‘Speak Low’ was composed by Kurt Weill in 1943 for the Broadway musical “One Touch Of Venus”. It was originally a ballad although it is now often played as a fast tempo!
In this ‘Speak Low’ class you will study the harmonic and melodic analysis, chords scales, scales with chromatic passing tones exercises and voice leading.
We also study the transcriptions of a solo by trombonist Curtis Fuller and pianist McCoy Tyner.
Playlist
Speak Low's Melody + Bass line
Playlist
Lyrics:
Speak low when you speak, loveOur summer day withers away too soon, too soonSpeak low when you speak, loveOur moment is swift, like ships adrift, we’re swept apart, too soonSpeak low, darling, speak lowLove is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon
I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is nearTomorrow is here and always too soonTime is so old and love so briefLove is pure gold and time a thief
We’re late, darling, we’re lateThe curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soonI wait, darling, I waitWill you speak low to me, speak love to me and soon
Time is so old and love so briefLove is pure gold and time a thiefWe’re late, darling, we’re lateThe curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soonI wait, darling, I waitWill you speak low to me, speak love to me and soonSpeak low
Speak Low's Melody + Bass line
7 comments on “Speak Low”
I was on vacation but got invited to play in this cool place Dzalbay. Yes people in the back are talking and it’s not the best but I felt we got the attention of most of them, even got some people to stop chatting during my cadenza, victory!
Because I hadn’t practiced at all for 2 weeks I was a bit concerned but I hadn’t completely forgotten how the saxophone works and I only squeaked once in the cadenza;)
Really nice Alex! I would really like to be in that room in that moment. You said so many words with notes! I’ve never heard a cadenza before. The part in the altissimo range caught my attention. It felt like you were searching for the right notes, with no hurry, just concentrating on the notes. My spirit flew for a moment. Thank you!
Here I am practicing ideas from Sam Dillon’s masterclass:
Here is the link to Sam Dillon’s masterclass: https://jazzvideolessons.net/portfolio/modern-melodic-shapes-and-patterns-on-the-diminished-scale/
I like to practice with only the drums, that’s the ultimate test to see if you know the song and don’t get lost!
List of Speak low for flutist or curious
Jacques Pelzer, 1993 in Salute to the Band Box
Lew Tabackin, 1979 in Rites of pan (alto flute) / Idem in Pyramid, 1999
Roger Glenn in Carl TJader (La onde va bien), 1980
Bobby Jaspar in Tuttie Flutie, 1957