What Makes “Heart and Soul” Tick?
-- August 3, 2011
I have my theories regarding music that people of various abilities can play together. In fact, I think that is something sorely lacking in our culture: if a beginner (or a complete newbie) wants to join in with experienced musicians, there is often no path for that person to take. There is not an "easy" part to Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train", or even "Just Dance". There are easy arrangements, but nothing that invites a beginner to play right along with an advanced musician.
Aside from playing simple rhythm instruments that remind one of kindergarten music class (ahem), there is no way to say, "hey, join in!" to a novice in the midst of a jam session. This is a problem, because more people deserve the smiles of spontaneous, uninhibited music making. Don't they? Don't YOU?
This brings be back to Hoagy Carmichael/Frank Loesser 1930 hit song. How did that song, not unlike many songs of that era, make it's way into the American avocational piano repertoire along with the black-notes-by-knuckles-song? Here's the original recording from 1930: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8CSjDC18b0
And if you go to 2:00 of this clip, you'll get to see Tori Amos playing it with someone else's fingers.
