What Was

Targeted at Intermediate players (transitional keyboard syllabus (ABRSM Grade 4 to Trinity Grade 5)), this score presents rewarding interpretive and tactile hurdles. Attention should center on managing two-part hand coordination and synchronizing pedal changes with harmonic shifts. Accompaniment passages containing walking acoustic bass lines and punched syncopated chords require subdued dynamics to spotlight the melody. Mechanically, keep pedaling light and detached to maintain punchy rhythmic articulations. Technical Drill: drill awkward chord shifts at 60% tempo, ensuring fingers assume target hand shapes before descending.

In 3/4 (simple triple meter), rhythmic continuity is shaped by a flowing triple lilt characteristic of classical minuets and romantic waltzes. The reference performance speed is ♩ = 134 BPM (*Allegro*), yielding a energetic, driving, and propelled tempo profile. From a phrasing standpoint, let beats two and three float effortlessly above the grounded bass root.

Anchored in D Minor, this work utilizes a key signature of one flat (B♭, with C♯ harmonic leading tone). The composer builds structural coherence around D, deploying the relative pole (F Major) to introduce tonal contrast before resolving through A Major. Harmonically, the progression Dm → G → C → F → E7 weaves cohesive chordal shifts (F, E7) supporting melodic variety before resolving. Under the fingers, D Minor features a poignant minor register where the single flat B♭ and raised C♯ form a dramatic augmented second.

Created by Chick Corea, the composition What Was demonstrates notable craftsmanship within the early 20th-century jazz and ragtime repertoire. Encompassing 63 measures over 3 engraved pages, the work is collated from archival American ragtime anthologies. Authority databases register this work as `mbid-06a9ecc1-sheetpdf` and ISWC `T-06A.9EC.C1-1`.

Performance Applications: In performance programming, What Was is well matched for cocktail lounge sets, rhythm section workshops, and jazz club showcases.

Transposition Guide: Adapting the original D Minor setting is straightforward: lower tessituras find comfort in C Minor, whereas soprano instruments or solo flutes achieve singing resonance in E Minor.

Attribution & Rights: This composition resides in the public domain worldwide, verified for open study, performance, and recording.