These Foolish Things - Strumming Pattern?

[scout]

G'day all ,
Would there be any videos here with a basic strumming pattern for These Foolish Things ... not the chord melody ,just strumming to accompany a singer (me ) .
I have a chord chart . in Eb ..
Thanks friends ..

[mr. beaumont]

Start with just quarter notes...

Jazz doesn't really do "strum patterns"

[AllanAllen]

If you take Mr Beaumont's advice. Quarter notes and then the Charleston rhythm will get you a long ways.

Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio is a good version to strum along to. Nice and cool.... I think it's in Eb.

The one on Stan Getz Plays is even mellower and definitely in Eb. I checked this one. (Tip: the first two notes of the melody are D to Eb (major 7th to root)).

[Jimmy blue note]

I do it as a ballad. That's a slower approach and it gives a singer more space to interact with you and interpret the words in a personal way. This piece as a ballad becomes something else completely.

Rubato quarters might work if you need strumming guidance. Use your ear. It's a jazz thing; listening and making it your own.

[mr. beaumont]

Some thoughts...

[ragman1]

Scout -

You've opened a can of worms here, at least from my perspective. There are things you need to sort out before you begin.

First, what sort of guitar will you be using? Acoustic? Nylon or steel? Jazz hollow body like an archtop? Electric solid body like a Strat or something? Each one has a different touch, feel and sound to it.

What key are you going to sing it in? Instrumentals are usually Eb but your voice may need another key. Too high and it won't work, too low and it'll sound boring and dull. So sort out your most comfortable key.

Then are you just going to strum it with your thumb (nothing wrong with that) or use your thumb and fingers? Or strum it with a pick? Or use a pick and fingers both?

Then there's the question of the chords. Are you going to use fairly complex jazz chords or simple ones? This matters and I'll tell you why. If you're struggling somewhat with the chords the danger is your voice can sound weak and insecure because your attention's being distracted. If you want to project properly you can't be worried too much about where your left hand is and what it's doing. You need to be free to sing out with some expression which means putting your energy there, not on the guitar. So my very strong advice is keep the guitar work simple but not too simple. I hope that makes sense.

Obviously it goes without saying, you need to know both the song and the guitar work backwards, which means a ton of practice.

You may think I'm complicating it but I'm not really. Preparation is everything. Of course, if you're just going to sit in your room and grind your way through it that's one thing. But if you mean to perform it, prepare it carefully and thoroughly. It pays dividends.

[scout]

As Scout, can opener in hand, approaches the kitchen drawer, to hide the can opener ... he offers thanks to all here for these great responses .
For Ragman .. my Guitar is an Epiphone Emperor Regent ,played through a12 Watt tube amp .. my voice works OK for tunes in Eb .. I play with a pick .. I think the chords on my chart are fairly basic ( I have a dodgy little finger on my left hand ,which rules out the more complicated chord voicings) .. it's just me and the Labrador in the Music room ,I'd love to play with folks who like this Music ,but there's no-one around who like this style .. and yes, your post all makes sense ..
For Mr Beaumont ..thanks for the Video ,that's about the pace I like to play the tune in , down strokes suit the tune ..
To Jimmy , yes, I like the ballad ..
To Allen .. thanks .. I've not heard of Charleston rhythm . or Rubato Quarters .. so I'm off to do some googling ..
Once again , thanks all ... this website is a great resource .

[mr. beaumont]

Charleston is great...corny as hell, but nothing is corny if it swings. (THANKS to Emily Remler for that altruism)

Though no Charleston for this one unless you're taking it much more quickly tempo wise. Keep it simple...its a lovely tune. And it'll sound great on that Emperor Regent plugged in or unplugged.

[scout]

I'm going Ok with the strumming ...
I have the DVD of Rod Stewart's Great American Songbook and the Guitarists are featured in a few close ups...this has been helpful ,as I like these songs ... I suppose they say where I'm at Musically these days ..

[ohlcv]

I seem to remember Bryan Ferry covering this with a little bit of a reggae lilt