Rhythm-a-ning – “Rhythm Changes” tune* by Thelonius Monk

LEAD SHEETS

Download Vocal Chart

Download C Inst. (piano, flute, voice, violin, guitar, drums)

Download Bb Inst. (trumpet, tenor sax, clarinet)

Download Eb Inst. (also sax, bari sax)

Download Bass Clef (bass, cello, trombone)

LISTENING

Original Recording (Monk Quartet)

Monk’s Version from 1961: Listen for phrasing and inspiration; Notice the way the group (Thelonious Monk (p), Charlie Rouse (ts), John Ore (b), Frankie Donlop (d)) are holding the form together even though there’s intentional rhythmic displacement used by Monk in his comping  on beat 3 of the first bar of the turnaround. It’s important to understand (and integrate) this phrase to fully understand this tune.)

Vocal Recording with Carmen McRae

BACKING TRACKS

*Song based off the chord changes of “I Got Rhythm” by Gershwin but with a different melody. Also called a “contrafact.”