Feb/10/11
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David Beckingham – If I Had You (Tab)

David Beckingham – If I Had You (Tab)

An interesting one here. David is using the iRealBook ipod app to back himself up. It has chords, bass and drums for a bunch of songs plus you can punch in your own. I wasn’t sure about shelling out the fairly high (for an app) price before but I went for it after I heard this. I haven’t had chance to use it much, but I’ve had fun messing with it. The downside is that it doesn’t give you any notation (standard notation or tab of any kind) so you have to do your own research. Lucky for us, David was kind enough to tab this one out.

Two recommended versions to buy: Dinah Washington’s is best, but Willie Nelson and Diana Krall do a fine version too and that sticks closer to the melody so probably better for tune-learning purposes.

More from David:

The Stripper
Mississippi Blues
In the Mood
The Whistling Milkman

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13 Comments

  1. Emily February 10th, 2011 7:04 pm

    There’s nothing I don’t love about this post.

    1) Love the song.
    2) Love the cute little Kala travel uke.
    3) Love the app (the idea of it anyway. $10?! Really?!)

    Thanks for sharing!

  2. drywell February 11th, 2011 4:03 am

    Fantastic!

  3. sanford(andsong) February 11th, 2011 4:17 am

    Wow. So much better than playing along to records!
    Great demonstration and performance.

  4. Woodshed February 11th, 2011 11:41 am

    Emily: I think we’ve been a bit spoilt by app pricing. It’s amazing to see people complaining about Angry Birds doing a second app after the original only cost 59p. $10 isn’t that much for what it does.

    drywell: Agreed!

    sanford: I pretty much learnt to play by playing along with records so I’m not going to turn my back on it.

  5. Stephen February 11th, 2011 1:02 pm

    This is just class, loving that sound, app sounds cool too.

  6. DB February 11th, 2011 1:21 pm

    Nellie McKay’s version on uke that she performed at the TED conference (found on YouTube) is nothing short of mesmerizing.

  7. david beckingham February 11th, 2011 3:19 pm

    I’m still finding iRealBook really useful; the main limitation is still the small number of different ryhthm patterns available at this stage. In terms of final result I think what it produces compares quite well with Band in a Box, which is so much more expensive. By the way, if you want a really good portable (rechargeable) speaker to plug the ipod (or any other sound source) into go to a shop and try out the logitech S715i. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaXWkwym1ak
    Unbelievable bass sound for something the size of a soprano uke. (sounds better plugged in to the power, but still good on battery.) Thanks everyone for the positive feedback, and thanks DB for reminding me of the wonderful Nellie McKay.

  8. Claudio February 11th, 2011 6:56 pm

    …..and fighting for the Android corner :)

    I don’t know if these are any good but I think I found 2 comparable Android apps:

    – Strummin’ Accompaniment
    – ChordBot Lite 1.09

    I’l try them out at some point and add it to my android page.

    Looks like a fun way to spend time.

  9. selly February 16th, 2011 4:53 am

    My,my. I’ll have to sharpen up my playing skill if you still want me in your band! Real good Dave…

  10. Woodshed February 17th, 2011 11:07 am

    DB: Yeah, certainly agree with that.

    David: Thanks for the pointers on the speaker, might well check that out.

    Claudio: Thanks, you’re now the official Android reporter for the site!

  11. art Crocker September 20th, 2011 3:40 pm

    Thanks for Davids video and tab to the song. It is a wonderful tune, and just spellbinding to watch David B play it so Smoothly, he is a talent,,,,

  12. Noel October 9th, 2011 3:22 pm

    Very nice.Going to get this app and muddle my way through it. Thanks for sharing!

  13. Jo-Ellen June 7th, 2012 9:21 pm

    This message is for David Beckingham. Thanks for your tabs!! I notice you are playing a Kala Travel Tenor with a guitar strap attached at the neck heel. I too have a Kala Travel Tenor Uke and I had a strap button put on at the bottom, but the techs were cautious about putting a button at the neck heel due to the construction and thinness of the travel tenor. I currently have the strap tied at the head stock but prefer it attach at the neck heel. Seeing your strap attach there, I assume there is no consequence to the ukulele. I would love it if I could see the placement of your strap button at the neck heel. A photo would be super helpful. Techs suggested perhaps off to the side but I’m doubting if that’s necessary. Thanks!!

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