BOTM 2013/05 'There Came You'

Chris · May 2, 2013

Dave, thanks for the support fella..
Thomas, Improv hmmm!! not really, a reading exercise. My tutor wanted me to work out a solo and write it down without getting to clever rhythmically. This seemed like as good a tune as any to try it on..

Chris..

dubrosa22 · May 2, 2013

Alas for this alto player this tune seems a bridge too far, as Chris warned me already.
High Fs don't tend to sit comfortably in my renditions of ballads, and stepping down an octave means I'll have to stick my foot in the bell!
Maybe I'll try it sans backing track in another key like G for alto which should be more comfy...

Profusia · May 2, 2013

dubrosa22 said:
Alas for this alto player this tune seems a bridge too far, as Chris warned me already.
High Fs don't tend to sit comfortably in my renditions of ballads, and stepping down an octave means I'll have to stick my foot in the bell!
Maybe I'll try it sans backing track in another key like G for alto which should be more comfy...

Just a couple of thoughts: If you have Audacity it will let you drop the backing track down a few tones. Or alternatively play just the highest phrases down an octave and play the lower ones as written.

dubrosa22 · May 2, 2013

Profusia said:
If you have Audacity it will let you drop the backing track down a few tones. Or alternatively play just the highest phrases down an octave and play the lower ones as written.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try the Audacity effect although honestly I don't have much faith in pitch-shifting software but I'm prepared to be impressed.

Last night I tried playing some phrases lower and others as written, as Chris also kindly suggested, but the linking points felt iffy. Especially around bars 22 or 23 - from memory - jumping down unnaturally breaking up a phrase. Maybe I need to try again a bit more creatively.

Great version by the way - very quick off the mark - really great feel and tone! 🙂

muzza · May 3, 2013

I too play alto and this piece certainly has a couple of challenging bars in each octave. On the plus side, I'm hoping to be able to contribute a version of the ballad, since it can be done with little improvisation. Also, I'd like to show Chris the backing tracks he kindly allows us to use are greatly appreciated.

Another program that can change tone is speedshifter, http://nz.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/practice-tools-and-applications/speedshifter/. It does a good job changing tempo so may also work well with tone. The only problem is you cannot save the modified track.

dubrosa22 · May 3, 2013

muzza said:
Another program that can change tone is speedshifter, http://nz.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/practice-tools-and-applications/speedshifter/. It does a good job changing tempo so may also work well with tone. The only problem is you cannot save the modified track.

Thanks muzza, I actually pitch-shifted Chris' backing track quite successfully with my FCP video editor - I'll see tonight if it works and I'll see what I can potentially record eventually in the key Bb Concert. 🙂

dubrosa22 · May 3, 2013

Huzzah! Thanks for all help guys. My Bb concert version (G for alto) works really well! And a big thank you to Chris for supplying the track 🙂

I didn't know this tune at all before yesterday but playing it a few times and I'm hooked. I can so far barely get through the first two thirds but I'm enjoying it a lot more in a comfortable range.

If Chris doesn't mind I'm happy post the pitched track and transposed sheet for other less adventurous alto/bari players?

daveysaxboy · May 3, 2013

Profusia said:
Had to try to get in ahead of you for once Davey! Waiting for you to show us all how its done!

Chris said:
Dave, thanks for the support fella..
Thomas, Improv hmmm!! not really, a reading exercise. My tutor wanted me to work out a solo and write it down without getting to clever rhythmically. This seemed like as good a tune as any to try it on..

Chris..

Profusia, your not fast your last they say.

Chris and Profusia, good to see people keen and loving this BOTM.As said fine work from you 2 geezers.

Chris · May 3, 2013

dubrosa22 said:
If Chris doesn't mind I'm happy post the pitched track and transposed sheet for other less adventurous alto/bari players?

No worries Vaughan. I don't mind..

Chris..

Di in France · May 3, 2013

Profusia said:
Is it midnight yet? Can I post yet? Can I be first? Can I?

Haven't managed to improvise over it yet. Will need a lot more time for that on this one I think. Tricky enough just playing what's on the sheet in parts. Excuse the fluffy fingering here and there...

http://soundcloud.com/profusia/therecameyou-botm-with-tenor

Posting every so slightly ahead of midnight as I'm ill and really need to be in bed!

Lovely, really lovely - a great bluesy feel!

Di in France · May 3, 2013

Profusia said:
You do have an enviably consistently nice smooth level tone Chris I must say. Well done on tackling a chorus of improv. I haven't found the pluck for that challenge as yet.

I agree! Chris, you have such a nice mellow sound!
I'm not looking forward to improv on this one, but I'll have a go. 🙂

Chris · May 3, 2013

Di in France said:
I agree! Chris, you have such a nice mellow sound!
I'm not looking forward to improv on this one, but I'll have a go. 🙂

Thanks Di.

Chris..

Clivey · May 3, 2013

Profusia. Nice take perfectly read and a nice tone too.
Chris. Your tone is so smooth and smokey The piece has a couple of tricky bars in it (Kind of like last months) >:)

but you are getting there.

I can`t believe you pair are so quick of the mark I`ll be at least a week before I`ll have anything.:welldone

Chris · May 3, 2013

Clive, I guess you're talking about the triplet 1/4 notes and things like that??? It's interesting to play along with the 'Zoot Sims' on the video to try and get a feel for this one.. Thanks for the comments.

Chris..

dubrosa22 · May 4, 2013

Chris said:
No worries Vaughan. I don't mind..
Chris..

Okay, so for any alto/bari players who aren't enamoured with the key for Eb this month's ballad is in here's my pitch-shifted version of Chris' backing track and sheets for the tune in Bb (Concert and Eb versions included):

https://www.box.com/s/35v0t2xld1rygpdc66b5

ArtyLady · May 4, 2013

When the gaping hole in my gum where there was once a tooth :shocked: has healed I will have a go at this

MLoosemore · May 5, 2013

http://snd.sc/103NnEK

Clivey · May 5, 2013

MLoosemore said:
http://snd.sc/103NnEK

Well done Moose. You are definitely playing all the right notes so It`s just a matter of a little bit tightening up. Your tone is also getting better and I would say that you must be doing quite a bit to be progressing as quick. That little section before the 2 blues riffs is not easy to get perfect. profusia has it down perfect ( easy to listen to .hard to get under fingers)

Chris · May 5, 2013

MLoosemore said:
http://snd.sc/103NnEK

+1 to what Clive said, you can tell you are putting in some practice..

Chris..

MLoosemore · May 5, 2013

Thank you to the 2 C's... I usually manage to play the right notes.... 'Just not necessarily in the right order ;}' to quote Mr Morecombe.

As for the second half, I have no idea what I was doing there but it sounded slightly better than awful so I let it lie.