Re: [Harp-L] Autumn in New York D7b5

["Doug H" <dough.harpl@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Michael,

I have been using the "Just Standards" Real Book to try and leap-frog over the boring part of learning to play the piano.  My effort has been going into "Stormy Weather" and I ran into the same problem where they asked for a Bb7(b5).  I have taken the liberty of modifying this to suit my taste.  In the Bb7(b5) [Bb, D, E, Ab]  I dropped the Ab to G to get [Bb D E G] which is an Em7b5.  It sounds better to my ear and has a similar degree of dissonance as the rest of the arrangement.

Anyway I just looked at bar 16 of  Autum in New York in my version and there is a plain D7 followed by a C7(#5).  But notice that the note that is played there is an Ab so if that were included into the chord you'd get your b5.  I suspect that a lot of the chords they indicate are determined like this, by adding whatever alteration or extension to the chord such that the melody note is included.  (It might even be software that does it automatically!)  

There are examples of this on almost every page. In fact the C7(#5) chord following the D7 (in my book) is probably just a C7 but they've named it so's to include the melody note of Ab ( or G#).  I guess my (free) advice is to be a bit skeptcal of the 'correctness' of the Real Book and do what works. 

By the way, I continue to be impressed with the effort you are putting into the Harmonetta and the progess you've made.

Doug H


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: michael rubin 
  To: harp-l 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 2:42 PM
  Subject: [Harp-L] Autumn in New York D7b5


  I am not used to seeing this chord D7b5, much more used to Dm7b5.
  This is in the Real Book Sixth edition page 38 bar 16.  Is this a typo
  or is it asking for D F# Ab C?

  Harmonica content:  I am learning to sightread rhythm charts on the harmonetta.
  Thanks,
  Michael Rubin
  Michaelrubinharmonica.com