Playing songs with different rhythm backings

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Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 05 Aug 2019 00:10

When we hear a song played it is often not just the melody we listen to, but the backing that goes with it. And if it's a song we know well then we know (or think we know) what the backing should sound like. Have a listen to this number from 1961 by Elvis Presley.

Good Luck Charm



This is a number that I have played, and true to form, I have put a backing to it that is very similar in it's structure. Here is my version of this song.

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/1ljbsof816bxitumjq4n2d7hkyh37quk

Have a listen now to how Jon D has interpreted this song. He has put it to a completely different rhythm and backing and put his own stamp on this song.

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/87ksjexeumirx7gn5xp3akwkecr4iy9l

Hugh
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby dentyr » 06 Aug 2019 23:06

Hello Hugh,
Playing songs with different rhythm backings ...

First, listen to my song My Maggie as I would normally play it:

To listen, click the LINKS below. Click the 'back-button' to return to this page once you have listened.
00. My Maggie

And now listen to these DEMOS of how it sounds with the different rhythm backings:

01. My Maggie - Cha Cha DEMO
02. My Maggie - Disco DEMO
03. My Maggie - Eth Voice DEMO
04. My Maggie - Foxtrot DEMO
05. My Maggie - Polka DEMO
06. My Maggie - Quickstep DEMO
07. My Maggie - Rumba DEMO
08. My Maggie - Swing DEMO
09. My Maggie - Tango DEMO
10. My Maggie - Waltz DEMO

Den
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 06 Aug 2019 23:35

Thanks Den for taking the trouble to do those DEMOS. This really does show how a song can be manipulated to fit whatever Rhythm Backing you wish to play for it. I think my favourite (apart from your original version, which sounds great) is the one with the 'Ethereal Voice'.

Hugh
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby dentyr » 07 Aug 2019 16:43

Why the song Maggie for these DEMOs? What is my connection with Maggie? Who is My Maggie? Click this LINK to find out ...

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
http://www.tierce-de-picardie.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=421&t=7913
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 15 Sep 2019 12:56

JonD has played Ramona .. which is a waltz .. ???

Jim Reeves singing RAMONA (as a waltz)



Jon has played this to to 4/4 time, so he has had to 'adjust' the melody to fit a completely different timing, and improvise what he plays all along the way.

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/vcbevaezu5r3gdvg13ye1ubmq677jn0v

But he is not the first person to have done this. Here are the Bachelors singing this .. in 4/4 time.



Funny thing is, I know both of these versions well .. but hadn't realised until today that one was 3/4 time and the other 4/4 time!

Hugh
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Jon D » 15 Sep 2019 15:58

Hi there Hugh,
This is where I got this number from I met the bachelors at a top rank bingo hall when I played there nice guys like myself have disappeared off the globe don't know what has happened to them.?? :roll: :roll:

Jon D. 8) 8) 8)
Hi there I have played from the age of 13 and all my music is played in a sort of dance tempo style. Have worked in nearly all the North East clubs over the years. That gave me a good grounding. Cheers.
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 14 May 2020 15:18

And then of course you can play something and change the rhythm completely in the middle, as I have done in these two pieces below. Change of mood in the middle.

Red River Valley (Foxtrot? Twist?)
Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/x0g15m4toujmsfcmcxqg6qiz4ao7zkxu

Cruising Down The River (Waltz? Rock 'n Roll?)
Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/n7gix4hez0ezvcdosjx3b8h6jkwtdcqf

And then here's one by Torben, played with two completely different backings. Change of mood again.

Let It Go
Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/f8ljm1eg9iwcos2smb0gs0ofpg4n1yr9
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 20 May 2020 21:25

Here's my friend Jon D at it again playing what should be a Waltz ...
"played with that bounce beat to liven it up, I hope ??? :roll: :roll: :roll:

First, this is how this song should be played .. as a Waltz. To prove a point, don't forget to count 1, 2, 3 while it'e playing.

Roy Rogers - Home On the Range



Now listen to Jon D's version. You can try counting 1, 2, 3 if you like, but you'll come unstuck right from the word go. Count 1, 2, 3, 4 instead.

Home On The Range by Jon D

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab
https://app.box.com/s/mla8yx80a20db0z28hpm0s65sb0b3qmm

And then I have to ask, "Is Jon D unique doing something like this?". Well, no. Listen to Slim Whitman singing this song. Not with a 'bouncy' beat like Jon's, but when Slim starts singing the song you'll have to count 1, 2, 3, 4 to make any sense of it.

Slim Whitman - - - - - Home On The Range

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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 05 Jul 2021 23:48

Here's another one with two completely different rhythms. I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango. I have played this on my Tyros 4, first as a Waltz; and then as a Tango. This was done originally by Alma Cogan in 1954, but her piece is a Tango from beginning to end. No Waltz in it (an opportunity missed!).

Do a right click to open this up in a New Tab.
https://app.box.com/s/titfkaskzhsei3xvt0pd343dawmxw5k7
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 21 Jun 2022 17:52

Another one from me. I'd Do Anything from Oliver, first played in 4/4 time .. then in 3/4 time.

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab.
https://app.box.com/s/tyqcpragyiwkiy9c5unjrixe24agd1vg

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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby JohnT » 21 Nov 2022 17:40

Hi Hugh.

KeyboardAmerica - Fly me to the moon - 3/4 or 4/4?

I know you are busy. Can you look at the above website home page and pick the tune Fly me to the moon. Mike plays this waltz but the style selected is Big Band. I know you are good at listening and picking up details. Is he playing it correctly.

No rush. All the best.

John
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Re: Playing songs with different rhythm backings

Postby Hugh-AR » 21 Nov 2022 17:42

This is the website John is referring to.

Do a right-click to open this up in a New Tab.
http://www.keyboardamerica.co/tyros-5-lessons.html

Scroll down a bit and you will see the song John is referring to over on the right.

      Weekly Songs With Tricks & Tips For Tyros

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Click the Watch Now and it takes you to the YouTube video below.



At 0:44 the sheet music he is playing from is clearly visible on his Tyros 5 keyboard. This has the time signature on it of 3/4.

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Then at 2:20 he chooses the STYLE he is going to use for this piece .. Jazz & Swing, Classic Big Band (on Page 2),

Then at 2:54 he goes on to play this piece using this STYLE. Thing is, the Classic Big Band STYlE is 4/4 time .. and he plays the piece in 4/4 time. So the sheet music he has on top of his keyboard is not the sheet music he is playing to.

This music below is in 4/4 time, and this is how he is playing it.

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So now the question is, how would you play this piece in 3/4 time? Funny thing is, as soon as John mentioned this tune I had it going round in my head in 3/4 time. Frank Sinatra definitely sang it in 4/4 time .. as did many others.

But here below is someone playing this in 3/4 time on a Tyros 4. I personally feel 3/4 time fits this tune far better than 4/4!

Fly Me To The Moon - Waltz


Hugh
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