12 October 2025
Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Tell Me Why.
Tell Me Why
Tell Me Why In 1945, Edwards, Spaeth, and Parish modified Mower/Burtch's 1899 work "Why I Love You" into more of a traditional folk tune and took the original Chorus and built around it. The new version was titled "Tell Me Why" (or can be the longer "Tell Me Why the Stars Do Shine" or "Oh, Tell Me Why (The Stars Do Shine)" and is now considered a Children's Song. (SecondHandSongs)
Tell Me Why is in the The Daily Ukulele
— 365 Songs for Better Living book.
Theses and many other chords are covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.
II7
( V of V)
III7
( V of VI)
A Harmonic Analysis typically ignores single beat chords. If taking a solo over it simply address the chord tones that are different between chords.
II7
( V of V)
II7
( V of V)
II7
( V of V)
III7
( V of VI)
III7
( V of VI)
Start of a Chained Secondary Dominant Cycle . See note below next line.
VI7
( V of II)
II7
( V of V)
The A7 D7 G7 C7 , a III7, VI7, II7, V7 , is a common Chained Secondary Dominant Cycle of Seventh chords a Perfect Fourth (P4) apart.
A Harmonic Analysis (RMA/HA) and its worksheet are intended to show the function of the chords, the harmonic principles used, the keys and tonalities the song explores. And, can be used for scale selections and chord and scale substitutions.
lead leadsheet.Minimal roadmap information such as repeats, fine, D.S., D.C., and codas has been used in preparing the worksheets to somewhat mirror the leadsheet in the Daily Ukulele book.
Yellow Book. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to a previous verse or an
section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to a different part of the song, a 
or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.- Tell Me Why is in 3/4, Common Time and the Key of F .
- Full Diatonic
- Partial Diatonic • Full Diatonic includes Secondary Dominant chords
- Cycle
Contemporary Scales: Minor Pent: Minor Pentatonic, Pent: Major Pentatonic, Blues,
Scale/Mode Names: Ion: Ionian (Major), Dor: Dorian (Minor), Phrygian: Phrygian, Lyd: Lydian, Mix: Mixolydian (Dominant), Aeol: Aeolian (Natural Minor), Loc: Locrian
- (wikiwand); SecondHandSongs: Tell Me Why
- Tell Me Why •
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Tell Me Why.
Harmonic Analysis ( HA ) is the process used to determine the harmonic function of chords within a chord progression. A chord progression is defined as a sequence of chords, each chord has a root and has a particular chord type. The relationship of a chord's root to a scale determines its function within that scale's tonality. Once a chord's function is identified, scale selections along with chord and scale substitutions can be made. This process is called Root Movement Analysis ( RMA ). This series of lessons are extracted from my book for use with individual private and on-line students. Each lesson directly corresponds the chapters in my book Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution by Curt Sheller (me).
Tell Me Why.
Harmonic Analysis (HA), also known as the study of chord relationships, is the method used to identify the harmonic role of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root note and belonging to a specific chord type. The function of a chord within a particular scale's tonality is determined by its relationship to that scale.
Tell Me Why.
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favorite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements with melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys that are particularly suited for groups of one to one hundred to play and sing.
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Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Book: Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think. Book: Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer
An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A), A4
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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