A Random Gordon Jenkins Memory

[Teasing the Korean]

My Dad told me that in Gordon Jenkins arrangements, when Gordon would play those single-line counter-melodies in the medium-low register of the piano, he would rapidly shake his finger back and forth as he held the final note, as if to give it a vibrato.  Obviously, this is impossible to achieve on the piano, but it must have worked for Gordon, at least in his head.

[BillF]

I once read something by Roger Kellaway in which he said he could alter the pitch of a note by moving his finger on a depressed key. Someone who knew a lot more than I do about piano playing told me this was impossible.

[Teasing the Korean]

58 minutes ago, BillF said:

I once read something by Roger Kellaway in which he said he could alter the pitch of a note by moving his finger on a depressed key. Someone who knew a lot more than I do about piano playing told me this was impossible.

It is impossible.  It exists in the player's head, but if believing this makes them play better, who are we to judge?

 

[sgcim]

7 hours ago, BillF said:

I once read something by Roger Kellaway in which he said he could alter the pitch of a note by moving his finger on a depressed key. Someone who knew a lot more than I do about piano playing told me this was impossible.

They're just envious of horn and string players.Sorry piano boys, you can't have everything.

[BFrank]

Gordon's son Bruce is a long-time sports reporter for the SF Chronicle. He recently retired from full time work, but still writes a weekly column. Very smart and funny.

[Rooster_Ties]

7 hours ago, sgcim said:

They're just envious of horn and string players.Sorry piano boys, you can't have everything.

 

[BillF]

1 hour ago, Rooster_Ties said:

 

Nice one! 

[mikeweil]

A friend of mine used to say that one of the best aspects of the modern piano is that you cannot produce a vibrato on it!