Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music

Find the perfect Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music for your next performance. Discover our wide range of scores and arrangements for all levels of ability.

About the Song

“Canal Street Blues in C” is a song written by Jelly Roll Morton in 1923. The song is named after Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a center of vice in the early 1920s. The song reflects the seedy atmosphere of the street with its references to crime and prostitution.

History

The song was composed by Jelly Roll Morton in 1905 and was first recorded by his band in 1923. Morton said he wrote the song while living on Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. The street was a center of prostitution in New Orleans at the time and Morton may have worked there as a young man. The lyrics make reference to some of the slang used by prostitutes at the time. The song has since become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists.

Lyrics

Walking along, minding my business
I stumbled upon a place called Canal Street
Down in New Orleans, where the good times meet
I had myself a time, oh what a treat
Sipping on wine, eating crayfish
Listening to the jazz band play
I could stay forever and a day
On Canal Street

About the Artist

Canal Street Blues in C was composed by Jelly Roll Morton in 1905. Morton was born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 20, 1890. He was a self-taught pianist and bandleader who helped to popularize jazz music in the early 20th century.

Life and Career

Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist. His playing is characterized by an uncommon vigor and insight for its time.

Bechet’s erratic temper caused him to be banished from New Orleans in 1917. He journeyed to Chicago, where he joined King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band at the Gold Coast club. Bechet soon returned to New York City and settled into a successful career as a musician and bandleader.

In 1925 he traveled to Europe with Noble Sissle’s orchestra. While in Paris he recorded several sides under his own name for the Okeh label including “Sheik of Araby” and “Poor Joe”. He also recorded with Duke Ellington’s Washingtonians that same year. In 1927 he toured Russia with Will Marion Cook’s Blackbird Orchestra becoming one of the first American jazz musicians to perform in that country.

Bechet returned to New York City in 1929 and worked extensively as a studio musician and sideman throughout the 1930s. He recorded with Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bing Crosby, Bessie Smith, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington (1930 & 1940), Eddie Condon (1940), Mezz Mezzrow (1940), Sidney DeParis (1940), Jimmy McHugh (1941), Coleman Hawkins (1939–42), Charlie Parker (1945) and Dizzy Gillespie (1945).

Musical Style

The song “Canal Street Blues” is a traditional jazz composition. It was written in the early 1920s by Jelly Roll Morton, a New Orleans-based musician and composer. The song is in the key of C and has a moderate tempo. It is typically played by a band or orchestra that includes brass instruments, such as trumpets and trombones, as well as woodwinds, such as clarinets and saxophones.

Where to Find the Sheet Music

Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music can be found online at a number of different websites. The most popular website for purchasing sheet music is Sheet Music Plus. You can also find the sheet music on Amazon.

Online

The Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music can be found online via a number of different sources. A quick Google search will reveal a number of websites where the sheet music can be purchased or downloaded for free.

Some of the most popular websites for finding sheet music include Musicnotes, Sheet Music Plus, and 8notes. These websites offer a wide range of Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music, as well as other pieces of sheet music for a variety of instruments and genres.

In addition to these websites, the Canal Street Blues in C – Sheet Music can also be found on a number of other websites that specialize in selling or sharing sheet music. These websites include Noteflight, IMSLP, and Scribd.

In Stores

The music for “Canal Street Blues” was published in two versions in 1923. One was for full band or orchestra, and the other was for solo piano. The solo version was included in several piano method books of the day and should be easy to find. You might look for it at a used music store, or try an online retailer such as JW Pepper (www.jwpepper.com). The full band/orchestra version is available from several online sources, including www.hdischnermusic.com and www.sharmusic.com.

How to Play the Song

“Canal Street Blues” is a 1929 jazz standard written by Sidney Bechet. The song is in the key of C and has a moderate tempo. The chord progression is C-F-G7-C.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re just starting out with the Canal Street Blues in C, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your practice sessions:

– Although the melody is relatively simple, it’s important to take your time and learn it slowly and accurately. Once you have the hang of it, you can start to speed up.

– Listen to a recording of the song to get an idea of how it should sound. There are many different interpretations of this blues classic, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t sound exactly like the version you’re listening to.

– The key to playing any blues song is to add your own personal touch. As you become more familiar with the tune, experiment with adding your own embellishments and improvisations.

Tips for Intermediate Players

playing the melody:
The melody of this song is in the key of C, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to play. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, remember that the melody is played by the right hand. Second, the melody is mostly made up of eighth notes, so make sure you play each note for the correct duration. Finally, there are a few places where you have to hold notes for two beats instead of one. These are called “half notes.” When you see a half note in the sheet music, make sure to hold that note for two beats instead of one.

playing the accompaniment:
The accompaniment for this song is also in the key of C. To play it, you’ll mostly be using chords that are built on the first, third, and fifth scale degrees (i.e., C, E, and G). These chords are called “primary chords,” and they’re some of the most important chords in any key. In this song, you’ll also use a couple of other chords built on scale degrees that are a little bit higher up (i.e., D and F). These chords are called “secondary chords.” When you see a secondary chord in the sheet music, make sure to play it for just one beat before moving on to the next chord.

Tips for Advanced Players

If you are an advanced player, you can try adding some embellishments to the melody. For example, you could add trills or vibrato. You could also experiment with different dynamics and articulations.

Here are some tips for playing the melody of “Canal Street Blues” in C:

-Start by practicing the melody slowly. Once you have the hang of it, you can gradually increase the tempo.
-Pay attention to the articulation markings in the sheet music. This will help you create a smooth, flowing melody.
-Remember to use a light touch when playing the blues. This will help create a relaxed and soulful sound.
– Allow yourself to express your own emotions while you play. The blues is all about feeling, so don’t be afraid to let your own personality shine through.