Take Five

[JeffJetton]

A short little snippet of this classic Dave Brubeck Quartet tune, in honor of 81st anniversary of the release of the album "Time Out". Crazy to think that a tune and album that weird (jazz! instrumental! nutty time signatures!) could both become as successful as they did. Can't imagine that happening today...

 

[Tom]

Great Jeff! Do you think you could find a key with a few more black notes? ?????

 

[JeffJetton]

Great Jeff! Do you think you could find a key with a few more black notes? ?????

Seriously! You can tell it was written by a sax player. ?

 

[Glenn]

Nice one Jeff. That’s another one on my todo list ?

 

[Zevy]

Very nice, Jeff!

 

[John Dougan]

Well done Jeff. I was fortunate enough to have played with Joe Morrello, the original timekeeper for "Take Five."

 

[Dingo40]

Great, Jeff!??

 

[JeffJetton]

Well done Jeff. I was fortunate enough to have played with Joe Morrello, the original timekeeper for "Take Five."

How cool!

 

[JerryPH]

Thats one of my personal little favs to listen to and I always enjoy it so much when I hear it... nicely done, Jeff!!

 

[Giovanni]

Well done

 

[JeffJetton]

Thanks, all!

 

[debra]

Great Jeff! Do you think you could find a key with a few more black notes? ?????

Probably explains why most accordion performances are played in a different key, either D minor (1 flat) or E minor (1 sharp) instead of Eb minor (6 flats).

 

[Tom]

I always loved this tune as well. In response to your thoughts, Jeff, it seems that every once in a blue moon someone comes up with a hook that is so simple (not to play, though!) and catchy that it just appeals to everyone, regardless of musical taste. Green Onions and, recently, Despacito come to mind.

Anyway, I am checking this one out and it's pretty hard, great kudos to you! It's hard to decide whether to keep it in Eb or go to D as I'm really not used to those really low flat notes on the stradella. A good introduction though.... Do you do an improvised part as well? If so, over both parts?

 

[JeffJetton]

Anyway, I am checking this one out and it's pretty hard, great kudos to you! It's hard to decide whether to keep it in Eb or go to D as I'm really not used to those really low flat notes on the stradella. A good introduction though.... Do you do an improvised part as well? If so, over both parts?

You know, I originally wanted to play this on my 72-bass Tiger accordion, but I definitely would've had to put it in Dm or Em in order to get the LH voicings I wanted.

In the end, I kept it in Ebm (and had to use the Weltie) precisely because I wasn't used to playing that far down in the LH! I figured I wasn't going to ever get better at it by always transposing my way out of things, so into the morass I went.

I have dabbled with improvising over it--just the main vamp, like the original recording--but it's not yet ready for prime-time. I need more work on coordinating the different rhythms I want to play in the RH with that LH 5/4 pattern. I guess I should start by learning the Paul Desmond solo, then branch out from there.

 

[Tom]

Thanks, Jeff! Yeah, my thinking also. I didn't notice the original recording is only over the main vamp, I have to listen again. That makes it a little easier,, but as you say, rhythmically difficult none the less.. Thanks and good luck with your solo.