Here's Benny Golson's " I Remember Clifford" I had forgotten that I played this tune years ago I liked it so much that during my wedding reception 24 years ago when the band took a break I played it and lied a little bit. I told our guests that the name of the tune was "I Remember Michael" in memory of my late father who had passed away 10 years earlier. No one knew the difference.

Recored as a midi file on my Clavinova CVP 307 then recorded on my Zoom 4 recorder.

https://soundcloud.com/stephenm52/i-remember-clifford-sm-piano-solo

Damned, you are so talented, my friend. I could just picture you sitting behind a full-size Steinway Grand piano, wearing a tux and playing this in some upscale nite club in Manhattan. WOW!

All the best,

Gary

Steve, you're a prince among men. Thank you so much for that. I've always loved that song, as do probably anyone else that has a soul. Gotta say, that Clavinova sounds great (all the Yammies seem very 'playable' to me, as in, very responsive to sensitive, delicate playing without dropping notes if you play too soft).

Like Monk's 'round midnight or the Beatles 'Yesterday', the melody, structure and chord progression just seem to be inspired by some higher spiritual power.....and yet, it'll be outsold 1000/1 by 'Mustang Sally' . Oh well, I guess the people have spoken (the bastards).

chas

Sounds great Steve.

Gary thanks and with that classy selection of vests and silk shirts you sent my way I definitely have the threads. When you mentioned Steinway brings me back when I worked for the local Steinway dealer we had both 7 and 9 foot grands in our rental department. There was nothing like sitting at the keys of one of those pianos.

Donny thanks buddy!

Hi Steve:

Wow, that Clavinova sounds great while you are tickling those "ivories." Gotta admit, I don't think I ever heard "Clifford" before... but you made it memorable. Thanks, Mr. Talent! Send more soon! ----West Mayberry Dave

YEAH !!! ... that's my buddy, Steve, representing little rhody in a BIG way ...
Really nice job once again, my friend ...

You’re welcome and Thanks Chas!!

I’m with you tune like “Round Mindnight and Yesterday are hard to beat but they aren’t for the mainstream

Purchased the Clavinova somewhere around 2004 and still sounds great, it has a what Yamaha calls a GH3 (Graded Hammer Action) the keys are made of wood so it helps with the piano feel. The Clavinova is one board I never felt the need to upgrade does everything I need it for piano solo. I miss my Samick grand but this Clavinova never goes out of tune.


Tracy appreciate the kudos!


Dave, Glad to hear you enjoyed the tune, it’s a good one for sure. Thanks for the kind words!

Really nice again, Steve. You're blowing me away. Didn't know you had that up your sleeve.

Tony, My Rhody buddy and neighbor thank you! We’re both representing Rhody in a big way you’ve posted some nice work too!



Thanks Scott I appreciate the comment! In the past I never thought much about posting piano solo because it’s an arranger forum.

Post away Steve. That is WONDERFUL....so tasty.
Eddie

Hat's off to you Ed, thanks!

There’s nothing like seeing and hearing the great masters playing!

yep Steve without an arranger kb in site...
makes you wonder

Hey Stephen,

I really liked your rendition. I’m a bit of a frustrated pianist myself and spend most of my practice time behind the piano rather than the arranger. Let me ask you this; On the solo piano pieces that you have posted, did you learn them from a special arrangement written for piano, a lead sheet or by ear? Any tips on solo jazz piano would be appreciated!

Bueatiful tune, never heard it, and great playing. Nice work !!!!

Paul most of the jazz style tunes I play are from jazz transcriptions/special arrangements. When it comes to playing by ear that's a weak point for me so I never learn solo piano by ear. So far as advice the only thing I can say is continue to spend as much time you can practicing but you know that already.

I'll give you the run down how I was taught years back when I was working with a piano teacher. He had me working out of the Hanon series books for technique, also Czerny for technique as I advanced. Each week he'd assign technique exercise(s), a pop tune, a classical work, later when I wanted to take a crack at improvising he had me study chords. I could spend weeks on more difficult tunes so it wasn't necessarily a new tune every week. When it came to jazz he'd recommend a book of jazz transcriptions then I'd take and learn them note by note.

Today I don't spend any time with classical type music but when I can I take the Hanon book and play 10 or so of the basic finger excercises to keep my strength up in the weaker fingers. Hope that helps you!

As a side note, I learned "I Remember Clifford " in the early 90s and hadn't played it in years then Chas posted a version of it and I thought I gotta play that again. When I played it thru the first time I found it needed work so for about a week I spent about an hour a day working on it to get out the rought spots.



Bill, Thank you.

Steve....You apparently had a great teacher and a lot of self-discipline...which has paid off in great results.
Eddie

Eddie,

Thanks!

Sal Fransosi was a great teacher back in the day I spent a lot of time at the piano.

Thank you Stephen for outlining your training. I find that pertucular topic very interesting but not often discussed.

I work almost daily on Hanson, mostly just the first couple exercise but I transpose them to a diffent key each practice session. I never worked out of the Czerny book, but I’ll research that more.

For most of the solo piano pieces I’ve just worked out using lead sheets from fake books. But I feel like I need some new ideas for solo piano ( especially LH) Maybe those written out arrangements will help with that. Thanks!