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MingusBassClef2013 PDF
MingusBassClef2013 PDF
Let My Children Hear Music, Inc. 484 West 43rd St. #43-S New York, NY 10036
MingusMingusMingus.com 212-736-4749 JazzEdu@MingusMingusMingus.com
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 2 of 67
( b)*
w.
G m7 C7
- w .
1. 2.
?b .. w .
F
. .
F
B B b7 B b7
F. F.
? J
b
B b7
.
?
F G7 C7
J . .
b
C b
F
B7
-
F
?b
( b)*
B b7
b
- . -
F B7
?
b
( b)*
w.
G m7 C7
1.
-
F to solos ( Blues )
? w. . ..
b
w.
C7 F F
? - U
w.
. .
U
w.
.
b
u u u
* Ab in 1977 recording
b 4
f
r
b - - n b n
?b n b
J b - b
J b - b
b
? . b n b b n .
b
? 6 - -
b 4J J J J
etc.
3a
? - - b . - - b . . . - - b .
b J J J J J J
F > > > > >
f
Bass 2012 Page 6 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 7 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 8 of 67
ca. 160)
CHARLES MINGUS
Medium Swing (q
B b7 B b7
b b b -
C7 C7
? 4 .. b J
4
P
A b m (m aj7) Db 9 B b7 .
b b
F7 C7
? b
.
D 7 (b 9) G 7b5 A b m (m aj7) A b m6 C7 B b7
b . b n w
? b b w ! ..
-
"It was written for Celia, my ex-wife, although I wrote it before she was my ex-wife.
I used the Key of C; also a one-note form like Duke had done on C-Jam Blues."
? bw ! b . w
p (slide) f
In the notes for the album The Clown recorded by Atlantic on March 13, 1957, Mingus said
of his repertoire: "Some of the guys had been saying that I didn't swing. So I made some
(compositions) that did. This album (The Clown) is a standard blues. It's in two keys -
C and Bb - but that's not noticeable and it ends up in C, basically. I heard some Basie in it
and also some church-like feeling." While Mingus never did play Blue Cee again, he went on
to write many more compositions based on the blues.
Mingus' use of repeated notes helps create the blue mood of this piece. Also note the effective
use of bitter dissonances in the last phrase. The second chord in bar 10 may also be played as Db9.
The above example notates the wailing riff which is played after all solos and before the return of
the head.
Blue Cee
Album Name: The Clown
Label: Atlantic
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 9 of 67
n A n A
f . .
.
Eb m bm
? b b . n .
B
bbb n A .
? bb b n
b b . n .
n A
.
Bbm
? bb b n A n b
F7
bb .
? b b n n b
b b b n A n b
B Horns . . .
n .
? b b ( n ) b
2 b N bn 2
bbb n
n
rhythm section simile
bwa
,
? b b
wa
n A
wa wa wa wa wa wa
b b
bbb n n n
, , b ,
C w
? b b b n n A A ww
ww n n A A ww
ww
n
w
w
bb n n n n
bwa
? b b n n A A ww A n
wa
n b
wa wa wa wa wa wa
ww b b
b b b n n n n n J
? b b b .. b
n J b n A
bb n
2nd time swing
? bb b n b
bb J n # nw w
( D/Bb)
A n nU ww 1. n
fine
? b b j ( b ) n n
n # ww n .. n #
2. to solos
b b b n J
( )
A + o n + o A + o + o
? bb b
bb
f
Bass 2012 Page 11 of 67
Bass Clef Lead Sheet Dizzy Moods
Medium Swing = ca. 144
A CHARLES MINGUS
Gm75 C7#5(#9) F7#5(#9) B7(#11)
f 3 3
1.
A7(13) Dmaj7
E7 A7#5(#9)
5 Em7
3
3
3 3 3 3
2.
B
Dmaj7
= Am7
D7#5
Am7
D7
9
15 Am7 D7#5 Gmaj7 Bm7 E7#5
= Am7
21 Bm7
E7 Bm7
E7#5
C
26 Gm75 C7#5(#9) F7#5(#9) B7(#11)
3 3
Dmaj7
30 Em7 A7(13)
3
3
3 3 3 3
Coda
A7
D7#5(#11#9)
E7
34 D
3
3
3
Copyright 1975 Jazz Workshop
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 12 of 67
bbb 4 .
( ) ,
I was young and care-free, not a song hadfoundmy so- ul. Lost in
Bb 7 #5 Ab7#5 D bMaj7
b9 b9
? bb b. n b
F 7 # 11
n
3
bbb n. n b
A b 13 (b 9) E b 6 D Maj7 A b 9(#11)
3
E b m9 D bMaj 9
blues, jazz and rag - time, - no sound had got to my mood. I was
? bb b
E
bbb n b n # n .
3
search - ing, for my mel-o - dy. love blues that gets me wooed.
( ) ()
All a - lone. sad clown with his
cir - cus closed down.
C E m7/C G /B A m7/B b A 13 # 11 B bm7(#11) E b 13 b9
b
n b
D m7 G7 C Maj7
? b b n n n n n n n n
bbb
3
3
Lost on my mer - ry go - round came a mel - o - dy in my
F 7 (b9) E b 9(#11)
A bMaj7 D bMaj9
A bMaj7
C Bb #b
b b
n n
D9
11
? b b b b
7 9
bbb n n
3 3
heart so year - ning. Taught me to hear mu - sic out of love, - from the soul, for this
bbb J n
D 13 (# 11)
life we all live in - fi - nite with the lov - er, and be -
.
3
bbb 4 J
P
F
Piano 3
F 7 (# 11) ,
enters on 3
Bb 7 #5 A b 7 #5 D b Maj7
b9 b9
b. n b
? bb b n J n.
bb n b
3 3
b
E
? bb n ( b ) j n # n .
bbb
3 3
n > > b
D m7 G7 C Maj7
? b b n n n n n > n >
bbb n n
3
3
C#
F 7 (b9) E b 9(#11) G b 13 (# 11)
Even 8th
A b Maj7 A bMaj7 D 9 D bMaj 9
B b7 b9 b b
. n n n b
11
? b b b. n
bbb J J
Even 8th D
B b 7 (# 11) E bm7b5(11)
.
F m7(11)
? bb b n ( b)
bb J n
D 13 (# 11)
A b13 (b 9) E b 6 D Maj7 A b 9(#11) D bMaj 9
U
E
? b b . b j n # n . b nw
bbb J
3 fine
J
( )
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International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Bass 2012 Page 14 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 15 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 16 of 67
f 3
-
? b n b n b J - ,
F Maj7 A m7b5 D7 G m7b5 C7 F Maj7
J j w
b J b J
3 3
b b b b
B
n b n b ,
B m7b5 E7 A m7b5 D7 G m7b5 C7 F Maj7
? w
b b
A b m7 D b7
3
b b n j b b b b n n
B m7b5 E7 A m7b5 D7
?
b b n n n b
3
G bMaj7 E b m7 A b m7 D b7 G bMaj7 E b m7 A b m7 D b7
C
? w b b b b w b
Trumpet
b J
Tenor 8vb Trb. & Tenor
B b m9 G # m9 j .
# n b n n # n j b
B m9 A m9E m7b5 A7
? # j # b n # # b
j b
j
j n
b
3
3
D F # m7
# - # n j n b. >
D Maj7 B m7 E m7 A7 B7 E m7 C7
? j # # J
b n n
3
D7 -
? b n n
b n J -
b ,
3
j w
F Maj7 A m7b5 G m7b5 C7 F Maj7
b J J J
3 3
n b b Am7b5 n D 7b n Gb m7b5 b
b
E B m7b5 E 7
n nw
C7 F Maj7
? b
b
3
b (U fine )
n # # w
E m7b5 A7 D m7 F Maj9
?
G7 C7
b
After East Coasting was composed for a Bethlehem recording date in August, 1957, Mingus seems never to
have played it again. Although Mingus grew up on the West Coast, critics and historians have associated his
approach with those living near the Atlantic shore. However, the composer has stated:
In this piece Mingus devises an unusual form in which boppish phrases traverse through a labyrinth of
tonalities. Within each phrase are internal and cross references which distinguish most of Mingus' melodies.
Its structure may be represented as:
8 bars A
4 bars B1
4 bars B2
4 bars C (derived from the intro)
4 bars D
8 bars A
4 bars B1
4 bars B3
The desired effect of the introduction and C is created by doodle tonguing on brass instruments.
Saxophonists should utilize Lester Young's trademark technique of rhythmically applying alternate
fingerings to one note.
East Coasting
Album Name: East Coasting
Label: Bethlehem
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 18 of 67
Ecclusiastics
Slowly q ca. CHARLES MINGUS
A
B b7
F7 G m7 A m7 B7 E7
? 4 3
b 4 # .. . # J ( )
3
J
B b7 D b7
3 3
#
3
. b
A m7 D 7#5 E7 G Maj 9
? b n # n b b 2
b 4
3
B b7 E b7
.
B
? 2 . .
C7 F7
J J .
b 4 J J
A b7 D b7
#9
G m7b5 C 7# 5
? b.
J . b 4
b J 4
C
F 7(# 9) F 7(# 9)
? 4 .
# .
1. 2.
b 4
3
"wail" "wail"
Fables of Faubus
CHARLES MINGUS
q ca.
Intro B b m7 D b7
? b b 4 .. ..
bb 4
? b b b 44 .. . # n . . n n b . .
b J J .
2-feel P P P
A B b. m7
- . - . D b7
? b b b .. . J n
b J n
. .
F
3 3
n b .
in octaves
? b b b .. . # n . . n
b J J
simile
B b.m7 D b7
-
? b b . - . .
bb J J
n
n b
3 3 . .
(octaves)
n . . n b .
(octaves)
? b b . # n
bb J J
C 7 (b 9) E b7
D7
? bb b w j n .
G m7b5(b9) F m7
n
b J
3
3
? bb b > >
Piano
b |
Bass Walks
C 7(# 9)
( Bass Walks ) 3
D b7 B b7b5
? b b . . - n. -
j
bb J J J J
p f p f p
? bb > | |
bb |
J J
f
Copyright 1975 JAZZ WORKSHOP, INC.
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Bass 2012 Page 21 of 67
2 Fables of Faubus
? bb b .
A b 13
- j # w -C 7
1.
w ..
G m(Maj7)
b J
f
G 13 G 13 A b 13 A 13 B b 13 B 13 C 13 F 13 F # 13 G 13 A b 13 A 13
solos only:
| | ..
. n n b . .
3 3 3 3
? bb b | |
J
b | .
J J
. n w .
2.
? bb b w J n n
F m 9 (M aj 7 )
b
F
3
? bb b . . . .
b ~~~
tutti J J J
B sweetly
b
? bb b
.
Bnbm(Maj7)
. Gn m(Maj7)
. n n
b J J J
3
B bm(Maj7) G bm(Maj7)
? bb n. . n. . n
bb J J J J
F 7(# 9)
? bb b . #. n n. b. # .
D 7b5(b9) G Maj7 C m7
b
Bass and Drums double time
B b7b5 b
? bb b # # ( ) # #
b
P
? bb n n n n
Bass
bb
J J
Bass 2012 Page 22 of 67
Fables of Faubus 3
C B b. m7 D b7
-
? b b . - . .
bb J J n n
. .
F
3 3
n . n n b .
(octaves)
? b b . #
J .
J
bb
simile
B b.m7- . - . D b7
? b b b . n
b J J n b
3 3 . .
(octaves)
n . n b .
(octaves)
? bb b . # . n
b J J
C 7 (b 9) E b7
G m7b5(b9) F m7 D7
? bb b w j
n n .
b J
3
3
? bb > >
Piano
bb |
Bass Walks
C 7(# 9)
( Bass Walks ) 3
D b7 B b7b5
? bb b . . - n. - j
b J J J J
p f p f p
? bb > | |
bb |
J J
f
.
. n w w1.
Last time
to solos
? bb b w J J
F m 9 (M aj 7 )
? b b b . . .
.
.
b J J J J
~~
tutti
Bass 2012 Page 23 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 24 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 25 of 67
background figures
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 26 of 67
bb 4 b .
J J
b
F
D b7sus E b7 A b m11
? b b n J b b b b .
, b b J
D 9sus B 13 B 13
bb J J
J J
B b7# C 13 (#11)
#
b b J
9
B7 E Maj7
, n #
F m7b5 F 13
n # n n n
5
? bb J n # J J # #.
b
E Maj7(#11) A 7 (# 11)
3 3
E b 7(# 9)
3
A b7 B b7 D b7
fi#
3
A 13
, b b b n b #
B7
, ,
? b # b # # #
# b ..
3
bb #
3
after
repeat
Solos
E b m7 A b m7 E b m7 A b m7 E b m7 A b m7 E b m7 A b m7 B b7#5
? b .. w w
A 7#5 B7
b b
E b m7 A b m7 E b m7 A b7 F # m7 B 7 ( B b7 E b m7 A b7 E b m7 A b7
#9
F 7#5
? bb
C m7b5
b
E b m7 E b m7
)
A b m7 B b7#5
? b
B7 B7 B7
bb
E b m7 A b7 E b m7 A b 7
(
F # m7 B 7 B b 7 E b m7 A b7 E b m7 A b7
? b
C m7b5 F 7
b b ..
)
fi ,
E Maj7(#11) A 7 (# 11) Ebm
U
E Maj7
U
Ebm
U
? b # # # # # w w w
3
bb b
3
# # # #
? 4
Bass Intro
Bass bb 4
P cresc. poco-a-poco
# # b
? b
Bass b
f
3
3
A
? b b .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tenor tacet 1st time, 2nd time start playing from bar 13, then play twice
T. Sx.
w
F 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
? b ..
Trumpet tacet first 3 times, 4th time start playing from bar 13 (one time only)
B b Tpt. b
? b b ..
Trombone plays 4 times: plays 8va from 3rd time
# # n b j n .
3
# .
3
Tbn. j
p (gets louder each time)
#
? b .. #
#
#
Bass b
Bass plays 4 times
? b m ..
b . .
3
m
T. Sx.
p plunger half-valve
b b ~
? b ~ ..
B b Tpt. b
f
3
? b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . w ..
Tbn. b
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
? b # # # # .
Bass b .
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Bass 2012 Page 29 of 67
2 Haitian Fight Song
T. Sx.
? bb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . w
F plunger
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
b
half-valve
b ~ ~
B b Tpt.
? bb
3
? b b j n .
# # n
3
b .
3
Tbn. j
#
# # # #
Bass
? bb
Jelly Roll
CHARLES MINGUS
Medium New Orleans Swing q ca.
B b m7 Eb7 B b m7 b7 B b m7
Alto n b b - n b E n b b -
? b b 4 .. J J
bb 4
F
. - . .
? b b 4 .. # n J # n # n J
Trb.
bb 4
F 2-feel ( slap bass style)
b A b7
n b
E7
n . n
? bb
bb
-
? b b b # n J
Trb. fills
b
D b7 A b7 G b7
b > . . .
G7
b . b
? bb b n
n
b
? bb
bb
B b7 E b7
- n > > > >
F7
? bb b J J
b
? bb
bb j n n n
#
3 3
A b7 A b7
1. 2.
last time
? bb b w w .. w w
b
? b b b. . b . . .. b . . b . j j
Trb. Fill
bb J
.
Bass
Copyright 1975 JAZZ WORKSHOP, INC.
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Bass 2012 Page 32 of 67
2 Jelly Roll
Tag Ending
E b7 # 5 Ab E b7# 5 Ab
#9 #9
? b b b.
bb b. J
smear smear Drum solo
? bb b j
b . . .
B b m7 E b7 B b m7 Eb7
. . . . . .
? bb b J JJ J J JJ J
b
3 3 3 3 3 3
? bb
( ) ()
Bass solo Bass solo
bb
B b m7 B b m7
. .
walk
A b7
. . . . w
? bb b J J J J J J J J
b
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
? bb b . . b .
bb
? bb b w
b .
? b b j j
Bass and Drums fine
bb
Bass 2012 Page 33 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 34 of 67
Bass Clef lead sheet Moanin'
Medium up swing q
Total playing time: 6 choruses
A Play only at 4th chorus w/ Piano comping
CHARLES MINGUS
? b b b 44 .. j J . n . C7
J j
4th chorus
b J j
f j
Alto Sax 2
b ww . .
n ..
n w . 5th chorus only .
? b b b 44 .. 1.
b
5th chorus
Alto 1 & 2
D b Maj7
2.
Fm
? b b b 44 ..
6th chorus G m7b5 C7
Altos b
I
,
know
. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~b
All 6 choruses:
. . b b .
Tenor: tacet first 2 choruses
? bb b 44 .. ~~
b
P
Tenor Sax
3
Baritone: play all 6 choruses
? bb b 44 .. ~~~~~~ j n
b .~~~~~~~~~ . .
b
Baritone Sax
P
w .
Trombones: tacet first chorus
- bw
,
? bb b 44 .. w . w
Trombone b
P
D b Maj7
? bb b 44 ..
Fm G m7b5 C7
b
P
Rhythm Section
b .~~~~~~~~~~~~~ j
Bari
. . b
P >
. - ,
? b b b ww .
bw
w
b
P
Trbs
D b Maj7
? bb b
Fm G m7b5 C7
Rhy Sec.
b
P
Copyright 1976 JAZZ WORKSHOP, INC
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Bass 2012 Page 35 of 67
2 Moanin'
F m/E b D b7
? bb b
Fm C7
4th chorus
Alto 2 b
F m/E b D b7
? bb b
Fm C7
b
5th chorus
Alto 1 & 2
F m/E b D b7
? bb b
Fm C7
b
6th chorus
Altos
b n b b
? bb b n b .
Ten b J
j b j
3 3 3 3
? bb b
3 3
b . j j j j
Bari
.
nw F m/E b D b7
? bb b n w
C7
Trbs b
F m/E b D b7
? bb b
Fm
C7
Rhy Sec.
b
Bb m B b m/A b n n
? bb b
G m7b5 C7
b
4th chorus
Alto 2
Bb m B b m/A b b
? bb b
G m7b5 C7 3
5th chorus
Alto 1 & 2 b
f
Mingus: "Yes I
Bb m B b m/A b
? bb b
G m7b5 C
7
b
6th chorus
Altos
Bb m B b m/A b
b . b ,
w w
G m7b5 C7
? bb b
Ten b
? bb b ~ ,
Bari b ~~~~ ~~~~ b ~~~~~ ~~~~ b ~ ~ ~ - w
Bb m B b m/A b
? bb b
G m7b5 C7
Trbs b
Bb m B b m/A b
? bb b
G m7b5 C7
Rhy Sec.
b
Drums sneak in
Bass 2012 Page 36 of 67
Moanin' 3
B w .
w .
Alto 1
? bb b
b J J J
? bb b
Ten b
? bb b j j j j
Bari b
F
? bb b
Trbs b J J J J
F
Bb m
? bb b
C m7b5 F7
Rhy Sec.
b
. w
? bb b w
Alto 1 b J J
p
Alto 2
? bb b J
Ten b J J J
F
? bb b j j j j
Bari b
? bb b
Trbs b J J J J
Bb m
? bb b
C m7b5 F7
Rhy Sec.
b
Bb m
w j b n j
? bb b b n
Alto 1 & 2 b J J
J
J
? b b J J J J
Ten bb
? bb b j j j j
Bari b
? bb b
Trbs b J J J J
Bbm
? bb b
C m7b5 F7
Rhy Sec.
b
Bass 2012 Page 37 of 67
U
4 Moanin'
? bb b b w
(fine)
b
b
Altos
U ,
? bb b b w
(fine)
w
Ten b
U ,
? bb b b
(fine)
Bari b b w w
F
U ,
? bb b b b
(fine)
Trbs b bw w
Bbm Gb U
(fine)
? bb b
Rhy Sec.
b
C
? bb b n
b .~~~~~~~~~~~~~ j
. . b
Bari
f
D bMaj7 C7
? bb b
Fm G m7b5
Rhy Sec.
+ Ens.
b
Bass & Drums ( Horns tacet)
? bb b n
b .~~~~~~~~~~~~ j
Bari
. . b
P >
F m Add trombones D b Maj7 G m7b5 C7
? bb b
Rhy Sec.
b
P
+ Ens.
? bb b j j j j j
b . . j b
Bari
Fm F m/E b Db7 C7
? bb b
Rhy Sec.
b
add other Horns and Piano ( collective improvisation)
+ Ens.
? bb b ~
Bari b ~~~~ ~~~~~ b ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ b
~
~~~~~ -
w
Bbm B b m/A b G m7b5 C7
? bb b
Rhy Sec.
+ Ens.
b
Bass 2012 Page 38 of 67
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 39 of 67
CHARLES MINGUS
E b7 D b7 Eb7 D b7 Eb7 D b7
A
? b 4 j ..b .
bb 4 j b j b b .
J J
b7 f
3 3 3
b7 G b m7 Cb7 G b m7 C b7
J b J b j
E D
? b b b
b
E b7 D b7 Eb7 D b7
shuffle
A m7
. .
? b b b b . . J n
F7
b J J
b J J 3 3
3 3 3
B b m7 Eb7 A b m7 D b7 Eb
- . . b
? b b b j ..
1. 2.
bb J J
fine
break break
B E b7 D b7 E b7 D b7 Eb7 D b7 Eb7 D b7
? b b . . b . b . . b .
.
b . . b b . . b .
bb
G b m7 b G b m7 b E b7 D b7 E b7 D b7
? b b b . . . b . . b . .
b . . b b . . b .
C7 C7
C. m7 . B.b m7
. E b7 A b m7 D b7 Eb
? bb n . . b . .
F7
b J
ca.
CHARLES MINGUS
Slow Blues q
. . b
# # #
C7
?4 # .. . # . # b
4
F Bass: one-to-the-bar feel
. # F.7 #
. . b #
? J #
J
3 3
b b b G .7
.
D m7
# b b . #
C7 (A7)
? . # #
J
3 3 3 3
D b 13
bU U
1, 2. 2. C7
. . w
C7 C 7 last time
# # b b
? . # . # .. w
A F#o7
? b 44 j j b n
F Maj7 G m7
.. b
J J
B b m7 Eb7
A b m7 D b7
. . . b .
j b
C7 F7 A m7
? J
b J
( C7 )
? - - j -
G m7
j
b J .
. jC 7 . j C7 .
1. 2.
. j . .
F F F
j b
3
? b
3
b . . .
J J
B B b m7 E b7 (b 9) A b Maj7
?b
b b b b . -
b J b n
B b m7 Eb7
b b .
3
b b n n n .
A m7 D7
?b
3 3 3 3 3 3
G m7 C7 B b m7 E b 7 (# 11) B b m7 E b 7 (# 11)
.
34 b . n. b.
q= q
?b n j 44
F#o7
3 3 3
j b n j
F Maj7 G m7 C7
? b 44 b
J J
B b m7 E b7
C A b m7 D b7
. . .
b.
F7 A m7
?b J b
J
?b - -
G m7
j
J
- ( C7 ) . j .
?b j .
F C7 F
j .
.
J
D B b7
. .
F
?
b J . . . J .
J simile
E b7 A b7
? b b b j
. . J . b . . b .
D b7 G bMaj7
? b b b b
b . . J . . . J .
C 7 (b9)
j j .
( fine)
. .
G m7b5 F C7 F
? b b b j n .
. . .
J
Bass 2012 Page 45 of 67
Bass 2012 Page 46 of 67
B
Latinish F Maj7
n - -
n - - h. = h G bMaj7
.
? b 46 n . J . n . J . 44 b b b b b
- -
3
A bMaj7
nGMaj7
n n b
?b n #
# n # b b b b
.
B bMaj7
# # # n #w
A Maj7 B Maj7
?b # # n # # n n
n b
E bMaj7 h = h.
? # # nw nw #w w 6
E7 E m7 A7 D Maj7 D m9
b 4
- -
C Latinish
h. = h
n
? b 46 n . J
. 44
( Dm )
-
(6)
D bMaj7 G b7
D . b b b
? b 44 . b b b n
F m7 G m7b5 F m7
b
J b
Swing p
D bMaj7
#9
C 7b 9 h = h.
j j
? n j j - b b j j - b - b. b nw 6
G m7b5 F Maj7
b w - - - J J 4
- -
- -
n - n -
Latinish
? b 46 n . J . . J .
F Maj7
- n -
The upwardly chromatic major-seventh chords support a melody ranging over two octaves.
The Latinish figure may be used as a fade-away vamp to end the piece.
Officially recorded by Atlantic on October 29, 1973, Opus Four may have been premiered
at the Village Vanguard on August 4, 1973, as No Name.
Opus Four
Album Name: Mingus Moves
Label: Atlantic
Bass 2012 Page 48 of 67
bass clef lead sheet
Orange Was The Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk
CHARLES MINGUS
Medium Swing (see notes)
Eb Ab j Bb j E b 6 E Maj7 E b 6
? b 4 .. j j j
1.
..
bb 4
F
Intro
J J
E b 6 E Maj7 E b 6 A B b ## Eb B b7 # 5
#9
b
2.
j j # # # .
9
. ~~ .. # .
7 5 E
? bb J J
b f
J J
3 3 3 3
B b7 # 5 b B b m7 A b m7 D b7sus
#9
# E b
A 7b5
? bb J # ~ ~ b. J J
b J
3 3 3 3 3
3
even 8ths
F # m7 B Eb D bMaj7 E bMaj7 D bMaj7
b.
? b b n b J b J bm w
B7 Maj7 C m7 F7
. n J
b R
~~
3 3 3 3
rush ahead
B b7 E b 6 E Maj7 E b 6 E b 6 E Maj7 E b 6
1. 2.
b
3
J
C Abm9. Db7b . F#.m9 B7 n b E Maj9 F 7(#.9) F 7(# 9)
3
3 3
b. n b n . #
E Maj9
? bb J J J J J b n
b
~~
G 7.
n # b
3 3
~~~~~~~
A7 D m7
? bb .
E m7 D Maj7
# n # J
b
b b b
3
C m7
b.
F7 F m7
b ~~~~~~
B7 E 6 E Maj7 E 6
? bb J
b
3
3 3
3
Album Name: Mingus Plays Piano, Spontaneous Compositions and Improvisations Label: Impulse
Album Name: Mingus At Monterey Label: Jazz Workshop
Album Name: Changes Two Label: Atlantic
Album Name: Charles Mingus Sextet Label: East Coasting
Bass 2012 Page 49 of 67
2 Orange Was The Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk
"It was written for a Robert Herridge television show. It's about a talented composer who meets a rich girl that
tries to ruin his life. She doesn't have anything to offer him but money, so she asks him to write a song and dedicate
it to her dress, which was orange. She knew that nothing rhymes with 'orange'."
Orange... was first recorded on July 30, 1963, by Impulse as a piano solo. However, neither this nor another
composition, Song With Orange, of which Mingus speaks in the quote above, shares many similarities with the
version later played as an ensemble piece in Scandinavia at the start of a European tour in the spring of 1964.
The earliest commercial recording of the band arrangement is from a concert in Paris on April 17, 1964 (Salle
Wagram) which was issued by America. However, the best version was recorded at the Monterey Jazz Festival
on September 20, 1964, by Jazz Workshop. The only studio version was recorded by Atlantic on December 30,
1974. Orange remained in Mingus' repertoire until the end of the European tour in the fall of 1976.
This is another neglected Mingus composition - probably because many found it too difficult to play. The notes
themselves are not difficult, but the conception is complex. Usually the opening chorus represents the standard
rendition of a jazz theme. However, on the Jazz Workshop recording from the Monterey Jazz Festival, Mingus
launches into a free and creative stretching of tune and tempo. Only after the solo choruses does Mingus give us
a clear demarcation of the melody. This transcription is based on that final chorus, or re-capitulation, where the
melody is played in tempo and en forme. Returning to the opening chorus, one now understands:
A is played at a medium tempo the first time but much slower on the repeat; the first two bars of B can be played
in a double-time Latin rhythm and may become a repeated vamp as well; C may be stretched out by pausing on
each tonal center or by giving each chord more beats. Mingus uses an arsenal of devices during the solo choruses,
including: stop time figures, tempo changes, mood changes and the aforementioned stretching of form.
Throughout the performance, a hook figure [ e q e h ] becomes a rallying point for the ensemble.
A
? bb
b J. b . J. b . J. b . J. b . . b
J
b C
B E bMaj7 F D bMaj7 E bMaj7 D bMaj7
? bb C ~~
b ~ ~
~~~f ~~~~
~~~
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 50 of 67
? b b 4 . r . . r
n n
bbb 4 .
f
B b 13 B b m9 E b7#5
3 3
n
F m9 3
n b
3 3
? bb w
bbb
A bMaj 9 D b7sus C 7(# 9)
3 3
D7
? bb w nw b . . n r
bbb
F 7(# 9) B b7 (b 9) E b m9 A b 13(b9)
J
3 3
? bb b . . .
bb R n
3 3 3
3
D bMaj 9
b n
1. D7 2.
D bMaj7
? bb b J . r . w
n
3
.
3
bb
( b m7 ) b
. .
B AAb 7(#9) D7 G m7 C7 F Maj7
n .
? b b n n J n J b n
bbb
B 7 ( 9)
b b A bMaj7 D 7
3
b
? b b b b n .
F m7b 5 E Maj7
J J n n
bbb
C 7(# 9) F 7(# 9) B b7 (b 9)
3
C D b7sus
? b b b . r .
bbb .
n .
R 3
E b m9 A b13 (b9) D bMaj 9
3 3
? bb J . U fine
bbb n w
3 3
( )
Copyright 1975 JAZZ WORKSHOP, INC.
International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Bass 2012 Page 51 of 67
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 52 of 67
Pithecanthropus Erectus
Medium swing q
CHARLES MINGUS
D bMaj7 C 7 (b 9)
A wF w w w
m
G m7b5
? b b b 4 .. 4
Horns b
p
3 3
Bass ( b b b b) 4 ..
? 4
D b/F D b/D Enb7w(b9) b 7 (#11)
w . nA.
? bb b
b
3 ( ) f
? bb n .
bb
w D b Maj7
b wF m7
G m7b5 C 7(b9# 9)
? bb
bb
p
3
? bb b n
5
b
A b m7 D b7 G bMaj7
bw w w
G m7b5 C7
? bb
bb n
f p
? bb b n
5
bb
Bb7 B b7
? bb b w w w w
1.
F m7 F m7
b
Bass walks
C 7(# 9)
B b7
Piano and Horns ad lib on cue
? b b ..
n 6
b b .. n .. 4
F m7 to letter A G m7b5
h= hk ) B b7 B b7
hk= h
? b b b 46 .. U
2.
F m7 F m7
.. 44
fine after vamp
b
(vamp until cue
Interlude G m7b5 F #/G #9
Horns#U
C 7# 5
w .
F m7
? b b b 44 U # w U
w
on cue
b | w
Piano tremolo solo break
Copyright 1975 JAZZ WORKSHOP, INC.
International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved
Bass 2012 Page 53 of 67
? lead sheet Bass 2012 Page 54 of 67
Slippers
ca.
CHARLES MINGUS
Uptempo swing q
( )
B w E b m7 A b7 D b Maj7
? b b w w
b
E b m7 A b7 D bMaj7 F 7 (b9)
? b w b w w
b
( )
C B bMaj7 A b7sus A b7 D bMaj7
? b b . b b . b b b
n
( )
#9 b9
B bMaj7 D b 7 C m7 ()
F 7 b9 B b Maj7
1. 2. last time
to solos
? b b .
F 7# 5 F 7#5
w .. .
C m7
w
( ) fine
Sue's Changes
ca.
CHARLES MINGUS
Medium slow swing q
B b m7 A b7 E b m7 D 7(# 11)
b
j
F m7 E Maj7
A
.
J n J b
n
? b b b 44 .. J
bb
F
A b 7(# 9)
3 3 3
D bMaj7 B b7
n n n
C m7(11) B 7 A m7
? bb w n #
bbb J
b E 7(# 9)
even 8ths
n n n nU
G m7 F m7
n b j 9/G
b b
C
? b b n #
J
bbb J
b A b 7 #5 D b6(9) E b m9 A b13 (b 9)
b9
slower and rit.
very slow E m7b5
, , .
D 6(9)
? b b b ( b ) N # j n b b j n j n . .
n b b J nnnnn##
j
bb
n
. b J
B swing q ca. B A 7 (b 9) F # m7
( #) N N N
D Maj7 E m7 B7
. j b . n.
m7
? ## N
J J J
F 7 (b9)
3
B bMaj7 Db 9
#9
F 7# 5
. n #.
G Maj7 C m7 C m7b 5
b.
j j
? ## n. #. J # nn b
J J J J b
ca.
3
steady four q
C B b Maj7 F m7/B b B bMaj7 F b/B b
b
3
? bb #w b.
3
J
. . . . simile
A bMaj7 A bMaj7
D7 D7
? b b #w b #w
b
D bMaj7 F 13 (b9)
3 3 3
C Maj7 C m7
? b N b b n b n #N
j
A N b bU
b J
3 3
slower and rit.
q ca.
B b Maj7 F m7/B b B b Maj7 F b/B b
D
? bb bw N b b.
3
J
. . . . simile even 8ths
A b Maj7 A b Maj7
b
D7 D7
? b . b #. n #w
b
walk 3
D b7 C 13 (#11)
#9
E C 7# 5
N # n b
F Maj7
? b N b b b # w> nb
b J
3 3 3 3
3
J
#
b
-
~~~~~ n -
A b Maj7
. n - -
3 3
? n J
D7 G Maj7
w
A m7 E m7 A m7 D9
b J | ..
3 3
rhythm
suspends
H A bMaj7 D b7
? ..
D7 C7
b # N b ..
I - Bb7 C 7 (b9) B b7 (b 9) Eb 6
F m7
n b - - b b b ~~~~
-
G m7 F m7 C m7
? b N # ~~~n
b
A b/B b B b/A b G m7b 5 C 7 (b 9) B b 13 (b 9) E 7(# 9) E b6(9)
? j j - b b . b
F m7 F m7 A 7b5
b n J b b j .
J
>
vamp until D.C. *
J A bMaj7 D b7
? ..
#
D7
N b
C7
b ..
bb
F
3 3 3
? b b b 44 " 42 " 44 . .
bb J J
Tuba !
bb
3 3
? bb b j j . .
bb b. . b j J
3
J
!
G bm(maj9 ) (G bm(maj9 )/C b) B bMaj9 ( B bMaj9/E b)
, , n , n
? bb b
bb
3 3 3 3 3 3
? bb b
bb j j j j j
3
b. . b . .
G bm(maj9 ) (G bm(maj9 )/C b ) D bMaj9/G b
,
F m11
n
? bb b
bb
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
? bb b j j j "
bb
b. b.
bbb
3
n
3 3 3
J
3
bb
3 3
b
& b bbb J J J J "
bb J
b b J n n n n # n
3 3 3
b
& bb J " ?
3 3
3 3
B b13 (b 9) E b 7(# 9)
French Horns
b b n n n
? bb J J
bbb
b n n # n
? b b n
bbb
n n
n
3 3
A b13 (b 9) D b 7(# 9)
3 3
3
n n n n n n n n n n n n b J
? bb J
bbb
n n n n
? bb b b n n
n b b
3
bb J
3 3 3 3
3
C Maj7 D bMaj7
b n ,
24 # #
D Maj7
? bb b b n 44
bb n b
# n j # j
3 3 3
3
? bb #
3
n " 2 4
4
3
bb
3 3
b b b 4 j j j j
& bb 4 J J J J J J J n J J J n
3 3
Us Is Two Bass 2012 Page 64 of 67
3
D bMaj9 ( D bMaj9/G b ) G bm(maj9 ) (G bm(maj9 )/C b )
, , ,
? bb b
3 3 3
bb
3 3 3
b j j j j
& b b b b J J J J J J J n J J J n
E F 7(# 9) B b 13 (b 9)
3 3
b b b b ,
? bb b J J
bb
E b 7(# 9) A b13 (b 9) D b 7(# 9) G b13 (b 9)
? b b J n n n , b b b b
bbb n n n J n n b n n
3 3 3
C b 13 (#11)
3 3
D bMaj7
3
C Maj7 D Maj7
fi
? bb n b #
# n J n
n 2 # # 4
bbb 4 4
3 3 3 3 3
fi Coda D bMaj7
nU
D Maj7
? b b 4 # # w
bbb 4
3
Depending on the occasion, Mingus has said that the title Us Is Two referred to the United States and
its contradictions (vis-a-vis black/white, rich/poor, saint/devil, two-faced and so on.) Or that it referred
to himself as a black citizen demanding recognition (the alternate spelling Us Is Too). Or that it was a
tribute to Duke Ellington. Or that it was all of these.
Premiered at the Village Vanguard on September 14, 1971, and only recorded in concert by Columbia
on February 4, 1972, Us Is Two never became well known among Mingus' works. Perhaps its inclusion
in this collection will bring its attention to more musicians.
Us Is Two
Album Name: Charles Mingus And Friends In Concert
Label: Columbia
Bass 2012 Page 65 of 67
b . - b
- -
? # . . w. n . . w.
# .
3 3 3
b
( F 7 fine )
bCw7. - - - - U
?b b ..
. b - w. .
. . b . . b . . b - (U .
w . fine ) b # . . ..
3
?b
* after solos, both voices enter together and play both times
"This was based on a form of music I heard as a kid. My mother used to go to church on Wednesday night. There
was always clapping of hands and shouting. Methodist or Holiness Church. Holiness was a little louder in order
to stir up the spirits, the dead spirits. People went into trances. Women shouted and rolled on the floor. My mother
never did that, but she went."
Wednesday night prayer meeting must be the grandfather of all triple-meter, gospel-soul-funk-jazz compositions.
The elder cousin of Better Get Hit in Your Soul and Slop. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting was first recorded for
MGM/Verve on March 18, 1958, in order to accompany a poetry reading by Langston Hughes. Extended versions
were later recorded in a studio for Atlantic on February 4, 1959; at a jazz festival concert in Antibes -Juan-les-pins,
France on July 13, 1960; and once again in the Atlantic studios on January 23, 1978. For this last recording,
Mingus composed a new counter-melody, in addition to the two themes included in this lead sheet.
Work Song
ca.
CHARLES MINGUS
Medium swing q
b
w
j
w
Fm Bm
? b b b 44 ..
n
b J J
P3
b
3
. . w w
JJ
on repeat only
? bb 4 ..
bb 4
P
fi
1. 2.
G m7b5 C7 Fm C7
b w
Fm
? bb b w
.. w
b
3 3 3
? bb . . w
b
.. J J w
bb
3
fi Coda
? bb w b b U
w w
F Pedal
bb
3 3 3 3
b b
? b b b J J n j w j
J J n w
U
w
b