Morgan, what is the source for the original Em key? Not doubting you, just curious.Original key is Em. Miles played it in Gm.
You know, I had always just thought that was right. Spent a few minutes on youtube and it looks like I'm wrong. Yves Montand (who recorded it first) did it in Dm, so did Nat Cole, even Roger Williams. In the movie it's from, it sounds like Ebm.Morgan, what is the source for the original Em key? Not doubting you, just curious.
Nice one. May be apocryphal, but it sure sounds true.The story I heard somewhere about the RealBook having it in Em is that when the book was being compiled in Boston by Berklee folks, that tune was written out by an alto player. He wrote it out in alto key Em, then that version got put in the original "C" book. Similar story with "Green Dolphin Street" (often recorded in Eb, but in C in the RealBook).
For some reason, when I first learned the tune (on piano), I learned it in Am (1st chord after pick up is Dm). So I always thought on tenor, the key should become Bm. So I'm quite relieved to find that concert Gm seems to be correct.I have the original sheet music and it was published in Gm (first chord of the chorus Cm). There is a lovely verse in 3/4. When I play it I like to be in Dm which also suits my voice. But I find that baritone singers like Gm.
Thanks Pat for that answer! That's great because that is also the two keys I play them in, but I was confused for a while whether the Em was concert or tenor key. Thanks for clearing up my confusion!In my experience there are two "norms": concert Gm or Dm (tenor Am or Em). I've played it in either one or other of those keys for years and years. You're right, of course, you could play it in any key you liked, but those have been my norms. It's a great tune for improvising in a minor key. You can even play Mash bingo. That's where you wait for someone to quote the theme from the film and TV series Mash as if they're being really clever, and you yell out "Bingo!"