Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M. Cohan, arr. Marc Adler

Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M. Cohan, arr. Marc Adler | July August 2010

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This duet is based on one of George M. Cohan’s (1878-1942) most popular tunes, “I’m A Yankee Doodle Dandy,” which made its first appearance in his 1904 Broadway musical, Little Johnny Jones. The tune includes a direct musical reference to the much earlier tune “Yankee Doodle,” which dates back to colonial days. That tune was initially used by British officers and militia to describe the disheveled appearance of the American militia prior to and during the Revolutionary War.
This duet arrangement is in the style of the vibrant and upbeat early-20th century popular music, such as you might have heard in Vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley, or late Minstrel, and the eighth notes should be played “straight” or even – not swung. The eighth note remains constant throughout. The measures in 6/8 accent the melody in a more pronounced manner than they would if they were notated in 3/4 with the melody syncopated. Have a fun Independence Day holiday and enjoy the duet!

For a PDF of this duet see Online Extras.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Patterson

Rob Patterson is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Boston University’s School of Music, founder of the online program The Clarinet Sessions, and Acting Principal Clarinet of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. A passionate educator, he is on the faculty for Aria International Summer Academy and is a frequent coach with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Patterson has served as Acting Principal Clarinet of the Louisville and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras and has been a guest instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and at Carnegie Hall’s Youth Orchestra of the United States. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Donald Montanaro and the University of Southern California where he studied with Yehuda Gilad. www.robwpatterson.com for more information.

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