Derek Andrews - Boogie

[Derek]

Here's something a little different. I recorded it on a Steinway B at the university.

I play in several different keys in this track: C, G, E, Eb (a boogie waltz!), C (Derek Boogie), and then C minor...sort of. I came up with the left hands to the Eb one and the C minor one. as well as most of the licks in everything else.

[goose]

Hi Derek,

I loved boogie woogie when I was a teen but the neverending left-hand was beyond me. Then, before I had the technique, I discovered more modern jazz (including your man Keith Jarrett) and decided I wasn't interested in playing the basic boogie woogie. Now, years later, I realise the error of my ways and am back trying to fill in the gaps and play boogie woogie!

Why the preamble about me? Basically to acknowledge that boogie woogie is both an essential part of a jazz pianist's arsenal and that it's really hard. You've obviously been working at it. So all respect to you.

I have two comments, though:

1) For me, to play boogie woogie is to pay homage to one of the root forms of jazz (the blues) and to the early self-taught barroom players. And I think this is done best by staying within the idiom.

There are times (around the 4-5' mark) when you play ideas which seem too modern, or simply not part of the blues language. It's just my personal taste, of course. But I don't see boogie woogie as a vehicle for moving jazz forwards. Rather it's something you play because it's a great grounding in the blues (and a good chance to test out your licks); because it's an important stepping stone in the history of jazz; and because it's a lot of fun and listeners dig it!

2) The second thing is time feel. Of course, time feel (along with tone) is the most important aspect of ANY music. But even a slight wobble sticks out in boogie woogie.

If you listen to the great players (Pete Johnson, Jimmy Yancey, Albert Ammons, Basie et al), they all have one thing in common: a relentless left hand with a great groove. They actually play quite simple figures. But the time is so regular and the groove established so well that it sounds a lot more complicated than it is. I get the feel you're rushing a little in places (one example: 2'20''). This could also be a factor of MP3 playback on my PC, which has a slight tendency to stutter. So, for all I know, your playing is in fact regular and groovy! But I offer the comment anyway.

I would aim to simplify the ideas a little (perhaps in the style of your piece that begins around the 2'30'' mark) but make sure that the rhythmic feel is there. You've probably tried this, but I'd also recommend you keep practising for a while with a metronome set to beats 2 and 4.

By the way, as I've said, this is not easy and you do it well (and certainly better than I do). Great stuff!
 
Best,
Goose

[Derek]

Hi Goose,

Thanks for the constructive criticism. I'll try some of your suggestions.  I do want to absorb as much of Ammons, Meade-Lux-Lewis and others as I can, but I'm also going to continue with the more "modern" style as well. After all, Ammons and Lewis are dead! hehehe
 

[goose]

It's a fair point , Derek    But I still think the standard left-hand grooves go best with bluesy right-hand figures. If you're going to modernise the improv line, then I think the left has to go along with it.

In terms of synthesizing traditional stuff with modern sounds you might try checking out Jason Moran. He doesn't play strictly boogie woogie (though I've no doubt he could).  But check out his version of James P Johnson's You've Got to be Modernistic (on his CD 'Modernistic') which includes stride and plenty of low bass rumblings. He also takes crazy liberties with the rhythm. But with his touch and time sense are so strong, it somehow holds together.

[silva]

Hey Derek that was really nice.... you had some really nice patterns, I play a little of Boogie Woogie myself, but am not near your standard, I get mixed up a little and only know one or two base patterns really for improvising......


I decided to record some of my boogie woogie and other misc blues stuff

hope u like

- Silva

[Kassaa]

Hey Derek that was really nice.... you had some really nice patters, I play a little of Boogie Woogie myself, but am not near your standard, I get mixed up a little and only know one base pattern really for improvising......


I decided to record some of my boogie woogie and other misc blues stuff

hope u like

- Silva

Open a new topic for a new recording, otherwise nobody will hear and comment on it.

[Derek]

hi Silva, hey thats pretty good! Kassaa's right, if you want more comments on it you should make your own thread, people will probably only see my file in this thread unless they're inclined to read the rest of it.

[silva]

I only really posted it for the benefit of people interested in doing just that

- Silva