Product Description
Published in 1927, Milton Ager composed this song for his daughter Shana, born two years earlier. As an adult, Shana Ager Alexander went on to become a noted journalist and also, in the late 1970s, the liberal half of 60 Minutes "Point-Counterpoint" verbal duels with conservative James J. Kilpatrick! "Aint She Sweet," in the meantime, proved to be a much performed number during the first half of the 20th Century. It became a standard and was recorded by literally scores of artists. To many people, this song symbolized the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties, and this arrangement reflects that periods mood of fast-pace, fun and optimism.
The arrangement opens with a quick statement of the chorus theme. The opening is marked "Moderato" and the suggested tempo is 120. This is followed by a slower treatment of the verse which leads back, in turn, to the familiar melody of the chorus. Tempo marking from this point on is "Andante moderato," about 116 as performed on the audio sample. The first time through, Trombone and Tuba take turns with the melody while Trumpets and Horn accompany. Next, the group repeats the verse, this time up to speed and with each of the five instruments playing bits and pieces of the tune. The verse slows down slightly towards the end, but its back to speed for the final time through the chorus. On this last iteration, Trumpets and Horn have the melody, but Trombone provides a nice counterpoint and, in parts, Tuba carries the actual melody disguised as a rhythmic bass line. The arrangement wraps up with a half-time repeat of the chorus last phrase, more Trombone counterpoint and a sort-of-ragtime tag.
The key is E-flat all the way through. There are two changes of tempo. The arrangement contains some swing rhythmic figures, and in section C there are eighth-note triplets that may require triple tonguing. Notes for all instruments are within normal playing range; possible exception: Trumpet 1 has several notes of A above its staff.
Completed in 2022, performance time for "Aint She Sweet" runs about 2 minutes, 47 seconds. The composer, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge. He would also like to receive your suggestions, comments, corrections and criticisms. Contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus or Sheet Music Direct search box. (Also, purchase of this piece entitles you to your choice of another of his arrangements at no charge; send a copy of your purchase receipt directly to him at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.)
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