vverse23's blog

Listen to almost any version of Erik Satie's three Gymnopedies, and you could swear that the pianist is using the sustain pedal. And frankly, you'd probably be right. This slow, pensive piece sounds wonderful when each note is held as if it's a bell, and the pedal is the easiest way to achieve this goal. It has now become common practice.

Transcriptions of this Freddie Hubbard tune are available from various sources, but my favorite version comes from a fake book which represents this tune with just four lines of music -- that’s only 18 measures. The progression includes an austere three chords, and melodically the last notes of the melody of both the A and B sections stretch out for a luxurious 10 beats.

Music pop quiz: what note is common to A major, B sus4 and C major?