Nature Boy Duet
 

"Nature Boy", written by Eden Ahbez (George Alexander Aberle), became a No. 1 hit for eight weeks in 1948 for Nat "King" Cole and has since become a pop and jazz standard. I have marked under the title, "as sung by Nat "King" Cole", as he and I modify the melody a very little bit in places.

I have marked the tempo as quarter note ~ (approximately) 65 rubato. Essentially, rubato means to play with no strict tempo, and expressively. With considerable minute detail, I could modify the tempo in each measure as I feel it, but that would be quite a bit of work. When you are not playing along with Notation, feel free to be expressive with the phrasing of the passages. Playing along with Notation at a quarter note = 65 will be good enough until you want to emote a little bit.

As some of you may have figured out, Cynthia and I love songs in minor keys. We hope you enjoy this one.

Ralph Rayner