PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

dustin · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Location: elm city, nc

Trying to find a good chord/tab chart. What was the original key ?
thanks

surfrider · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:04 am Post subject:

The key I always have played A Train has been C. However, the chart I have for the big band there is a shout section that modulates to Eb.

There are several charts out there but avoid the TABS.

Surf's up!
_________________
I'll play it then explain it later- Miles Davis
http://web.mac.com/jamesjaredtaylorarts

dustin · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 10 Location: elm city, nc

Thanks for the info

dewey decibel · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 1674

Jens · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:11 am Post subject:

jazzerchick · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 896 Location: SanAntonio , Tx

Bridge is 8 bars, as per Dewey.

I have some sheet music placing the original key as Ab, but C seems
to be the preferred key by most players.

Jens · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

jazzerchick · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 896 Location: SanAntonio , Tx

Jens, I usually play it 4 bars of F too , like you . Also just walk F9 down to
D9, no #11. At least during melody. Solos- up for interpretation.

C does feel too high for guitar. Then there's that intro. We discussed that
before and you sent me some good voicings from a couple of your big band arrangements.

dewey decibel · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 1674

I was just thinking of the melody, and the ii-V to F seems to fit there. It's not necessary though, and up to the player's discretion.

As for playing in C or Ab on guitar, I'm really not a fan of either...

It's one of those tunes that I feel sounds too cheesy no matter what key it's in Shocked

steve · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 827 Location: oz

Merlin · Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

The original recording starts in C and modulates to Eb.

Expect to have to play it in C if it gets called on a jam session, but if it's your gig, play it in whatever key you want to.

The A section in the original is two bars of C, two bars of D7, two bars of G7, then two bars of C with a turnaround.

greentone · Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 617

Ah...the "cheese." Ellington gets a pass on everything on any day. That said, I'd have to say that lots of II/V charts from back in the day will strike the player as cheesy today--they are VERY well worn. Blowing over II/V charts isn't as much fun as it was 60 years ago

However, if you are going to accept society gigs you are going to have to put on a smile and play plenty of cheddar. Folks by and large prefer three minutes of "A-Train" to ten minutes of "Footprints," for example. Generally, an Ellington tune will get 60 people clapping; a Shorter tune will get 6 hip people nodding and clapping.

Unless I'm leading the gig, of course, I will just smile and play anything that's called out.
_________________
Soul Jazz & Blues

Generic Sobriquet · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 804

greentone · Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 617

GS: My bad. Of course Billy Strayhorn wrote that chart. Embarassed

_________________
Soul Jazz & Blues

jazzerchick · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 896 Location: SanAntonio , Tx

Just my personal preference, and nothing wrong with Footprints, but I'd
rather play A-Train changes than Footprints changes, anytime. I know
that's just an example, but those standard type progressions are really
always fun to play thru for me.

And you're right, you can't ever go wrong with Ellington/ Strayhorn material.
Some things simple and some things very complicated.