When a fan of old school music comes across the phrase “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)”, they will instantly recognize the classic song performed by The Andrews Sisters. The catchy piece was released in 1942, during the Golden Age of Swing, and it has become an iconic favorite amongst many music enthusiasts. As with all popular songs, it has been the subject of much debate, including the exact chords used in the song.
In order to understand the chords for “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)”, it is important to have a basic understanding of the music notation that is used. The chords are written in a standard 4/4 time signature, with the following chords: G, D, A7, and F. The first three chords are major 6th chords, while the F is a minor 6th chord.
In terms of playing the chords on an instrument, the best approach would be to use the open position voicing of the chords. For example, when playing the G chord, use the open position G chord voicing, which consists of strings 4, 3, and 2.The same is true for the other chords, as they can all be fingered in the open position. This approach makes the song easier to play, and it is more important to stay in the rhythm.
In addition to being easy to play, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is also easy to sing. The key for this song is D major, and each chord has a lyrical component associated with it. For example, the G chord corresponds with the “don’t sit under the apple tree” line, and the D chord goes with the “with anyone else but me” line. Therefore, the song is relatively simple to learn in terms of integrating the lyrics with the chords.
Finally, when playing the song and attempting to stay in tempo, it is important to use a metronome. This way, the player and accompanying vocalist will not stumble or rush through the song. The tempo of this particular song is around 160 beats per minute, and the use of a metronome can ensure that the song is played consistently, while also allowing the singer to stay in the rhythm.
Chord Progression
In music theory, the chord progression of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is relatively simple. It begins with a G major, then moves to a D major, followed by an A7 major, and lastly a F major. This is a common chord progression in the swing and jazz genres, and it is often referred to as the “Fifties” chord progression.
As far as the harmonic structure of the song is concerned, it is largely diatonic, meaning that the chords all exist within the same key. This makes it rather simple to improvise over, as musicians don’t need to worry about changes in keys. The only chord that isn’t part of the key is the A7 chord, which creates a bit of tension within the harmonization of the song.
When playing the song as a solo, it is important to consider the “embellishments” that can be added to the chords. These embellishments aren’t necessary when accompanying a vocalist, but they do add a nice texture to the solo. For example, when playing the A7 chord, a guitarist might add a ninth and/or a flattened fifth.
It is also important to consider the rhythm of the song, as it has a strong swing feel. This means that the eighth notes should be played slightly off the beat (staccato), instead of on the beat. Doing this not only gives the song a more authentic swing feel, but it also creates a nice contrast with the vocalist, who will likely be performing on the beat.
Harmony
When looking closely at the harmony of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me),” one can see that each of the chords used in the song are closely related. This makes it easy to transition from one chord to the next, as there is a certain familiarity between them.
The song also has a fairly traditional harmonic structure, with no extended or altered chords. This means that the song does not contain any unusual changes, which is useful for anyone who is just starting to learn about chords andharmony.
When playing the song as a solo, it is useful to think about the contour of the melody. The song starts off with a G major, followed by a D major. This implies that the melody should move from a low note to a higher note, as G is lower on the scale than D. This is known as a “step progression”, and it is a common technique used when improvising over songs.
The A7 and F major chords should also be considered when playing the song as a solo. When changing from the A7 to the F major chord, the melody should move from a higher to a lower note. This is also a step progression, as the A7 is higher than the F major on the scale.
It should also be noted that the harmony used in “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is the same as the melody, which means that the harmony follows the melody at all times. This type of harmonic structure is known as “melodic harmony”, and it is a common trait in pop and rock songs.
Endings
The final chords of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” are F major and G major, with the G major being the tonic. There are two common endings played over these two chords. The first is a I-IV-I-V-I ending, which begins with the F major chord, followed by the G major chord. This ending serves to reinforce the G major chord, which is the tonic of the song.
The second type of ending for “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is a I-IV-V-I ending, which begins with the F major chord and progresses to the G major chord. This ending is a bit more musically sophisticated, and it creates a sense of resolution as the G major is played for a second time.
When playing the song as a solo, it is important to consider the groove of the song. The swing groove of the song relies on the eighth notes being slightly behind the beat. This is what gives the song its characteristic swing feel, and it is essential to getting the song’s groove right.
The ending of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is also important. The final chords should be emphasized with staccato eighth notes, as this helps to complete the groove of the song and give it a definitive ending.
Metronome
It is vital to use a metronome when playing “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)”, as it can help to keep the rhythm consistent. As previously mentioned, the tempo of the song is around 160 beats per minute, and using a metronome can help to keep the same beat throughout the song.
Using a metronome can also help to ensure that the accompaniment does not overpower the vocalist, especially when playing with a band. This is especially true for the ending of the song, as it is important to finish on the right beat.
A metronome can also be useful when practicing the song as a solo, as it helps to keep the rhythm consistent. It can also help to speed the song up if needed, which can give the solo more energy and drive.
Finally, a metronome can aid in the development of swing feel, which is essential for any jazz or swing tune. By keeping the beat slightly behind the beat, musicians can gradually hone in on an authentic swing feel, which makes the song come alive.
Conclusion
Playing the chords for “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)” is relatively simple and straightforward, as the chord progression consists of diatonic chords. It is best to use the open position voicing of the chords, as it makes it easier to stay in the tempo. When playing the song as a solo, it is important to add embellishments to the chords, as well as playing the eighth notes slightly behind the beat. Finally, a metronome can be a helpful tool for keeping the rhythm consistent, as well as honing in on an authentic swing feel.
