skykeys

Hey Harmonizer, thanks for the file! Very cool of you to have attempted to write it out. I will print it out and work on it. I'll get back to you about it when I've gone over it.

MusicFox, on the assumption that you will be able to make your midi file public, (or even send it to me in private, ), is there a way to convert that file (directly or indirectly) into sheet music, or otherwise help me to learn how to play it?

To Jazzmammal and Wastrel, you are entitled to your opinions of course. You don't like that piano intro, that's fine; understandable even. Yea, it's definitely wacky. But I don't think the playing sucks. Jazmammal, if you could recreate that intro note for note and write it out, I'd appreciate it, because, I can't do it. I have not been able to decypher the chords that Lamm plays in that intro. So, I happen to like it, and I just want to play it. It resonates with my musical sensibility. I think it's very interesting and creative. It's certainly different and more complex than most modern commercial dross. And, the feeling that the intro invokes in me, relates very well to the concept of the title of the song. Lamm could have been stoned when he played it, but I don't know that for a fact; do you? I mean, I've never seen or heard of any information about the recording of that intro whatsoever. What I perceive about it is, the melody has form and direction, and I think it's too organized to have been done completely from scratch off the top of his head one time. He must have messed around with it in some fashion in advance, even if he never actually wrote it down. The fact that the piece is "demented", as someone called it here - much earlier on this thread, makes for a great intro to the wonderfully creative and multi-time signature'd horn intro, and again, relates to the "who cares about time" concept. The horn intro is great too. Cool complex chord construction with multiple time signatures, and it resolves beautifully into the main song.

Every band that plays the song starts with the horn part. I mean, I've never heard anyone play the part in question. As far as I know, that album version is the one and only edition of the piece; and it could be that Lamm never played it again. Other live "intros" Lamm played that I've seen/heard video of, don't come close to the original.

Musicfox - outstanding that you have transcribed the intro. I'm very impressed, and excited, even if I'll have to wait - perhaps months? Hopefully no more. I mean, if no one from Chicago management gets back to you, and given that the song (and related intro) is so old, I have to believe (want to believe) that it would be okay to pass it around. I don't blame you for being cautious. But ultimately I can't believe anyone would care. How much money do they think they would be missing out on? I mean, who but a handful of piano fanatics like us would be interested. Who even knows about that intro at this point in time? Since I am the one who started this thread - originally 9 years ago, I give you a big "THANK YOU" for taking the time to figure it out. And thanks for letting us know. Regards, skykeys

So JohnH, you mean the guy did play the beginning part of that solo piano intro (and maybe most of it?) - the part that you said stumps you (and certainly stumps me)? And you think he got it right?

Have never heard this! Wow. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out though writing it out would be a pain. You need to understand close jazz voicings and harmony to be sure. If you didn't have a background in that it would make the process much more difficult. Boda, I did have some basic study in jazz voicings as a younger lad, but not an extensive one. My step son has a Bachelor's and Master's in music theory and composition (piano major), and said he could not decypher that intro either; again, not without spending far too much time on it. If you think you could figure it out, I would love to continue to discuss it with you, at your leisure. Thanks.

Thanks Joe. Yes, it sure seems that way. I tried to fish for it, just to see if anyone had run across a chart for it somewhere along the line. Thing is, I have tried to figure it out, but it quickly became frustrating, because it's difficult to pick out precisely what he's playing. A combination of the lack of quality/clarity of the original recording and the dissonance of the piece, made it impossible for me to come up with anything meaningful. If I have an unlimited about of time to devote to it, maybe I could eventually come up with something close.

I think it might be the case that some of the people who responded here (and thank you all for your input), aren't really sure of the piano intro part that I'm referring to. So, to be clear, this link is from the original CTA album version of Does Anybody Know What Time It Is; as soon as it starts playing, the solo piano part is the part I'm talking about. I have seen several versions of charts that show the music from the part when the horns kick in, which is great; and thanks to everyone who sent me or posted a linked to that chart. The horn parts start around 1:14 of the recording. But I still have never seen anything on the solo piano intro. As Reezekeys said, it is probably an improvised part and there may not be any chart for it. Thing is, the album version intro is melodically well organized enough (imho) that I have to believe Lamm had played around with it several times and had a good idea of what he was going to play, when it was recorded. It's a darn shame that a chart for it doesn't exist, and that he apparently never was able to recreate it live.

LOL , , , Me neither BF.

Thanks for posting that moj! I have to say though, what Lamm is playing there sounds almost nothing at all like the original recording on the album. I don't find it anywhere near as interesting or as well conceived. Neither the melody nor the chord structures are the same. Perhaps part of the reason is that he's playing it on a Horner electric piano. But still, it doesn't sound similar to the original album version to me. Also, it goes on way too long for my tastes. Kind of self-indulgent. I never felt that way about the original.

Entertaining responses. From a practical standpoint, I do realize that you're all correct. It's not worth the effort. No one (but music fanatics like ourselves) would appreciate it, let alone remember it. But since I am one of those fanatics, I just thought I would try to find out if there was a chart for it somewhere; if anyone every played it or knew anything else about it. And what I've found is: no one seems to know a darn thing about it. It apparently has never been played live by Lamm (or anyone else), and no charts exist for it. I am a bit surprised that there is no back story to it; like how it came to be on the album, how he came up with it in the first place, etc. It remains an enigma. Given how mysterious it is, you'd think that would be reason in itself for more information to have been uncovered about it. So, I'm not going to obsess over it or anything, but I will continue to hunt and peck at it occasionally. If any of you ever find out anything about it, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. Thanks for your input.

LOL . . . That is very funny Steve. And probably pretty accurate as well.

Yes, that album is still one of my favorites. Great stuff.

Well, that makes at least two of us looking for it. After all these years, I've not found it yet. I tried to pick it off by ear, and I didn't get far. It will take (me at least) a very long time to try to learn it by ear. But perhaps we could collaborate on it, if you are as obsessed by it as I am.