Gymnopedie / It Never Entered My Mind- lesson -solo jazz piano

This is based on George Shearing's solo version which combines these 2 songs. It is not, however, an exact transcription . The well known Satie theme is used as a short interlude between the main sections of the Rodgers and Hart standard 'It Never Entered My Mind' - and also as an intro. and outro. I find these useful songs to use in teaching pianists new to jazz. It is relatively easy to play, with a repeating 2 bar left hand pattern through much of the arrangement. There are opportunities for a little improvisation over these repeating 2 bars, and in the key of C - making it a good choice for relative beginners in jazz.
For high quality video, add '&fmt=18' to the URL above, or better still,
there is a much clearer video and audio, and also the leadsheet (both free to download) at http://www.bushgrafts.com.
A full printable transcription, as on the video is on my DVD (details on my site)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gymnopedie
• Satie
• It
• Never
• Entered
• My
• Mind
• solo
• jazz
• piano
• lesson
• Doug
• McKenzie
• Rodgers
• and
• Hart
• instruction

[Denisfedericomanuel]

hey the website to donwload doesnt work!!1 please fix it I really want the sheet

[jazz2511]

Yes- it is there - the video and a leadsheet with melody and chords. The printable transcription is on my DVD.

[desertlight]

A 60's band called "Blood Sweat & Tears" recorded this as a little interlude on one album where I first heard it. It grabbed my attention then and still does when I hear it. Though simple, there is something powerful about how the original melody is woven into the harmony that seems timeless. I think this was composed around 1888. I wonder if Satie stumbled onto the chord sequence or first heard it in his mind? Your improvisation was beautiful!

[jazz2511]

Laurence - thanks for reminding me of that track. I had a book of transcriptions of BS&T songs, and I remember after the Satie theme(played very simply) it morphed into a very strange almost atonal finish - quite dfferent from the original full 'Gymnopedie No1' piano piece.

[pll89]

Nice but I slightly like better the original version though.

[jazz2511]

So do I!

Doug

[hydropolite]

Doug - i think you are a master and I am a fan but I don't really get this. I think these two beautiful pieces cannabalize each other and the result is considerably lesser than the sum.

[birdchops]

omg where can i buy this sheet music???

[CYisThelonius]

Are the repetitive LH chords still considered rootless if you're using pedal? I would play each measure/phrase using the pedal; but, I noticed that Shearing (or on the lead sheet) uses half notes in some bars and then quarter notes plus a rest in other bars (on beats 2 and 3) to complement the root (on beat 1). Some phrasing ideas to play with I guess.

[Lowellrefugee]

I like what you did. Have you ever thought of doing "Happy days are here again" and "Blue skies" together? Bet it would sound good!

[mrhitmanisback]

doug how did i miss this gem beautifulllllllllllll

[PauloNideck]

lol!

Come on!

This is reeeeeeeaaaalllly great my friend!

I've been playing it never entered my mind.

And this peaceful touch is really important!

You're really something! Very mature, soft and smooth playing!

Congrats!

[SuStenida]

Hi. This is awesome :) Where can I get this partition?

Kiss*

[muzakrh]

One of my all time favourites. As mentioned it was done by "Blood,Sweat and Tears".

I was priviliged to go with Doug McKenzie to a Blood, Sweat and Tears Concert on the Gold Coast when they visited about 25 years ago.