[Dixielandjazz] Goodman's "Air Mail Express"

[Russ Guarino]

Robert,

I didn't know that.  My Hal Leonard "Ultimate Fake Book" has "Air Mail
Special" in Bb concert and I assumed that was the way BG played it.  You're right, the bridge is awkard, but playable.

Thanks for the info.

Russ

Robert Newman wrote:

> 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.
> >
> >
>
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