Some wrong notes, but major problem in this performance, that when you got rid of "bright blues" and spiritual power of original of Chaplin's song it became sound like parody. Sorry, dude.
This caught my attention because I am working on this song. Thanks for putting it out there Frosty!
This is very different version from the song Chaplin wrote, but I knew that when I read "latin style backing track". I did not think parody when I heard it, but I can understand dmitrysbor's comment.
On a diatonic harmonica you sometimes have to make alternative note choices. I noticed that Frosty added a rhythm change where the original calls for an accidental,a Db on the "may" of "maybe" in the 11th measure to create a contrast between two otherwise identical 2 bar phrases.
Second position is a challenge on this piece because there are a few e's that need to stay natural and they are flatted on a Bb harp.
I am working on it in first in F and the challenges for me are the D half notes, a critical 3 draw whole step bend that needs to hit and stay on pitch, and the Db,a 6 draw half step bend that actually works for me better on a low F harp than on higher harps. The Db seems to be important to the emotion of the piece. I am locked into the low octave because I can't get the notes I want without overdraws. Even if he had to make some alternative note choices, I appreciated hearing the octave shift in Frosty's piece.
Thanks again Frosty. It was fun to listen to and helped me think about where I am going with this piece.
dmitrybor, thanks for posting the Groban version. It really shows how the lyrics and melody work together. It is tough (perhaps impossible) to capture the full power of this song as an instrumental.
Does anyone know what is going on technically with the key of this song? The key signature is F, it starts and ends on an F, but it does not feel like it is in a major key.
Last Edited by STME58 on Jun 17, 2013 8:53 AM
Thank you for listening and commenting guys. I have a lesson learned after reading your messages. 1) Never trust your memory and ear (that is what I did). 2)Never trust the tabs you find in internet (that is what I did). 3) Next thing I am going to do is to find a sheet of music and learn to play this song properly.
I did not mean my version to be a parody, but now I understand that you can hear it like that. I just wanted to try to play a beautiful melody with a different kind of tempo and rhythm than it is done usually. So it was an experiment. I will keep on experimenting, but hopefully with the right notes.
Thanks one more time for your time and comments. ---------- Frosty Homepage Frosty in Youtube
Last Edited by Frosty on Jun 18, 2013 2:55 AM
Hey Frosty, I don't have a problem with your approach, I think it's good to mix things up occasionally and to try some new ideas on old classics such as this and I applaud you for it.
Thanks for reminding me of this lovely song.
Josh Groban did a fine job on it and always sings with feeling (I could have done without the 'Boy Band' key change at the end though)
I think the guys might be right about the difficulties of getting the essence of the song over nicely on harmonica played in a standard way.
I have attempted tabbing it out for a Bb Richter tuned harmonica played 2nd position for the song in the key of F (as heard in Josh Groban's version) 2nd position is a challenge because of the lower octave bends and there is one OB required. STME's 1st position is not that easy too. I also tried it in 12th on a C and....no easier (lots of lower octave bends but no OB required)
12th on C harp -2**-2-3**-2-2**+2-1, +2-2**-2-2**+2-1+1 -1+2-2**-1+2-2**-2-3**-3*-2** +3-3**-3*+4-4+4-3*-3**-2 -3*+4-4*+4-3*-3**-2 -3**-3*-3**-3*-3**-2-2**-2-1-3**-3**-2**
Tab in 2nd position on Bb harp
-2, -3**-3-3**-2-2*+2 (Smile though your heart is aching) -2*-2-3**-2-2*+2-1 (Smile even though it’s breaking) +2,-2*-2+2-2*-2-3**,-3+4-3*** (When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by) -3**-3+4-4+5-4+4-3-3** (If you smile through your fear and sorrow) +4-4+4ob-4+4-3-3** (Smile and maybe tomorrow) -3+4-3+4-3-3**-2-3**, +2-3 (You’ll see the sun come shining through, for you)
-2, -3**-3-3**-2-2*+2 (light up your face with gladness) -2*-2-3**-2-2*+2-1(hide ev’ry trace of sadness) +2,-2*-2+2-2*-2-3**,-3+4-3*** (although a tear maybe ever so near) -3**-3+4-4+5-4+4-3-3**(that’s the time you must keep on trying) +4-4+4ob-4+4-3-3** (smile what’s the use of crying) -3+4-3+4-3-3**-2-3**, +2-3, -3-2(You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, If you just smile)
Please let me know if there are any errors in my tabs.
I have tried to play the second verse of the song in 2nd position(no backing) but the need for so many low octave bends makes it too sad for my taste as I feel it should be hopefully bright with a tinge of sadness.
I don't think that screaming OB&OD will work for this song. It's time to try diminished tuned harmonica for this one.
Last Edited by dmitrysbor on Jun 18, 2013 4:39 AM
I use Powerbender/Paddy Richter tuned harmonica which is half valved. So I can get that -3*** Richter note (F#)in 2nd position with Bb harp by blow bending hole 3. And hole 4 overblow (C#) is 5th hole half step draw bend in Powerbender.
I also found this one in Youtube (he has tabs for Richter tuning in 1st and 2nd position in his video).
Frosty, nice version! I like so much when harmonica player do something unusual! BTW,on your last video also harmonica player from Ukraine - my friend Oleg! What a small world! :) Grey Owl, unfortunatelly I'm not familiar at all with this song! :) But I like it! Some day I will try to record it for sure. ---------- my music
