Billy Joel's "just the way you are" sax solo trans [Archive]

ferrari

03-05-2003, 11:24 PM

Cash; If you have the recording, it's a pretty simple but tasty solo. You could probably learn it in twenty minutes or so. If you don't have a recording, and don't want to buy one, you could download one from WinMX music shareware. Ya know, it' such a cool solo I think I'll learn it myself.

ferrari

03-06-2003, 01:20 AM

Cash; Right after my last post I downloaded the tune in question. If you'd like me to send it to me let me know. Jim F.

CashSax

03-06-2003, 03:30 AM

Thank Jim I located a copy of the recording, not much to it..who did it anyway??

Steve J.

03-06-2003, 11:14 AM

Phil Woods

BobH

03-06-2003, 02:09 PM

Trent Kynaston published a book of Phil Woods sax solos back in the 1980s that includes "Just the Way You Are." The transcriptions are a gold mine for anyone who, like me, is a Phil Woods fan. Unfortunately, the book is at home and I'm at work, but if you're interested, I can back to you with publishing info. Hopefully it's still in print.

CashSax

03-06-2003, 05:27 PM

Bob H I'd love a copy of that transcription any way to send it over the net? saxcash@aol.com

zephyranthes

03-06-2003, 08:51 PM

The book "Solos for Jazz Alto Sax" published by Carl Fischer has this Phil Woods solo. Amazon.com says it usually ships in 2-3 weeks, I found it on the shelf of my friendly neighborhood saxophone store, so it should be available at places that stock music.
(The book also includes 2 Johnny Hodes, 8 Charlie Parker, 2 Cannonball Adderly, 1 Paul Desmond and 1 Eric Dolphy solos.)

CashSax

03-07-2003, 08:12 AM

thats good but I need it in the next couple days, don't wanna buy a whole book

John Laughter

03-07-2003, 09:57 AM

Cash, I can send the solo in midi form (in WORD or pdf) which will work well but I need to know what your starting note will be on the intro pickup notes so that I can put it in the correct key for you. Or, I can email the written music to you and you can let me know what key to put it in and I can resend it. I have it set for the main melody notes (after the intro pickup notes) as follows; G-G#-Eb-F-G-G#-Eb-Eb-F-C-C-C#-Bb. If you have a midi player and music reader I could simply email the midi to you and you can print or write out the part. Let me know. JSAXL@aol.com

CashSax

03-07-2003, 12:44 PM

Thanks John..well let's see, sounds to me like there's a couple of soft ghosted grace intro notes into the solo but the first solid note I hear on the Alto is a C# or concert E..I'm basically comp illiterate so an Email deal is about only way I can get it. :roll:

Steve J.

03-07-2003, 01:10 PM

Woah Cash. This is confusing. Original recording is in concert D (Alto B Major). The C# or concert E you hear occurs on beat four prior to the 16 bar solo right? The downbeat pitch is an A# (alto) (C# concert) right?

If yes answer to all above this would make John's version a minor third too low in reference to what is being performed as I understand. So ...... John if you could raise a minor third Cash can read as is in correct alto key that matches original.

BobH

03-07-2003, 01:19 PM

Cash & John, have you got this squared away between you?

CashSax

03-07-2003, 01:29 PM

Well the bandleader sends me a tape of the BJoel recording..tells me he's sure we're playing it in the orig key..(sh*t bandleaders a drummer)..maybe his recorders' off ??? now I'm con-fused..let's get the orig key straight, did seem a little bit of a tough key to me..(all this for a crummy buck and a half ??) ah well I guess it beats working for a living..The transcription of the orig solo would answer this Q real quick..Thanks youse guys for the help..where's Phil when we need him..?? :twisted:

Steve J.

03-07-2003, 01:43 PM

Cash -- I think you have the right key .. Alto key B Major

The verification is what pitch on what beat. Putting the info on this post together and knowing the recording I maintain Cash is talking B major and a John raise of minor third will be just right.

For alto - The full pick up bar is all eighths ascending pitches starting on beat one B F# B E G# B C# E- First bar of 16 is down to dotted quarter A#, eight B, half note F#.

Yes, he is sneaking in on a low B on intro too. Phil makes it sound quite easy doesn't he. Listen close - you'll hear it.

Steve J.

03-07-2003, 01:47 PM

Sorry sorry -Wait a minute...... intro bar ends on D# not E! sorry! hard to think clear without sax in hand... DUH
I truly am trying to clarify but not quite succeeding. :oops:

CashSax

03-07-2003, 01:50 PM

I'm cracking up..LMAO..it does seem the the very first note of the passage is an A#..boy would I love to see it written down.. 1st buried few notes sound almost gliss-like A#B D# F# up to C#8va D# A#..etc.. :shock:

CashSax

03-07-2003, 01:53 PM

like the 5 blind guys describing an elephant.. :dazed:

CashSax

03-07-2003, 02:00 PM

All kidding aside we've got the key..now if I wasn't so freakin' dyslexic I could memorize the rest..double thanks to all of you all for the kind help..thank god it'll be over quick I'm told we're opening with this tune.. :wink:

Steve J.

03-07-2003, 02:09 PM

Good What I posted is correct then. The pick up bar is straight eights as posted starting on a ghosted low B on beat one.

I wouldn't term it a gliss - just the Woods beautifully rich timbre connected smoothly between the jazz musical phrasing. Part of why his playing is legendary.

After you mimick this solo and others of his it is quite apparent what a magnificent player he is. The solo sounds easy because of his awesome command of the saxophone. Jeez - the intro licks start pianissimo low B. And he repeats this three times. Note he makes it sound like a fifth grader could nail it with sublety. Good luck and enjoy it Cash.

CashSax

03-07-2003, 02:25 PM

Steve I know whatcha mean about Phil.. I saw/heard him scare Sanborn one nite on Sanborns' old late nite TV show..they were trading fours..Sanborn playing his usual cool stuff, Phil filigreed everything Dave played while nailing Dave's licks note for note within the filigree...quite a musical sight.Phil is one of the greatest ever in my book.

BobH

03-07-2003, 06:32 PM

Phil Woods is astonishing, both in terms of technical mastery and sheer lyricism. I've seen him live three times, and each time was an inspiration. Cash, if you get the opportunity, listen to Phil's solo on the Michelle LeGrande ballad "The Summer Knows" (the transcription is included in the Trent Kynaston book I'd mentioned). Talk about beauty, conviction, and range of emotion--it'll make ya weep!

CashSax

03-07-2003, 06:44 PM

Bob, I know the cut..I have the CD, you're right ..it's magnificent to say the least..

John Laughter

03-07-2003, 10:48 PM

Cash, As suggested I raised it a minor third. It is ready to go. Hope it helps. JSAXL@aol.com

paulman

03-11-2003, 04:15 AM

Anybody seen or done a transcription of the 16 bar Sax solo..? I need it for a wedding gig..other wise I gotta fake it and I'll probably play mostly just the melody..Thanks :roll:

+++ I made a trancription of the Phil Woods solo on this recording. If you are interested in, I can send it to you,if you please answer an e-mail to me.

CashSax

03-11-2003, 04:42 AM

Thanks paul would like to see it..my email is saxcash@aol.com

John Laughter

03-11-2003, 09:49 AM

Paulman, I would also like a copy if you would email it to me. Thanks. JSAXL@aol.com.

scoros

03-11-2003, 02:09 PM

I would love to have a copy too. Never know when someone will want it played at their gig.

scoros76@yahoo.com

CashSax

03-12-2003, 02:55 PM

paulman

03-13-2003, 07:29 AM

Paolo, your transcription looks great but I wasn't able to get a printable version on my computer, page one is mostly melody back-up with only several bars of solo, I will hand copy and use what I can..and page 2 seems to be transcription of a "ladybird" solo (?)..Thanks so much for trying and If I could read Italian I know I would have really dug your website..it looks VERY cool..!! Ciao for now, Cash Farrar:(
+++CashSax,I'm going to envoj you again what I transcribed about the subject and I'll send it to your e-mail address that is "saxcash@aol.com". The other two persons who were interested on have received the material. Let me know please what it shall happen. The transcription is sited on two pages.The first page contains the final bars of my transcription of Michael Brecker "When she is mine" and the second page contains a transcription(not mine) of John Coltrane "Lazy bird". Sorry that you're not able to read the site "www.Jazzitalia".net,"where under the name "lezioni" you can find Cannonball Adderley "Corcovado",Charlie Parker "Don't blame me", Clifford Brown "Joy spring" and where there'll be published other transcriptions of mine.

John Laughter

03-13-2003, 09:41 AM

Paolo, it worked fine for me. I do have adobe which may have done the job. I appreciate your email.

CashSax

03-13-2003, 07:47 PM

To Paolo And John..Both transcriptions are great and on the Money..Can't thank you guys enough for both being so kind and generous..this place ROCKS..and these 2 cats are the best example why I hang in here..CHEERS and Ciao to all for now..Cash Farrar :mrgreen:

Tears June

03-17-2003, 03:47 AM

paulman

I also want this (Just the way you are), please kindly send to me.

yyli60@hotmail.com

Is it transcribed for Eb alto?

:cry:

SaxDog

03-21-2003, 04:50 AM

Hi guys, please send me the transcript too. many many thanks!!!

ladybirdhk@hotmail.com

John Laughter

03-21-2003, 11:16 AM

Tears and Sax, check your mail. Hope it opens for you.

wolfe

05-23-2003, 09:51 PM

Well, I've been listening to the solo (didn't realize that was Woods), and I'm really not too great at transcription. It's an excellent solo, and if anyone still has it I would be very grateful if you could e-mail it to me: wolfe@musician.org.

Thanks,
-wolfe

Jacob aka collegefresh

06-03-2003, 05:02 AM

WOW! I never had any idea that was Phil Woods either. That is a good solo. It just proves that Phil is a jack of all trades and a master of all as well.

Morry

07-19-2003, 11:51 PM

Would one of you guys who got the transcription mind sending it out to me? For practice, I'm gonna try and transcribe it from the recording myself, but I'd like to check it against someone else's.

Tim Wolfe

07-20-2003, 01:11 AM

I just recently learned this solo by ear, but it would be great to have a transcription of it. Please send me a copy, too.

Thanks so very much you guys. This forum is fantastic. I love the support of so many fellow sax players!

wolfe@msmary.edu

John Laughter

07-26-2003, 12:43 AM

Morry, if you will send an email I will send a copy if you still need it. Sax and wolfe, do you still need a copy? Send an email. JSAXL@aol.com

SaxJazz12

08-02-2003, 07:36 PM

I think that solo is the best "pop sax solo" ever...

Tim Wolfe

08-03-2003, 12:20 AM

John,
Got a copy from Paolo, but thanks for asking.
Phil Woods' solo is deceptive. He makes it sound easy. That is a true mark of any expert.
Thanks.

BrianL

08-05-2003, 02:18 AM

I dunno, some would argue that the sax solo from "Careless Whisper" was the greatest pop solo ever. Btw, I'd love that Woods solo transcription for Just The Way You Are, and if someone could also send me Careless Whisper, that'd be awesome :D. My e-mail is Bdalarsen@hotmail.com

~BrianL

John Laughter

08-05-2003, 02:59 AM

Brian, I will send them to you Wednesday when I get in town. Don't have them on the laptop.

Rug

08-02-2004, 06:30 AM

hey, i was just wondering if you could send me a copy of that solo as well.
abudax13@hotmail.com
thanks alot

John Laughter

08-04-2004, 02:57 AM

Rug, I hope one of the arrangements help.

Bnatural

08-04-2004, 03:22 AM

do a search of the forum in another topic area i believe their was a link posted to a copy of the solo. It may have been a different Billy Joel song but I don't think so.

paulman

08-04-2004, 08:34 AM

do a search of the forum in another topic area i believe their was a link posted to a copy of the solo. It may have been a different Billy Joel song but I don't think so.

I don't understand so well english language and I don't know exactly what you mean. If you want a copy of my Phil Woods trancribed solo on "Just the way you're, you can open "www.jazzitalia.net", click on "Lezioni": in that page you can find "Trascrizioni", where you can have many others pieces that I trancribed (Coltrane ,Parker,Konitz, Adderley, etc.). Thank you for your interest on. Ciao. Paolo Mannelli.

Gargoyle

08-04-2004, 06:33 PM

I don't understand so well english language and I don't know exactly what you mean. If you want a copy of my Phil Woods trancribed solo on "Just the way you're, you can open "www.jazzitalia.net", click on "Lezioni": in that page you can find "Trascrizioni", where you can have many others pieces that I trancribed (Coltrane ,Parker,Konitz, Adderley, etc.). Thank you for your interest on. Ciao. Paolo Mannelli.
Excellent post. The direct link to the song is here:

http://www.jazzitalia.net/lezioni/trascrizioni/tr_justthewayyouare.asp