Aja - Steely Dan - Piano (Live version)

info@davidgwynne.co.uk
An example of how 'Aja' might be approached in a live situation. It is based upon the two keys parts, plus elements of the brass. So you can pick and choose! I've fleshed out the chords to get the right effect (especially the 'mu major' sound) by using the brass arrangements. In the 'glock' section I have alternated between two parts you could play. Its based on different live SD performances with different players, but I was playing along to this one (Oh yeah and spot the glaring mistake(s) LOL)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFKSyP5pNE0

Hope it comes in handy! Comments/criticisms v appreciated :D

Category:

Music

Tags:

• steely
• dan
• aja
• don
• fagen
• walter
• becker
• piano
• instructional
• dave
• gwynne
• soul
• jazz
• rock

[logosthedestroyer]

Yeah, it's just because it would be easier to play in C major. Hence why I never use transcriptions!

[oz1john]

Well done, sounds lovely. Any reason why you chose the key of B?

[logosthedestroyer]

@oz1john Thanks. Well I just like to keep everything in it's original key - I think they sound best that way.

[ricerocketeeer]

wow sounds EXACTLY like steely dan does it.

do you have it completely by memory? or are there any scores or sheet music that you'd be kind enough to share :)

[logosthedestroyer]

@ricerocketeeer Yes I'm afraid I did learn it by myself, no scores sorry!

[MWFAN48]

my parents named me after this song! :-) i love it! getting 0:00-0:18 notes tattooed on my back

[logosthedestroyer]

@MWFAN48 Seriously? That's so awesome!

[jazz4asahel]

Way good, man. I'd love to see you sittin' in with the Steely Dan on this one.

[tozurc]

my respects Amigo, i'm a piano player too, and that song is one of my favorite ones!!

[tozurc]

my respects Amigo, i'm a piano player too, an that song is on of my favorites one!!

[BifMcAwesome]

I buy my music according to how many chords are used in a sond, and I think Aja is the best value by far.

[IMChrisThom]

Amazing job.

[eduardogorrion1]

Great job! I wonder why, however, the transcription of the Aja album, published in 1980, denotes this song as being in the key of C? Back when this album came out, I had a very old piano that I had to keep tuned a half-step low because the strings would otherwise break (lol). So when I saw that songbook, and saw that the song was written in C, I proceeded to learn it in that key (by ear). I play it pretty much the same way you do, only a half-step higher (lol).

[jansenn1]

Words can not describe how great it was to watch you play this... I am in love with Steely Dan's chords... I just had a love affair with your hands... :) Now if I could just learn how to play the beginning from watching you... Thanks for posting!!!

[dgarthsnyder]

@ricerocketeeer Warner Bros. Publications has a guitar anthology series Steely Dan book with everything! All I did is transpose the guitar chords to piano and take notes from watching Logosthedestroyer! The opening chord is B Maj 9 . alternate the F# and B on the bottom and basicly any black key on top!

[steelyrenee]

@mwfan48 If I had a daughter, I would have named her after this song, Granddaughter perhaps...