Do you ever think, "Wait, why am I improvising on this tune? It's already perfect."

**joe2758** · 09-24-2025, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

I suppose it's a different relationship to playing Stella by Starlight for instance because it comes from within jazz. The original version of Stella has many interesting arrangement details and counter melodies that no-one plays in jazz. The chords are all subbed out.

But Stella as it was presented in the Uninvited is a sort of post-romantic soundtrack thing. It's not jazz.

so good

**djg** · 09-24-2025, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

But no discussion would be complete without this Ethan Iverson rant. I tend to agree with much of what he says.

Variants on a Theme of Thelonious Monk (including guest post by Eric Lewis) | DO THE M@TH

The phrasing is quite different, but the use of the guitar open strings and so on to create these harmonies just feels right.

iverson seems somewhat confused about the monk quote regarding the bridge of well you neednt. monk says in that famous blindfold test: “He hit the inside wrong—didn’t have the right changes. It’s supposed to be major ninths, and he’s playing ninths.” [walks to the piano, demonstrates] “It starts with a D-flat Major 9… See what I mean?” surely monk doesnt mean Dbmaj9 as iverson seems to read it, but Dbadd9? i guess monk was somewhat unclear about the nomenclatura.
and while we are nitpicking, both rogers and pete play the head of let's cool one wrong

the last note is on the beat. edit: i see you mention this

**Bob_Ross** · 09-24-2025, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by sgcim

Here's Miles playing RM again, and they don't even play the melody!

Slight digression: I once came a cross a youtube clip of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter playing "Maiden Voyage" and not only did they not play the melody, they also did not play the changes, nor the form!

And yet, it was definitely "Maiden Voyage" ...perhaps not overtly, but it was there,

==========

Second digression: When I was an undergrad I attended a master class by Billy Higgins, and apparently someone in the scheduling department had screwed up and his faculty accompanists thought the class was starting at 11:00AM instead of 10:00AM. So Billy talks for ~20 or 30 minutes, and then says something like, "Well, I guess my band is a no-show, so I'll just play something for you." Sits down at his kit, starts playing...

Half an hour later, Billy's still playing, bassist and pianist come rushing in all embarrassed, bassist unpacks his instrument, they look towards Billy sheepishly... Billy says "I'm playing 'All the Things You Are', let's go!"

...and you suddenly (thanks to the gift of hindsight) realized, OMG yes, he has been playing 'All The Things You Are' on the drums for these last 30 minutes!

**Christian Miller** · 09-24-2025, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by djg

iverson seems somewhat confused about the monk quote regarding the bridge of well you neednt. monk says in that famous blindfold test: “He hit the inside wrong—didn’t have the right changes. It’s supposed to be major ninths, and he’s playing ninths.” [walks to the piano, demonstrates] “It starts with a D-flat Major 9… See what I mean?” surely monk doesnt mean Dbmaj9 as iverson seems to read it, but Dbadd9? i guess monk was somewhat unclear about the nomenclatura.
and while we are nitpicking, both rogers and pete play the head of let's cool one wrong

the last note is on the beat. edit: i see you mention this

Yes you could say that about Pete, they are quite different in places - the harmonies are also different. But I feel Pete's interpretation has the right spirit, so I'll let him off haha.

Re Db "major 9" - yes I buy it - the chord nomenclature wasn't really set back then. Some of Monk's autograph lead sheets use quite different chord symbols IIRC, or different meanings than we would use today. So yes I don't hear sevenths in the chords on the bridge either FWIW. Or thirds for that matter on this version:

so I think the correct chord is actually add9(no3) or 5add9

**AllanAllen** · 09-24-2025, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

Yes you could say that about Pete, they are quite different in places - the harmonies are also different. But I feel Pete's interpretation has the right spirit, so I'll let him off haha.

Re Db "major 9" - yes I buy it - the chord nomenclature wasn't really set back then. Some of Monk's autograph lead sheets use quite different chord symbols IIRC, or different meanings than we would use today. So yes I don't hear sevenths in the chords on the bridge either FWIW. Or thirds for that matter on this version:

so I think the correct chord is actually add9(no3) or 5add9

Db Ab Eb? No C?