Skip to main content

Magical Moment 523, "Name That Tune"

As a ballet accompanist, I am always trying to expand my repertoire so the dancers don't hear my same pieces over and over. I've found that every instructor wants something different. Some prefer more classical, some prefer music from actual ballets, but most don't care what I play as long as it fits the rhythm and feel for the combination. 

One thing I enjoy doing, is taking a song I've known for years, and discovering it can have a "ballet make-over" and sound completely new. This song was like that. Because of the chord progressions, square phrasing, and 3/4 time signature, it made a perfect adagio when I slowed it way down and added some languid arpeggios. Like most of my improvisation, the result seems to be the love child of a dark, angry Russian, and Honky-tonk music. See if you can hear what song it is. I play the familiar melody about a third of the way through...


I'm sure most of you will get it, but just in case, I'll post the answer tomorrow, as well as any guesses below in the comments. :)
~~~


You might also enjoy this video as well, where "Hotel California" becomes an intense, slow waltz:

Comments

TexWisGirl said…
chim-chim-ery (or however you say that!) heard both the honkey tonk chick AND the dark angry russian in there. too cute!
Amber said…
For some reason, I'm thinking something from Mary Poppins? Maybe Chim Chim Cher-ee?
It sounds beautiful, by the way.
Dawn said…
I am the worst at Naming any Tune:(
Ask me about a runner or triathlete and then maybe...but music? I just sit back and take it in without thinking.
Isn't that awful???? I need some culture!
Leontien said…
Beautiful!

Thanks for letting us hear that!
Leontien
Eddie said…
It sounds like Bert from Mary Poppins. When he's sweeping.
Birdie said…
Ag! I know the tune but I can't come up with a title.
Whatever it was I really enjoyed it. You are amazing!
I didn't get the name of the tune, but I certainly enjoyed listening and watching your fingers work their magic on those keys.
Busy Bee Suz said…
Oh my gosh....it is on the tip of my tongue. (I mean the tip of my brain???)

Popular posts from this blog

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at  Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do  not  endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty.  And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-