It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington

• Syncopated Rhythms: Players may struggle with the swing rhythms throughout the piece, particularly in measures like 2 - 4, where rapid sixteenth note runs are frequent.

• Harmonic Changes: Quick transitions between harmonically complex structures create challenges in hand coordination, especially in measures 9 - 12.

• Proper Voicing: Achieving the desired jazz feel requires proper voicing of chords and the correct balance between the melody and accompaniment. This is especially challenging in measures 22-26, where layered chords in the left and right hand must be played in sync.

Suggestions to Overcome These Difficulties:

Specific Techniques for Improvement:

1. Rhythmic Exercises: Focus on specific measures with complex rhythms. Use clapping or tapping to internalize the rhythms in measures 1-4 before playing them on the piano.

2. Melodic Variations: Explore different articulations for the melody, emphasizing dynamic contrasts. Try playing the melody within its context by using the accompanying chords in measures 5-8 as a backdrop.

3. Tempo Gradation: Gradually familiarize yourself with the piece's intended tempo of 200 bpm by incrementally increasing your speed over multiple practice sessions, starting from 120 bpm.

Unique Features:

The arrangement of "It Don't Mean A Thing" by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills, arranged for piano by Lee Evans, is captivating in its rhythmic complexity and swing characteristics. Notably set in Bb Major with a 2/2 time signature and a brisk tempo of 200 bpm, the piece showcases the quintessential jazz feel.

• Form and Structure: The piece employs a mix of swing and straight rhythms, creating a unique rhythmic texture that is intrinsic to jazz music. The song builds from simple motifs in the introduction to more complex harmonic progressions in the later sections.

• Harmony and Chord Progression: The harmonics primarily revolve around the I-IV-V (Bb, Eb, F) structure, quickly moving to ii-V progressions indicative of jazz standards. For instance, measures containing chords like {B♭4B♭4B♭4G4_B♭4_} suggest a strong root movement in Bb major followed by chromatic transitions to related harmonies.

• Rhythmic Patterns: The use of rhythmic groupings is crucial in this arrangement. For example, the opening segment emphasizes four rhythms (eighth and sixteenth notes), creating syncopation that is more pronounced in measures like 3-7, where the pairing of half and quarter notes produces a lively swing feel.

• Melodic Lines: The primary melody is presented in the right-hand part, with harmonic support from the left. The melody often features characteristic jazz articulations, such as slides and grace notes, particularly evident in measures 13-15.

It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

• Artist
  Duke Ellington
• Number of imitations:
  151
• Genre
  Duke Ellington
• Key
  Bb
• Tempo
  200
• Pages
  3
• Notation
  Duke Ellington
• Compose
  Words and Music by DUKE ELLINGTON and IRVING MILLS Arranged by Lee Evans
• Introduction
  It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' - Words and Music by DUKE ELLINGTON and IRVING MILLS Arranged by Lee Evans, This music is undefined, arr. by Duke Ellington, Suitable for all students to learn