How To Play Like Keith Jarrett

In this thread we explore the style of Keith Jarrett.

Keith Jarrett Biography:

Download full biography: Keith Jarret Biography.pdf (18.4 KB)

Keith Jarrett is considered one of the most influential modern jazz pianists. Stylistically extremely versatile Jarrett has performed over 6 decades, performing as a leader as well as a sideman from traditional trio setting to free jazz, fusion, pop and classical music.

Important Discography To Start With:

Download full suggested discography: Keith Jarrett - Suggested Discography.pdf (16.7 KB)

What Do These Exercises Cover?

  • Exercises on this thread are built to give the students a deeper view on Keith Jarrett’s style, soloing, comping as well as an overall look into the tradition of jazz through his artistry.
  • Exercises are transcription-based, following with a closer look into certain details of his playing. This way we can combine ear-training with learning the language of jazz, as well as analyzing closely what is happening.
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Transcription Exercise No. 1

Come Rain Or Come Shine - Album: Still Live

This transcription exercise covers the first 2 choruses of Keith Jarrett’s solo, starting at approx. 5m16s.

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Come Rain Transcription Exercise.pdf (40.1 KB)

Come Rain Transcription Exercise.mscz (24.2 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars
  • Add the missing chord changes

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo/comping.

If you have any questions with the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

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Yes! :smiley: I don’t see a lot of celebration for Keith Jarrett around here, but he’s one of my biggest inspirations, so I’m glad to see some Jarrett-specific content in development. :slight_smile: Can’t wait to see how this develops!

@TactfulCactus thanks for writing!

He’s one of my heroes as well, hope you like the exercise, let me know if I can help with anything!

-T

nothing greater than the KOLN CONCERT for this gal

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what is the second link .mscz? is there an app i need to download on my mac to open?

Hi @Lizzy58, the second link is to the Musescore file of the transcription, Musescore is a notation program you can download for free here:

https://musescore.org/en

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 1

Come Rain Or Come Shine - Album: Still Live

Here is the full right hand transcription of the first 2 choruses of the piano solo:

Come Rain Transcription.pdf (47.7 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Come Rain Analysis.pdf (209.6 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!

-Tuomo

Transcription Exercise No. 2

Bye Bye Blackbird - Album: At The Deer Head Inn

This transcription exercise covers the first 3 choruses of Keith Jarrett’s solo, starting at approx. 0m50s.

The Assignment:

Transcribe the missing parts of the following transcription:

Jarrett Blackbird Transcription Exercise.pdf (48.4 KB)

Jarrett Blackbird Transcription Exercise.mscz (22.5 KB)

  • Right hand : transcribe the missing bars
  • Add the missing chord changes

The full transcription will be posted in 2 weeks with an analysis of the solo as well as details about what we can learn from the solo/comping.

If you have any questions with the exercise, post them in this thread.

Have fun!

-Tuomo

Full Transcription & Selected Analysis No. 2

Bye Bye Blackbird - Album: At The Deer Head Inn

Starting at approx. 0m50s.

Spotify

Bye Bye Blackbird

Here is the full right hand transcription of the first 3 choruses of the piano solo:

Jarrett Blackbird Transcription.pdf (57.7 KB)

Jarrett Blackbird Transcription.mscz (28.3 KB)

And here a selected analysis:

Blackbird Analysis.pdf (236.7 KB)

If you have questions, comments or ideas, please write them to the thread,

Enjoy!

-Tuomo