Barry HarrisThe method

Tunes he taught

Repetition

Barry arranged Neal Hefti’s Repetition for his 1998 workshop band in The Hague; the class footage shows him explaining the plan for the solos and adding a D♭ minor seventh chord for the last time through, though the captions are thin. He also played the tune in concert, from a 1992 Charlie Parker birthday set to trio gigs in 2017.

moments in class
6
recordings
1
Barry plays it
5

What he teaches through it

Before the solos he explained the plan to the band: the soloist plays alone for a while, the band comes in behind him with its figure, then stops, and the soloist goes on alone a little longer.

Barry Harris - Repetition7:22

For the last time through he brought in a D♭ minor seventh chord. He spelled it out, D♭, F♭, A♭ and C♭, had everybody sound it, then worked on the chords around it, naming F♯7 and correcting D♭ minor to C♯ minor (the same chord, spelled to match F♯7).

Barry Harris - Repetition14:0014:3515:17

In his own words

Okay, y’all understand, now he’s going solo for a little while. You’re gonna do that thing and back [him] up, then you’re gonna stop.

Barry Harris - Repetition, The Hague, 1989–98. Explaining the solo section of his arrangement to the band, Hague workshop, 1998. 7:22 Watch on YouTube at 7:22

This last time we’re going to play a D flat minor seven... D flat, F flat, A flat and C flat. Let me hear it.

Barry Harris - Repetition, The Hague, 1989–98. Adding a chord for the last time through the tune. 14:00 Watch on YouTube at 14:00

In class

Every moment he works on it, with the ideas of the method it shows.

Barry Harris - Repetition

The Hague, 1989–98

  1. 2:14

    Hague, 1998: the tune is jokingly named ‘Mr. Turkenburg’, then counted off.

    Watch on YouTube at 2:14

  2. 4:15

    A second take from the beginning, ‘Turkenburg number two’.

    Watch on YouTube at 4:15

  3. 7:22

    The plan for the solos: alone, then the band’s figure behind, then stop.

    Watch on YouTube at 7:22

  4. 14:00

    Last time through: a D♭ minor seventh, spelled D♭, F♭, A♭, C♭.

    Watch on YouTube at 14:00

  5. 14:35

    Has everybody sound the chord, then names F♯7.

    Watch on YouTube at 14:35

  6. 15:17

    Corrects D♭ minor to C♯ minor next to F♯7, then counts off again.

    Watch on YouTube at 15:17

Barry plays it