Bubbling Over is a novelty piano solo by Carroll Gibbons published in 1937. The playback tempo of the realisation is 84 half note or minim beats to th Show More...
Bubbling Over is a novelty piano solo by Carroll Gibbons published in 1937. The playback tempo of the realisation is 84 half note or minim beats to the minute and 72 half note bpm in the section from bars 79 to 110. It is a movement that needs to be played in a swing style. Carroll Gibbons was a wonderful musical talent and pianist kept busy at the Savoy Hotel in the war years. Broadcasting on a regular basis his playing is well documented in the recording sense although sadly not much of his piano music is available in print. Although American by birth he lived and worked in England. The quality of his musicianship is down to a combination his wonderful knowledge of chords, a repertoire largely based on the songbooks of the 1930’s & 40’s combined with experience leading bands in his working years. For the enthusiast there is archive material to discover on Carroll Gibbons. His performances particularly of popular songs are well documented with many broadcasts and recordings of his music available on streaming media. He is associated with many of the finest artists of his day including the singers Anne Lenner and Hildegarde. Pianists intending to play this particular piece well will need to have an excellent piano technique. Many of the techniques that feature in the popular piano styles of the 20th century can be identified in Bubbling Over. A light piano touch is needed and players need to play accurately and above all with rhythmic security and command. Gibbons is fond of using 2 bar links enabling him to change the mood and key in his music and there is an example of this from bar 77-78. Managing the weight in the hands is crucial in performing complex chordal music like this on a piano. It’s probably best to learn the movement as three separate sections and then perform the work as a whole. Careful attention needs to be paid to the note reading and the stretches in both hands need to be carefully managed. The swing style of playing requires the music to be performed with a triplet feel and this is not particularly well represented on the sheet music page with clarity. This is the reason why it is important and necessary for pianists to listen to Carroll Gibbons recordings playing his own music. The chromatic element in the writing is strong. The pianos in England when this music was composed were often made by Challen which had quite a light touch. Bubbling Over is described as a Foxtrot and has a sectional structure. After a 4 bar introduction there is a 35 bar A section in the key of D succeeded by a 32 bar B section in the key of F. After a two bar link this is followed by a 32 bar section in the key of G with the final section being a repeat of the opening Section A with the addition of a 6 bar coda. The A section is very typical of novelty music style whilst the B section is chordal in character. Section C features cross hand playing with the melody played in the tenor line with a bass line and off beat chords succeeded by the repetition of the A section and coda. His arrangements demonstrate a great awareness of harmonic colouring in both the choice of chords in the harmonic progression sense and the additional notes added to chords. Close
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for marimba, flute, guitar & bass This novelty piece published in 1926 is a lively movement that needs to be Show More...
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for marimba, flute, guitar & bass This novelty piece published in 1926 is a lively movement that needs to be played in a swing style. The realisation score plays back at 64 half note or minim bpm. In this arrangement rehearsal markings are in place in the score with the music sounding in the original key of D. The pdf #sheetmusic download has individual instrument parts appended to the full score. Electric or acoustic guitars can be used and either electric bass guitar or acoustic bass. There is a strong chromatic element in this movement which has a formal structure related to the American march form. Additionally there is a strong repetitive element in the use of shapes and motifs which is often a feature in the popular music idiom. Modern instruments are tonally much stronger than the instruments of the 1920’s and some of the indicated articulation markings may need to be reviewed by players. The marimba is presented as the solo instrument in the arrangement with the flute providing the fills and links at the end of phrases. The guitar part is fairly straight forward although some of the chords have been revoiced so that the chord choices are straightforward. In the appended parts chord symbols are in place to assist players where they are appropriate. This is a mix and match arrangement so other arrangements in D, flute, cello and bassoon can make use of this choice of accompaniment for practicing. Popular music idioms in the modern sense were established in the first decade of the 20th century first with ragtime and then with related styles like novelty piano, stride piano and subsequently with blues and jazz styles and much later other combinations . Musicians as such were provided with a career choice of either pursuing the popular or more serious classical idiom. Interestingly many successful popular music composers and performers in the early 20th century were classically trained. The realisation plays back at 62 half note or minim beats to the minute. Accompaniments are in place playing back at 58, 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 so thare are a few rhythmic ambiguities in the score Time spent listening to performances of this piece will be helpful. 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. 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. It would be interesting to ask him why? 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. Close
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for cello & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. It is a lively movement that needs to be played Show More...
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for cello & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. It is a lively movement that needs to be played in a swing style. The realisation plays back at 62 half note or minim beats per minute. (bpm). In this arrangement the music sounds in the original key of D. The pdf sheetmusic download has a cello part appended to the full score. There is a strong chromatic element in this movement which has a formal structure related to the American march form Additionally there is a strong repetitive element in the use of shapes and motifs which is often a feature in the popular music idiom. Modern instruments are tonally much stronger than the instruments of the 1920’s and some of the indicated articulation markings may need to be reviewed by players. Popular music idioms in the modern sense were established in the first decade of the 20th century first with ragtime and then with related styles like novelty piano, stride piano and subsequently with blues and jazz styles and much later other combinations . Musicians as such were provided with a career choice of either pursuing the popular or more serious classical idiom. Interestingly many successful popular music composers and performers in the early 20th century were classically trained. The realisation plays back at 62 half note or minim beats to the minute. Accompaniments are in place playing back at 58, 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 or to be believed. Time spent listening to performances of this piece will be helpful Communicating the swing style element that is important when the music is played. The triplet pattern or shape is the key rhythmic element 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. It would be interesting to ask him why? 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. Close
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for flute & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. A lively movement it needs to be played in a sw Show More...
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for flute & 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 in the original intended key of D. The pdf sheetmusic download has a flute part appended to the full score. There is a strong chromatic element in this movement which has 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. Close
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for tenor saxophone & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. It is a lively movement that needs to Show More...
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly in an arrangement for tenor saxophone & piano. This novelty piece was published in 1926. It is a lively movement that needs to be played in a swing style. The realisation plays back at 62 half note or minim bpm. In this arrangement the music sounds in the key of Bb. The pdf sheetmusic download has a tenor saxophone part appropriately transposed appended to the full score. There is a strong chromatic element in this movement which has a formal structure related to the American march form There is a strong repetitive element in the use of shapes and motifs which is often a feature in the popular music idiom. Modern instruments are tonally much stronger than the instruments of the 1920’s and some of the indicated articulation markings may need to be reviewed by players. Popular music idioms in the modern sense were established in the first decade of the 20th century first with ragtime and then with related styles like novelty piano, stride piano and subsequently with blues and jazz styles. Musicians as such were provided with a career choice of either pursuing the popular or more serious classical idioms. Interestingly many successful popular music composers and performers in the early 20th century were classically trained musicians. The realisation plays back at 62 half note or minim beats to the minute. Accompaniments are in place playing back at 58, 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. The triplet pattern or shape is the key rhythmic element. Communicating the swing style element is important when playing this music and it would be wise to spend time listening to performances from available recordings. 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. It would be interesting to ask him why? 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. Close
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 playe Show More...
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. Close
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly a noveltypiano solo was published in 1926. A lively movement it need to be played in a swing style. The novelty pianists we Show More...
J.S. Zamecnik’s Polly a noveltypiano solo was published in 1926. A lively movement it need to be played in a swing style. The novelty pianists were unique musicians and performers generally possessing great keyboard technique and frequently were well trained musicians. They were attracted to playing music in the popular popular music style pretty much established by Scott Joplin and others in the ragtime era. Whilst the realisation plays back at 66 half note or minim beats to the minute the movement can and is often played much faster. In the video score some of the score detail has been hidden because graphics behave inconsistently in this format. The conventions used in the notation of swing music are confusing but it is communicating the swing style element that is important. The triplet pattern is the key rhythmic element. Novelty pieces were generally composed in American March form. Where novelty pianists and composers are particularly inventive is in their choices of rhythmic shapes and the clarity in the harmonic journey and direction of their music. 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. Close
Moonbeams Dance by Carroll Gibbons needs to be played in a swing style meaning that a triplet feel needs to be communicated in performances of the mus Show More...
Moonbeams Dance by Carroll Gibbons needs to be played in a swing style meaning that a triplet feel needs to be communicated in performances of the music. Novelty piano succeeded the ragtime era of the early 20th century. The realisation plays back at a tempo of 110 bpm. Much novelty music was written for the piano and many of the pianists were simply wizards in terms of their skill at playing the instrument. That said there is a strong repetitive element in the musical style which enable challenges to be managed. There are many technical challenges to manage when playing this movement and they can be mastered if each is identified and practiced methodically whilst retaining a lightness in the hands. The music editor deliberately avoids putting more than one articulation marking on a note. The rôle of the left hand is to essentially play the bass and accompanying chords. The left hand stretches often involve leaps of a tenth and more and in this respect there is a connection with stride piano which is a related style also emerging from ragtime piano. Novelty piano music tends to be played at a fast tempo. The 110 quarter note beats to the minute tempo in the sheet music video score is, the music editor suggests, a rather cautious tempo. Carroll Gibbons was a American pianist, composer and band leader largely remembered for his recordings and performances in London during the 1930’s & 1940’s. A wonderful piano player there are a few video clips available on YouTube that can be viewed to observe the great facility and technique that he possessed. The music combines bass & chord with an inventive and energetic melody line. The musical ideas and figuration that feature in Moonbeams Dance are understandably pianistic and fourths are a strong feature in the repeating A section. The phrase structure generally refences the characteristic 8 bar patterns typical of music from the dance band era with which Carroll Gibbons was closely associated. A knowledge of chords and how they are described is a requirement playing this and many other popular music styles. The chromatic element is also quite strong. The sectional form of the movement can be summarised as follows: Intro A B A C D A Coda Close
Nola by Felix Arndt arranged for soprano saxophone & piano. The composition dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first piece of novelt Show More...
Nola by Felix Arndt arranged for soprano saxophone & piano. The composition dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first piece of novelty music an idiom that emerged from the ragtime era. Light and breezy in character this is a style of music very much intended to lift the mood and spirit. Arndt was a New York based composer and pianist who died during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919. A soprano saxophone part is appended to the full score in the pdf sheet music download. Piano accompaniments are in place allowing saxophone players to participate in play-a-long ensemble activities as part of music practice routines. The accompaniment tracks play back at 58, 60, 62, 64 & 66 & 68 half note (minim) beats per minute. There is a two bar count in /click track at the beginning of the accompaniment tracks. The piano accompaniment is quite playable and not nearly as difficult as the clarinet solo. Sections need to be played at the same tempo and there is little opportunity for slowing down at the end of phrases and sections. There are a number of octave transpositions in the solo saxophone part to keep within the instruments range. This is music that moves along quickly but also needs to played in a completely relaxed manner. Nola is brimming with musical ideas and inventiveness and is a very “modern” sounding work for 1915. As a musical snapshot of its time it references both the ragtime era of its near past and points to the future in its swing jazz style triplet rhythms. The playing style of the bass and chords is derived from ragtime. Contrasting and repeating sections are in evidence whilst the formal pattern of the music is A B A C D C A with an 8 bar coda at the end. The composer does not make use of repeat signs. The key plan can be summarised as I – i – I – IV - I The novelty era has a strong connection with ragtime particularly in its formal patterns and musical shapes. Whilst the repetitive element is strong the composer does not make use of repeat signs. The music editor’s observation is that Felix Arndt was a hugely talented, imaginative and inventive composer and it is a tragedy that he did not live longer to compose music that similarly anticipated future trends. Nola by Felix Arndt dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first novelty piano piece, a musical idiom emerging from the ragtime era. Light and breezy in character this is a style of music very much intended to lift the mood and spirit. Close
Nola by Felix Arndt arranged for clarinet in Bb & piano. The composition dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first piece ofnovelty mu Show More...
Nola by Felix Arndt arranged for clarinet in Bb & piano. The composition dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first piece ofnovelty music an idiom that emerged from the ragtime era. Light and breezy in character this is a style of music very much intended to lift the mood and spirit. Arndt was a New York based composer and pianist who died during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919. A clarinet in B flat is appended to the full score in the pdf sheet music download. Piano accompaniments are in place allowing clarinet players to participate in play-a-long ensemble activities as part of music practice routines. The accompaniment tracks play back at 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 & 68 half note (minim) beats per minute. There is a two bar count in /click track at the beginning of the accompaniment tracks. The piano accompaniment is quite playable and not nearly as difficult as the clarinet solo. Sections need to be played at the same tempo and there is little opportunity for slowing down at the end of phrases and sections. This is music that moves along quickly but also needs to played in a completely relaxed manner. Nola is brimming with musical ideas and inventiveness and is a very “modern” sounding work for 1915. As a musical snapshot of its time it references both the ragtime era of its near past and points to the future in its swing jazz style triplet rhythms. The playing style of the bass and chords is a derived from ragtime. Contrasting and repeating sections are in evidence whilst the formal pattern of the music is A B A C D C A with an 8 bar coda at the end. The composer does not make use of repeat signs. The key plan can be summarised as I – i – I – IV - I The novelty era has a strong connection with ragtime particularly in its formal patterns and musical shapes. Whilst the repetitive element is strong the composer does not make use of repeat signs. The music editor’s observation is that Felix Arndt was a hugely talented, imaginative and inventive composer and it is a tragedy that he did not live longer to compose music that similarly anticipated future trends. Close
Nola by Felix Arndt dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first novelty piano piece, a musical idiom emerging from the #ragtime era. Li Show More...
Nola by Felix Arndt dates from 1915. It is frequently referred to as the first novelty piano piece, a musical idiom emerging from the #ragtime era. Light and breezy in character this is a style of music very much intended to lift the mood and spirit. Nola needs to be played in a swing style simply meaning that the triplet figuration prevails. Arndt was a New York based composer and pianist who died during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919. Sections need to be played at the same tempo and there is little opportunity for slowing down at the end of phrases and sections. Some of the score detail, particularly phrase markings have been hidden in the sheetmusic video score simply because the associated graphics behave inconsistently in this format. This is music that moves along quickly but also needs to played in a completely relaxed manner. Tension in the fingers, hands and arms is something to be avoided and this can be partly achieved by keeping a lightness in the hands and arms and secure fingering. Fingers need to be close to the keys. Nola is brimming with musical ideas and inventiveness and is a very “modern” sounding work for 1915. As a musical snapshot of its time it references the ragtime era of its near past and points to the future in its swing jazz style triplet rhythms. The left hand playing style of the bass and chords owes its origins to the ragtime era. Contrasting and repeating sections are in evidence whilst the formal pattern of the music is A B A C D C A with an 8 bar coda at the end. The composer does not make use of repeat signs. The key plan can be summarised as D – D minor – D – G - D Novelty piano music has a strong connection with ragtime particularly in its formal patterns and shapes. Whilst the repetitive element is strong the composer does not make use of repeat signs. Close
