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Hello and new on the block Sandy B here...Does any one play "Memory" from the broadway play Cats? Thank you for your response ...Sandy B
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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Yes, I have played the song through...
I just haven't memorized Memory yet.
Do you have a question about it?
1973 Baldwin Acrosonic (TRADED) Kurzweil PC88-MX (SOLD) Yamaha P-120 2013 Charles Walter 1520 QA.
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Hello to The VibeRAIDER...Sorry so long winded here....The song "Memory" from Cats... Thank you so much for your response to my email ...Sandy B here, also to other members.... Do you find this to be a bit on the difficult side to perform? Reading the music mostly I think ... when the 6 flats begin ? It has taken me so long to learn this one... Unusal for me in popular music reading for piano... Is it because I have not played 6 flats for so long? or...Is it the arrangement? Not difficult for me except for the 6 flats? Note sure...I am a strong intermediate level music reader of piano music...classical training, under 2 teachers with their Masters in Music Ed...I have been blessed with a good foundation in piano...I even taught under the second teacher as her understudy... up to intermediate level classical... at her request...This was 40 years ago and I am just going back to classical music reading which I dropped in the 1970's ... Much to my regret now...I have continued popular music reading and playing through the years to now... I play piano often...More and more going back to classical the last months...I played 6 flats for church rather often , 15 years ago...Input please... I always want to know the why in the arrangements I play if I find it to be difficult...This one escapes me... One thought and and I would so enjoy your input on this too... Do you strive harder on this type of piece, so beloved , by myself and others, to do it justice? If I cannot do justice to a piece I will not play that arrangement... I will go to another...Should I struggle through the music reading and not give up? I am a senior citizen and am I getting too soft these last years and maybe lazy too? I am retired now...I have the time to listen to all input... Thank you so much for your input and anyone else who can encouage me in my pursuit of going back to more difficult music to play... I am only 67 years young so I am not too old to learn... Sandy B thank you again...
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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The reason I am asking you in the non-classical forum is because you would know about popular music reading first hand...The extreme academics are often too strict for me at this time until I regain my footing...For now I am playing more advanced popular piano music...such as "Memory" even more than classical...Sandy B.
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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It's not a hard song to play at all - it's in Bb (2 flats), and modulates up to C (then back down to Bb). I learned to play it by ear, but the sheet music ended up being pretty close to what I was already playing....
Estonia 190, #6098
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Originally posted by 193866: Do you find this to be a bit on the difficult side to perform? Reading the music mostly I think ... when the 6 flats begin ? Six flats? I don't know what version you have, but the version I learned from (original sheet music and also Hal Leonard's version in "The Best Songs Ever") has at most four flats. The change in key has not been a hindrance to me. Memory is a beautiful piece. Reading and playing has not been a problem for me. Just to memorize it is going to take me a while. Sandy, based on your credentials, I would say that the key signature (whether 4 flats or 6 flats) of any piece should be the least of your problems. The difficult part (for me) in Memory is to figure out the best-efficient fingerings. Good luck!
1973 Baldwin Acrosonic (TRADED) Kurzweil PC88-MX (SOLD) Yamaha P-120 2013 Charles Walter 1520 QA.
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Dear TheVibeRAIDER...Hello Sandy again here... I have the "Broadway Classics," with CD... Hal Leonard too...I love his series with the piano music and CD... own about 5 and will buy more..."MEMORY"... It begins in 2 flats, and modulates to 6 flats...4 flats are not hard to me but 6 are...Maybe I need to run the scale often? This might be my problem too... Maybe it is the fingering as 98% of the time that is my problem with any more advanced popular music...I will think this over, your input has me thinking it over now...Thank you... as I play it later today I will focus on this concept, fingering...Finally worked my way through to the end... You are right... to me one of the most beautiful pieces ever written...popular music...I do not have the Best Songs Ever, Hal Leonard... and I will get this one too....I have the Andrew Lloyd Webber"s Book, Hal Leonard... it has the same format with the 6 flats for "Memory"... I am confused why would they change the key as they are all his compositions? Thank you again so very much for your excellent input? Sandy B
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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You're not alone Sandra. My copy is in "150 of the Most Beautiful Songs Ever" and it starts out in Eb, then moves to Gb just after "a new day - will be-gin" and then it changes to Db for the ending, beginning with "Touch me -- it's so easy to leave me".
Bob
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Originally posted by 193866: I am confused why would they change the key as they are all his compositions? Hi Sandy, We all have to admit the change in key make the songs more interesting and less monotonous, right? Okay, about Memory: I used to have another version, the original sheet music perhaps with 6 flats. Years ago, I gave that away to a friend (like a fool am I) and I am stuck with only one version (4 flats.) Please bear with me while I go and seek the 6-flat version you have. Originally posted by 193866: Thank you again so very much for your excellent input... Oh, it's nothing. I'm surprised no one else has chimed in. Any piece with 6 flats should not be difficult at all, once we get used to it. IMHO.
1973 Baldwin Acrosonic (TRADED) Kurzweil PC88-MX (SOLD) Yamaha P-120 2013 Charles Walter 1520 QA.
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Dear IMHO, You are right as it is easier each passing day...I looked over the fingering and that for a change was not the problem...But... the one who said fingering? Usually yes for me... I am just lazy... after reading all of your post...Now I am certain of this... Mostly I have played broardway and easy 2 to 3 flat songs for so long I am lazy... Retired now and lazy...Chuckles... but true...Need the input to say get with the program Sandy...Sandy B...Thank all of you so much for your input...
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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Sandy,
I went to the music store and found different versions of Memory!
Okay, now, this will be a little confusing. Please bear with me....
Here is the latest...I said that I have Memory (in 4-flats) I learned from my old sheet music long ago, and also the very same version in The Best Songs Ever (Copyright 1994 by Hal Leonard ISBN 0-7395-0445-7)
Today, I see that your version (6-flats) is also in The Best Songs Ever, but in the sixth edition!!! Apparently, over the years, publishers have been making same songs in different keys and publishing them in same books in different editions!!!
1973 Baldwin Acrosonic (TRADED) Kurzweil PC88-MX (SOLD) Yamaha P-120 2013 Charles Walter 1520 QA.
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If you want the 4-flat version of Memory, you might want to check the sheet music. Be careful, because they also have the piano solo sheet music of Memory with 6 flats.
We have so many choices now than 20 years ago. So be sure to glance at the music to see if you like the version. Even better, if the music store has a piano or keyboard, I would sight-read the piece before purchasing.
1973 Baldwin Acrosonic (TRADED) Kurzweil PC88-MX (SOLD) Yamaha P-120 2013 Charles Walter 1520 QA.
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I know this song soooh well! I originally played the song from the sheet but it was very easy to memorise and interpret. I also listened to the soundtrack and interpretation by many other artists. It's my mother's favourite song and she requested it incessantly. I played it at an audition and it was well received. It's one of those songs I usually play at the drop of a hat. But if you don't have a singer you need to put in some pzazz to bring it out.
I think the middle section changes from Eb to Gb and this is where the strings take up the melody. The same device is used in almost every big song in the Lloyd Webber oeuvre and it is not a new thing being the bridge of most pop songs. You need to review the scale of Gb as it contains four flats including flattened C which is awkward for some people. Once you got that under your fingers you'll be able to know this song soon.
It don't mean a ting if it don't have dat swing
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Thank all of you for your input...I am finally through Memory and now I perform with the CD backup and sheet music, violins,lead piano,etc... so beautiful... Maybe I will try several other arrangements of Memory for fun... The people here in assisted living love this song...It was worth the struggle...thank you again ...I needed moral support and I got that from this group... Sandy B...
Sandra M. Boletchek 08/02/06
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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