James Bond Theme (Simplified Tab)
October 4, 2009
James Bond Theme (Simplified Tab)
Last in the series of Easy Themes is a reworking of the James Bond Theme. And it’s still not all that easy. I’ve tried to reduce that amount of switching between picking and strumming, but there’s still a lot of it.
The first two bars is done with the thumb on the G string, index on the E strings and middle on the A string. The next section has the thumb on the G and strumming the other strings. The main theme is all strums. The most difficult section is the one that begins with bar 19. This part combines a bit of all those mixed up.
The coda strays a bit far up the neck. If you haven’t got access up to the 14th fret, you could try it this way:
It doesn’t sound quite right but you might just get away with it.
Hawaii Five-0 (Simplified Tab)
October 1, 2009
Hawaii Five-0 (Simplified Tab)
Blog Status Update: It looks like the blog problems are under control (for the moment at least). The old theme which you know and tolerate is back but in a reduced state. Some of the missing features (like the related posts) might reappear once I get braver. A huge thanks goes to J-Hob for helping out. Would anyone miss the ‘Latest Comments’ bit in the sidebar?
Today’s easy tab is a version of Hawaii Five-0 which is simplified, shortened and moved down the neck for soprano players.
One part to take care with is the end of bar 7. Use your middle finger to fret that so it’s in place for the Bb chord in the next bar.
Indiana Jones Theme (Simplified Tab)
September 29, 2009
Indiana Jones Theme (Simplified Tab)
Blog Problems: You might have noticed that they blog looks bloody awful. I’ve been having major problems with it and have spent all day desperately trying to fix it whilst holding back the tears. So things might look and act a little strange (or not work at all) for a while. In fact, posting this might break all the internets. But let’s give it a go. If anyone is giving out hugs, I could really use one. Or, failing that, a bucket full of diazepam might do the trick.
I always like the challenge of trying to get everything that’s going on in a piece into a uke arrangement. Which means most of my arrangements end up being trickier than they need to be. So this week I’ll be taking some of the theme tunes I’ve tabbed before and simplifying them down to make them more accessible. Starting off with the Indiana Jones Theme.
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust (Intro Tab)
September 20, 2009
This one brings back memories. My first band consisted mainly of me (a sullen Yorkshire boy who just wanted to play guitar) and the singer (a great big show-off, drama queen). So we did a lot of Mick Ronson era David Bowie covers. This one being a particular favourite.
Anyhoo, compare to that last two, this one is dead simple.
Nick Drake – Cello Song (Intro Tab)
September 17, 2009
I’m currently down with a bit of a cold. So please forgive any disgusting sniffs and snuffs that might be audible on that MP3. And you don’t want to be tackling this one in a weakened state because it is seriously tricky.
The first section is trickiest. There’s a quick succession of notes on the same string so you’ll have to use your index and middle fingers for the picking. For bars 3 – 8 it’s one finger per string. And for the main body of the song it’s a Travis-picking pattern with the thumb covering the G and C strings, the index on the E string and the middle on the A string.
I’m off back to bed *sniffle snuffle*
The Smiths – This Charming Man (Intro Tab)
September 15, 2009
This week I thought I’d tab up a few of my favourite intros, starting out with easily the best.
It’s interesting listening to this early version of This Charming Man recorded a Peel Session. The riff is intact in the verse but the intro sounds very weak compared to the final version.
The version I’ve tabbed above is in the key of the original. But it’s easier to play it two frets down as Perrecy does in his German ukulele version of the song. Here it is in that key.
The Ventures – Hawaii Five-O (Tab)
September 6, 2009
The Ventures – Hawaii Five-O (Tab)
MIDI
A strange tune this one. Each time the theme rolls through it goes up by a semitone. To make it easier to remember, I’ve kept pretty much the same arrangement each time through (rather than going for the easiest arrangement each time).
The twiddly bits go a bit high, so you’ll need to play it on a tenor. I’ve made a few changes to the tune: one of the twiddly bits is lowered an octave and I’ve sliced a bit off the end.
The Ventures / U900 – Walk Don’t Run
September 3, 2009
The Ventures/U900 – Walk Don’t Run (Tab)
Another tab based on the adorable two-some’s version of a Ventures tune.
I say ‘based on’ because I think they’re using low-G ukes. That would certainly make a few bits easier to play. Particularly the D note (C string, 2nd fret) which would be easier to play on the G string, 5th fret on a low-G. But it’s perfectly playable on a re-entrant. You just need to remember to slide your hand down for the A string, 5th fret rather than playing it with your index finger.
Visit them on MySpace
Buy the CD on YesAsia.com
Buy the original.
The Ventures / U900 – Diamond Head
September 1, 2009
The Ventures/U900 – Diamond Head (Tab)
As well as being seven shades of adorable, U900 have excellent taste in covers. So I’ll be putting up tabs based on their two tunes along with my own arrangement of a Ventures tune.
It’s not often I say this, but you can use a pick on this one. The first part in particular is very tricky without one. Plus it’ll help the solo uke stand out against the chords.
Visit them on MySpace
Buy the CD on YesAsia.com
Buy the original.
Donna Summer – Hot Stuff (Tab)
August 2, 2009
Last in the series of Not Guitar Riffs for Ukulele and it’s a corker. I’m not sure it works on ukulele quite as well as some of the others. But still. Hot stuff.
If you’re feeling adventurous. You could do a prebend on the E string at the third fret and release it for the first two notes of the last bar.
