When I approach my instrument, I often do this. I used to do it with a tanpura machine (creates a drone that is used in Northern Indian classical music), but now I use the gong. It's not really a composition. I just start from a note and try to pre-hear notes and lines and build something. Tonight, it became a little counterpoint, then it took a turn to colors based up a half step from the drone, then combines the two... whatever. It's my ear training warm up to make sure I am hearing the pitches (or get an honest take on when I am NOT hearing the pitches) prior to playing.

w/ Ernie Edwards and the Webb Brothers at Pianos in Bloomfield, NJ last week

the promoter's wife had a Flip cam at the gig... I thought I would share this with you all.

Peace
randy

Been working on this for a while, so in the spirit of practice tapes I utilized my recently acquired Repeater to record a take (or ten...). Yes, I took it too fast, there are wrong notes and harmony f-ups, I skip an eighth in the solo (metronome ... metronome ... metronome), etc. Let me know what you guys hear, as this is an intimidating one (for obvious reasons). It's kind of like re-painting the Mona Lisa in a way ...

And I am still working through understanding the changes of the major section better, which is why I didn't solo over the whole tune.

Jason

I was humbled by Steve Shapiro's practice tape of April In Paris. (great job steve)

So I'm going to up his April in Paris with 3 versions of It's You Or No One.
Let's see this wonderboy top that one. Nobody practices harder than me! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :-)

Here's another one guys... A better recording, too. I was working on a thing with this tune to do the first time thru kind of rubato, with the motor off. Then I kick on the vibrato, and go into a weird meter (mostly 5/4 ish) feel.. the challenge for me when playing solo is to try and keep it interesting. Also, I love Ella's version of this tune. Totally different feel (& key). Pure swing. I actually like it so much I wanted to stay far away from that!

:-)

Reminding me how white I am! Listen to the bass and drums. So locked in, me thinks.

Tony,
You inspired me to listen to some of the stuff tucked away on my iPod recorder... Kind of finding my way through this tune at first, but found a few moments I liked. Gotta keep working on it!
Steve

To help me learn Days of Wine and Roses, I have been practicing on piano, as well as vibes. This weekend I was hoping to create a piano backing track and did some recording. Kept getting interrupted, as you will hear. LOL.

I am not satisfied with the quality of recording the piano. It sounds distant. I am using good mics (tried AKG C 1000 S, and the AMT 404) and a good Mackie mixer. Can't get it right. Any tips would be appreciated.

Barry