…that you can’t stop humming, whistling or otherwise turning over and over between your ears? Well, it happened to me today, and that is usually a signal that I need to look for the sheet music and try to learn to play it on the whistle.
The ever-recurring culprit today is NOT a traditional Celtic tune by any stretch. It is the “Samba de Orfeo” (the Theme from Black Orpheus). I’m listening to a John Fahey version of it now, and wishing I had ‘whistle friendly’ sheet music for the tune in its barest form (decidedly, that would not be the Fahey version!)
And, why do I get it mixed up with “Manha de Carnaval” (aka “A Day in the Life of a Fool” in pop music parlance)? Wouldn’t mind whistle friendly sheet music for that one either!
Any assistance will be much appreciated and, most likely, met with some token of recompense.
I think you are better off than me. After a weekend of Noggin (children’s TV) with my son, I’ve come to the conclusion that Laurie Berkner is the DEVIL.
That woman has had evil children’s songs in my head non-stop! They won’t leave!
I wish I had the music from Black Orpheus in my head!
Last night when I was trying to go to sleep I just had some wacky 3-part hornpipe stuck in my head that they play at our session around here. It’s like hearing scales over & over…
You get em mixed up because both tunes were part of the original stage show which was then made into the movie. Luiz Bonfa wrote both of those tunes and portions of each were musical motivs in the soundtrack. And both were also popular as individual hit songs. Very natural to go from one to the other. Just rent the movie and you’ll see. The playing of the Samba while the guy is up on the hillside is one of the most memorable scenes from any movie I have ever seen.
Tain’t “mythological”, I’ve done it myself! But you’re exactly right, if you can’t get a tune out of your head, you’re one very small step away from learning it by ear.
Funny, tho, I learned a Patrick Street tune by ear, the very first I ever learned on whistle. It was so catchy that I basically memorized the tune, then worked it out without the record. I had to do it that way, because I didn’t have the right key of whistle to play along with the record. Later, when I went back and listened to it, I realized I had made several deviations from the melody and was very surprised. Either I have a bad ear or I am part of the “folk process,” making it my own… Let’s stick with the latter, silvooplate.
It sure is true that the tunes you learn on your own and by ear are special.
Well, in order to drive those two tunes out–no sheet music having been forthcoming, so far–I’m listening to a CD of some Peruvian music I got on the street from one of the handful of such groups you run into on the streets here in NYC–but not today, a bit chilly out there!!–and most other large cities. Still, the CD is a good reminder that a Low G (Thanks, Mack Hoover!!) ‘works’ with the quena! I guess the cold weather here today is inclining my thoughts to south of the border.
Weekenders–thanks for the explanation of my obfuscation (or, is it simple confusion?) of those two tunes. They sure got that ‘wistfulness’ thing going for them.
Yes - I have. But I was thinking my biggest problem since I only play by ear are the tunes I "thinK’ I know but just can’t bring back into my head.
When that happens the only tune that comes “words out” to
" If I could hear it - I’d remember it -and I could play it for my children - if … I only had a brain…" sung to the the tune of “If I only had a brain” from the Wizard of Oz.
But you’re exactly right, if you can’t get a tune out of your head, you’re one very small step away from learning it by ear.