ALL FRETS magazine is starting a ukulele feature in each issue. This time we’ ll be looking at how to approach a simple chord melody arrangement for the tune Jambalaya( On the Bayou) by“ The King of Country Music” Hank Williams( 1923-1953). Hank Williams wrote countless classic country tunes, including Hey Good Lookin’ and Your Cheatin’ Heart. Jambalaya is based on the Cajun tune Grand Texas. Like many Cajun tunes, it has only two chords but it has a great drive.
When I approach a chord melody arrangement, I take the following five steps:
�� I first learn to sing the tune so it’ s really in my head. I snap my fingers along on beats 2 and 4 to feel the groove.
�� Next I learn to sing it while playing the chords, again accenting beats 2 and 4. I learn the chords by heart as well before moving on.
�� I learn to pick the melody, note by note, slowly---much better to play slowly but in time than fast but uneven. I sometimes simplify the melody a bit so I can play it better. I try to leverage the high G string when picking the melody. Plucking an open string is not only easier than a fretted string, but it also sounds more brightly. For practicing, I often break the tune down in sections of one or a few bars.
�� Still playing slowly, I start trying to hit chords on beats 2 and 4. I strike the strings with the back of my fingernails of my index, middle, and ring fingers. You don’ t have to hit a chord on every beat 2 and 4, just when it feels right. The melody should remain clear and the rhythm should remain steady.
�� Gradually I speed up my playing until I can play it fluently at the desired speed. This may take days or even weeks.
This Jambalaya arrangement has been written out in three different ways: notes, tablature, and chord diagrams with one diagram for each beat. Just select the one you prefer. The notation is arranged in bars, each consisting of four beats. It starts out with three single notes on open strings: E on beat 3, G on beat 4, and A on beat 1 of the next measure, followed by a strum on all open strings on beat 2. This last strum is a C6 chord, consisting of notes C, E, G, and A. Only the verse has been written out, but the chorus is almost the same and you should be able to figure it out easily.( Hint: swap the first eight and the last eight bars.)
If you are going to perform it, I would suggest that you come up with a simple arrangement. For example, you could do the following:
�� |
Play the last four bars of the chord melody arrangement as an introduction. |
�� |
Next sing the verse and then the chorus while playing simple chords to back yourself up. Don’ t sing over the |
chord melody arrangement---not only is it difficult to do, it doesn’ t sound as good as just playing the chords |
underneath your singing. |
�� |
Next play the entire chord melody arrangement. |
�� |
Sing the chorus once more while playing just the chords. |
�� |
For an ending,“ tag” the tune by repeating the last four bars, either by singing or playing the chord melody |
arrangement. |
I hope you enjoy the arrangement. If you have any comments, questions, suggestions, and / or requests, please feel free to email me at rvr @ cs. cornell. edu.
34 ALL FRETS JULY / AUGUST 2018