"Tenderly" – The C Section
Welcome to the 3rd and final tutorial in our beginner exploration of the jazz standard "Tenderly." In the previous lessons, we covered the A and B sections, which form the 1st half of the tune.
We now dive into the 2nd half of the tune which includes a repeated A section that is identical to the 1st A section, and also the C section which brings to tune to its final point of resolution.
A Section Recap
We start by exploring the 2nd A section that runs from bar 17 to bar 24. It’s important to understand that the melody and harmony is completely identical to the 1st A section which we explored in detail in the previous lessons.
Analysing the C Section
We then move into the C section, which spans bars 25 to 32. While the C section shares some similarities with the B section, it features a distinct ending which is used to bring the song to a final sense of resolution.
We pay special attention to the final 5 bars of the tune and we identify the 3625 progression which we have already encountered in our study of the tune "Misty" in the previous module.
Putting It All Together
Finally we play through the entire tune from start to finish and we discuss stylistic techniques and a general recap of the voicing principles that we have covered in this module.
Related Lessons
We introduce the concept of whole-step 251 drills, and how they can be an interesting alternative to drills around the circle of fifths.
A seventh chord is a triad which has been extended to include the 7th degree of the scale. This creates a fuller sound than simple 3-note triads.
Most jazz standards that you come across will contain a 251 progression in some form so it is essential that you know how to construct the 251.
Practice Tips
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Identify Common Progressions: Before playing, take a moment to identify the common progressions such as 25s, 251s, and 36251s. Annotate your lead sheet with pencil to help jog your memory as you play through the tune.
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Slow Practice with Dynamics: Play the piece slowly focusing on accuracy. Add dynamics such as crescendos (increasing the volume) and diminuendos (decreasing the volume) to add more emotion and expression to your performance.
- Melodic Considerations: To gain a deeper understand of the melody, learn the lyrics and sing them in your head as you play through the song. This helps to memorise and internalise the melody so that we are not reliant on the lead sheet.
