Basic Melody

[John Bertotti]

I decided to figure out the basic melody of the lullaby in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Yea I know, Grown up I may be but I love that show. Any how, I want to build on it but don't know where to start. Can I use the notes to help decide where to put a chord? ie.. A note would equal A chord or should I use a chord that uses that note #or work for double stops that end in that note. I will experiment with what sounds right to me but there must be a starting place. This is the first time I've attempted this. Any comments always appreciated and feel free to digress. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif


I have just been informed that this sheet music is still available and will certainly be getting it. Thanks all John

[Rroyd]

If you had access to the music that had the chords included, that would help you to figure out what double stops would be appropriate. For example, if the chord used was an A, and the melody notes were a and c#, you could have the melody be the low note, and play an a and c# double stop, and then play c# and e as a double stop. But if the chord used was an F# minor, you would need to play c# and f# for your second double stop to match the chord. Another simple way of expanding on a basic melody is to add what are are sometimes described as neighboring and passing tones. For example, if again your melody notes were a and c#,
and the rhythm allowed, you could play "a b c#". If you had a melody that repeated the a, you could play "a b a", or maybe "a g# a". You can expand intervals also; if the melody was "a b a" you could play "a c# a" or maybe "a d a". There are often key phrases which really define the melody you are playing, and if you include those you can take a lot of liberties with what else you play and still have the song be recognizable. (The beginning and ending phrases in Billy in the Lowground exemplify this type of tune) In other tunes, there may be key notes scattered through the phrase that define the song, and if they are included, you can take liberties with what you play between them.
(Faded Love, for example.) Anyway, these are a few common ways of building on a given melody. My traditionally based preference is that the song still have the thread of the melody included, but you can also just improvise over a chord progression, fitting the notes to the chords and not trying to relate them to the original melody. Hope this gives you some ideas to include as you proceed.

[John Bertotti]

Thanks Rroyd I understand some of it and it is certainly a start. I am actually doing all of this from memory. I have loaned the movie out to a friend and it could be awhile before I get ti back. I will certainly be pulling the tune out of the dvd and seeing how close my memory is to it. I don't know if this is a good way to practice but I think it is helping with identifying notes by ear. Thanks John

[John Bertotti]

No replies needed but thought this was a funny reply. Probably a canned reply considering the item ordered. Thanks John

Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman: Selection From "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
Qty: 1 at $9.95 each (WB.TSF0070)


The item above is temporarily out of stock at our warehouse
due to sudden demand.##We apologize for any inconvenience
this delay has caused.

[Eric F.]

Yup, suddenly there is a lot of demand for the music from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Me, I can hardly walk down the street without tripping over some busker playing music from that movie.