Hottentots 46KB download
Easy to play
Goodbye Trevor 36KB download
Dedicated to the late Trevor Kay, an alto player you can hear on these tunes on the Collections page
- Under the Sun, Hajnalka and Succotash. Needs time to fathom out the chords.
Strangers Again 48KB download
Take your time over this one. Here it is on youtube - Click here.
Doreen's Party Piece 159KB download
Dedicated to my dear departed friend, Doreen and written for her 70th birthday. A slow waltz
I should have known 56KB download
3/4 and 4/4 sections to keep you awake (and to confuse you if playing along with a metronome)
Reflections 43KB download
5/4 but relatively easy to play. To find out how to play in 5/4, click here !!!
Hangover Street 61KB download
Bluesy feel, taken from the big band arrangement
I found this difficult to play, but I'm a lousy pianist
Feta Crumbly 42KB download
Needs time to work out the notes
This is not much of a tune but it is a good work out for the left-hand,
forcing you to use fingers you forgot you had.
This is what it sounds like on strings and woodwind
Easy to play. There is no separate solo piano soundbite as the piano part closely resembles the band arrangement.
Not a jazz piece, but good practice for the right hand. Can be played along with the recording or by a synth for backing
with solo piano/synth,
accordian or bass clarinet or cello or some sort of folk instrument. You can see a video with the tune as backing music here
The Dawning 45KB download
A slow quiet number which is unexpectedly hard to play (for me!).
Sofa, So Good 130KB download
This is Version 2 of Sofa, So Good, for a trio.
(See "The Origin of Pieces" on Tutorial page.) It doesn't really work as a solo piano number.
La fille qui aime danser 81KB download
A little French waltz. Here is the string version
Here is a version for alto and piano - click here.
Kadriya (Кадия) 111KB download
A jazz/classical solo piano version of this tune. You can play your own solo on it if you don't want to play
what is written. A good exercise for using the pedal and for legato phrasing.
What might have been 57KB download
A refective number which is quite demanding for the left hand. This is what it would sound like when orchestrated
and used for a TV/film theme
Here it is on youtube - click here
Dedicated to a dog, this is a difficult number to play, but is excellent practice for your left hand, or should that be paw.
This is a canine version of the tune
INAUgazaRATION DAY 136KB download
The title refers to the juxtaposition of 2 events in January 2009. (See Gaza section in the Blurb page.)
Very tricky number to play.
Alina's Song 99KB download
This has a modern feel to it - a band version is now available..
Eau de Toilette 99KB download
This tune was prompted by the sound of the water in the cistern in the Gents toilet in the Grand Hotel.
(The Cistern Chapel, perhaps.) It is not too difficult to play, for a change.
Сласибо / Spaseba (thanks) 36KB download
The piece is not too difficult to play. I must have had on off-day.
Rejection...Dejection 167KB download
Relatively easy to play, but there are a few tricky bits. Good exercise for the right hand. Bass and drum parts supplied if played by a trio.
This starts in 7/4 and then goes into 4/4 and 6/4, but hopefully doesn't sound like it. A bass and drum part are included if you want to play it with a trio.
Pantalones de Ancianos /Old Men's Trousers 63KB download
This is taken from a midi file recorded straight from computer. The style and title refer to a bar I went to about 40 years ago in the back-streets of Cancun in Mexico. From different seats, groups of people started playing instruments - as soon as one stopped another group stood up and started playing - fantastic music. The toilets were located in a hole in the wall, and men did up their trousers as they re-entered the room. You can hear the whole thing with the music here .
Triste Storia 78KB download
Not difficult one. It reminds me a bit of Italian music, hence the title which means Sad Song. Here is an orchestral version of it
A slow waltz
Attente...(Waiting...) 55KB download
Easy tune, but playing a solo over the left-hand figures is quite tricky. Good practice though.
The Wife of Reilly 55KB download
A mock Irish tune, but you can have fun soloing on the simple chord sequence.
This is how it sounds like orchestrated:
I wrote this for a Latvian lady, but I'm afraid it's turned out rather Russian.
Marine, Marine, the Vineyard Queen 80KB download
This is how it sounds like played by a band:
This is for a former friend.
La Belle de La Rochelle 40.7KB download
(tune only) This is how it sounds like orchestrated:
Another tune for Marine
Tara's theme 32.7KB download
Another attempt at my writing a (sad) Irish song. This one is for Tara.
There is an excellent article on how to interpret piano parts for big band on the website www.pdfjazzmusic.com, as well as being an excellent resource for written music.
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