Today my band was practicing Herbie Hancocks Chameleon, we found however that it sounded better playing Bb7 and Eb7 than Bbm7 and Eb7 (what it says on the lead sheet), this kind of makes more sense as the key signature is Bb, not Bbm.

Are we playing it right (it sounds right to me) and our sheet is wrong? Or is it the other way round? Also, if it is supposed to be a Bbm7 then why is the key sig Bb, and would you play a major or minor scale off the tonic?

Thanks.

The correct harmony is Bbm7 to Eb7. As far as the key signature goes, the song is 'really' in the key of Ab.

At least thats how Mom used to sing it.

well, there are four flats but the root is Bb.

well, there are four flats but the root is Bb.

Four flats is the key of Ab major which the II chord is Bb-7 and V is Eb7.

Also you said you heard some Bb7, well it is a common chord substitution to change a mi7 chord to a dominant 7 chord since it is only changing one note.

and you could mash a m7 and 7 chord together and play 7#9.
BUT the song has No Gravity towards Ab. Without a doubt, its tonal center is Bb.

What scale would you personally use over the main vamp? Mixolydian? Dorian? Either?

Bb minor pentatonic or Bb dorian will work over the whole thing. Or you could switch to Eb bebop or Eb mixolydian for the Eb7.

You could use Ab Major, Bb Dorian, Eb Mixolydian, Bb blues, etc, etc, etc....

Here's something for your refreshment:
http://www.angelfire.com/ult/caquino/chameleon.mp3
:D:D:D

Linky no worky.

Don't know why but it doesn't matter.
Here's the main mp3 page,scroll to the bottom for "Chameleon":
http://www.angelfire.com/ult/caquino/

Well that's an interesting interpretation :p

I wouldn't expect anything les from "El Mejor Trompetista del Mundo" :D

Good God, that was horrendous! Just awful!


I want my click back!

Good God, that was horrendous! Just awful!
Think so?
Just listen the Hummel...:D:bawl::D:bawl::D:bawl:

Think so?
Just listen the Hummel...:D:bawl::D:bawl::D:bawl:

Listen to the Hummel at your own risk... a large fleshy vacuum will decend on your life.

Good God, I'd wager there's about 25,000 High School trumpet players in America that can play that solo 100 times better.

Good God, I'd wager there's about 25,000 High School trumpet players in America that can play that solo 100 times better.
I'm not sure about your post and I hope I'm mistaken...but if not,maybe you missed the whole point.
That "Caquino Hernandez" guy doesn't really exist....it's a pro player (and a VERY good one,you must admit) who plays as a parody all the material you see there...

I'm not sure about your post and I hope I'm mistaken...but if not,maybe you missed the whole point.
That "Caquino Hernandez" guy doesn't really exist....it's a pro player (and a VERY good one,you must admit) who plays as a parody all the material you see there...

Oh. Sorry, I took it the wrong way. I'm not too sure why I have to admit he's good, but I'll take your word for it.

After 30 years of teaching kids to play this solo perhaps the thrill of hearing it played poorly is gone for me. Sorry.

I'm not sure about your post and I hope I'm mistaken...but if not,maybe you missed the whole point.
That "Caquino Hernandez" guy doesn't really exist....it's a pro player (and a VERY good one,you must admit) who plays as a parody all the material you see there...

Sorta reminds me of this CD of orchestral audition excerpts that an orchestra geek trumpet friend of mine played for me. He thought it was hilarious, but I didn't know all the experts to find it funny.
...orchestra jokes like the 2nd french horn player playing the "head" of a classical piece rather than his excerpt part, as if he learned it from the score and not his part. :hmm: ...very, very dry humor.

Although, I really like Caquino's playing...lol, the way he empties his spit valve and takes breaths in the Hummel is pretty funny.
Listen to his version of All of Me...GOOD GAWD, it's my little sisters 4th grade spring concert all over again. HAHA!