One chorus on Softly

**pamosmusic** · 01-07-2025, 12:29 PM

I’ve been teaching a class on jazz rep for a few months now. For the new year, the guy who runs the school would like me to post me playing a chorus of the current tune.

why I wasn’t doing that already, I don’t know.

This month we’re working on cadences and turnarounds in minor and the tune is Softly.

(yes I mutter while I play; no I don’t care)

**Mick-7** · 01-07-2025, 12:40 PM

"yes I mutter while I play; no I don’t care"

Muttering is acceptable, as long as you don't cross into Keith Jarrett like whining and whimpering that's almost as loud as his piano playing, that's a bit much.

**ragman1** · 01-07-2025, 12:53 PM

It's not the muttering while you play that's worrying, it's the muttering when you're not playing!

**kris** · 01-07-2025, 01:47 PM

Probably if the backing track was a bit louder, the singing would be more hidden.
And you can only hear a little of the organ without the bass and drums, plus the guitar and singing.
It's just the wrong proportions in the mix.
Apart from that, the feel and notes are very good.

**AllanAllen** · 01-07-2025, 06:27 PM

Apparently we did Softly for 17 minutes at my last gig. You’ll have to click through, it’s set to private because of all the digital clipping.

I need to turn down the input level next time.

Stream 13 softly as in a morning sunrise by Allan.laskey | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

**pamosmusic** · 01-07-2025, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by AllanAllen

Apparently we did Softly for 17 minutes at my last gig. You’ll have to click through, it’s set to private because of all the digital clipping.

I need to turn down the input level next time.

Stream 13 softly as in a morning sunrise by Allan.laskey | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

nice man. Some really nice rhythmic stuff in there.

Mulgrew Miller · 01-08-2025, 12:43 AM

Playing sounds great. Don't make noises when you play. Makes me not want to listen to it.

Originally Posted by Mick-7

"yes I mutter while I play; no I don’t care"

Muttering is acceptable, as long as you don't cross into Keith Jarrett like whining and whimpering that's almost as loud as his piano playing, that's a bit much.

Yep lol. Keith's completely unlistenable with that crap.

Originally Posted by ragman1

It's not the muttering while you play that's worrying, it's the muttering when you're not playing!

Yep again. I mutter to myself now at home or at work. I used to not at all but I've become a hermit and you start to talk to yourself like in Cast Away.

**ragman1** · 01-08-2025, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Mulgrew Miller

I mutter to myself now at home or at work. I used to not at all but I've become a hermit and you start to talk to yourself like in Cast Away.

Oh, I love talking to myself or, rather, thinking out loud. In fact, I'm not sure it's not healthy. Clears out the cobwebs. But then I am alone quite a lot.

Disclaimer: I don't know Peter at all, of course, I was just ribbing him. Lest it be misunderstood.

**ragman1** · 01-08-2025, 01:25 AM

And then there was Glenn Gould...

**Mick-7** · 01-08-2025, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by Mulgrew Miller

I mutter to myself now at home or at work. I used to not at all but I've become a hermit and you start to talk to yourself like in Cast Away.

So how's Wilson, is he still feeling deflated, or did he get over that?

Mulgrew Miller · 01-08-2025, 04:36 AM

Haha. I wouldn't have abandoned Wilson, I'm a good swimmer. I don't need to talk to a ball tho, I have a dog. There are all sorts of ways to occupy yourself when you're a hermit, just not in person interaction. Fun fact about Cast Away is it's 2 of my favorite years, 99 and 2000. The 99 parts are fat Tom and the 2000 parts are thin Tom.

**Herbie** · 01-08-2025, 01:09 PM

Muttering while You play means that You are kinda singing Your playing. And as we know, singing make Your solos better.

So actually we all just envy You! Just put the guitar louder next time, if You think it disturbs someone.

Mulgrew Miller · 01-08-2025, 01:41 PM

To me, adding disgusting noises to your playing of the instrument is like finishing a nice painting and then throwing it down in the dirt while it's still wet. Just why? There are countless brilliant players who don't make annoying ass noises when they play. Take example from them. There are also countless players who likely never sang anything yet still played brilliantly. What about Monk? He could barely speak intelligibly. You think he sang anything? Lol!

**pamosmusic** · 01-08-2025, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mulgrew Miller

To me, adding disgusting noises to your playing of the instrument is like finishing a nice painting and then throwing it down in the dirt while it's still wet. Just why? There are countless brilliant players who don't make annoying ass noises when they play. Take example from them. There are also countless players who likely never sang anything yet still played brilliantly. What about Monk? He could barely speak intelligibly. You think he sang anything? Lol!

I suppose I should want to be liked by Mulgrew Miller but honestly I’ve always been more of a Bobby Timmons guy, myself.