 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-02 14:29
Most clarinetists probably like Artie Shaw's rendition of this Cole Porter tune,however, most critics have panned Sheryl Crow's version as done in the movie DeLovely. I, myself, appreciate her version and I'm trying to find out what key it was done in. At this point with my amateur transposition skills I can only come up with concert AflatMajor...4 flats, but most commentators maintain it's a minor key. Anyone know for sure?
Bob Draznik
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-02 14:53
I am aware that the original Porter version is Cmajor. Now,also, I'm aware that Fminor is the same thing as Aflat Major but dont' know the basis on which anyone would say Crow's version is a minor key(F) rather than a major key(Aflat). Thanks,however.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-09-02 14:55
Draz,
The original key on my Gramercy Five recording was Concert D major with Artie ending on a sustained E6. It seems like a 1/2 step higher would have been easier but... I don't know about the sound track key.
HRL
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-02 15:04
I've played two arrangements of Artie Shaw's versions - one in concert Db and another in concert D, though I imagine there's probably one in concert C too.
I suppose that all depends on the speed of the recording the transcriber had, or if their tape machine or grammophone was playing at the right speed.
The problem with the concert Db version are the held throat Bbs, but I can get away with that as I can use the bell Bb on my full boehm, or play the concert D clarinet part on an A clarinet while everyone else stays in Db.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-09-02 15:11)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-09-02 15:08
As Hank stated, on the 3 most famous (and accessable) Artie Shaw recordings of Begin the Beguine (July 24, 1938, April 27, 1942 and Feb. 1954) he played it in concert D major (E major for the Bb clarinet).
Many of the stock Big Band charts I've seen, including the one which we use, arrange it in concert C major (D major for the Bb clarinet).
To me, it always sounds wrong - especially since the opening clarinet notes in D major would be: D, E, F#, A - instead of in E major where it would be: E, F#, G#, B ...GBK
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-02 15:48
My reference music is a piano version that is in Cmaj. Back to the drawing board. Thanks all.
Bob Draznik
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-09-02 17:15
The Sheryl Crow version is in concert G minor (A minor on Bb clarinet).
Hope that helps.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-02 18:03
Hmm....I would be interested in your basis for saying that,clari. If I play it in Aminor( no sharps or flats) it doesn't sound like hers. If I play it in "two flats" it sounds like hers. I could believe hers is in F minor( 4 flats).
Bob Draznik
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-09-02 18:39
In that case maybe she has more than one version of this song. My basis is that I hear it's in G minor. The version I have (in case there is more than one) has two bars of intro where she hums, then the melody starts. If I'm not mistaken the words in the beginning are "when they begin". The notes on "when they begin" are G A Bb D (a note for each syllable), and the harmony is G minor which is also the tonic. If that is not the same in your version then it is a different version.
I hope I could help.
By the way, thanks for reminding me about this song. It's a nice song, but almost all of Cole Porter's songs are really great!
Post Edited (2005-09-03 08:27)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-02 19:36
The first version I was familiar with was by Julio Iglesias (that's Enrique's dad, for those who all went 'Whooooo????') back in 1981.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2005-09-03 07:54
One band I've played it with several times has a version called "Ted's Beguine" in the key of Eb concert or F for the clarinet. It starts with the clarinet and no introduction. I believe someone took it off a British band's record. The common stock version in C concert is easier.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-03 13:44
Enrique! Who's he....lol. The Warner Bros. Artie Shaw trans. by Jeff Hest has the clarinet part in 4 sharps Emaj. Concert Dmaj. Thanks to all. Continuing at the drawing board.
Bob Draznik
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Author: redwine
Date: 2005-09-03 14:00
Hello,
What is the instrumentation for the Warner Bros., trans. Hest? I can't stand the C major one that most big bands play, even though it is a direct transcription of Artie's arrangement--just in the wrong key. It's funny, usually I transpose without it bothering me, but in this instance, it's not as good.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-03 14:13
Ben....search in:
http://www.lushlifemusic.com/
Clar.solo, Saxes-1,2,1,2,,Trumpets-4,Trombones-4,Guitar,Piano,Bass,Drums
Bob Draznik
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-03 17:27
Well, here's what I think is true: The score Sheryl began with was the Warner Bros Artie Shaw trans. done by Jeff Hest in concert Emaj(4#). She then transposed the first verse to Gminor(2b) as clarnibass points out. I believe she then reverts to the origiinal key for awhile at least. My first mistake was that I was playing a key "something like hers" but not identical. It now appears that if I play in the key of Amin...A,B,C,E....I'm in tune with her,however, I prefer to drop below the staff with the same letter notes. I personally feel that her interpretation of the song has merit. She is a scholarly musician after all, not just some songbird.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-03 17:51
Shame she breathes in completely the wrong place in the 'Tomorrow Never Dies' theme - 'Until the (breath) day----'
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Author: redwine
Date: 2005-09-04 13:38
Hello Mr. Draznik,
Thanks. I checked out the site and believe I will order several arrangements.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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