Fake Book questions
Hi everybody,
I have been studying some of Jim's lessons for a while now and am just getting into making up some chord melodies.
The one I'm currently working on is Stars Fell On Alabama. I managed to get a fake book notation of the song and thought I'd have a go at trying to read the music and learn as I go.
I got the melody fairly easily but there are few things I don't understand.
Firstly, as you can see sometimes different chord names appear in brackets under the stave. What do they mean?
Secondly, in the sixteenth measure a 'Dmin7' chord is indicated then there is a gap followed by '/c'. Does this mean that a Dmin7 inversion with a C bass is played here?
Finally, is there any significance to the chords written in brackets above the stave.
I'm transposing the tune to F as I have a nice version of the song in that key (I think!!!). Any other tips greatly received.
Cheers Andy
I have been studying some of Jim's lessons for a while now and am just getting into making up some chord melodies.
The one I'm currently working on is Stars Fell On Alabama. I managed to get a fake book notation of the song and thought I'd have a go at trying to read the music and learn as I go.
I got the melody fairly easily but there are few things I don't understand.
Firstly, as you can see sometimes different chord names appear in brackets under the stave. What do they mean?
Secondly, in the sixteenth measure a 'Dmin7' chord is indicated then there is a gap followed by '/c'. Does this mean that a Dmin7 inversion with a C bass is played here?
Finally, is there any significance to the chords written in brackets above the stave.
I'm transposing the tune to F as I have a nice version of the song in that key (I think!!!). Any other tips greatly received.
Cheers Andy
Comments
"/C" is vague but I agree with you. But why, I wonder, did the arranger write Am to Am/G?
Both above and below the staff- Bracketed (in parentheses) chords are "optional" dominant chords that would preface and propel us into the upcoming chord.
The Dm7/C is indeed a Dm7 chord with a C-bass. This movement is going on by the next chords Bø and Bb7, just a chromatic movement to the Am in the next measure.
That Am repeats the same chromatic movement by adding a G in the bass and then followed by a F#m. That chord starts a simpel II (F#m)-V (B7)- I (Emaj7) progression.
These chords are often used in jazz, in fact, the complete movement as described above is also part of Green Dolphin Street.
Stars fell pn Alabama is a great song. Check out Charlie Hunters version!
Good luck with the song,
Cheers, Sander.
I can't say I follow the chord progressions religiously. I tend to follow the melody and that seems to suggest other chords in my head. Probably helped by the fact I've been listening to some different versions of the tune (Johnny Smith, Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald and now Charlie Hunter!!).
My problem is it takes me ages to work out the chords I think I hear in my head. I do a good job of confusing myself sometimes. I have very little theory knowledge which I am trying to remedy but I think I could do with a good teacher to guide me one on one.
That said, I really enjoy working on this sort of thing and I'm confident I'll end up with something I'm happy with. Jim's lessons have taught me a lot. I wouldn't have attempted something like this a year ago and it's really nice to have people in this forum who will give up a bit of their time to help.