"Fly Me To The Moon" in the style of Freddie Green

"Fly Me to the Moon" as played by Freddie Green

From the album: It Might As Well Be Swing
Leaders of the session: Frank Sinatra and Count Basie
Recorded: June 9, 1964
LP: Reprise S-1012
Transcription starts at 0'00"; ends at 0'40"
Tempo: 120 beats per minute

Here are sixteen bars which illustrate Freddie's creation of a guitar part that is simultaneously rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic - a defining aspect of his style. Freddie is audible in the passage as the only instruments backing Sinatra are guitar, drums, bass, and piano. Freddie places the majority of the clearly defined notes on the 4th string and the 3rd string. The transcribed notes show only the pitches that can be clearly discerned.

Left hand fingerings are not included. Experiment to find fingerings that work for your technique. Note that Freddie frequently used his left thumb to mute the sixth string.

For instructions on how to play one note and two note voicings, read the our other technique articles.

Transcribed February 2017
Michael Pettersen