Set the metronome to click on beats 2 and 4 only. Play the transcription at 50% speed. Ensure that the eighth notes swing (long-short) even at a slow tempo. Speed is a byproduct of control.
Transcribing Peterson is like trying to catch lightning. But even catching the afterglow —one voicing, one turn of phrase—will change your playing forever. Days of Wine and Roses is the perfect starting point: beautiful, deceptively simple, and under Oscar’s hands, absolutely transcendent.
"Days of Wine and Roses" was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for the 1962 film of the same name. The movie, directed by Blake Edwards, starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, and the song went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Oscar Peterson's rendition of "Days of Wine and Roses" was released on his 1965 album, "My Favorite Instrument," and features the pianist accompanied by bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen. oscar peterson days of wine and roses transcription
To transcribe "Days of Wine and Roses," start by listening to Oscar Peterson's performance on "My Favorite Instrument." Pay close attention to the pianist's left-hand voicings, right-hand melodic lines, and overall phrasing. You may want to listen to the track multiple times, taking note of specific sections or motifs that catch your ear.
In the first eight bars, Peterson rarely plays a single root-position chord. Look for these signatures in your transcription: Set the metronome to click on beats 2 and 4 only
For those interested in exploring more of Oscar Peterson's music, consider checking out the following resources:
If you find a PDF of the entire 3-minute solo, you’ll quickly realize: Oscar’s left hand is a monster . He plays walking tenths, stride-style shells, and contrapuntal lines simultaneously. Don’t try to learn it all at once. Speed is a byproduct of control
This is where the "Peterson machine" kicks in. The tempo feels like it has doubled. The transcription will show a constant stream of eighth-note triplets. He begins to substitute chords on almost every beat. The right hand uses "drop 2" voicings to create a horn-section effect.
"Days of Wine and Roses" is a timeless jazz standard that has been interpreted by many legendary musicians. One of the most iconic renditions is by the great Oscar Peterson, a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. In this report, we'll take a closer look at the transcription of Peterson's sublime performance of "Days of Wine and Roses".