Burt Bacharach – Walk On By (Tab)

Walk On By (Tab)

Is this the first time I’ve done a Burt Bacharach song? I think so. And it’s a huge omission. One that Shireen of Mighty Ukulele suggested I fix.

I’m playing this mostly fingerstyle. The only strumming is done where you see the arrows in the tab. Most of these are finger-strums. But there are thumbs in the, “In silence…” section and the final chord.

I got asked why I use my thumb to strum when I’m so against it usually. There is a difference between general strumming and strumming in a tune. In solo playing using your thumb will give you a softer sound. It’s also more practical sometimes. When you need to strum up to a specific string it’s a whole lot easier to do with your thumb.

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14 Comments

  1. Neil September 29th, 2011 8:17 pm

    Bloody marvellous mate, I got maudlin over several women listening to the Stranglers version in my youth.

  2. RobNY September 29th, 2011 9:37 pm

    That was an outstanding perfomance! Just beautiful. I’m going to add this one to my repertoire (hopefully). This combined with Crazy,Moon River.Simply excellent! Thanks.

  3. Jeffery Feaster September 29th, 2011 10:02 pm

    Outstanding as always. I also think you make a good point about the thumb strum being the best choice sometimes. I think your arrangement of Crazy requires the use of the thumb. Thanks for adding a little Bacharach to your fantastic songbook.

  4. Litt September 30th, 2011 12:46 am

    Great stuff. I guess its time I start to try fingerstyle.

    Any suggestions for those of us who keep our nails short? (besides grow them out).

  5. Craig September 30th, 2011 5:39 am

    Uh. How in the hell do you keep your music room so clean????

    oh, sorry. nice picking. but I hate Bacharach.

  6. Ron and Jeanne September 30th, 2011 8:41 am

    So pretty!

  7. Lincoln September 30th, 2011 1:48 pm

    Nicely done. Thanks!

  8. Jeff / Humble Uker September 30th, 2011 3:10 pm

    Great arrangement Al. I tried it on my trusted bari and can see some ways I can modify to suit my Low D.

    Thanks!

  9. Woodshed September 30th, 2011 10:45 pm

    Thanks very much for the kind words, everyone.

    Litt: I keep my nails short too. I actually prefer the sound that way.

    Craig: It’s actually my music room/office/living room. It’s not exactly spotlessly clean. I think the camera hides it.

  10. Snojimbo September 30th, 2011 10:47 pm

    @Craig – I reckon Woodshed now lives in a mansion after the success of all his books. So when he make a mess in one room, he just moves into another. Lucky guy!

  11. shireen October 1st, 2011 4:36 pm

    thank you very much :) its fantastic …

  12. Woodshed October 2nd, 2011 1:50 pm

    shireen: Thanks very much for the suggestion.

  13. ukulele pa October 13th, 2011 2:29 am

    Thank you so much Al, a great arrangement of a great song.
    Will complement Crazy & Moon River.
    You totally deserve the no.1 uku site.
    Love your work..
    Ukulele Pa

  14. Jimmy October 13th, 2011 7:48 pm

    That was perfect.

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