For this task, I have been asked to upload three different songs between three different time frames. I’d like to point out in advance that I don’t get much time to film playing at home, due to everyone being at home in the pandemic and working, so these videos aren’t to the best quality but I’ve done what I can.
Before 1950:
I have chosen to analyse ‘Blue Moon’ by Frank Sinatra as I have never played something from before the 1950s so I found it very challenging to start learning swing/jazz, because I am more of a R&B/Punk drummer.
The song is in the key of C# and played at 113bpm.
C# key: C#, D#m, E#, F#, G#, A#, B# diminished
Time Signature: 4/4
There are two verses, four choruses and one solo, making the song last for two minutes and fifty one seconds. The instruments involved were with a big band of 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophone, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums and of course Vocals.
For Piano:
Chords involved – G, Em, Am, D7, Am7,Cm7, F7, Bb, D, F#7
G chord invloves = G, B and D ( major triad)
Em chord involves = E, G and B
Am chord involves = A, C and E
D7 chord involves = D, F# and A
Am7 chord involves = A, C, E and G
Cm7 chord involves= C, Eb, G and Bb
F7 chord involves = F, A, C and Eb
Bb chord involves = Bb, D and F
F# chord involves = F#, A# and C#
Structure of the song:
Verses: G, Em-Am, D7
Choruses: Am7, D7-G-Am7, D7-G
Solo: Cm7, F7-Bb-A7-D7
For the drum section of the song, I found this cover on YouTube and it was interesting to watch:
This seems like a complex song to be able to play and I’d love to be able to achieve it in the future. It features a usage of brushes and a constant hi-hat rhythm with the left foot throughout the song. The hi-hat bet throughout is very distinctive and is used as the other instruments metronome. The use of brushes is delicate and the bass drum is feathered when its hit as it shouldn’t be heard, but felt so you can hear the rhythm of the song. The righthand plays a constant rhythm that moves from the snare, to the ride, the crash and then the hi-hat, conveying a build up of volume and is a good use of dynamics. He goes from using brushes, to sticks and then gets subtly louder each time.
Between 1960 – 1989:
I have chosen to perform ‘What Difference Does It Make’ by The Smiths (1984) as I wanted to try new. I couldn’t find a backing track so I played along with the real song.
Between 1993-1998:
I have chosen to perform ‘Creep’ by Radiohead as it seemed interesting and I am a big fan of them.
Fran Adams Drums 