Lifer Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Trying to figure out the descending part after the chorus but just can't get it, every time I think I've cracked it the next play through it sounds off. The closest I think is Eb - Db - C - Bb - C - Eb... does anyone double it up and can tell me for sure? Hate having that niggle where I'm not 100% sure. Other than that, much fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Had to grin when I saw an Eb - Stevie loves them black notes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) [quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1422305605' post='2671010'] Had to grin when I saw an Eb - Stevie loves them black notes! [/quote] Yes - amongst several Stevie tunes which I have found consistently switched to E by guitar based groups. Another is I Wish. I think the flat keys maybe to fit his vocal range or are keys which suit horns better. I think you are right with the horn part - I play this song in a group and play that as root, b7, 6, 5, 6, root. You can probably use a b3 and 4 over the 5, 6 of the riff to harmonise. It seems to fit what our brass section plays anyway!! I also use the pattern as the format of a bass part over a couple of solos which follow particularly as the clavinet part is played on a guitar. It can be quite effective with some slap interspersed with finger style. Needless to say we play the song in E!!! None of the other players can possibly have played their parts along to the original as they would immediately be clashing by a semi tone!! I think it classes as a 'standard' which people sometimes play from memory rather than anything else. Edited January 27, 2015 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I heard Stevie used flat keys cos they were easier for him to 'feel' on a keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Brass keys. Eb, Bb and Ab. Standard brass tuning is Bb which means that if you play a C on a trumpet/trombone it will be the same pitch as a piano's Bb. Saxes will usually be Eb. Edited January 27, 2015 by TimR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) By playing it in Eb the Brass are playin in F which has one flat. Play it in E and the they have to play in F# which has five sharps! . Edited January 27, 2015 by TimR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks for the responses guys, went back to it this morning before leaving the house and tuning properly helped. It was a touch out by the end of my practise last night which I reckon was causing the doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 We do it in E & I use the root, 4th,5th & b7 below then p4 hammered on to p5 b3 root. Being a three piece I also play the guitar part quite a bit too, sounds funky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 This article doesn't talk about the key but it's a fascinating insight into the recording of the original. Also a great excuse for your keys player to use when he says that Stevie's clavinet part is impossible to play properly live http://homerecording.about.com/od/mixingyourmusic/a/mixing_superstition.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks for the link, great article, look forward to having a listen to the clips later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Once upon a time he played it live on Sesame Street .... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1422346778' post='2671323'] Brass keys. Eb, Bb and Ab. Standard brass tuning is Bb which means that if you play a C on a trumpet/trombone it will be the same pitch as a piano's Bb. Saxes will usually be Eb. [/quote] Common Saxes are: Soprano Sax Bb Alto Eb Tenor Bb Baritone Eb And so on Plus "C Melody Sax" in ..... wait for it.......... C! Edited January 27, 2015 by Count Bassy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 As above, although the octaves need to be adjusted when written to get the target/sounding concert note (mainly Alto & Tenor). Trombone (tenor) also written in Bass clef and not transposing for the concert sounding note. F# has six sharps, not five. But what's a sharp among friends...lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1422360211' post='2671525'] As above, although the octaves need to be adjusted when written to get the target/sounding concert note (mainly Alto & Tenor). Trombone (tenor) also written in Bass clef and not transposing for the concert sounding note. F# has six sharps, not five. But what's a sharp among friends...lol... [/quote] Good point. Missed that pesky E#. But illustrates why F# isn't a great key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1422360716' post='2671534'] But illustrates why F# isn't a great key. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 What this thread has shown me is I need to improve my theory! I find it difficult on the bass though (just like playing songs!) so thinking picking up another instrument from scratch and learning theory/sight reading with that. Played euphonium for a while in school and enjoyed brass, anyone recommend a brass instrument that learning theory on would help bass (Bass clef obvs!) , but also something I could play in non-brass bands (eg ska!)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Trombone would be the one - Reading on the Bass Clef. But you have to be careful of the slide flying out and breaking windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Interestingly, just seen a Jeff Beck Sky interview, where he claims, when writing with Steve,,He came up with the Riff, and Steve knicked it back !... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1422364623' post='2671624'] What this thread has shown me is I need to improve my theory! I find it difficult on the bass though (just like playing songs!) so thinking picking up another instrument from scratch and learning theory/sight reading with that. Played euphonium for a while in school and enjoyed brass, anyone recommend a brass instrument that learning theory on would help bass (Bass clef obvs!) , but also something I could play in non-brass bands (eg ska!)? [/quote] I would have suggested Tuba but that's really a brass band instrument. Sousaphone would be better and if you like Dixieland jazz you'd never be out of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Don't think I've got room for a Sousaphone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Just looked at prices...think I'll just have to bite the bullet and sit down with the bass and some exercises! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Think there was an interview on YOUTube or an article with Nathan Lamar Watts where he said he used a Musician (edit: MusicMan) for songs like Do I Do/I Wish and Sir Duke and detuned by a semitone to make it easier to play. Edited January 27, 2015 by merello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael J Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1422364623' post='2671624']... so thinking picking up another instrument from scratch and learning theory/sight reading with that. ... anyone recommend a [s]brass[/s] instrument that learning theory on would help bass (Bass clef obvs!) , but also something I could play in non-brass bands (eg ska!)? [/quote] Keyboard of some sort. It will help with everything and is wonderfully straightforward in layout, theory just seems to fall out of it. I picked up an old Yamaha organ (two manuals, bass pedals, built-in drum machine, etc.) a few weeks ago. I am learning like never before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='merello' timestamp='1422376126' post='2671854'] Think there was an interview on YOUTube or an article with Nathan Lamar Watts where he said he used a Musician for songs like Do I Do/I Wish and Sir Duke and detuned by a semitone to make it easier to play. [/quote] Do you mean he got a dep? Or predictive text gone tits up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='Michael J' timestamp='1422376811' post='2671871'] Keyboard of some sort. It will help with everything and is wonderfully straightforward in layout, theory just seems to fall out of it. I picked up an old Yamaha organ (two manuals, bass pedals, built-in drum machine, etc.) a few weeks ago. I am learning like never before. [/quote] Now that's a good idea! I'm having a crack at the Major's theory lessons first but will be scouring ebay if that fails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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