explore some changes and the melody at the same time. Itunes facilitates this greatly for me.

So I'm curious about what piano players you might listen for chordal inspiration. Thanks!

Sandy

[dinot]

Marc Copland
Robert Glasper has some personal voicings that are nice to borrow, altough I don't like his music much (specially the latest stuff)
The same goes for Taylor Eigsti
Aaron Parks has some niiice stuff, and the sheets from his album are available to download (including voicings for some tunes)

[docbop]

I remember hiring the great guitarist Mike Miller (Chick Corea and many others) for a clinic at the school I worked at. He was asked who his favorite guitarist is and he said Bill Evans. Students had the trout look Mike said I don't listen to guitarist's much I listen to Bill Evans all the time his choral ideas are amazing. So I would suggest listen to Bill Evans.

I listen to McCoy Tyner, but in long run mainly listen to sax and trumpet players. In fact for getting line idea I like piano-less sax trios.

[dinot]

Actually, I think that guitarists have more cool voicings than piano players usually. It's just that the crystal clear sound of the piano makes everything sound better, hence why we love that tone and we may think think they are doing hip stuff ha
Piano players are more concerned about voice leading than we are, of course. They do have great voicings thou, but well, I would listen a hell of Ben Monder and Tim Miller if I were you

[wizard3739]

I would and do listen to Bill Evans for inspiration on harmonic concepts.

wiz

[Petimar]

Bill Evans. Tommy Flanagan. Wynton Kelly. Red Garland.

[JakeAcci]

Brad Mehldau

[jazzuki]

Sandy Shalk. I do the same via an Australian pianist Doug Monroe.His site is "Jazz2511".You watch and see what/how he approaches reharmonisation.He really has some great chord progressions which arent too difficult to transfer the the guitar.

[mr. beaumont]

I've transcribed a whole tune of McCoy Tyner's piano voicings before...taught me a ton.

I really like listening to the way Hank Jones comps on a ballad...I've also picked up great ideas from Danny Grissett, Bill Evans, Lyle Mays, Brad Mehldau, Dave Brubeck, heck...I probably listen to more piano players than anything...

[coolvinny]

I've never actually worked out any of his playing, but I find Jaki Byard's playing to be very unique yet without sounding weird or remotely unjazzy. I will transcribe some of it this year.

[kamlapati]

Bill Evans, +1, McCoy Tyner +1

But don't forget Nat Cole! Not only great piano chops, but you get the additional lessons of his vocal phrasing.

[ESCC]

Oscar Peterson fan!

[dking]

I'll add Kenny Barron. He plays on Abbey Lincoln's "A Turtle's Dream" (and some Stan Getz recordings among other things) and does some things that remind me of Bill Evans. His solo (pretty much single lines) on "Down Here Below" on Abbey's album has some great ideas in it and always inspires me when I listen to it for some reason.

[jazzuki]

Sandy Shalk.Earlier reply should have read "Doug McKenzie".I had a senior moment!

[dinot]

Nobody mentioned Ahmed Jamal!

[John Graham]

Bud Powell

[Dirk]

I like Keith Jarrett a lot:

[Sandy Shalk]

Jazzuki

As per forum rules, senior moments are smiled upon I am familiar with McKenzie's work. Great stuff! Super videos, website, chord changes. His improvs are really a master class in my mind.


Sandy

[2bornot2bop]

it's a shame jazz piano doesn't have one decent web forum...not a ONE!!! that's pathetic!

so someone thinks guitar has cooler jazz voicings than piano...very interesting.

[2bornot2bop]

Aaron Parks has some niiice stuff, and the sheets from his album are available to download (including voicings for some tunes)

any links?

[dinot]

Aaron Parks' Invisible Cinema Lead Sheets | Nextbop

But I suggest you first you listen to his record until you know it by memory

[2bornot2bop]

Aaron Parks' Invisible Cinema Lead Sheets | Nextbop

But I suggest you first you listen to his record until you know it by memory

okay, so just the one sheet - thx!

Aaron and I had the same Seattle teacher in the very early 90's...he was a kid, I an adult. happy to hear he's found a following.

[Sandy Shalk]

Good stuff guys. Thanks for the recommendations. More to listen to.

Sandy

[Steve Montgomery]

Ever try these voicings? They seem to be a step closer to the piano than some others commonly used by guitarists.

[cosmic gumbo]

My fingers hurt just looking at those.