Splanky, chord progression?

[Thaum1el]

Hello.

I've been sitting with this song, Splanky, by Neal Hefti. I've transcribed the notes for the song, as played by Count Basie's orchestra on The Complete Atomic Basie.

I've figured out that during the main part, a Db pentatonic / blues scale works pretty well.

But I haven't figured out the chord progression at all. I also suspect that during the break there's a key change, possibly to Ab major (if nothing else because I believe the song ends in an Ab chord of some kind).

Anybody happen to be sitting on the chord progression for this great song? It's a song that's very satisfying to play along with!

[oldane]

I know the tune, have had the recording for many years, and I just relistened to it on YouTube (I'm at work now). It's a 12 bar blues. I don't hear any modulation anywhere, but there is a small twist. I can hear that a chorus at least in one place ends on a VI7 chord instead of the tonic (followed by a a break with a not played but implied II - V7 - at lest I hear it as that - which resolves nicely to the tonic at the beginning of the next chorus).

[Thaum1el]

So, is it a general 12 bar blues, or what is called a Count Basie Blues Changes, as presented on this site?

If latter, it implies the progression would look something like:

Db7 / Gb7 - Abdim / Db7 / Abm7 - Db7
Gb7 / Abdim / Db7 / Bb7
Ebm7 / Ab7 / Db7

Keep in mind, I'm completely new at this.

[oldane]

So, is it a general 12 bar blues, or what is called a Count Basie Blues Changes, as presented on this site?

If latter, it implies the progression would look something like:

Db7 / Gb7 - Abdim / Db7 / Abm7 - Db7
Gb7 / Abdim / Db7 / Bb7
Ebm7 / Ab7 / Db7

Keep in mind, I'm completely new at this.

Yes. But as you can see on the quoted web site, there are several variations on 12 bar chord progressions. Some of them are mentioned in the web site, others are a combination of those, and still others have other twists to them. Basie arragements didn't always follow the "Basie Blues changes" strictly, especially not after 1950 when the arrangements became somewhat more modern. In this case, there is a twist, as I wrote, and it's not uncommon to find intersected breaks etc.

For a start, you could try to play 4-to-the-bar rhythm guitar along with the record and see if it fits. If there is a twist, you can't figure out, just lay out, until you get it.

BTW, "Splanky" is written and arranged by Neal Hefti, so you may try to search the internet for his name plus "Splanky" and see if you can find something. I'd be surpriced if there wasn't a lead sheet for it somewhere out there.

You may like the following very portable small books (fits in an accessory comportment of a guitar case):
Amazon.com: Pocket Changes - Standard Chord Progressions (Volume 1): Glenn Fisher, Mike Tracy: Books

Theres also a volume two with just as many songs as vol. 1. They have chord symbols only - they are not lead sheets. More than 800 songs in total. All the standards + more. The changes are pretty accurate.

OT:
There's a funny story about the beautiful "Lil' Darling" from the same record. It was originally thought as a medium tempo swing tune. At the rehersal, while the band was playing it, Basie sat absent minded in a corner with his horse race magazine for a long time, but finally put down the magazine, rose from his chair, went up to the band and said: "I think we should try it soft as a slow ballad". A classic was born.

[Thaum1el]

I found a Swedish variation "Real Jazz Book C", where Splanky was included. This is what it says:

A:
Db7 / Gb7 / Db7 / Db7
Gb9 / Gb9 / Db7 / Db7 - Gb7#5
Eb7b9 / A9 - Ab9 / Db7 - Bb7#9 / Eb - Ab7#5

B: (Same as A for solos)

C:
Db9 / Gb9 - - C9/ - Db9 - - / Abm7 - Db7
Gb9 / Gb9 -- C9 / - Db9 - - / Cb9 - Bb9
Eb9 / Ebm7 - Ab9 / F7 - Bb9 / Ebm7 - Ab9
Db

Therefor I think I concider this matter kind of solved. Trust me asking annoying questions about it soon on the soloing forum.

I also want to thank you for all the great little advice and stuff you provided. I will look into those pocket changes. It'll save me the time of compiling them for myself, I guess.

There's also two fancy iPhone apps: iReal Book and iGigBook. As I recall they're quite expensive, though.

[oldane]

Trust me asking annoying questions about it soon on the soloing forum.

You are very welcome - that's what these fora are for. There is no such thing as dumb questions - only dumb answers.

Also check out this:

http://valdez.dumarsengraving.com/557JazzStandards.PDF

A PDF fake book with 557 lead sheets including chord symbols (I don't know if it has "Splanky", though). It should keep you busy for a while .....

[lindydanny]

I concur. 12 Bar blues. I bought the big band chart a while back when I was still playing trombone. I could probably find it if you wanted to take a look.

~DB

[Thaum1el]

oldane: Wow. That WILL keep me busy for a LONG while. Thanks again!

lindydanny: It'd be great. If you happen to find it, before you do anything with it (such as copying it by hand or making a scan or whatever), check if it's the same thing I've written above, though. If it's exactly the same changes, it wouldn't be any point in copying it.

But it'd be great if there are some differences - the above version seems quite advanced for me, as a beginner.

[lindydanny]

I'll see if I can find it. The home office/studio/guest room/sewing room is a mess at the moment.

The only difference that I'm fairly sure of is that the chart I have is written in Bb.

~DB

[Thaum1el]

Good. Nice to have it in another key. Will help with reference when I transpose. Thank you again!

[Walmartyr9]

Great tune. Can't remember the chords though, sorry.

[cosmic gumbo]

Have gigged this tune many times and we just ran it at big band rehearsal last Monday. It's just a blues, but like most big band guitar charts, it's chock full of voice leading chord changes, which makes for a 3 page chart. Are you looking for the most basic changes, or all the changes?

[Thaum1el]

I actually want to be able to play along with the Count Basie recording, as well as figuring out how to improv. over it. Seeing as how I'm a total newbie at it, the simpler is probably the better.

[cosmic gumbo]

These are the basic changes to the Sammy Nestico chart that Basie recorded.
12 bar blues.

/ Db / Gb9 / Db / Db Gb9 /
/ Gb9 / Gb9 Gdim / Db / Bb7 /
/ Eb9 / Ab9 / Db Bb7 / Eb9 Ab9 /

Understand that they use a different approach in measure 4 going to the IV7 chord and measure 8 going to the V7 chord, every time they go through the changes. Use you ear for those classic variations. We must have a dozen Basie tunes in our band book. I'm a lucky guitarist.

[Thaum1el]

Thank you, that's quite helpful! Think I'll go with those changes and try to figure out the other ones.

[yrret leppach]

Hi , just registered.saw your request bach in 2011. there is a Splanky pdf with full band parts by Sal Nistico including guitar and piano chords in Gb. i have a lead sheet in Eb.I hope this might be helpfull to you . yrrey leppach.