[Dixielandjazz] Goodman's "Air Mail Express"

[Robert Newman]

I don't consider myself as expert as some of our posting colleagues but I 
think Russ, you are talking about "Air Mail Special" which Benny always 
played in C concert (D for clarinet).    Even the original version was 
called "Good Enough To Keep" and was in C.    I played it with Evan 
Christopher and another time Antti Sarpila at the LA Classic and with Ken 
Peplowski here at the Sacramento Jubilee.    In C concert.  To tell you the 
truth, the bridge would require some unnecessarily tight fingering in Bb. 
Diddling with the cross fingering between A,C and Eb.    It's much easier in 
C concert.  ( B/D/F on the clarinet)

Another example of trading keys, some groups play "Sing Sing Sing" in Bb 
minor, which is uncomfortable.    Goodman did it in A minor, which is 
comfortable and flies along naturally.   None of the stupid C to Eb garbage.

Another one.   Most territorial bands play the Shaw-inspired stock of "Begin 
The Beguine" in C concert.    Shaw's is actually in D concert which puts the 
clarinet in E.   Sounds prettier and brighter.    I'm sure that's why he did 
it.    Of course, the alto and baritone players have to bone up on playing 
in B, which actually falls naturally on those horns.

Original Message ----- 
From: "Russ Guarino" <russg at redshift.com>
To: "Robert Newman" <bobngaye at surewest.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Beginner sit-ins

>
> With regard to keys, I would suggest the player get comfortable with three 
> sharps and three flat keys.  Most pro players are not fools
> and do not put out music in awkward keys.  Benny Goodman's "Air Mail 
> Express", for example, is in the key of  Bb  putting him in the
> key of "C".  Indeed, he was no fool.  Sure, learn all the keys, but 
> emphasize the 3/3s first.
>
>