Music Lesson: Peel Me A Grape

Instructor: James
Piece: Peel Me A Grape
Composer: Diana Crawl
Level: Grade 6 Rock School

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Overview

Hey, how's it going? Today we're looking at "Peel Me A Grape," which is a laid-back, bluesy piece with a slow swing tempo of 84. Our job as the piano player is to infuse the groove with bluesy inflections and chords to enhance the vibe, particularly since there's no drum accompaniment; the bass player drives the time.

Roles in the Ensemble

• Singer: Leads the piece (Diana Crawl).
• Piano Player: Accompanies the vocalist while providing character to the music.

Understanding Swing

Swinging is a complex concept, going beyond simply playing triplets. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Feel the Groove: Swing isn't about strict rhythm; it's about letting the quavers hang back.
• Example: Instead of playing evenly, aim for a more laid-back feel, think "going" vs. "going."

Notable Sections

Opening Riff

The piece starts with an iconic chord riff that sets the tone. Key features of the riff include:

• Chords: The push at the end of beat two creates a flowing anticipation into beat three.

• Voicing Example: The transition from C7 to F9:

  • C7: C, E, G, Bb
  • F9: F, A, C, Eb, G, (with the 9th added on top).

Listening Recommendations

If you're interested in jazz, check out:

• Duke Ellington
• Count Basie
• Miles Davis
• Bill Evans
• Keith Jarrett
• Diana Crawl for vocal jazz.

Page Turning Strategy

This piece is lengthy (nine pages, about eight minutes), so attention to page turns is crucial:

• Prepare: Use sections of empty space wisely for page turns.
• Focus: Ensure you're organized to avoid losing your place during performance.

Soloing Techniques

Structure of the Solo

• The jazz solo involves lots of bluesy inflections.
• Difficult Section: Bar 71 contains the most challenging line.

Tips for Mastery

• Break It Down: Play slowly, focusing on understanding harmonically.
• Quintuplets: Recognize these as a group of five, deviating from the traditional triplet feel.

Example of Quintuplets:

• Instead of ba, ba, ba, you would play ba, ba da, ba da da.

Personal Style

• Embrace Your Sound: Jazz is about interpretation; feel free to add your flair.
• Exam Performance: Stick to what's written if taking an exam.

The Blues Scale

The left hand is rooted in the C blues scale:

C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb

This provides a rich foundation for your solo.

Summary

"Peel Me A Grape" is about:

• Chilling out and showing off during the solo.
• Utilizing the rich harmonic structure.
• Exploring and adapting elements to your style.

Final Thoughts

• Keep it Chill: Embrace the bluesy vibe.
• Practice Slowly: Work on tricky sections until mastered.
• Have Fun: Above all, enjoy the music!

See you next time!