Try As I May (vocal) – Meredith d'Ambrosio
A swinging song with beautiful lyrics and an intricate chord progression. A vocal transcription is available with Meredith's distinctive phrasing.
- Recording: Meredith d'Ambrosio - Wishing On The Moon
- Recorded on: July 24, 2004
- Label: Sunnyside (SSC 1159)
- Concert Key: E-flat
- Vocal Range: Contralto, E-flat3 to G4 written 8va
- Style: Swing (medium)
- Vocal - Meredith d'Ambrosio
- Piano - Cecilia Coleman
- Bass - Tim Givens
- Drums - Vince Cherico
Video
- Description
- Historical Notes
- Solos
- Piano Corner
- Bass Corner
- Drum Corner
- Guitar Corner
- Inside & Beyond
- Minus You
This Meredith d'Ambrosio original pits a funky Latin groove against traditional swing to thrilling results. The melody is based around descending scales that give the song a minor feel even though it's in a major key, an unusual technique that makes this song completely modern. Our audio excerpt starts with the last two measures of intro before Meredith enters on the melody. The introduction on the recording is in a distinctive Latin feel and uses a bass line that recurs multiple times throughout the song. As soon as Meredith enters, the groove melts into a medium swing. The contrast between swing and Latin is further explored in the solo section. On the full recording, Cecilia Coleman takes a solo on the piano over the swing feel, which contrasts with Vince Cherico's drum solo over the Latin groove and bass line. The final head out returns to swing, but closes on a vamp of the Latin bass line.
Lyric Description: This lyric laments how hard it is to forget the enticing qualities of a former lover. It's not just one quality, but every bit of the lover's being that now makes the singer question why it had to end so soon.
No-vocal version: Meredith's track CLIP and the minus you track CLIP2 are both in E-flat; the voice enters on the pick up to A after a seven-measure introduction . This is the arrangement from Meredith's recording (minus Meredith and the instrumental solo sections.)
The no-vocal version offers the singer a perfect opportunity to practice shifting between swing and even- eighth feels. This version begins with a Latin intro followed by one time through the head (swinging). The piano's distinctive hits that go along with the melody cue the singer when to come in. The intro is then played again as an interlude leading the singer back to the head out, and again to end the arrangement, like Meredith's recording. Click on the Minus You tab for more vocal tips.
If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.
Lyric Description: This lyric laments how hard it is to forget the enticing qualities of a former lover. It's not just one quality, but every bit of the lover's being that now makes the singer question why it had to end so soon.
No-vocal version: Meredith's track CLIP and the minus you track CLIP2 are both in E-flat; the voice enters on the pick up to A after a seven-measure introduction . This is the arrangement from Meredith's recording (minus Meredith and the instrumental solo sections.)
The no-vocal version offers the singer a perfect opportunity to practice shifting between swing and even- eighth feels. This version begins with a Latin intro followed by one time through the head (swinging). The piano's distinctive hits that go along with the melody cue the singer when to come in. The intro is then played again as an interlude leading the singer back to the head out, and again to end the arrangement, like Meredith's recording. Click on the Minus You tab for more vocal tips.
If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.
Meredith d'Ambrosio is a wonderful composer, lyricist and musician whose voice and very personal delivery have attracted fans worldwide. She's also an accomplished painter. Visit her website and click on "Paintings."
Check out other compositions on Meredith's "Wishing On The Moon" album.
Check out other compositions on Meredith's "Wishing On The Moon" album.
Vocal Transcription: Since Meredith's recording is available, this edition gives you both the intricacies of the recorded arrangement, and a vocal transcription of her recorded performance, so you can investigate the interesting ways she varies her phrases rhythmically. Comparing these two editions will give you insight into the style and technique of this great artist, composer and lyricist, encouraging you to be creative and exploratory in your own interpretation. Because Meredith has such a low voice, able to sing low "B," an octave and a half step below "middle C," the transcription is written an octave higher than it sounds to avoid excessive ledger lines.
Singers' Corner No-vocal version: Meredith's track CLIP and the minus you track CLIP2 are both in E-flat. This is the arrangement from Meredith's recording (minus Meredith and the instrumental solo sections.)
The no-vocal version offers the singer a perfect opportunity to practice shifting between swing and even- eighth feels. There's a seven-measure instrumental introduction (Latin) followed by one time through the head (swinging). The piano's distinctive hits that go along with the melody cue the singer when to come in. The intro is then played again as an interlude leading the singer back to the head out, and again to end the arrangement, like Meredith's recording.
To see how changing pitch of the minus you version works, we've also raised the pitch a step (to F): CLIP3. There are many programs available to change pitch without changing tempo, both free and paid.
Meredith's Vocal Transcription is also available; interesting to compare her lines as notated with your own interpretation.
If you'd like the lead sheet in another key, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.
The no-vocal version offers the singer a perfect opportunity to practice shifting between swing and even- eighth feels. There's a seven-measure instrumental introduction (Latin) followed by one time through the head (swinging). The piano's distinctive hits that go along with the melody cue the singer when to come in. The intro is then played again as an interlude leading the singer back to the head out, and again to end the arrangement, like Meredith's recording.
To see how changing pitch of the minus you version works, we've also raised the pitch a step (to F): CLIP3. There are many programs available to change pitch without changing tempo, both free and paid.
Meredith's Vocal Transcription is also available; interesting to compare her lines as notated with your own interpretation.
If you'd like the lead sheet in another key, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.
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Meredith d'Ambrosio
born on March 20, 1941
The Boston-born daughter of two professional musicians, Meredith d'Ambrosio far surpasses the layman's use of the term "renaissance woman." Known not only for her musical endeavors, d'Ambrosio is also a visual artist of recognition—an indication of versatility that has undoubtedly added dimension and beauty to all of her endeavors. It's been said of Meredith that she is an artist whose original songs, as well as her lyrics to other composers' music, always have a deep ring of truth. Read more...
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