"Hey, Hey Baby" by Big Bill Broonzy

Friends:

I'm pleased to be back this month with what I believe to be one of the most iconic blues numbers of the era. Though I've been very hesitant to do this one because of how frequently this has been covered on the internet, both performances and lessons, I felt I could no longer idly sit by while others continue to misrepresent Broonzy's artistry.

I have been playing this piece for the last 15 years, though I have never transcribed it fully until the score was completed a few days ago. It was immediately apparent that I was still overlooking some of the style and nuance that Broonzy portrays in his many versions. I'm very happy with what was achieved this month, the score is very detailed and is a huge improvement over my last Broonzy offering, the lesson video is thorough, and I think all will be pleased.

My YouTube performance is mostly improvised, I had an idea for the form but did not have a plan for the many minor variations in the melody. The form of my performance is based mostly on the Pete Seeger footage from 1957. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Npu8KFsIY

It will be important to consider that I may not be playing one of the variations as Broonzy originally intended, this is referenced in the lesson video when I demonstrate the several different melodic variations over the E7 chord.

The transcription is based on the recording from either 1956 or 1957, later released through Smithsonian Folkways. You can hear this version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BtPv3WtBCE

Though hard to pick a favorite of the three commercially released recordings I'm familiar with, this one was chosen because it was recorded closest in proximity to the two available video performances (the Seeger footage and Low Light Blue Smoke). It is also the fastest of the three versions at approximately 172 bpm, Broonzy is absolutely cookin' here. It should be noted that this piece still sounds fantastic at the more relaxed tempo of the other recordings.

"Hey, Hey Baby" is basically a 3-chord song, E, A7, and B7, though the E chord happens in a few different places and has various extensions of its harmonic quality. It's important to notice that Big Bill only fingered his first-position E chord with two fingers, and his middle finger leans into the fifth string to mute it, we never actually hear a B on the fifth string while playing the first position E. I discuss this in the lesson video. It's also important to use only thumb and index finger in the right hand if you seek authenticity. I wouldn't play it any other way. Please know that even though the bass has been normalized to typically only show two pitches per strum, it is well within the spirit of Broonzy's playing to hit more than just two strings on occasion. The only instances where the thumb is meant to strum far enough to play a melody note have been reflected in the notation and are covered in the lesson video. Likewise, though the attack of the index finger has been normalized to clean up the melody lines somewhat, one can frequently brush through more than one string with the index while playing the melody and the result will only serve to increase the authenticity of your performance. Also, make sure you are observing the staccato for nearly all bass notes by quickly cutting the sound with the palm. I discuss a few options for doing this in the lesson video.

The lesson video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/-mDMeFGMrG0

The score is attached below. Thank you to all who came back this month.