Funk Rhodes Piano Groove: Tune 88
[UPDATE] Here’s a first cut at the requested MIDI file for this tune. I’ve not made one of these before (sheepish grin), so please comment. Is this what you’re looking for? Changes?
Hey, hey, hey! (spoken in my best “Fat Albert” voice)
I’m so excited about the new funk piano videos I’m working on! I’m to the point where music is written and most of the arrangements are in good shape, so I’m just about to start shooting. It’s been a while and I’ve forgotten how much work goes into getting the full tutorial series together. Writing, arranging, putting together sheet music and MIDI files (yes, the new series’ will have MIDI files so that you can download for practicing), not to mention shooting and editing.
At any rate, I needed a quick break from all that, just to play a little music, so I put together this cover of one of the very first funk piano tunes I learned: “Tune 88″ by Jeff Lorber.
Keep an eye on the site, because there will be a ton of new stuff and some big announcements coming soon. As they say on the hold lines: “your patience is appreciated.”
23. May 2010 at 05:14
Brilliant… Glad you’re back and pulling out another awesome performance! Can’t wait for new tutorials… Have fun!
23. May 2010 at 17:44
Good news, excellent =)
Where’s the “Donate” button ? ^^
24. May 2010 at 04:56
Man…. you are my new hero. I’m from Sweden and if i was one of The guys in the NOBEL PRIZE JUDGE i would give the Peace prize right now! GUYS LIKE YOU MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING! so keep up doing that funk magic stuff we all can learn from =D
and as the guy above just asked… where is the DONATE button?!?!? ^^
24. May 2010 at 08:54
You guys are too kind ^^ — Glad you’re enjoying the vids!
25. May 2010 at 07:56
Do you like donuts ? You could put a “Donut” button, mwahahaha
25. May 2010 at 11:47
Mmmmm… donuts. Perhaps I’ll have to look into this feature you suggest. If only for the donuts…
19. June 2010 at 00:26
Outstanding!! You really are a solid player with a distinct style. You probably rock the hell out of what ever town you live in. Iv always considered myself lucky to live in Portland because of all the great local talent. The most awesome is of coarse the GREAT Mr. Lorber. I dont think he was born here but my dad took me to see him in about ’77 or ’78 when I was just a wee tyke. Im Looking forward to more tutorials. But I have to admit that after a year and a half of playing piano Iv decided to focus most of my attention on learning to read. I think it will pay off BIG.
29. June 2010 at 05:27
Jonathan, if you could just send me a midi file of what you played on tune 88, i would forever love you. Oh, plus press the donate button. Your playing is superb.
rohanfielder@gmail.com
29. June 2010 at 05:30
Pwease Jono, pretty pwease send the file. I’ll return the favour and send you a video of me trying to do a poor man’s version of it. Should be good for a laugh if nothing else.
29. June 2010 at 06:33
Hey Rohan -
Sorry! I missed your last comment somehow. I’ll see what I can do! (should be doable) :)
11. July 2010 at 06:40
i adore rhodes and this song brilliant!
15. July 2010 at 15:14
Hi Jonathon,
A midi file for me too please please pleeeeeease!
Just can’t get this out of my head and have to keep playing the mp3 again and again! Looking forward to the Bb groove.
1000 Thanks.
Ian (yanman82@gmail.com)
15. July 2010 at 22:25
Ok – first cut at MIDI file uploaded (see the top of the post for the link). Please comment as to whether this will work — or if its even what you’re looking for. I’d like to provide MIDI files for all of the new tunes, and I’d like to get them right! I opened it up in Synthesia, and it seemed to offer lots of options for what to do with the bass/drums/keys parts. Feedback encouraged, so I can do this correctly!
15. July 2010 at 22:32
[...] people have requested a MIDI file of my recent cover of Tune 88. I put something together, and updated that post with a link to the MIDI file. However, I’m [...]
5. August 2010 at 15:00
Hey Jonathan, Great improv. After watching you play I was inspired. I want to develop licks like you. Great job.
23. August 2010 at 12:28
Great video. I starting listening to Jeff Lorber in the 1980 with “Wizard Island.” He had a killer tenor player in his band at the time with the last name of Gorelick. People know him today as the foremost performer of “safe sax”: Kenny G.
23. August 2010 at 13:21
I know! Who’d have thought that he could shred like he did in those old days!
17. September 2010 at 00:06
Hi Jonathan, I feel like Christopher Columbus discovering your site just recently. Firtly, gidday from Australia and Thank-you for all this wonderful music education you offer us. As a Huge Jeff Lorber fan I am so excited to find this track in particular. Your efforts are so appreciated. Best Wishes from across the waves.
19. September 2010 at 16:53
Hi Jonathon
I’ve been wathcing your ‘jeff lorber project’ several times. It is quite catchy. However, I found it very difficult to catch a lot of the licks. Are you planning to add anything to this post.
I would be happy if you did :)
Lau
27. November 2010 at 04:40
hi jonathon
love all you tutorials and free sheet music which is great.any chance of you adding the sheet music for TUNE 88 and more fender rhodes stuff with sheets.
just love it.
paul
10. February 2011 at 10:34
Hi Jonathon
Great “new” site. I’ve loved all you blue licks but now… this is a feast of funk! Totally awesome and thanks sooo much for all the effort and work you have put into bringing us these fantastic tunes.
Couple of questions/suggestions
1) I cant seem to get all your funk videos from itunes. I can subscribe ok but not download and more than one.
2)You “pretending to be a rock star” – could you let us know the instruments/patches you used for each instrument – the keytar guitar and hammond sound amazing.
Cheers
Drx
10. February 2011 at 12:04
@DrXerxes Thanks for the kind words – glad you’re enjoying the site. I’m afraid I haven’t gone back and added my old things to iTunes yet — only the Funk Groove #4 series is up there at the moment. I’ll add it to my list of things to do :)
Regarding patches — that’s probably worth a post on its own. The good news: I use exclusively Free VST plugins for all my synth stuff, so once I document what I did (I have to crack open the project file to remember), you should be able to get the same sounds absolutely free. Another TODO – VST Patch post. Keep an eye out — I’ll see if I can put it together soon. I’m in the middle of editing my next series, so I’m a little short on extra time.
18. March 2012 at 16:43
Guys, did anybody ever set this up as a playable piano score notation? If so, please let us take part in it too! The thing is, the midi file itself is not really useful for normal reading pianists, since it does not “know” what the left hand played and what the right did. Of course not… so what do you guys think – how do you work with this piece? (And, jonathon, it’s really great, thats the only reason i’m asking.)
thanks
tom