Midi file of my piano playing on this video along with a notation file and the Backing Track file are all available on my website at www.Lot2learn.com/

I had just finished listening to a great Latin-style version of Bluesette by the great Toots Thielman here:    • Toots Thielemans -Bluesette Brasil 2007   so I decided I would try a version in 4/4 time with a Latin groove as well.

I have added some annotations but I will try to explain more here in the description.
First, I have been asked to try and "slow-down" my playing to make it easier to learn. Unfortunately, when I improvise all of this I do so in real-time and to try and slow it down, well...it just wouldn't come out the same at all.

Here are some basic rules to follow: Know the song and the melody well enough that you can wander away from it and come back to it at will. Having said that, I actually make a mistake during my solo and play over the wrong chords. However, I do so quickly and without stumbling. I "go with the flow" and calmly bring myself back to the right place and if I didn't point it out, it might go by unnoticed - except for those keen observers out there - you know who you are ;-).

I play mostly chord tones, arpeggiating a minor 9 chord for the minor 7th chords and I approach the C-7 from 1/2 step above playing a Db-9. I also throw in a few 4ths and pentatonic type lines that are usually based on any pentatonic scale that contains chord tones of the II-V progression for the particular measure within the song.

I use patterns, but try to stay away from playing anything that resembles a scale. I will use scales, ie. diminished, but use neighboring notes. I also use "enclosures" when outlining arpeggiated chord tones.

BTW - one of my favorite parts of this video is the rhythmic chording starting at about the 3:35 mark and then the right hand lines that come a little after that - it's like saving the best for last. ;-)

Tech Notes:
Roland FP-4 using internal sound bank. MIDI keys by PGMusic PowerTracks Pro software and captured with BB Flashback Pro software from Blueberry Software. Rebdered using Adobe Premier elements and Serif MoviePlus X3. Backing Track created using Band-in-a-box software.

Thanks for Listening!