Roland FP-4 Song 42 in Stereo with annotations

The Roland FP-4 has 56 different built-in chord progressions (each with 2 variations) and 80 different built-in rhythm tracks. In an effort to derive some usefulness out of these accompaniment tracks, I use them as an exercise in improvisation. My goal is to practice and explore my improvisational skills while at the same time try to make something musical and 1/2 way interesting out of it. There are some decent grooves in the FP-4 although they are a little on the "smoooth" side.

The chord progression on the "A" section is very simply a G Minor to A-7flat5 to D7. Having such a simple progression allows one to explore many different chord voicings, textures and rhythms while trying not to be repetitive. The Roland FP-4 has a "variation" button that when pressed switches to a different chord sequence allowing a "B" section using the same groove. The chord progression on the variation is Eb D7 G-7 C7 Eb D7 Gm.

I have added some annotations for some of the chord voicings as well as some of the notes and scales used for the RH improvisation. A very loose quote of the first line of a Kenny Barron tune called Phantoms is used as the head.
At the sacrifice of some video clarity, I have encoded this in stereo for your enhanced listening pleasure. ;-)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• stereo
• Roland
• FP-4
• FP-7
• Jazz
• Piano
• Improvisation
• groove
• smooth
• learn
• lesson

[AccompanimentTracks]

Nice touch on that Roland. Used to play on one of these in college back at Baylor U!

[Lot2learn]

@AccompanimentTracks I appreciate your comment, thanks.

[gianlucafarina11]

ohhhh yeah....

[Lot2learn]

@gianlucafarina11 Grazie!

[Smakre99]

truly an awesome display.  Thanx for making my day!. I could learn this...not!

[Lot2learn]

Thank you for your comment.

[jennadollface]

flipping pricey probley lol

[FriPilot]

Nice job, as always, Roger. Thanks!

Fri

[danbabs]

I have an FP-7. Love it so much. Excellent video, yet again. Anyone know what the FP stands for? hehe

[RipcurlNg]

What an unbelievable video. You are trueley an incredible player. I was looking for review of the FP-7 and I stumpled on this treasure. Great great great video, I love how you explained what you were ding. Did you go to school for music?