102. FRANK ZAPPA: How Could I Be Such A Fool

A detailed analysis of the above Frank Zappa composition, including notated musical examples.

How Could I Be Such A Fool

LYRICS

Other Official Versions:

Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1968)
Mystery Disc (1998)
Joe's Corsage (2004)
FZ:OZ (2002)
The MOFO Project/Object (fazedooh) (2 CD) (2006)
The MOFO Project/Object (4 CD) (2006)
Greasy Love Songs (2010)

NOTES ON THE COMPOSITIONS INCLUDED HEREIN: "HOW COULD I BE SUCH A FOOL ... is based on a modified nanigo rhythm. We call it a Motown Waltz. It stays in 3/4 time throughout, but shifts in the accents occur from section to section. As an American teen-ager (as an American), this means nothing to you. (I always wondered if I could write a love song.)"

Wow! A modified nanigo, huh?

With a tree growing off of its...lemme write this down -- sorta take a few notes ... A nanigo is a Cuban dance (although the Afro-Latin Rhythm Dictionary lists it as an "Afro Dance") -- yes -- in 3/4 time. We reproduce the peculiar rhythmic pattern of the nanigo: 2 bars of 6/8. x is a beat, - is a rest:

Cowbell

x

-

x

x

x

-

x

x

-

x

-

x

Claves

x

x

-

x

-

x

x

-

x

x

x

-

Maracas

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Shekere

x

-

-

x

-

-

x

-

-

x

-

-

Guiro (Down/Up)

D

-

U

D

-

U

D

-

U

D

-

U

Bongos (Upper case bass)

R

L

R

l

r

l

R

L

R

l

r

l

Conga 1 (open, palm)

o

-

p

o

-

p

o

-

p

o

-

p

Conga 2 (open, palm, slap)

o

p

s

o

p

s

o

p

s

o

p

s

Timbales High (X accent)

X

x

x

X

x

x

X

x

X

x

X

x

Timbales Low

X

-

X

-

-

X

X

-

X

-

-

-

Key of C Major
3/4
Quarter note = ca. 108
There are 76 bars

BARFINDER:The word "when" is on the first beat of Bar 5; the word "very" is on the first beat of Bar 7.

PERCEIVED INSTRUMENTATION: Vocals, electric guitars, electric bass, piano, vibraphone, trumpet (other brass/winds? do we hear a bari sax?), drums and percussion.

Part 1
Bars 1-4
Introduction

ACCENTS on the first beat of Bars 2 and 4

Part 2
Bars 5-20
"When I won" ... "in lonely misery. I"

Part 3
Bars 21-36
"Know now that you" ... "that we shared"

A nice running 1/8th-note pattern in the guitar:

Part 4
Bars 37-56
"How could I be" ... "terrible disgrace"

Shifting ACCENTS! This is a pretty background lick at Bar 50. Bars 55-56 ritard slightly into

Part 5
Bars 57-72
"There will come a time" ... "is just a show"

Trumpet

Part 6
Bars 73-76
"How could I be" to end

Big ending, now

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