Analysing Take the 'A' Train Pre Production Tasks

As part of the first objective, the research question proposed was What are the key aspects of the theory of improvisation and how is this applied practically? it was identified that studying jazz transcriptions would give an insight into how professional jazz pianists improvise.
Take the A train uses the chord progression that I am focussing on. In analysing the left-hand the solo reveals a walking bass line consisting entirely of crotchets with chromatic approach notes. In establishing methods for my guide, this type of left hand pattern could be one example of a stylistic accompaniment to use. An example of me improvising over it can be heard by clicking on song one- (If the player doesnt work then right click the link and left click'Open in new window'


Song 1

It is important to identify the range of left-hand methods that can be deployed when using the left-hand, as it is recognised that different artists have different approaches. The Girl from Ipanema’ from ‘Great Jazz Piano Solos Book One’, uses the same chord progression. The left hand, however is characterized by four note chords and rootless voicing’s; a completely different approach to that of ‘Take the ‘A’ Train'. Therefore, this research informs me that in the production of the guide, I will include the various lefthand styles that can be included. These are justified by professional musicians usage of them as shown in the transcriptions. What can also be heard in 'The Girl from Ipanema' is the use of altered chords within the context of the same chord progression. Again, by analysing this it reveals another key component of improvisation, therefore acting as valuable research material into improvisation theory which is what the first objective is concerned with. This research helps build a framework for the delivery of concepts which directly relates to task 2 of objective 1:Formulate an appropriate analytical framework which will form the basis of gathering information from research done on existing improvisations.
To hear an example of me demonstrating these components,click here- Song 2
What is also apparent from studying the Girl from ipanema is how to integrate the left-hand with the improvisation that the right-hand plays. For example, the chords that I play in the recording are exactly as notated in the transcription. It is harder to keep time with this more rhythmic left-hand pattern than it is perhaps with just playing crotchets in the left hand. One of the research questions proposed is, What methodologies can be used to aid learning within the context of a self development method? Upon considering this, it would perhaps be appropriate for the left-hand not to be used at first when improvising. This way the learner is not having to cope with two new concepts at the same time. When the left-hand is introduced, it would perhaps be appropriate to introduce a bass line such as that of 'Take the A Train' first, before moving on to harder ones like that of 'The Girl From Ipanema'