Speaking of Herbie...Idle gossip, interesting factoid or just weird?
Joey Goldstein
remain nameless for now), a peer and friend of Michael Brecker's, whom
Brecker had told that when he was on tour with him Herbie *always* liked
to have a chart in front of him for *everything* he plays, including
things like Watermelon Man.!!!!
Evidently he's always got some sheet music tucked into the piano, out of
sight, at all times.
Isn't that incredibly hard to believe?
God knows why he would need the charts, eh?
--
Joey Goldstein
<http://www.joeygoldstein.com>
<http://homepage.mac.com/josephgoldstein/AudioClips/audio.htm>
joegold AT primus DOT ca
ken
> Evidently he's always got some sheet music tucked into the piano, out of
> sight, at all times.
>
> Isn't that incredibly hard to believe?
> God knows why he would need the charts, eh?
Sheesh, no wonder the guy never gets any work! ;)
Years ago, I saw Ron Carter- Jim Hall duo and I was sitting right up
front, right on the other side of Ron Carter's music stand. That was
very annoying. And they were playing all that stuff on their duo CDs
(Alone Together etc...)...
Ken
ken
> Years ago, I saw Ron Carter- Jim Hall duo and I was sitting right up
> front, right on the other side of Ron Carter's music stand. That was
> very annoying. And they were playing all that stuff on their duo CDs
> (Alone Together etc...)...
By the way, it was at the NY Blue Note and the music stand was very
obstructive; the tables right up near the stage is very close to the
stage...
That's what was annoying; that I couldn't see much.
Ken
rpjazzguitar
a chart "because it frees me up". This is a guy who can play any tune
in the RB and one key is as good as another to him.
Rick
Dan Adler
> remain nameless for now), a peer and friend of Michael Brecker's, whom
> Brecker had told that when he was on tour with him Herbie *always* liked
> to have a chart in front of him for *everything* he plays, including
> things like Watermelon Man.!!!!
>
> Evidently he's always got some sheet music tucked into the piano, out of
> sight, at all times.
>
> Isn't that incredibly hard to believe?
> God knows why he would need the charts, eh?
He does seem to have charts on a lot of the videos, but not on the
Miles ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_whk6m67VE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkUULYE-LAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o40smfOyIso
pmfan57
Now you're going to get RB involved in this thread.
Johnny Asia
wro
>Miles ones: >>
I read an interview where Miles talked about Herbie leaving the
band. I can't remember the exact quote, but it went like this:
Herbie said "I can't think of anything else to play", to which
Miles replied, "Then don't play anything".
tom walls
> remain nameless for now), a peer and friend of Michael Brecker's, whom
> Brecker had told that when he was on tour with him Herbie *always* liked
> to have a chart in front of him for *everything* he plays, including
> things like Watermelon Man.!!!!
>
> Evidently he's always got some sheet music tucked into the piano, out of
> sight, at all times.
>
> Isn't that incredibly hard to believe?
> God knows why he would need the charts, eh?
>
Seems weird, but I can understand how someone who was brought up
sightreading might feel more secure with the presence of a score.
oasysco
Could it be a subconscious reminder... like a security blanket thing?
Maybe he feels more comfortable with it than without it and even
glances at it not even thinkin now and then.
dwabeslim
I agree it sounds odd but I guess these guys have played so much music
over the years perhaps they have charts to remind them of the
arrangements they did .
I 'm sure Ron Carter can play Alone Together but perhaps it was for
the routine. For example Bill Evans last trio used charts for the solo
order rubato sections etc.
Greg
Paul K
But would he need a chart with only rests to do that?
PK
--
http://www.youtube.com/TopologyPaul
http://www.soundclick.com/paulkirk
Joey Goldstein
> Johnny Asia wrote:
>> On Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:59:40 -0800 (PST), Dan Adler <d...@danadler.com>
>> wro
>>> He does seem to have charts on a lot of the videos, but not on the
>>> Miles ones: >>
>> I read an interview where Miles talked about Herbie leaving the
>> band. I can't remember the exact quote, but it went like this:
>>
>> Herbie said "I can't think of anything else to play", to which
>> Miles replied, "Then don't play anything".
>>
>
> But would he need a chart with only rests to do that?
>
>
> PK
lol
jimmybruno
I've played with Herb many times. I never saw him with a chart.
Maybe he's getting older and may feel more secure with a chart.
Maybe they were using some different chord changes on familiar tunes.
Robert
Some of the greatest musicians in the world do that- orchestral
musicians, for instance.
MQ
A friend of mine - a bass player - uses charts almost every time.
Now he has the ability to hear the changes while looking at the chart
(without playing them).`
Imho, reading from charts while improvising isnt a shame .
You learn to identify sounds not only by hearing them.
You learn to trigger a sound to a visual image (chord symbol).
...also a great help when composing without instrument.
And then...maybe one day you open your real book and it will be like
smelling over a cooking pot...
...I´m gonna eat something now :)
-Michael
Joey Goldstein
I don't doubt what you say Jimmy, and what I heard was admittedly second
hand. But I trust the source.
And he was saying that Brecker told him that Herbie would use charts
even for things like Watermelon Man.
Obviously, he doesn't need the charts the way a beginner would need
them. God knows why he'd need charts at all, unless it was for a new and
difficult tune.
The whole thing is pretty unbelievable to me.
But it doesn't take *anything* away from Herbie.
He's one of the most amazing jazz musicians ever, with or without charts.
Joey Goldstein
But they're not improvising nor are they playing by ear.
RB
> I've played with Herb many times. I never saw him with a chart.
> Maybe he's getting older and may feel more secure with a chart.
> Maybe they were using some different chord changes on familiar tunes.
that's amazing JB, when/where did you guys play?
esiegel
a friend of mine who road managed herbie with others for years says
that the original poster's story does not jibe with his experience.
Rarely saw herbie use music, not never, but rarely.
E