J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for clarinet in Bb & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. A lively movement it needs to be played in a swing style. In this arrangement the music sounds has been transposed sounding in the key of B flat. The pdf sheetmusic download has a clarinet in Bb part appended to the full score. There is a strong chromatic element in what is a movement with a sectional structure. There is a strong repetitive element in the use of shapes and motifs. Modern instruments are tonally much stronger than the instruments of yesteryear and some of the indicated articulation markings may need to be reviewed. Popular music idioms were established in the first decade of the 20th century first with ragtime and then related styles like novelty and subsequently blues and jazz styles. The realisation plays back at 64 half note or minim beats to the minute. Accompaniments are in place playing back at 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72 half note or minim beats to the minute. The conventions used in the notation of swing music are confusing and not altogether consistent but it is communicating the swing style element that is important when the music is played. .The triplet pattern or shape is the key rhythmic element. Novelty pieces were generally composed in American March form. John Stepan Zamecnik had a successful career as a composer of music for film or more accurately silent films commonly referred to as photoplay music. As a composer he frequently used pseudonms, Whilst American by birth he studied music in Prague with Dvorak in the mid 1890's. Much of his working life was spent in the city of Cleveland.
