Moonlight in Vermont

**alpop** · 01-16-2025, 06:18 PM

Here's another chord melody that started out with the Jeff Arnold arrangement. I altered it as I practiced it.

I'm still working through the book and now have 8 solo pieces under my belt. I'm recording all of them as I go in an effort to improve via the act of recording which is an unbiased reality check.

I'm hoping to get to the point of being able to record more than one chorus of these tunes (with variations) relatively clam free. Love the journey!

If anyone wants to post their version of this tune in this thread please do.

**ragman1** · 01-17-2025, 12:05 PM

alpop -

I've just seen your thread, started yesterday. I've just posted the same tune in the 'melody only' thread as a single-note solo. So our threads might be clashing.

I'd no idea about yours when I worked it out. I was looking for a tune that hadn't been done yet and Moonlight In Vermont popped into my mind, I don't know why. So I do apologise.

My first instinct was to remove it but, on reflection, the two approaches are quite different. So I'm tempted to leave it there unless you have an objection to that.

As it happens, I'm also tempted to work out a chord melody and post it here... Would that suit? It might be quite nice

**alpop** · 01-17-2025, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by ragman1

alpop -

I've just seen your thread, started yesterday. I've just posted the same tune in the 'melody only' thread as a single-note solo. So our threads might be clashing.

I'd no idea about yours when I worked it out. I was looking for a tune that hadn't been done yet and Moonlight In Vermont popped into my mind, I don't know why. So I do apologise.

My first instinct was to remove it but, on reflection, the two approaches are quite different. So I'm tempted to leave it there unless you have an objection to that.

As it happens, I'm also tempted to work out a chord melody and post it here... Would that suit? It might be quite nice

No conflict at all, no need to remove your post in Melody Only. Please feel free to join this thread with a chord melody, that would be great. Others welcome as well!

**pamosmusic** · 01-17-2025, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by alpop

Here's another chord melody that started out with the Jeff Arnold arrangement. I altered it as I practiced it.

I'm still working through the book and now have 8 solo pieces under my belt. I'm recording all of them as I go in an effort to improve via the act of recording which is an unbiased reality check.

I'm hoping to get to the point of being able to record more than one chorus of these tunes (with variations) relatively clam free. Love the journey!

If anyone wants to post their version of this tune in this thread please do.

Sounds great!

the time is also really good … like it has a nice loping along sort of feeling which is really tough with solo guitar. I usually end up falling into …. ahem …. let’s call it a convenient rubato.

**alpop** · 01-17-2025, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by pamosmusic

Sounds great!

the time is also really good … like it has a nice loping along sort of feeling which is really tough with solo guitar. I usually end up falling into …. ahem …. let’s call it a convenient rubato.

Thanks Peter! I've been making a point of not using rubato for the time being anyway. I want to train my hands to move without pausing.

I actually used something that you had pointed out in the Melody Only thread. It was an intro by Ed Bickert that went Db13 to B13 to Bb13. I snuck it in at the 30sec. mark as part of a 2-5 so thanks for that too.

**ragman1** · 01-18-2025, 05:41 AM

alpop -

I've just put this together. It's not perfect. In fact, the last time I did one was several years ago. But at least it's the tune :-)

**alpop** · 01-18-2025, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by ragman1

alpop -

I've just put this together. It's not perfect. In fact, the last time I did one was several years ago. But at least it's the tune :-)

That's nice! It's not easy to play CM on a flat top dreadnought.

You did that quite quickly, so I'm sure that if you were so inclined to put in a few weeks practice, you could smooth it out and have a nice performance piece that's free of "convenient rubato" as Peter called it in a previous post.

I know for myself, it takes me a couple of weeks of several reps a day practicing a tune to get it smooth. (by my hobbyist standards)

I like your tuning and the guitar sounds sweet. You should do more in this style.

You didn't ask for comments, so I hope you don't mind the feedback. You've heard me play so at least you know how many grains of salt to take with my opinions.

**ragman1** · 01-18-2025, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by alpop

That's nice! It's not easy to play CM on a flat top dreadnought.

Especially that one, and no nails :-)

that's free of "convenient rubato"

Ah, quite the contrary in my case. I consider the tune a lyrical ballad or musical poem that absolutely suits a rubato delivery. I don't see, hear, or feel it as a swing number. If it does have a steady rhythm, like the Sinatra version I was listening to, it's a very, very gentle swing indeed.

Thanks for your comments, I was hoping you'd give them. As I said, I'm not really a CM player. I used to play classical so I can do fingerstyle. Jazz CM, however is a different kettle of fish. Of course, if one's just playing something from a page, like a classical piece, that's one thing.

The problem with jazz is that spending a lot of time improvising has made me look for harmonies, connections, and different ways of playing them. I do it naturally and the problem (if it is one) is that no sooner have I used a chord than I think of another one I could use instead. I also tend to forget what I played very quickly.

So CM isn't really my bag, I prefer notes that I can play with on the fly. I hope you don't mind all that!

**alpop** · 01-18-2025, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by ragman1

I consider the tune a lyrical ballad or musical poem that absolutely suits a rubato delivery. I don't see, hear, or feel it as a swing number. If it does have a steady rhythm, like the Sinatra version I was listening to, it's a very, very gentle swing indeed.

Agreed it does suit a lyrical rubato delivery 100%.

My treatment was a self- imposed steady time in order to improve that aspect of my playing. I don't think you can play effectively out of time until you have the control necessary to play in time so I'm working on that.

I used the term "convenient rubato" to refer to pauses included to facilitate fingering changes. If a player is pausing for that reason it is not is not an artistic choice, but rather a technical limitation.

**ragman1** · 01-18-2025, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by alpop

My treatment was a self- imposed steady time in order to improve that aspect of my playing.

With the wrong kind of tune, maybe? These Foolish Things might be better. That's knocking about at the moment.

I used the term "convenient rubato" to refer to pauses included to facilitate fingering changes. If a player is pausing for that reason it is not is not an artistic choice, but rather a technical limitation.

Understood.

**Question** · 01-18-2025, 02:02 PM

Alpop's version of Moonlight in Vermont reminded me of what a great tune it is, so I did an arrangement today and recorded it.

You are welcome to borrow any part of it; if you can't figure out what I am doing, just ask and I will try to explain it.

**alpop** · 01-18-2025, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Question

Alpop's version of Moonlight in Vermont reminded me of what a great tune it is, so I did an arrangement today and recorded it.

You are welcome to borrow any part of it; if you can't figure out what I am doing, just ask and I will try to explain it.

That's really nice! Your talent shines through.

I will give it some study later and use some of your ideas for sure.

Thanks for posting!

**Mick-7** · 01-19-2025, 02:40 AM

The bridge to this tune is a nothing burger, hard to do much with it unless you change it.

**Question** · 01-19-2025, 08:06 AM

My first version was for alpop, here is a more harmonically complex bridge for Mick-7 at his request.

I retained the melody throughout.

Of course this bridge version now has no relationship to the meaning of the lyrics or mood of the song.

Moonlight Bridge.pdf

**Mick-7** · 01-19-2025, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Question

My first version was for alpop, here is a more harmonically complex bridge for Mick-7 at his request. I retained the melody throughout.

Of course this bridge version now has no relationship to the meaning of the lyrics or mood of the song.]

I didn't know I'd requested it but that was nice.

It's the melody and not the harmony of the bridge that I think is dull, just one note repeated for 2 1/2 measures and then the same thing again a semitone higher.

I was playing a two part invention of the tune to post in the melody only thread but when I got to the bridge the sheer monotony of the melody made counter-lines more difficult.

**Question** · 01-19-2025, 01:09 PM

Yes, the bridge melody is a bit one-notey, but I just think of the way that a great singer that I worked with for several years always phrased the words.

I don't have complete freedom to phrase the melody as I am also busy playing the chords, but I hear his voice singing the words in my head and that seems to make me unaware of the repetitive aspect of the melody.

**Question** · 01-20-2025, 09:25 AM

alpop wrote:

(" I don't think you can play effectively out of time until you have the control necessary to play in time so I'm working on that.
I used the term "convenient rubato" to refer to pauses included to facilitate fingering changes. If a player is pausing for that reason it is not an artistic choice, but rather a technical limitation"
end quote

This is such an important and misunderstood point; there is a huge difference between playing "rubato" and playing bad time. Rubato should be a musical instead of a technical decision.

Rubato (robbed time) is the intentional slightly slowing down/speeding up as well as adding short musical pauses, often at the end of a phrase.
Anyone who has ever accompanied a vocalist singing rubato knows instinctively to follow their phrasing.
"Colla Voce" Follow the soloist.

This is not random. (or shouldn't be)

If one is not sure if his/her rubato is a crutch or a tool; try playing a piece in time to see if you are using what Peter cleverly called "convenient rubato".

Thanks to alpop for making this important point so that I didn't have to!

**John H. Power** · 11-26-2025, 03:29 AM

What amp are you using for this song?

**Strat-itis** · 11-26-2025, 05:38 AM

Sounds excellent.

Originally Posted by alpop

I'm hoping to get to the point of being able to record more than one chorus of these tunes (with variations) relatively clam free. Love the journey!

You should! Work up a 2nd chorus with a solo for AAB and the last A the head out.

**alpop** · 11-26-2025, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by John H. Power

What amp are you using for this song?

That was a Quilter Aviator Cub.

I am pretty sure that I had put a cheap little analog delay pedal between the guitar and the input. It would have been set for a really short, almost imperceptible delay just to take the sterility out of the low volume close mic'd clean sound.