[Dixielandjazz] Re: Strange Blues - indeed

[Robert S. Ringwald]

Bill Haesler writes regarding learning tunes:

> > Why, oh why, do so many of the US musicians on this list need a lead 
> > sheet
> and chords for every tune/song before they even attempt it?
(snip)

Jim Kash replies:

> I will let the U.S. based musicians answer your question, obviously.
> However, I do have one comment to make.  I find that myself & our 
> trumpeter
> are more happy to play a melody "by ear" than are the chord guys in our
> band.  They prefer a written sheet.  From that sheet, the bass & pianist
> often restructure some of the chords to their liking, using the written
> score as a type of basic guide.  "Oh, no", some will shout!  "That's
> tampering with the original tune!"
> Yeah, that's what jazz is about, isn't it?
(snip)

 Bill & Jim,

You have to realize that DJML is made up of a lot of people, some of whom 
are amateur musicians who love the music but perhaps do not have the ear 
that some of us professionals have, to be able to learn a song by merely 
listening.

In my case, I learn everything by ear but once in a while I like to know 
what a particular chord is on the original sheet music.  I especially like 
to hear the definitive recording.  For instance, while there are thousands 
of recordings of "Stardust", it is interesting to me how Hoagie himself 
played it.

In the case of "Strange Blues," I have loved Bob Scobey's version for 50 
years.  I have played the tune with Bob Schulz's Frisco Band.

When someone on the List asked me to check his ear on the chords on the 
bridge, I was interested to hear the different versions.

So far I have heard 4 versions, Scobey's, Hot Club of SF, Orphan news Boys & 
Wingy's original.

As I said, not all members of DJML are blessed with the ears to learn a song 
by just listening.  Sometimes they ask for help on DJML.  I think that the 
fact that we have such a friendly List as DJML, with so many helpful people 
on it, is great!  As Phil Crumley says, "Is this a great List, or what?"

--Bob (What's that you say?) Ringwald