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| Excerpt from Play Like Me's I Got Rhythm |
Not only is “I Got Rhythm” one of the fundamental American classic songs, it is arguably one of the more
important songs in the evolution of American jazz. Many great jazz artists such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane,
Dizzy Gillespie and Django Rheinhardt recorded both their own versions of the song and built totally new versions
based on the changes from “I Got Rhythm.” More recently, contemporary artists have used this song as a
vehicle for wide ranging jazz expressions. In fact, the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm" are so popular as a jazz
framework that they have their own name, "rhythm changes." For any jazz piano player, a thorough
understanding of rhythm changes is a must!
“I Got Rhythm” was written by the great George Gershwin for the 1930 Broadway production “Girl Crazy” starring
Ginger Rogers. It was performed in the Broadway show by a new singer named Ethel Zimmerman. After her
successful debut on Broadway in “Girl Crazy,” she went on to worldwide fame known as Ethel Merman. The
original pit orchestra for the Broadway production featured a number of world-class jazz musicians including
Benny Goodman.
Even though the song was recorded as a jazz piece by Ethel Waters in 1930, the origin of “I Got Rhythm” as a
hot up-beat jazz tune may come from when producer John Hammond tried to get Charlie Christian and Benny
Goodman to play together. Goodman resisted but finally relented to his old friend Hammond. Goodman counted
off “I Got Rhythm” at a supersonic pace. Christian played the changes with no problem and just blew everybody
away.
Ever since that first blistering jam session led by Goodman, “I Got Rhythm” has inspired multiple generations of
jazz players who have loved to improvise over these great changes. Early versions of the song were recorded
and made popular by Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, and Louis Armstrong.
In the 1940's, bebop emerged with small swing groups, playing up-tempo complex rhythms with more complex
harmonies. As you can imagine, great songs by Gershwin and Cole Porter provided fertile ground for the great
bebop improvisers. Their improvisations were based on scales implied by those chords, and the scales used
included alterations such as the flatted fifth.
Many great jazz artists such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Django Rheinhardt recorded
both their own versions of the song and built totally new versions based on the changes from “I Got Rhythm.”
More recently, contemporary artists have used this song as a vehicle for wide ranging jazz expressions. In fact,
the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm" are so popular as a jazz framework that they have their own name, "rhythm
changes."
The Genius of George Gershwin
George Gershwin is with out a doubt one of the finest American musical composers. During his life, he made a
huge contribution to the American theater with works such as “Porgy and Bess,” as well as with songs including
“Swanee,” “Embraceable You,” “Lady Be Good” and “Summertime.” But musicians feel his real lasting impact has
been on the world of jazz. So many of his songs provided the basis for the improvisation which emerged in the
bebop era. His chord changes to songs like “I Got Rhythm” are synonymous with many great jazz compositions.
To hear more variations on "I Got Rhythm,” look for some of these suggested recordings :
Charlie Parker - Anthropology, Chasing the Bird, Cheers, Moose the Mooche
Bud Powell - Celia, Bud's Bubble, So Sorry Please, Wail
Sonny Rollins - Oleo
Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy Atmosphere, Salt Peanuts
Thelonious Monk - Rhythm-A-Ning
Duke Ellington - Cottontail
Count Basie - Lester Leaps In
Other suggested Readings:
"Rhythm Changes in all 12 keys by Jamey Aebersold"
The Gershwin Song Book
www.gershwin.com
important songs in the evolution of American jazz. Many great jazz artists such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane,
Dizzy Gillespie and Django Rheinhardt recorded both their own versions of the song and built totally new versions
based on the changes from “I Got Rhythm.” More recently, contemporary artists have used this song as a
vehicle for wide ranging jazz expressions. In fact, the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm" are so popular as a jazz
framework that they have their own name, "rhythm changes." For any jazz piano player, a thorough
understanding of rhythm changes is a must!
“I Got Rhythm” was written by the great George Gershwin for the 1930 Broadway production “Girl Crazy” starring
Ginger Rogers. It was performed in the Broadway show by a new singer named Ethel Zimmerman. After her
successful debut on Broadway in “Girl Crazy,” she went on to worldwide fame known as Ethel Merman. The
original pit orchestra for the Broadway production featured a number of world-class jazz musicians including
Benny Goodman.
Even though the song was recorded as a jazz piece by Ethel Waters in 1930, the origin of “I Got Rhythm” as a
hot up-beat jazz tune may come from when producer John Hammond tried to get Charlie Christian and Benny
Goodman to play together. Goodman resisted but finally relented to his old friend Hammond. Goodman counted
off “I Got Rhythm” at a supersonic pace. Christian played the changes with no problem and just blew everybody
away.
Ever since that first blistering jam session led by Goodman, “I Got Rhythm” has inspired multiple generations of
jazz players who have loved to improvise over these great changes. Early versions of the song were recorded
and made popular by Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, and Louis Armstrong.
In the 1940's, bebop emerged with small swing groups, playing up-tempo complex rhythms with more complex
harmonies. As you can imagine, great songs by Gershwin and Cole Porter provided fertile ground for the great
bebop improvisers. Their improvisations were based on scales implied by those chords, and the scales used
included alterations such as the flatted fifth.
Many great jazz artists such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Django Rheinhardt recorded
both their own versions of the song and built totally new versions based on the changes from “I Got Rhythm.”
More recently, contemporary artists have used this song as a vehicle for wide ranging jazz expressions. In fact,
the chord changes to "I Got Rhythm" are so popular as a jazz framework that they have their own name, "rhythm
changes."
The Genius of George Gershwin
George Gershwin is with out a doubt one of the finest American musical composers. During his life, he made a
huge contribution to the American theater with works such as “Porgy and Bess,” as well as with songs including
“Swanee,” “Embraceable You,” “Lady Be Good” and “Summertime.” But musicians feel his real lasting impact has
been on the world of jazz. So many of his songs provided the basis for the improvisation which emerged in the
bebop era. His chord changes to songs like “I Got Rhythm” are synonymous with many great jazz compositions.
To hear more variations on "I Got Rhythm,” look for some of these suggested recordings :
Charlie Parker - Anthropology, Chasing the Bird, Cheers, Moose the Mooche
Bud Powell - Celia, Bud's Bubble, So Sorry Please, Wail
Sonny Rollins - Oleo
Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy Atmosphere, Salt Peanuts
Thelonious Monk - Rhythm-A-Ning
Duke Ellington - Cottontail
Count Basie - Lester Leaps In
Other suggested Readings:
"Rhythm Changes in all 12 keys by Jamey Aebersold"
The Gershwin Song Book
www.gershwin.com
| Play Like Me Music creates interactive video learning products that enable aspiring piano players of all ages and skill levels to learn, play and sound better at the piano as well as gain greater enjoyment from their playing. Copyright 2003, Play Like Me, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
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| Order Play Like Me's piano method for the great Gershwin classic, I Got Rhythm Only $21.95 + $5.95 S&H |
Includes:
Interactive DVD with over 3
hours of personalized
instruction
4 levels of instruction that
allow you to work at your own
pace
Printed sheet music for all
three levels
History of the song
Modern and easy to learn
arrangements
Play Like Me Introductory
Chord Tutorial at no cost to
help you learn how to build jazz
and pop chords
Interactive DVD with over 3
hours of personalized
instruction
4 levels of instruction that
allow you to work at your own
pace
Printed sheet music for all
three levels
History of the song
Modern and easy to learn
arrangements
Play Like Me Introductory
Chord Tutorial at no cost to
help you learn how to build jazz
and pop chords
| Now with an added 4th level with lessons on improvisation and playing over rhythm changes |