“Waltz for Miles” is a mid-intermediate piece from Valerie Caper’s collection Portraits in Jazz. The piece is written in the style of a jazz waltz, and, according to Caper’s notes, is a tribute to the expressive playing of Miles Davis, with a “simple melody [that] floats over warm, impressionistic harmonies.” “It is essential to become aurally familiar with Miles Davis’ work in order to fully capture his influence within Waltz for Miles. The piece requires a sense of flow and direction within a slow waltz tempo. As in many waltzes, the pedal is essential in keeping the bass ringing throughout the measure” (from Reina Krumvieda’s article).
“Waltz for Miles” requires the performer to produce a smooth singing line in the right hand while the left hand plays a chordal accompaniment pattern with some large leaps. This piece would be suitable for a student with smaller hands; while there are many chords that require the student to be able to reach a seventh, there are only a few that span a full octave. The score is detailed, with many pedal markings, articulations, and some layering of voices. The slurs in the top line should be observed; lifting the hand between slurs allows for better phrase-shaping and makes the melody easier to play from a technical standpoint.
Practice strategies:
- Practice the singing line on its own and sing along while playing it.
- Identify different voices and play them in different combinations, with a special focus on outer voices.
- Many of the chords are inspired by jazz harmonies and are more complex than simple triadic harmonies. For students for whom finding the chords is difficult, practicing the harmonies on their own could be helpful.
Portraits of Jazz by Valerie Capers is a collection of 12 early intermediate to intermediate jazz style pieces published in 1976 by Aztec Diaz-Tec 800, and Oxford University Press in 1992. These pieces are inspired by or dedicated to a particular jazz musician or singer
Valerie Capers was born in 1935, and was introduced to music through her father’s ties to Fats Waller (American Jazz Pianist), and her brother’s performances in the Mongo Santamaria Band. She received her early education at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind and graduated from the Juilliard School of Music, with Bachelors and Masters degrees. Capers brings a wide scope of pianistic styles and concepts to her playing, drawing from jazz idols and keyboard masters alike.
NOTE: This article is partly based on a previous one by Reina Krumvieda (2020), published in this site.
Source
Performed by Lizzie French.