I Got Rhythm
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I Got Rhythm
Teach Tracks2020
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Sheet Music
General Outline
There is an introduction, which we will be shortening by cutting out the first slow phrases.
Beginning at. “ I’m chipper all the day, happy with my lot. How did I get that way? This is what I’ve go……….ot”.
The main pace of the song does not vary much and we will sing it more or less as the teach track is sung.
The song is in two halves ( see words below). The first half is straightforward and the words and slightly syncopated rhythm will be familiar to most.
The second half repeats the basic words and melody but goes to town with rhythmic variations and includes different harmonies. This will take a little work, but will be very rewarding and have great audience appeal.
Words. I got rhythm, I got music ,I got my gal, who could ask for anything more?
I got daisies in green pastures, I got my gal who could ask for anything more?
Ol’ man trouble, I don’t mind him. You won’t find him, round my door,
I got starlight, I got sweet dreams I got my gal who could ask for anything more?
Who could ask for anything more?
The tag that follows the second half is fairly traditional, slightly longer than most, “ More than RYTHM, more than MUSIC, more than my gal. Who could ask for anything more…anything more…anything more.
N.B. note that we will sing the words in the tag as shown.(In Capitals). Strangely, the quartet on the teach track sing this the wrong way round. Don’t let this lead you astray.
We will work first on the introduction and the first half of the song. With the repetition of the words, melody and harmonies it may not take too long and will give the opportunity to listen ahead in preparation for the more challenging second half.
Performance Notes
INTRODUCTION.
Reminder! We will not sing the first part
Days can be………. Don’t need what…….Birds in the trees……Why shouldn’t we…..Sing along.
Of the introduction.
We will begin with a tune up chord and go straight into “ I’m chipper all the day, happy with my lot.”
# Leads, note the unexpected note on – ‘lot’. Listen well.
# Tenors, It would be o.k. to begin ‘ oo..’ on D natural rather than the tricky F sharp, though the F sharps are needed later in the phrase.
“How do I get that way, look at what I’ve got.” The last word is held with an echo from Baritones and basses, at which point the volume is increased.
FIRST HALF
First 16 Bars… We will sing more or less at the speed on the teach track. The song begins with a bright happy sound and remains so throughout the song.
The melody and the syncopation of the phrases will be familiar to most. “ I got rhythm, I got music, I got my gal, who could ask for anything more.”
Second 8 Bars… This repeats the melody, syncopation and harmony of the first 8 bars, except for the last chord ‘more’ where three parts have a slight variation. “ I’ve got daisies in green pastures, I’ve got my gal, who could ask for anything more”
# Basses have a pick up in Bar 33 ‘I got daises’
Middle 8 Bars… “ Ol man trouble, I don’t mind him, you won’t find him, round my door”
There are some changes to the balance of the syncopation, Listen carefully.
# Three parts have a pick up in bar 43 ‘ I ..don’t mind him.’
# Bass only have a pick up in bar 47 ‘a..round my door’
Next 12 Bars… We are back into the familiar melody, syncopation and harmony. “ I got starlight, I got sweet dreams, I got my gal…….’ But the notes change as we approach the echo that closes the first half, ‘ who could ask for anything more’
In the echo there is a change of rhythm to slow things down. Listen well to this.
The last chord in this half brings about a key change. ‘more’ (Half a tone upwards.)
# Leads keep to the same note as before
# The other three parts have an awkward change. Please listen well and work on this.
………………………………………………….
Notes on the second half will follow.