Music Lesson: Exploring a Classic Tune by Sigmund Romberg

That's a tune written by Sigmund Romberg, one of the greatest. One of the greatest writers this country has ever produced.

Why I Like This Tune

I like it because it's like Cheek to Cheek. It's long enough that you can play it all the way through twice. This length means you don't have to improvise too much.

Chord Progression

• E to D: I have to use a 3 in the bass there. I didn't do that on the record, but it's a pretty good idea.
• Then it goes: C, F, B flat.
• Finally, you get to G, and then you reach D in the bass.
• After that, you go to E, then E Sus.

Lyrics Insight

I remember every little thing, so it's:

• E
• I'm so F lonely
• Everyone I want no one

It's all right to go to the 3 in the bass there because you resolve to up a half tone. That sounds nice.

Tune Changes

Now here, the tune changes. This great composer doesn't repeat the same phrases. Instead, he goes to A seventh. That's beautiful!

Improvization Techniques

To improvise, I just do a little Jerry Reed or banjo playing roll here:

• 1, 2, 3, 4.

I go into rhythm there because I don't have my band with me, don't you know? I play just a roll, but I don't think I did that in that performance.

Personal Challenge

That's one of my problems: I can't play the same thing twice. It's an advantage, but sometimes it's a disadvantage.

Slow Playthrough

I'll do it slowly. One time I did the same lick, only I skipped a string each time.

Let's see, what else did I do? I went:

• Then I did a nice little Jerry Reed lick, one of the greatest ones he ever showed me.
• Two and a half: that's nice.

Changing the Melody

I changed the melody a little there. The melody goes:

• "I remember every little..."

On that, I deadened the strings with the heel of my hand. I haven't figured out a good ending for it if it's slow enough.

Sometimes I play Lover Come Back to Me, but it was too fast when I played it a while ago, and I couldn't do that, don't you know?

And because I'm not that quick.