Music Lesson: Asking Questions in Tune

This tune's all about asking questions and trying to get answers.

Introductory Notes

The long notes at the beginning can be thought of as the words:

• Why
• What
• Who
• Where

When you're playing these long notes, you can choose to play:

• A C
• An E
• A G

Whichever you're most comfortable with.

If you're playing in a class or with multiple people, you can share out the notes to create harmony. Remember, either C, E, or G works really well in the introduction section.

The Main Part of the Tune

When we reach the main part of the tune, known as the head, the first part is about asking a question.

1. Ask a Question
   I'm going to ask a question...

2. Give an Answer
   ...and then I'll provide an answer.

The pattern of C, E to G is a very well-known sequence called an arpeggio. Practice this pattern, as you might come across the word later on.

Question and Answer Dynamics

• The question phrase goes up, creating an inquiry:
  "What's happening?"

• The answer phrase comes down, resolving the inquiry.

Demonstration

Here's the question played slowly:
1, 2, 3.

Sounds unfinished, doesn't it? It needs something to follow.

Here's the answer:
Starting on that high note, G, where we just finished.
That sounds more finished, as we've landed on a low note.

• Use your tongue:
  ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta.

Follow the sound of the guitar at the beginning, it's quite heavy. Use lots of tongue to create a strong question and then ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta.

Practice Long Notes

In this section, you can practice your long notes with backing tracks. There's a guide track with the trumpet, so feel free to play along with long notes, either C, E, or G, ta, ta. This will complement the question section.

Transition to the Second Part of the Tune

When you reach the second part of the tune, it changes slightly, and we go to an F.

New Questions

• What is the question?
  I do not know.
  What is the question?
  No, I do not know.
  Still don't know what the question is.

Slow Playthrough

Let's play that slowly, starting on an F.

• Lip's quite tight to start off.
• Take a good breath, supporting the note, and ensure you're standing up straight.

Here we go:
From F, 1, 2, 3.

Conclusion and Improvisation

This brings us back to the beginning. I'm going to ask a question, provide an answer, and then you have to say or shout, "What is the question? I don't know."

In the improvisation section for this tune, think about the dynamics between the question phrase and answer phrase.

Remember

This is the last tune in the course, so use all the notes we've learned:

• Low B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• And if you can manage it, upper A as well.

Practice Session

I'll start off by giving you some questions, and you can provide the answers.
Remember:

• The question phrase will tend to go up.
• The answer phrase can come down and can also include elements from the question.

Here we go:
1, 2, 3, Your answer, 3, 4.
1, 2, 3, And my last question, 2, 3, 4.

Practice creating answers and questions. If you're doing this in class or with a friend, take turns making up the questions and answers.

Final Notes

Don't forget, C, E, and G work really well anywhere in this tune.

Now, I'm going to give you a few more questions, along with answers, to demonstrate the kind of improvisation you could do.

Here I go:
1, 2, 3, 4.