UCL2 - WEEK 3
"Blue Skies"
This week you will explore a 1926 classic, that was composed as a last-minute by Irving Berlin as an addition to the Rodgers and Hart musical, Betsy. The song exhibits a powerful central theme of happiness trumping depression. Have a listen to Maxine Sullivan performing it in the same key as you will explore!
BLUE SKIES - CHORDS & STRUMMING
This arrangement is in the key of A minor and contains 2 augmented chords C+ and G+ (which have shortened + symbol after the chord name), and an Fm chord which may be a new addition to your chord repertoire. Practising getting to them is the fun part. Below are all of the chords contained within the song.
The strumming patterns vary throughout the song between down strums, calypso and an extended calypso strum on the end chords of each section.
TIPS: Think of the G Augmented chord as a Dm chords but 1 string down and 1 fret across. For the C Augmented (C+) simply play the C chord and add your index finger to fret no 1 on the G string. Try and familiarise yourself with the sound of the augmented chords.
Getting from the open D7 to the F minor works best when you use your index (G string) & middle finger (E string) for the D7 shape, slide both of them back to fret 1 and add your pinky on the C note (3rd fret of the A string). Try practicing these movements a few times before playing the song and watch the videos below for full instructions.
The strumming patterns vary throughout the song between down strums, calypso and an extended calypso strum on the end chords of each section.
TIPS: Think of the G Augmented chord as a Dm chords but 1 string down and 1 fret across. For the C Augmented (C+) simply play the C chord and add your index finger to fret no 1 on the G string. Try and familiarise yourself with the sound of the augmented chords.
Getting from the open D7 to the F minor works best when you use your index (G string) & middle finger (E string) for the D7 shape, slide both of them back to fret 1 and add your pinky on the C note (3rd fret of the A string). Try practicing these movements a few times before playing the song and watch the videos below for full instructions.
LEFT HANDED CHORDS:
PDF Downloads
The song sheet and structure will both need to be downloaded for class.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
INTRO SECTION
The intro is played with down strums. Watch out for the D7 and Fm in the same bar. When playing the G augmented (G+) think of the Dm shape but a string down and a fret across and notice how the final bar changes strum pattern for that one chord.
VERSE 1 & SOLO PART 1 SECTIONS
The verse sections contain calypso strum for all except for bars with D7 & F and the final G+ in bar 8.
VERSE 2 & 3, SOLO PART 2 & OUTRO SECTIONS
Almost identical to the above section, but ending on a C chord.
CHORUS SECTIONS
This is a 2 chord pattern over 8 bars with a step down Cmaj7 right at the end to take you back to Am in the next section.
NB: The solo section is exactly the same as playing verse 1, 2 and the chorus again.
AUDIO TRACKS
The audio play along tracks are a great way to help with home practice.
BLUE SKIES - Level 2 Chords only w/click track
BLUES SKIES - Level 2 Chords & Vox only w/click track
MP3 Download
Download the Mp3 below for the full song arrangement to practice offline too.
NOW OPEN