How hard are Art Tatum transcriptions?

[cuberdrift]

As a fan of the late great jazz pianist Art Tatum, I thought someday I might want to learn one of his sweet but technically demanding solos as an encore. I'm currently into other pieces now but it's sort of a goal I have in mind to impress my "classical" friends with some knowledge of early swing.

What do you think? How hard is it to learn and perform a Tatum transcription?

[thalbergmad]

A couple of classical pianists have played some, but all that I have heard have been rigid, stiff and absolutely horrid.

Unless you have been playing jazz all of your life, I wouldn't go anywhere near them

Thal

[ahinton]

A couple of classical pianists have played some, but all that I have heard have been rigid, stiff and absolutely horrid.

Unless you have been playing jazz all of your life, I wouldn't go anywhere near them

I wouldn't go quite that far; what I would do, however, is discourage anyone from trying their hand(s) at such things unless and until he/she's developed into a good and keen improviser and agree that a background in playing jazz is pretty important for this kind of thing but one doesn't have to have been doing it all one's life!

Best,

Alistair

[cuberdrift]

I can improvise the standards, and have a sense of swing, just not professional level.

But is it not possible to treat them like classical repertoire? I mean, we all play Bach, but can we improvise fugues?

[thalbergmad]

If you are set on having a go with these transcriptions, perhaps it might be wise to gradually ease yourself in. Start off with a bit of Joplin, then graduate to some Johnson, Smith, Waller and then Tatum.

Thal

[flashyfingers]

Tatum is absolutely the most terrible...lol. Even if you get a good transcription down, you still need to have an understanding of what the score IS and IS NOT for. You know?

[cuberdrift]

Hasn't Yuja Wang done this transcription by Art Tatum? Didn't sound that bad either. There's this live version of her playing it and I don't really like the rubato, but it shows that she could get around the fingering and stuff.

I don't particularly have anything against performing the improvisations done by past artists. It may be less desirable than performing your own improvisation, but it shows that you have knowledge of how jazz works as well.

[flashyfingers]

Hasn't Yuja Wang done this transcription by Art Tatum? Didn't sound that bad either. There's this live version of her playing it and I don't really like the rubato, but it shows that she could get around the fingering and stuff.

I don't particularly have anything against performing the improvisations done by past artists. It may be less desirable than performing your own improvisation, but it shows that you have knowledge of how jazz works as well.

Which transcription?

[pianoman8]

First you must get the notes down, which varies in difficulty based on the one you choose, you should be listening to tatum, waller, teddy wilson, and other similar pianists as much as possible. You should listen to them before, during, and after playing. I haven't played Tatum transcriptions note for note, but I do play music from that time period. If you are trying to playing tiger rag, I would try to do a 1 or 2 other tatum transcriptions first, as it does look a little tricky and to help get the feel of his idea. Another really fun piece that should help you with tatum is fat's waller's handful of keys. If you have any questions I am happy to answer them

[cuberdrift]

Which transcription?

Tea for Two. Sounds a bit heavy but she can clearly finger it out.

Here's a faster, more lively (but less complete) performance:

First you must get the notes down, which varies in difficulty based on the one you choose, you should be listening to tatum, waller, teddy wilson, and other similar pianists as much as possible. You should listen to them before, during, and after playing. I haven't played Tatum transcriptions note for note, but I do play music from that time period. If you are trying to playing tiger rag, I would try to do a 1 or 2 other tatum transcriptions first, as it does look a little tricky and to help get the feel of his idea. Another really fun piece that should help you with tatum is fat's waller's handful of keys. If you have any questions I am happy to answer them

Is it actually possible to play "Tiger Rag" as fast as Tatum? No one on youtube plays it that fast.  Maybe it requires really fast reflexes.

Since you claim to be a 30s/40s jazz piano specialist, I have a lot of interest in exciting stride pieces. I'm familiar with 'Handful of Keys', 'Fingerbreaker' (JR Morton), 'Caprice Rag' (JP Johnson), 'Finger buster' (Willie "The Lion" Smith). Do you know of any more "showpieces" out there? You know, the fast ones with a lot of flash. And if you don't mind, please send me the sheet or tell me where to find the sheet. Thanks. 

[visitor]

You should take a look at William Albright's Grand Sonata in Rag, each movement is a different character of the genre (i happen to like movements 1 and 2 best but there are no recordings i can post - the one i have of the complete work is copyright, but this kid gives the 3rd mvmvnt a decent attempt)

also consider (more Albright)

[indianajo]

I think it is possible to play imitation jazz note by note, and sound like the original.  this has nothing to do with the jazz skill of learning a sketchy melody off a lead sheet and improvising an arrangement around the chords.  But you can make the piece sound the same as a jazz recording with diligent transcription.  I do a fun George Winston imitation, which I laboriously wrote out and memorized off the LP, but this won't get me any points in a jazz band.  Nobody that has heard it has related positively, either, but most of the people I hang around think too many notes in too little time is a curse of the devil or something.   

[pianoman8]

Dizzy Fingers- Zez Confrey
Handful of Keys-Fats Waller
Bumble Boogie- Not sure but its just a jazz version of flight of the bumblebee