Blues for Alice

[charlieparker]

A forever beginner's attempt to learn how to improvise on this tune and in general. I hope to post various attempts in this thread.

I recorded this the other day which is a scuffed version of the melody and one chorus of using Bergonzi/Coltrane cells as demonstrated by Mikko Hilden.

Blues for Alice Oct 30
Stream Blues for Alice Oct 30 by Charlie Parker Fan | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

[kris]

There are errors in the melody of the theme.Check it out in slow motion with the original recording.
Best
Kris

[charlieparker]

There are errors in the melody of the theme.Check it out in slow motion with the original recording.
Best
Kris

Can you be more specific as to where? I realize I misplayed some parts but I was fairly careful and transcribed the melody myself and cross checked it with PMB's version in this thread.

Blues for Alice is wrong in the RB?

[AllanAllen]

Progressing nicely. The cell for your solo sounds nice too. Keep it up!

[James W]

I play the head ok. Not sure about the soloing...

[charlieparker]

I play the head ok. Not sure about the soloing...

Sounded great to me. Big improvement over the Solar track. I am envious of the tempo you played it at and it sounded like you had good ideas over the entire form. Was that an etude?!

[James W]

Sounded great to me. Big improvement over the Solar track. I am envious of the tempo you played it at and it sounded like you had good ideas over the entire form. Was that an etude?!

The video is from July 2023. Maybe I've got worse since then?

It wasn't an etude.

[AllanAllen]

Maybe I've got worse since then?

I feel that man.

[James W]

I feel that man.

I don't think I have got worse since then. It's just these days I'm more ambitious in my choice of tempo.

This thread has made me want to revisit this tune though.

[Mick-7]

Can you be more specific as to where? I realize I misplayed some parts but I was fairly careful and transcribed the melody myself and cross checked it with PMB's version in this thread.

Believe you got all the notes right, but some rhythms are off. I did not hear you play bars 11 & 12 of the A section, you stopped after the diminished phrase in bar 10 (Notes: A-G-C-Bb-Eb).

The rhythms of Bird's lines are at least as important as the actual notes. I would take a phrase at a time, and make sure the rhythms are correct (at the speed you're comfortable with), before proceeding further.

[AllanAllen]

I don't think I have got worse since then. It's just these days I'm more ambitious in my choice of tempo.

This thread has made me want to revisit this tune though.

I’m just saying, sometimes I feel like I’m getting worse instead of better.

[James W]

I’m just saying, sometimes I feel like I’m getting worse instead of better.

I know the feeling.

But I think the nature of an improvisational art is that it isn't going to always be consistent. We all have ups and downs... even pros, probably...

[joe2758]

I've been there too, Allan (or is it Allen?)

edit: actually nm some things should remain a mystery

[charlieparker]

Believe you got all the notes right, but some rhythms are off. I did not hear you play bars 11 & 12 of the A section, you stopped after the diminished phrase in bar 10 (Notes: A-G-C-Bb-Eb).

The rhythms of Bird's lines are at least as important as the actual notes. I would take a phrase at a time, and make sure the rhythms are correct (at the speed you're comfortable with), before proceeding further.

I was actually focusing on the 3-5-2-1 cells rather than the melody. I have already spent a fair bit of time working on the melody and can play it up to about 110 bpm most of the time, but yes, the rhythm is a bit tricky.

[AllanAllen]

I've been there too, Allan (or is it Allen?)

edit: actually nm some things should remain a mystery

It’s Allan, my wife’s maiden name is Allen so it’s a joke between us I that I should have taken her name in marriage.

I’m making an inside joke where the other party isn’t involved and nobody in the room has the context.

[joe2758]

I’m making an inside joke where the other party isn’t involved and nobody in the room has the context.

That describes my life perfectly

[AllanAllen]

I thought you’d enjoy it.