John's transcriptions defy the understanding of most
people. He had the extraordinary ability to listen to anything, no
matter how complicated, and to write it down note perfect. He had no
idea how he was able to do it - he just could. He would spend hours
with a pair of cans stuck to his ears, snapping his fingers, singing
snippets out loud, then rushing to the piano to try those particular
bars, often cursing and muttering under his breath until he got it.
This
enormous talent will be sorely missed. John had customers from all
corners of the globe who would ask him to transcribe a tune - often
with the most sketchy of recordings or information, and sometimes with
no idea where the tune had come from or what it was called. Watching
him unpick it and write it down was a pleasure that I never tired of.
Sometimes he would comment that the tune was so awful, it was no wonder
nobody had wasted the paper on it.
There are currently 212 jazz
transcriptions, arrangements and special editions available in the
collection, all of which are available to purchase and can be sent
anywhere in the world. To receive a copy of the list, you can either download it now or send a request to mail@johnfarrellcollection.com
John Farrell's transcriptions are deadly accurate to the original recordings. Click this link to listen to the MIDI files.
Although you might want to bear in mind that a computer interpretation never learned how to 'swing
the 8ths', other than that, they are note perfect. Once the pianist
has the tune under his or her belt, they can let rip with wild abandon
and feel entirely confident of the jaw-dropping effect they will have
on any unsuspecting listener.
On rare occasion, it was nigh-on
impossible to put into dots some of the early masters' brilliance.
There are one or two transcriptions that carry a notation on the top to
that effect. In these cases, John would put down as many of the notes
that would fit on the stave, mark those bars and recommend that the
player listen to the original recording, take a deep breath and go for
it. There were times when we would sit at the piano and he would do
exactly that, before starting to laugh and raising his tangled fingers
with an 'Aaarrrggghh!'.
The full list of transcriptions...
Transcriptions are supplied as high quality pdf files over the email and are priced at $10.00 (USD) each. Discounts are available for bulk purchase. Payment is accepted via PayPal only.
Current transcriptions list:
133rd Street Boogie Sammy Price Sammy Price’s 1945 recording transcribed by John Farrell
About A Quarter To Nine Dubin/Warren Arranged by John Farrell
You Took Advantage Of Me Rodgers & Hart Cliff Jackson’s 1962 recording transcribed by John Farrell
What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry Walter Donaldson/Abe Lynam Arranged by John Farrell
After You’ve Gone Turner Layton/Henry Creame Arranged by John Farrell
Ain’t Misbehavin’ Waller/Razaf/Brooks Don Lambert’s 1962 recording transcribed by John Farrell
Alley Rat Blues Jimmy Blythe’s piano roll transcribed by John Farrell
All Of Me G Marks John Farrell’s transcription and adaptation of a Dave Ruosch recording
All The Things You Are Jerome Kern As played by Art Tatum, transcribed by John Farrell
Anitra’s Dance Grieg Transcribed by John Farrell from a Donald Lambert recording
Arkansas Blues Lada/Williams As played by Cliff Jackson, transcribed by John Farrell
Tatum Plays The Blues Art Tatum Transcribed by John Farrell
Atlanta Blues W.C. Handy/Dave Elman As played by Don Ewell, transcribed by John Farrell
Baby Brown Alex Hill As played by Ralph Sutton, transcribed by John Farrell
Back Goes To Town Alec Templeton transcribed by John Farrell Carolina Balmoral James P. Johnson From James P. Johnson’s 1943 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Beale Street Blues W.C. Handy As played by Marvin Ash, transcribed by John Farrell
Birmingham Breakdown Duke Ellington Arranged by John Farrell
Black Beauty Duke Ellington Arranged by John Farrell
Bleeding Hearted Blues Lovie Austin As played by James P. Johnson, transcribed by John Farrell
Blue Black Bottom Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller/Mike Jackson Fats Waller’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Blues – Part 1 Meade Lux Lewis Meade Lux Lewis’s 1939 Blue Note recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Bounce With Me Errol Garner transcribed by John Farrell
Bozo Pants Robin Frost transcribed by John Farrell
Breaking In A Pair Of Shoes Stept/Washington/Franklin Teddy Wilson’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart James P. Johnson John Gill’s 2006 PianoMania recording, transcribed by John Farrell
You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart James P. Johnson Arranged by John Farrell
Rag Played By Brun Campbell transcribed by John Farrell
Bucket Of Blood Will Ezell Will Ezell’s 1928 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Buddy’s Habit Straight/Nelson John Gill’s 2006 PianoMania recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Candy Lips (I’m Stuck On You) Jack Lauria/Mike Jackson Arranged by John Farrell
Can’t We Be Friends Paul James/Kay Swift Arranged by John Farrell
Canadian Capers Chandler/White/Cohen As played by Joe ‘Fingers’ Carr, transcribed by John Farrell
Careless Love Handy/Koenig/Williams As played by Cliff Jackson, transcribed by John Farrell
Careless Love Handy/Koenig/Williams Burt Bales’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Carolina Shout James P. Johnson James P. Johnson’s QRS piano roll transcribed and adapted by John Farrell
Changes Walter Donaldson Ralph Sutton’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
King Chanticleer Ayer/Brown Arranged by John Farrell
The Charleston James P. Johnson John Farrell’s adaptation of James P. Johnson’s QRS piano roll
Cheek To Cheek Irving Berlin Arranged by John Farrell
Chicago Breakdown ‘Big Maceo’ Merriweather Big Maceo’s 1945 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
China Jumps Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller transcribed by John Farrell
The Clearing House Blues Honesty/Webb/Darvo Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll transcribed by John Farrell
Confessin’ The Blues Brown/McShann arranged by John Farrell
Has Anyone Seen Corrine Albert Ammons Albert Ammons’s 1939 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Cow Cow Blues Charles ‘Cow Cow’ Davenport Sammy Price’s 1945 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Crazy Jo’ Harry F. Reser arranged by John Farrell
Cryin’ For The Carolines Harry Warrenn As played by James P. Johnson, transcribed by John Farrell
The Curse Of An Aching Heart Al Piantadosi/Henry Fink arranged by John Farrell
Cushion Foot Stomp Clarence Williams arranged by John Farrell
The Darkdown Strutter’s Ball Shelton Brooks arranged by John Farrell
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Koehler/Arlen Teddy Wilson’s recording transcribed by John Farrell
Dill Pickles C.L. Johnson Ralph Sutton’s 1949 Circle recording (take 2), transcribed by John Farrell
Dive Bomber (originally entitled Answer To The Boogie) Pete Johnson Pete Johnson’s 1944 Brunswick recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Got To Cool My Doggies Down Williams Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll transcribed by John Farrell
Dog Town Blues Bob Haggart As played by Bob Zurke, transcribed by John Farrell
Doctor Jazz Jelly Roll Morton arranged by John Farrell
Easy Living Ralph Rainger/Leo Robin Sir Charles Thompson’s 1984 Sackville recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Eccentric (That Eccentric Rag) J. Russel Robinson John Farrell’s transcription of a Ralph Sutton Recording
Echo Of Spring Clarence Williams/Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith Johnny Varro’s 1998 Arbors recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket Irving Berlin Transcribed by John Farrell from a Don Lambert recording
I Cover The Waterfront Green/Heyman Burt Bales’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Eternal Blues Jimmy Yancey Jimmy Yancey’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Fascination James P. Johnson Ralph Sutton’s recording transcribed by John Farrell
Fats Waller Rhythm Medley No.1 arranged by John Farrell
Fats Waller Rhythm Medley No.2 arranged by John Farrell
Fats Waller Rhythm Medley No.3 arranged by John Farrell
Fats Waller Rhythm Medley No.4 arranged by John Farrell
I’ve Got A Feeling That I’m Falling Waller/Rose/Link Fats Waller’s 1929 Victor recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Five O’Clock Blues Jimmy Yancey Jimmy Yancey’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
FO’ Day Blues Montana Taylor Montana Taylor’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Four O’Clock Blues Pete Johnson Pete Johnson’s 1939 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Friday Night Stomp Johnny Maddox Johnny Maddox’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
A Ghost Of A Chance Bing Crosby/Ned Washington/Victor Young Teddy Wilson’s 1939/40 Keystone recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Goin’ About Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller Fats Waller’s 1929 recording (take 2), transcribed by John Farrell
I Ain’t Got Nobody Williams/Peyton/Graham Fats Waller’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Guess Who’s In Town Razaf/Johnson As played by James P. Johnson, transcribed by John Farrell
Handful Of Keys Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller Fats Waller’s 1929 Victor recording, transcribed by John Farrell
He Ain’t Got Rhythm Irving Berlin Martin Litton’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Heartbreaker Ray Charles Ray Charles’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Hold My Hand Fats Waller/J.C. Johnson arranged by John Farrell
Honey Babe Ferd ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton Don Ewell’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Honey Hush Fats Waller/Ed Kirkeby Don Ewell’s 1975 Jazzology recording, transcribed and edited by John Farrell
Honeysuckle Rose Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller arranged by John Farrell
Honolulu Baby Marvin Hatley arranged by John Farrell
Harlem Hotcha James P. Johnson/Andy Razaf arranged by John Farrell
The House Cleaning Blues (composer unknown) John Gill’s 1993 PianoMania recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I Ain’t Gonna Tell Nobody Richard M. Jones As played by Don Ewell, transcribed by John Farrell
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me Jimmy McHugh/Clarence Gaskill As played by Don Ewell, transcribed by John Farrell
If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight James P. Johnson (music)/Henry Creamer (lyric) Donald Lambert’s recording transcribed and adapted by John Farrell
If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight James P. Johnson (music)/Henry Creamer (lyric) Teddy Wilson’s recording transcribed by John Farrell
If I Had You Shapiro/Campbell/Connelly As played by Marvin Ash, transcribed by John Farrell
If It Ain’t Love Andy Razaf/Don Redman arranged by John Farrell
I’m Not Worrying Fats Waller/Clarence Williams Neville Dickie’s 2004 Stomp Off recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I’m Proud Of A Baby Like You Schoenberg/Stevens/Helmlock Dick Hyman’s recording, transcribed and edited by John Farrell
In A Mezz Sammy Price Sammy Price’s 1945 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I Never Knew (That Roses Grew) Gus Kahn/Ted Fiorito As played by Ralph Sutton, transcribed by John Farrell
It Had To Be You Gus Kahn/Isham Jones Art Tatum’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Jacksonville Gal Fred Rose arranged by John Farrell
Jelly Roll Stomp Kansas City Frank Melrose As played by the composer, transcribed by John Farrell Jesse James Albert Ammons transcribed by John Farrell
Jim Jams Roy Bargy arranged by John Farrell
Jingles James P. Johnson John Gill’s PianoMania recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Just Gone Joe Oliver John Farrell’s transcription of the Don Ewell recording
Justin Tyme Roy Barby arranged by John Farrell
Just Too Soon Earl Hines Earl Hines’s December 1929 QRS recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Kaycee On My Mind Pete Johnson Pete Johnson’s 1940 Decca recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Kiss Me Sweet Armand J. Piron/Steve Lewis Armand Hug’s 1953 Paramount recording, transcribed and edited by John Farrell
The Ladies Who Sing With The Band Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller From ‘Early To Bed’ (1943), arranged by John Farrell
Last Go Round Blues Jimmie Cox Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll, transcribed and edited by John Farrell
Lock And Key Henry Creamer (words) / James P. Johnson (music) James P. Johnson’s accompaniment to Bessie Smith’s 1927 Columbia recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Isn’t This A Lovely Day Irving Berlin Mark Shane’s 2004 Amber Lake recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Love Me Donaldson/Kahn Fats Waller’s 1929 Victor recording (take 3), transcribed by John Farrell
Love Me Or Leave Me Donaldson/Kahn John Farrell’s arrangement based on the Nina Simone recording
Love Is The Sweetest Thing Ray Noble Teddy Wilson’s 1939/40 Keystone recording, transcribed by John Farrell
You’re A Lucky Guy Sammy Cahn/Saul Chaplin Johnny Varro’s 1998 Arbors recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Lullaby In Rhythm Hirsch/Sampson/Profit Don Ewell’s 1970 Chiaroscuro recording, transcribed by John Farrell
The Man In The Moon Don Frye Don Frye’s 1945 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Maple Leaf Rag Scott Joplin Arranged by Jelly Roll Morton, transcribed from a MIDI file by John Farrell
Martinique (from ‘Early To Bed’) Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller John Farrell’s transcription of a Fats Waller recording
Mecca Flat Blues Blythe/Robinson/Williams arranged by John Farrell
Melancholy Blues Marty Bloom & Walter Melrose arranged by John Farrell
Melancholy Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis Meade Lux Lewis’s 1939 Blue Note recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Have You Met Miss Jones Rodgers/Hart Johnny Varro’s Arbors recording, transcribed by John Farrell
My Monday Date Earl Hines Clause Bolling’s 1972 Philips recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Monday Struggle Albert Ammons Albert Ammons’s 1939 recording, transcribed by John Farrell Mr. Jelly Lord Jelly Roll Morton Burt Bales’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Mule Face Blues Little Brother Montgomery Little Brother Montgomery’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Muskrat Ramble Kid Ory/R. Gilbert arranged by John Farrell
My Old Daddy’s Got A Brand New Way To Love Jackson As played by Fats Waller, transcribed by John Farrell
The Nearness Of You Carmichael/Washington arranged by John Farrell
There Will Never Be Another You Harry Warren/Mack Gordon Transcribed and adapted by John Farrell from a Donald Lambert recording
Nobody But My Baby Clarence Williams/Andy Razaf Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll transcribed by John Farrell
Old Fashioned Love James P. Johnson The composer’s 1944 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Fats Waller’s Original E Flat Blues Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller Waller’s 1935 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Otis Blues Otis Spann Otis Spann’s 1960 Candid recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Otis In The Dark Otis Spann Otis Spann’s 1960 Candid recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Pass The Jug Kansas City Frank Melrose The Kansas City Frank Melrose recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Pass The Jug Kansas City Frank Melrose As recorded by David Boeddinghaus, transcribed by John Farrell
Piano Breakdown Kansas City Frank Melrose The Kansas City Frank Melrose recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Piano Price Rag ‘Piano Price’ Davis Glover Compton’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Pick Yourself Up Kern/Fields arranged by John Farrell
A Porter’s Love Song (To A Chambermaid) James P. Johnson / Andy Razaf arranged by John Farrell
What’s The Reason Poe/Grier/Tomlin/Hatch As played by Ralph Sutton, transcribed by John Farrell
Ring Dem Bells Ellington/Mills Fats Waller’s 1941 Victor recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Rockhouse Ray Charles Arrangement, based on Ray Charles bank recording, by John Farrell
Roll ‘Em Mary Lou Williams As played by the composer, transcribed by John Farrell
Royal Garden Blues Clarence Williams/Spencer Williams John Farrell’s transcription of a Don Lambert recording
Samo Blues Sir Charles Thompson Sir Charles Thompson’s 1984 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I Left My Heart In San Francisco George Cory/Douglas Cross Adapted by John Farrell from a Ralph Sutton recording
Satin Doll Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn Teddy Wilson’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Save It Pretty Mama Don Redman transcribed by John Farrell
Scouting Around James P. Johnson’s 1923 Okeh recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Scram! Leonard Feather arranged by John Farrell
Sensation Edwards As played by Marvin Ash, transcribed by John Farrell
The Sheik Of Araby Smith/Wheeler/Snyder arranged by John Farrell
Sheltered By The Stars Waller/Young As played by Ralph Sutton, transcribed by John Farrell
Shine Ford Dabney/Cecil Mack/Lew Brown John Farrell’s transcription of a Jo Ann Castle recording
Shuffle Boogie Pete Johnson Pete Johnson’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Give Me The Simple Life Bloom arranged by John Farrell
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate Armand J. Piron As played by Marvin Ash, transcribed by John Farrell
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Jerome Kern/Otto Harbach As played by Marvin Ash, transcribed by John Farrell
Squeeze Me Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller/Clarence Williams Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll, transcribed by John Farrell
St. Louis Blues W.C. Handy John Farrell’s transcription of the Marvin Ash recording
St. Louis Blues W.C. Handy Albert Ammons’ 1939 Solo Art recording, transcribed by John Farrell
St. Louis Gal J. Russel Robinson arranged by John Farrell
Streamline Train Cripple Clarence Lofton Cripple Clarence Lofton’s 1943 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
On The Street Where You Live Lerner & Lowe Arranged by John Farrell
Sugar Rose Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller/Phil Ponce Ralph Sutton’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Suitcase Blues Hersal Thomas Albert Ammons’ 1939 Blue Note recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Sunday J. Fred Coots/Clifford Grey Teddy Wilson’s 1939/40 Keystone recording, transcribed and adapted by John Farrell
Sunny Morning Teddy Wilson Teddy Wilson’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
On The Sunny Side Of The Street Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh arrangements by John Farrell
Sweet Savannah Sue Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller Fats Waller’s 1929 Victor recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Tack Head Blues Alex Hill As played by the composer, transcribed by John Farrell
‘T Ain’t So Honey, ‘T Ain’t So Willard Robison As played by Ralph Sutton, transcribed by John Farrell
‘T Ain’t Nobody’s Bizz-Nezz If I Do Grainger/Prince/Williams Ralph Sutton’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Take It In Stride Don Ewell Don Ewell’s 1973 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Tea For Two Ceasar/Youmans Donald Lambert’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
That Old Feeling Brown/Fain Teddy Wilson’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
This Is The Blues Otis Spann Otis Spann’s 1960 Candid recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Tishomingo Blues Williams arranged by John Farrell
Toddlin’ James P. Johnson James P. Johnson’s 1923 Okeh recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Too Much Mustard Cecil Macklin The Joe ‘Fingers’ Carr recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Unsaturated Fats K.O. Eckland arranged by John Farrell
The 44 (Vicksburg) Blues E. Montgomery Little Brother Montgomery’s 1972 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I’m Coming Virginia Doland Heywood/Will Marion Cook Fats Waller’s QRS piano roll transcribed by John Farrell
Waiting At The End Of The Road Irving Berlin As played by Fats Waller, transcribed by John Farrell
Walking The Blues Otis Spann Otis Spann’s 1960 Candid recording, transcribed by John Farrell
I Cover The Waterfront Green/Heyman Burt Bales’ recording transcribed by John Farrell
Weeping Blues James P. Johnson John Farrell’s transcription of James P. Johnson’s 1923 Columbia recording
West Coast Rag Will Ezell Will Ezell’s 1927 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
West Dallas Drag Hearn Rob Cooper’s 1934 Bluebird recording, transcribed and edited by John Farrell
What’d I Say Ray Charles Arrangement by John Farrell based on the Ray Charles recording
What Is This Thing Called Love Cole Porter arranged by John Farrell
Wherever There’s Love (There’s You And I) Eddie Condon/Johnny DeVries Johnny Varro’s 1998 Arbors recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Willie The Weeper Melrose/Bloom/Rymal Don Ewell’s recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Dance Of The Witch Hazels Paul Lingle John Farrell’s transcription of a Paul Lingle recording
Woo Woo Albert Ammons Scored by John Farrell
Worried And Lonesome Blues James P. Johnson James P. Johnson’s 1923 Columbia recording, transcribed by John Farrell
All The Wrongs You’ve Done To Me Dowell/Payton/Smith As played by Don Ewell, transcribed by John Farrell
Yacht Club Swing Waller/Autrey/Johnson arranged by John Farrell
Yellow Dog Blues W.C. Handy As played by Don Ewell, transcribed by John Farrell
You Can Depend On Me Hines/Carpenter/Dunlap Ralph Sutton’s 1972 recording, transcribed by John Farrell
You Turned The Tables On Me Alter/Mitchell arranged by John Farrell
Zonky Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller The 1935 Fats Waller recording, transcribed by John Farrell
Bob Zurke Medley Compiled and arranged by John Farrell
Jazz Transcriptions Ordering Information:
Transcriptions are priced at: £4.00 (UK sterling) 8.00 US dollars 5.00 Euros
Plus postage at cost depending on where you are/quantity to be purchased.
Music will be supplied hard copy and will be sent by post (first class UK, airmail overseas).
Please state if you would prefer loose sheets (single-sided printing so they’re easy to spread along the piano) or duplex printed and bound with cover.
How To Order:
Just send an email with your order to: alison@creative-team.com
Please state your full postal address with the order and your preference for loose or bound sheets.
You will then be sent an invoice via PayPal with instructions on how to pay.
UK customers can send a sterling cheque if they prefer. If you wish to pay be cheque, please send your order along and payment details will be emailed to you.
Payment:
Payment is acceptable either by PayPal (in which case a PayPal invoice will be sent to you via email) or by sterling cheque. As soon as payment is received, the music will be despatched, usually same day or within 48 hours.
Please supply your delivery address at the time of ordering.
If you are looking to purchase a large number (some people are interested in taking the whole collection) the price will reduce. Please email for further information.
Discounts:
There are currently 212 tunes in total. If you wish to purchase in bulk, please send an email for details of discounts.
Current transcriptions list:
Jazz Transcriptions Ordering Information: