Paul Desmond – Kathy’s Waltz

I’m closing out the year by closing out the “Time Out” album. The last track for me to finish is “Kathy’s Waltz”. My video and PDF just cover the saxophone solo, which is in 3/4 time.

The pitch on this one was really tough, about 20c off for some reason. I did my best to match it, but it was a struggle. Still, a beautiful song and solo, which was also fun to transcribe and play.

Paul Desmond - Kathy's Waltz

 

Enjoy!

@SdartSax

Paul Desmond – Everybody’s Jumpin’

The second to last transcription from the Time Out album. Although the melody goes through multiple time signatures, the solo is straight 4/4.

My video picks up with the last bit of the melody before the solo starts. The PDF has the whole song. Listening back, I seemed to be dragging a lot during the melody, but locked into the time better when the solo started. I love Paul Desmond’s playing, but his pitch is not as solid as I would have expected, especially in the upper register. I did my best to match up.

Paul Desmond - Everybody's Jumpin'

Enjoy!

@SdartSax

Paul Desmond – Blue Rondo À La Turk

I continue to power through the “Time Out” album. For some reason I’m just now getting around to track 1. This is a cool tune with the melody primarily being in a fast 9/8 (2+2+2+3) and the solos being in a slow 4/4 swing.

My video starts with the first of Paul’s solo fills, continues through his solo, then cuts to the end where he does some more solo fills into the melody to end the track. The PDF charts out the whole track from beginning to end.

Paul Desmond - Blue Rondo a la Turk

 

Enjoy!

@SdartSax

Paul Desmond – Pick Up Sticks

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…Paul Desmond!

This track really grooves, the back-beat is so strong! But it took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that it was in 6/4. Two and Four were easy to find, but it was hard to find One for some reason. Every time I thought I had it, I felt like I was turning the beat around (which of course I was since I was counting in 4/4 at first). I should have known better since this album is all about odd time signatures.

But once I figured the time signature out, it was all downhill. It’s a one-chord song with a  bluesy feel, and just beautiful playing. Nothing too difficult, but of course the time signature is a real challenge to play over since no one is used to playing six-beat phrases.

Paul Desmond - Pick Up Sticks

 

Enjoy!

@SdartSax

Paul Desmond – Strange Meadow Lark

More Paul Desmond from the Time Out album. I’d like to finish all the transcriptions on this album someday soon, they are all so beautiful!

My usual caveat with the chord changes on this chart – it’s especially complex, and chords are not my strong suit, so fair warning on the accuracy! I cobbled together what I could from a lead sheet and my ear, neither of which I trust a great deal…

Paul Desmond - Strange Meadow Lark

 

Enjoy!

@SdartSax

Paul Desmond – Take Five

Paul Desmond – So smooth, so dry. So many metaphors have been used to compare his sound to various foods or alcoholic beverages. He is so unique and special, and this is one of his best known solos.

His playing is deceptively simple on this tune, which defies the level of complexity introduced by the 5/4 time signature. It lays so well you would think it’s in 4/4.

Funny story – As I was editing the solo for upload it dawned on me that the solos are just over the vamp. I’ve played this song so many times over the years and every rhythm section I’ve played it with plays the form over the solos – bridge and all!

Paul Desmond - Take Five

 

Enjoy!

@SdartSax