Bill Evans' most famous piece

[@patrickkelly5004]

45 years later, and I still kick myself for not seeing Bill play at a small club in Philly in 1979. I thought "maybe another time", and he was gone one year later.

[@mamafosho]

😥

[@asamcbrez4930]

I understand brother.

[@hank1519]

I feel the same way about living in NYC and never going to see Les Paul at the Iridium 😢

[@rillloudmother]

@@hank1519 i'm there with you. but i remember when he was at fat tuesday also...

[@hank1519]

@@rillloudmother Another missed opportunity!

[@cisraels]

This is an extraordinarily high level of transcription, and I imagine I'm not the only person grateful to have it. To clarify the question of "Whose bass line is this"? It's Bill's--pretty well defined by what he wrote in both chord symbols and notes (for the 3/4 melody). After that, it's my interpretation of what was most appropriate in the moment--in relation to what Bill was playing. Sometimes there are pre-determined fills between phrases of the melody that Bill would always play, and I chose to play them with him (including to match Bill's subtle, slightly rubato timing and articulation in the first one in 3), just because I liked them and wanted to feel the sensation of playing them. Beyond that, I never gave a thought to the way Scotty might have played anything--beyond admiration for the many qualities in his playing. I was in the moment with Bill's music, participating in it in what, in retrospect, is a more supportive, less competitive, way than Scott might have played. And that's a reflection of both Scotty's advanced musical and technical development (at that time) and of our different perspectives towards participating in Bill's music. For better, or for worse (sometimes for the better, of course), Scotty wanted to break the flow and compete with Bill's playing for attention--while Bill was playing. I liked what Bill was playing too much to think of doing that often, although it did happen from time to time. Enough about the bass part. I think I've suggested before that Larry Bunker's playing is also worthy of this kind of attention and transcription, even though drummers don't habitually read those kinds of details. They aren't presented with that kind of challenge. They're expected to find the appropriate rhythms, textures, and dynamics on their own. And what a magnificently played and integrated version of that Larry did to meet that challenge. No other drummer with Bill came close. I only suggest notating his playing in order to bring attention to the details in it. Otherwise, it's so well integrated, that its inventiveness, subtlety, and propulsion are all too often overlooked. Larry was among the most skilled and artistic musicians I've known. Again, congratulations and thanks for having done all this work. Chuck

[@David34981]

Wow, in name of all music lovers and musicians, thank you for these interesting and kind words, mr. Israels.

[@falvegas511]

Was totally fractured when we lost Bill Evans. We treasure the Recordings we have.

[@lupash]

the way he used chord inversions here was a bridge between jazz and classical music.

[@molaub]

This takes away my heart and breaks it to pieces every time

[@segundoasensiosuarez]

Mi tonto corazón...

[@BlixtenMarlowes]

F**k - I got tears in my eyes when i followed the score ... 🥰

[@segundoasensiosuarez]

Mi tonto corazón...

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Subscribers = subscribers + 1. This transcription is beyond brilliant ! I love the fact that you have included Scott's bassline. Best transcription ever seen on KZbin. Keep going strong !

[@MOROZOVVADIM]

Это не Скотт

[@jacquesmertens3369]

@@MOROZOVVADIM Scott wrote it, therefore it's his bassline. Chuck didn't change it. And please make a tiny effort to write a few words in English. Don't make us look for translation. Thank you.

[@hakonkvamme8685]

This is not Scott, but Chuck. Scott's bassline on the Waltz for Debby record is much more inventive and cannot be compared.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

@@hakonkvamme8685 Yes, I know it's Chuck playing. I did compare Scott's composition and Chuck's rendition. I don't think Chuck's take on the bassline is much different from the original.

[@hakonkvamme8685]

I think Chuck never lived up to Scott, and that their renditions are quite different. I refer to the Bill’s legendary recording of «WfD» with Scott. And I wonder if «WfD» is not Bill’s own composition.

[@writereducator]

Despite all the fancy stuff, it's the melody that gets me.

[@huntrrams]

The song that got me into Bill Evans. Love this song!

[@brianmessemer2973]

As someone with a deep personal connection to Waltz for Debby, thank you so much for this beautiful transcription. It’s excellent.

[@haydenwayne3710]

What a FABULOUS presentation!

[@michael-solomon]

Thank you kindly!

[@davemontreuil789]

This is an absolute joy! While it is debatable that this is his most 'famous' piece, I will say it it one of my all time favourite pieces - from anyone!

[@Jessievan68]

Bill Evans is clearly one of the greatest piano jazz composers ever, if not the greatest.

[@TamerKays-r9l]

This is deep, soothing jazz...I would place All Mine (Minha) next to it

[@hank1519]

Whatever he's doing with the left hand is magical!

[@fridgemagnet]

Miles's album 'kind of blue' would be nothing without this man, he's up there with Peterson, Reinhardt, Coltrane, Grappelli etc etc and of course Miles himself.

[@LP-music]

amazing work Solomon. I purchased it

[@kylekotula7266]

Wonderfully done!

[@orchestrazionepratica]

Amazing work!

[@moritzleanderengelich7497]

Amazing work, thank you for the insight!

[@h.s.7734]

この曲、耳コピでコード進行取ろうとしたけど、まったく分からなかった。特に、Scot Lafarroのベースライン、難しすぎ。この動画、何回も見ないと😅。

[@chrisharrison809]

That section in the beginning where they play 2 over 3 always was a mystery to me. Thank you!

[@marloc2019]

Work of art!

[@trancosomarcus]

Awesome

[@juandesalgado]

Thanks for the transcription!

[@visionlandmusic]

Genius

[@Kent-qo6xp]

Nice stuff. Kent Vogel A.S.C.A.P WBD

[@bobkara62]

I use this as my ringtone. Let it ring!

[@habackuk]

I don't step in here to take part in any war of opinions, why should I? I think it's wonderful tune. Isn't that enough?

[@rymakesmusic]

how does the piano have such a dreamy, soft tone?

[@martinianotanoni]

The goat

[@carlosvelazqueziglesias1712]

❤❤❤

[@keithrobinson7638]

Gotta be some shared DNA between Bill Evans & Chuck Palahniuk.

[@randyroten]

After ham-fisting my way through a REAL BOOK version of this memorable track for over 40 years, thank you SO VERY KINDLY for providing this wonderful transcription. After a more-than justified purchase, I can finally play more (certainly not all!) of the notes that I hear and so greatly appreciate. On a relevant adjacency, please have a look at and listen to Bobby Lyle's muscular interpretation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep3diHyIpNmBeZo Many humble thanks, again, for sharing this with us.

[@VideoFunForAll]

My favorite version of this song by Bill Evans: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXaZfpmZbbCSeKM

[@psSubstratum]

you transcribed this by ear?? how do you hear out the chords. thats unbelievable

[@nymbusDeveloper86]

talented pros can do that

[@blakejohnson112]

I saw him in a club in Toronto in the late 70's. It was a "jazz club" for like 40 years and they were running the power sink to clean glasses in the middle of his set. So disrespectful..

[@steven8417]

That's obscene!

[@falvegas511]

Near all Bill Evans Pieces are Way, Way Beyond Memorable. AND ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING TODAY'S MOSTLY, "SWILL" on the airwaves & networks.

[@Cubeinthesky]

transparent is satisfying

[@krantiyatri]

Eccellente con la linea del contrabbasso

[@danyelnicholas]

In Vienna they would not recognise this as a waltz. It does not swing like a Waltzer (with delayed 3) nor does it seem to have any other waltz like features. Debby must have been a Piefke Schlamperl. Why is it not a Mazurka or a Ländler or a Toraji Taryong?

[@hanslevin]

The reason is that it’s a jazz waltz. It doesn’t claim to be a Viennese Waltz.

[@danyelnicholas]

@@hanslevin I know what Jazz is, I know roughly what a waltz is, but I don’t know how something can be a Jazz waltz. Would you recognise by listening this as a Jazz waltz and if yes, how?

[@hanslevin]

⁠@@danyelnicholasI’d say I’d recognize this piece as a “jazz” waltz on that the eight notes are swinging. Also, there are improvisational solos after the theme is presented. Someone deeply versed in jazz could point to more jazz elements in the improvised runs, etc. The instrumentation is a typical “jazz trio” with piano, double bass, and drums. After the Viennese took the Ländler and invented the Viennese Waltz, it was popularized around the world to such an extent that many people would not be familiar with the syncopation or delayed third beat in the Viennese Waltz that you referred to; yet they are called Walzes. Some other music in 3/4 have remained more defined, such as Polish Mazurkas or Swedish Polska, but the Waltz became a more generic term for many (but not all) pieces in 3/4, typically with the first beat emphasized.

[@hanslevin]

By the way, the ensemble switches from 3/4 to 4/4 after presenting the theme, so technically you can certainly argue it ceases to be a waltz at that point. Yet, it’s the “same” melody and jazz famously changes things around. If you wanted a more pure jazz waltz, I’d point to Toots Thieleman’s Bluesette. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSreYGvhLl8idU

[@peterney2402]

I may be wrong but I think my foolish heart is his most famous recording, the one recorded at ronnie Scott's jazz club. Anyway it is my favourite.

[@michael-solomon]

This is his most famous composition though

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Waltz For Debby is by far the most famous piece, for many reasons, one of them being the simple fact that Bill Evans composed it (unlike My Foolish Heart). This song has put Bill Evans on the map in 1956. It was his 'signature dish'.

[@PianoStudioNancy-ChrisAmbroise]

Famous for who ? Famous is a very subjective notion, for me "turn out the stars" or "you must believe in spring " and of course "so what" (intro, comping, solo) are the most famous...

[@allenptc]

Please: in the right hand part, the first voice notes must be set up-stems, and in the left hand part the bass notes must be set down-stems, right?

[@michael-solomon]

I agree; it's a limitation of the program I'm using

[@allenptc]

@@michael-solomon am using Finale for those tasks. Greetings, colleague!

[@volodymyrgolotovskyi]

shouldn’t the measures 61-70 have been notated as 4:3 polyrhythm? Just a suggestion, I think that’s one of the few cases where that’d be more relevant imho

[@michael-solomon]

I don't think it's a 4:3 poly-rhythm. he's just playing a hemiola whilst speeding up which granted makes it hard to identify. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Measures 61-70 are still in waltz tempo, therefore 3/4 (or 6/8) with hemiola, not 4/3. The 71-78 part could be identified as 4/4. As from measure 79 I hear 6/8 again, not 4/4, and that's where I might disagree with the rest of the transcription entirely, as far as note values and measures go. Having said this, it's such a complex piece it would give anyone a hernia, not a hemiola.

[@michael-solomon]

@@jacquesmertens3369im curious as to how you hear 6/8 from m. 79 onward; you can feel it’s 4/4 by listening to the drums and counting to 4. I agree with everything you said before that though!

[@jacquesmertens3369]

@@michael-solomon When you hear 1-2-3-4 I hear 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3. It's just a very fast waltz.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

@@michael-solomon When you hear 1,2,3,4 I hear 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, a very fast waltz. But because of the stress on the first and third group you can make that 2 measures of 6/8 (or 4 measures of 3/8). The overall sound is indeed that of a 4/4 rhythm because of the speed and the different stress on each measure. To transcribe it as 3/8, 3/4 or 6/8 (as from measure 79) you would need to split your measure in 2 or 4. And that's why the tempo of Waltz for Debby is either 92 bmp or 184 bpm, depending on the transcription.

[@kizu5451]

what score software is being used to overlay the sheet over the video

[@michael-solomon]

@@kizu5451 check out my video title: “how i make these transcription videos”

[@GoGetFletch]

Waltz for Debby is a nice tune but there is no way it can be rated as Bill Evans’ “most famous piece”. I think you have got to rate “Blue in Green” and “Peace Piece” ahead of it.

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Your personal preference is no measure to rate overall popularity. Popularity is the result of what the general public thinks, not what you or I think. The title of this video refers to 'famous' in the sense of 'well-known' or 'popular'. That's quite different from 'best'. Waltz for Debby has always been the most requested piece, therefore the title is right.

[@GoGetFletch]

@@jacquesmertens3369IMHO

[@urbanizeedDzn]

yeah peace piece def not on most famous ones, not remotely before waltz for debby or my foolish hearth

[@GoGetFletch]

@@urbanizeedDzn but what about Blue in Green? This has gone on to be a modern standard, being recorded and interpretted by many comtemporary jazz artist. Whereas, Waltz for Debby is stuck in a 1950s nostalgic time warp - IMHO

[@skierpage]

​@@GoGetFletch sure, "Blue in Green" is more influential. But all five KZbin "videos" of it total only 10.25M plays; "Waltz for Debby" is at 16M for one video.

[@evarsingersongwriter6228]

So you dont end up like the Hunch Back of Notre- dame 😊❤🧌

[@pedronunez4507]

Evans, insuperable ,pero el bajo le hace un buen porcentaje.

[@alexanderkoltsov5479]

Did he change the 3/4 to 4/4 measurement?

[@MrLenoir99]

Yes the time signature changes after a few bars. Waltz or not, the song is wonderful anyway...

[@vlodeklukasz1065]

Meanwhile, at the Eurovision Song Contest... which is watched by several hundred million viewers...

[@blue47er]

I notice that you neglect to credit the BBC TV Jazz 625, from which this video is taken. A clear lack of manners and morality.

[@davemontreuil789]

This is a good point. I think we shouldn't assume 'lack of manners' or 'morality'! Most likely an oversight that can be rectified now that it has been brought to his attention :)

[@michael-solomon]

fixed the description!

[@blue47er]

@@michael-solomon Thank you, you've done the decent thing and restored your credit rating..

[@kraxy5133]

@@blue47erabsolute nerd shut up

[@upetoycristancho8369]

Thanks...

[@segundoasensiosuarez]

Mi tonto corazon hahaha

[@nymbusDeveloper86]

This is not "My Foolish Heart" but "Waltz for Debby"