[Michael_A]

Just a note: if you are playing along with Duke, it's up a whole step from the key of the provided backing track. That is, it's in Bb concert (C for tenor/sop and G for alto/bari). I think the Sinatra version is in Ab maybe, but the Duke versions (including with Louis Armstrong) are in Bb. I might dig around for a backing track that has it in Duke's key.

you can easily change the pitch using Audacity...

 

[billpf]

Just a note: if you are playing along with Duke, it's up a whole step from the key of the provided backing track. That is, it's in Bb concert (C for tenor/sop and G for alto/bari). I think the Sinatra version is in Ab maybe, but the Duke versions (including with Louis Armstrong) are in Bb. I might dig around for a backing track that has it in Duke's key.

I can very easily make adjustments to the BIAB backing - transposition, tempo, number of choruses etc. I'll post a version that is up a whole step. I'll do the same with the lead sheets.

Bill

 

[billpf]

Here's the same backing track taken up a whole step.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826011730%2Fmood-indigo-bb-concert-backing-render
Also adjusted charts for Bb and Eb

 

[J-Moen]

Ok - to get the ball rolling here is my first effort.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826011730%2Fmood-indigo

Love the tone and killer embellishment! I did think the intonation felt a little wonky in the beginning. It dialed in as you progressed - maybe a cold horn or, if you're like me, trying to force intonation makes it worse lol. I loved the note choice though - I felt that you're variety has definitely increased throughout the solo. The statements were definitely short - which is something I'm guilty of as well, but I loved it! Well done Bill! Can't wait to see your next take!

Here is my old quick and dirty version of September 2017:

Wonderful Peter! The full lush tone with this soft tune really reminds me of Dexter in your playing here! Great vibrato as well! Superb and so glad to hear you playing here! Solo really took off at moments as well

 

[billpf]

Love the tone and killer embellishment! I did think the intonation felt a little wonky in the beginning. It dialed in as you progressed - maybe a cold horn or, if you're like me, trying to force intonation makes it worse lol. I loved the note choice though - I felt that you're variety has definitely increased throughout the solo. The statements were definitely short - which is something I'm guilty of as well, but I loved it! Well done Bill! Can't wait to see your next take!

Thank you Jared - you are too kind!

It is very generous of you to describe my intonation at the beginning of the track as 'a little wonky'. I think that 'flat as a tack' would be a more accurate assessment! The combination of a very cold room, a newly fitted neck cork - that needed to be filed down a bit more, and being in a rush to get something posted resulted in a recording that I would describe as sub-optimal - even by my humble standards! However, having set the bar so low, I am reasonably confident that I can come up with something a bit better later this month!

I am also very much looking forward to hearing your contribution!

Bill

 

[Aquarian]

Here's the same backing track taken up a whole step.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826011730%2Fmood-indigo-bb-concert-backing-render
Also adjusted charts for Bb and Eb

Thanks. I've been working on it a bit and should have a take ready in a couple days. I appreciate you putting out the Bb version and chart, I did also find a couple Bb backings on YouTube.

It's a funny thing how the "normal" key seems to get decided. I checked out the version you posted by Duke where he calls it a "little different" and... it's in A. So he moved the key around sometimes too, though Bb seems to be more common. I'm not sure where Ab came from, maybe I need to check the original Okey records recording. I'll never understand which one becomes the "standard" tuning. The Real Book has several Jobim tunes moved by a half step or step, for example.

 

[billpf]

Hi Aquarian,

It has always been a mystery to me too. The first time I thought of it was when trying to play along with one of Getz’s iconic samba tunes. It was either Desafinado or Girl From Ipanema, I can’t recall which right now. Anyway all the fake books had it in a completely different key. The only possible explanations I could think of were that perhaps the original tune had been transposed by Getz to a key that he preferred, or that the producers of fake books want to produce a single version of the tune that will transpose into comfortable keys for each of their C, Bb, and Eb editions? But as the Getz recording was such a huge hit, and for most people the only version of the tune that they knew, it seemed odd for the fake book charts not to be in that same key.

Back to Mood Indigo, I am looking forward to hearing your Bb version!

Bill

 

[Aquarian]

Here's a take, It's not quite where I want it to be yet but maybe it's halfway there.
https://soundcloud.com/user-650929438%2Fmood-indigo-alto-solo

 

[billpf]

Here's a take, It's not quite where I want it to be yet but maybe it's halfway there.
https://soundcloud.com/user-650929438%2Fmood-indigo-alto-solo

That's a really nice take Aquarian! I enjoyed the relaxed approach and the long, flowing, counter-melodies you created in your solo. I found that to be a real challenge with this tune, so well done!

Bill

 

[J-Moen]

Very quick try here - haven't played sax in about 2 weeks, so here's me attempting to play this by site reading

https://soundcloud.com/user-805266588%2Fmood-indigo

 

[billpf]

Hey Jared,

I am very impressed with the progress you have been making in all aspects of your playing. On this recording you sounded really relaxed and produced some nice extended variations on the melody, without repeating yourself or running out of ideas. These are some of the things that I am battling with in my own playing, and know how much work it takes to make even small improvements, so I applaud the results you are getting!
I was also very impressed with your tone - warm, full, and even throughout the range of the horn. It suited this tune very well. Bravo!

Bill

 

[J-Moen]

Hey Jared,

I am very impressed with the progress you have been making in all aspects of your playing. On this recording you sounded really relaxed and produced some nice extended variations on the melody, without repeating yourself or running out of ideas. These are some of the things that I am battling with in my own playing, and know how much work it takes to make even small improvements, so I applaud the results you are getting!
I was also very impressed with your tone - warm, full, and even throughout the range of the horn. It suited this tune very well. Bravo!

Bill

Thanks very much Bill - too kind of you, I will be doing another take later this month after I spend some time learning the tune more. As to the improvements, The lessons have certainly helped me develop, I hope you get the same enjoyment! This was on my Yamaha alto and I'm in love with the sound and tone from the 10mfan Daddy-O on this horn

 

[DrWill]

Small ball ... here we have a 10 or 12 y.o. girl playing the lead, and for me .... it's as good as it gets ... just a great version ...

 

[Michael_A]

Small ball ... here we have a 10 or 12 y.o. girl playing the lead, and for me .... it's as good as it gets ... just a great version ...

so... we can close our TOTM?

 

[Aquarian]

That's a really nice take Aquarian! I enjoyed the relaxed approach and the long, flowing, counter-melodies you created in your solo. I found that to be a real challenge with this tune, so well done!

Bill

Thanks! I find this song deceptively difficult. The chords themselves are not very difficult or unusual, but they realy only get you halfway there. I went back and listened to a couple versions and realized that the swing players really use the blues in there a lot, which helped me tie it together a bit.

Very quick try here - haven't played sax in about 2 weeks, so here's me attempting to play this by site reading

https://soundcloud.com/user-805266588%2Fmood-indigo

That's really good for sight reading, I would say very nice period! I liked how you use the lower range a lot. At times it had an almost clarinet sort of tone which fits very well in this tune. I'll have to try playing it with a focus in the lower range myself now!

 

[J-Moen]

Thanks Aquarian!

I Was hoping to have a chance to listen to more takes before posting - but its my turn to try to get the baby down for bed! So before I head off, here's what I laid down tonight - very rough take, but pushing towards my goal of making a very dynamic expressive take using a wider range of the horn - Also experimenting with different recording settings, let me know if the recording sounds better!

MoodIndigo2.wav

drive.google.com

 

[billpf]

Thanks Aquarian!

I Was hoping to have a chance to listen to more takes before posting - but its my turn to try to get the baby down for bed! So before I head off, here's what I laid down tonight - very rough take, but pushing towards my goal of making a very dynamic expressive take using a wider range of the horn - Also experimenting with different recording settings, let me know if the recording sounds better!

Wow Jared!

You have managed a second take already. I don't know how you find the time. A fortnight after posting Take 1, I still haven't got around to recording Take 2 - and I haven't got a baby to look after! That is very impressive time management!

I listened to both takes and I can detect some variation in the record settings, but I can't say that I prefer one over the other. As for the performance on Take 2, one comment I would make is that I prefer the way you state the melody on Take 1. I enjoyed your embellishment of the melody line on both takes, my only gripe would be with the very second note, which I would prefer to hear held to its full length. In Take 1 you did this the first time through and then shortened it on the repeat, whereas in Take 2 you played the shortened note each time which I think detracts somewhat from the beauty of the melody. This small quibble aside, I really enjoyed the way you varied your performance and found new ways to explore the tune throughout your solo. I find that after the first chorus of a solo I just start repeating myself - so well done!

Bill

 

[billpf]

Thanks! I find this song deceptively difficult. The chords themselves are not very difficult or unusual, but they realy only get you halfway there. I went back and listened to a couple versions and realized that the swing players really use the blues in there a lot, which helped me tie it together a bit.

I think you are onto something there!

I got tangled up by trying too hard to follow the chord structure, which made for a disjointed solo, plus trying too hard to reference the melody and getting lost as to whether I was on the first or second half of the tune, as the backing for each part sounds so similar. With your observations in mind, I am going to try a simpler approach on my next attempt!

Bill

 

[buddy lee]

Small ball ... here we have a 10 or 12 y.o. girl playing the lead, and for me .... it's as good as it gets ... just a great version ...

This is note-for-note the version from the Ellington Indigos album which is probably one of my favorite all-time albums. If you're not familiar please treat yourself.

 

[J-Moen]

Wow Jared!

You have managed a second take already. I don't know how you find the time. A fortnight after posting Take 1, I still haven't got around to recording Take 2 - and I haven't got a baby to look after! That is very impressive time management!

I listened to both takes and I can detect some variation in the record settings, but I can't say that I prefer one over the other. As for the performance on Take 2, one comment I would make is that I prefer the way you state the melody on Take 1. I enjoyed your embellishment of the melody line on both takes, my only gripe would be with the very second note, which I would prefer to hear held to its full length. In Take 1 you did this the first time through and then shortened it on the repeat, whereas in Take 2 you played the shortened note each time which I think detracts somewhat from the beauty of the melody. This small quibble aside, I really enjoyed the way you varied your performance and found new ways to explore the tune throughout your solo. I find that after the first chorus of a solo I just start repeating myself - so well done!

Bill

Thanks Bill! I've got a pretty great schedule set up recently that I'm really enjoying. This is only my first week of doing it, but it really is proving to increase my efficiency in practice a LOT (and makes my wife super happy). Essentially I'm just shortening my practice most days a week - 15-30 mins max, with 1 or 2 things I focus on primarily. Then 1-2 days a week, I'll do full sessions for 1-2 hours, focusing on recording video for my youtube or other projects (and also practicing everything my instructor assigned). Yesterday was this TOTM and some patterns for my lessons. Today I'll be doing Lester Leaps In. Tomorrow I'll probably try some more lessons and maybe work on the other TOTM -Milestones

I definitely preferred the original take myself, and you're totally right on that second note. I'm not even sure what I was attempting to accomplish there - as it does really detract from the melody. This is all in an attempt to hopefully build a well connected solo, with - as my instructor said - use of the full range of the horn, building lines throughout it, and most importantly - use of dynamics and articulations to build the emotion. Thats my goal with my next take, which will be my final .