The iconic song ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ was recorded in 1942 by Glenn Miller, and since then it has held a special place in the history of popular music literature. The song is a well-known standard, and is available as free printable sheet music. This free sheet music includes all of the musical notation and lyrics, in both the jazz and swing versions.
Since first released, the song has been one of the most popular songs in the US, having been performed and recorded multiple times by a variety of major pop and jazz icons. It has a straightforward arrangement in the form of a six stroke tune based on a standard 12-bar blues progression. The lyrics evoke a sense of caution against premarital relationships and the danger that carries.
The classic lyrics used in Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree have remained constant throughout the years, however different interpretations have often been used by artists. Originally recorded as a vocal singles, it was given the swing treatment and adapted for big bands in the 40s and 50s, then in the 60s it was frequently performed as an instrumental piece, before the swing version was revived in the 70s.
The sheet music available offers an excellent opportunity to learn the song and use it in your own performances, whether a cover or as part of an arrangement of your own. All of the sheet music is formatted for easy reading and includes all of the lyrics and musical notation clearly marked. The sheet music caters to all levels of ability, providing both a basic melody line as well as a more complex improvised jazz approach.
The free printable sheet music includes both the jazz and swing versions, allowing you to switch between the two depending on the setting or preference. The original lyrics remain the same, but the familiar pattern of the 12-bar blues progression and the improvisation of certain phrases add a fresh feel. Learning and playing this song can be immensely rewarding as it hones your skills in both sight-reading and jazz improvisation.
Although Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree is often associated with the swing era of the 40s, it is an easily adaptable number that has been adopted to a variety of moods and styles, from country to rock and beyond. It can be quickly learned and adapted to other styles, making it perfect for impromptu covers or just learning for its own sake.
Arrangings
While it is easy to learn the main melody of Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, there is much more to the song than just that. Sheet music arranged specifically for the song is available, allowing you to better understand the nuances of the composition. Arrangements can be found for multiple instrument combinations such as solo, duet, trio, quartet, and even big band.
For more experienced musicians, further differentiated arrangements can be found, providing more access to the more intricate aspects of the piece. These more complex variations require more practice and experience, but offer a greater potential for improvisation and exploration into the secrets of all that is contained within the song, making for a rewarding learning experience.
For those wishing to pursue the finer details of ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, sheet music that includes more complex variations on the traditional melody can provide a useful resource. A greater understanding of the key changes, as well as more intricate rhythms and licks, can offer a unique insight into the old classic, producing a captivating, unique performance of the song.
Performances
Although ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ may not be one of the best known songs of all time, it has acquired an important place in the world of popular music, having been performed and recorded by some of the most acclaimed musicians of the day. It has featured as the center song in processional musicals, and has also been incorporated into productions from rock to country. Its versatility makes it a valuable learning and performing tool.
While it is possible for an advanced musician to simply decipher the traditional arrangement in order to perform it, take it to the next level by fusing it with other influences. Not only do the traditional and more contemporary influences blend well together, allowing you to package the number up in your own unique style, but it also capitalizes on the already catchy melody and blues-based structure to make entertaining performances.
The typically improvised middle section of ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ compels musicians to explore the piece on a deeper level. This improvisation allows musicians to express themselves, permitting them to create a unique arrangement which can then be molded into their next performance. This helps to ensure the song is ever-evolving, helping to make each interpretation fresh and interesting.
Covers
The famous Glenn Miller recording of the song has been regularly covered by the world’s leading rock and jazz artists. The numerous interpretations have made it increasingly accessible to the public, helping to keep it alive for decades. Well-known performers of this classic have included Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, and even The Supremes.
The popular Glenn Miller recording is often seen as a standard, allowing other artists to add more creative interpretations of the song to the repertoire. If you’re looking to cover the song, try incorporating the style of one of these performers. It can help to mould your own interpretation of the classic and create a unique performance.
Covering ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ can arguably be much more intricate than performing the traditional version. Listen to some of the recent covers to get an understanding of how the song can be adapted and presented in a different light. Learning how to bring a unique flair to the old classic can help to create entertaining performances, and help make sure the original is never fully forgotten.
Creating an Arrangement
If you wish to create an arrangement of your own, the first step is to get an understanding of the song with the help of the lyrics and sheet music. Once this is secured, percussion instruments can be implemented, first as an accompaniment to the melody and then as a more soloistic instrument in itself.
Vocals are another powerful aspect of ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, and offering multiple singing opportunities throughout the song. Horns and brass add spice to the piece, with solos and answers, as well as responding to transitions within the song. The use of different leading techniques such as vocal scat and syllables can help to add further flair and intricacy, allowing soloists to make the song truly their own.
Other instruments such as a piano, guitar, banjo or mandolin are essential for providing a instrumental foundation, allowing a greater degree of freedom when accompanying the song. They can also serve as a solo instrument, allowing you to use improvisation techniques to jazz up the performance. Overall, ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree’ is a powerful, versatile piece that can be arranged in many ways, and so offers ample material for arranging or improvising.
Instruments
If you’re looking for a complete arrangement for ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, the core elements should include drums, bass, keyboards, and horns. Drums and bass provide a solid foundation to serve as a platform for the song, marking out the grooves as well as transitions. A piano or keyboard can then be used to provide a combination of accompaniment, soloing, and improvisation.
The extra finesse is brought in through the horns section. It is an essential addition to the combination of instruments, and can provide solos, transitions, and imply various moods. A section of either two trumpets or two trombones helps to fill out the sound and drive the number. Vocals should also be included, although they are often used sparingly, typically just to provide a few small ad libs throughout the piece.
Essentially, it is possible to assemble an ensemble to cover ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’. While a full big band isn’t necessary to produce a good performance, including a variety of instruments will help to make it sound as if it were recorded by the original Glenn Miller big band.
Exploring Creative Music
‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ is such a delightful and enjoyable classic that it is the ideal piece to use as a base on which to explore the creative world of music. When the structure is mastered, the possibilities of engaging with music in this way are vast. Learn how to interpret the melody individually and tailor it to a specific style or instrument.
Adopting a fundamental level of musical understanding and applying it to ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ can provide a fresh approach and open the doors to create something genuinely distinctive and delightful. Its globally recognizable appeal is ever-present, and can be used as a base for musicians looking to explore the possibilities of suitable accompaniment and arrangement for their performances.
Having an awareness of the composition of the song and how it has evolved and been adapted over the years is essential. This can be obtained through personal study of the free printable sheet music and how various interpretations have impacted the cultural impressions of ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’. The more basic techniques can help to introduce a sense of familiarity and the more advanced techniques can help you develop a more creative, unique performance.
