Blue Christmas

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet (RMA/HA)

Published: 07 Nov 2023 Updated: 07 Nov 2023Visits: 0Code: ULHA-YB-297

Category: Harmonic-AnalysisInstrument: Any Subjects: Holiday • Theory • Progressions • Harmony • Analysis • RMA • Christmas

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Blue Christmas


Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Blue Christmas.

Blue Christmas

Released: November 9, 1964

Blue Christmas is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and most famously recorded by Elvis Presley, although it was first recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948. It is a tale of unrequited love during the holidays and is a longstanding staple of Christmas music, especially in the country genre.

The song was originally recorded by Doye O'Dell in 1948,[3] and was popularized the following year in three separate recordings: one by country artist Ernest Tubb, one by musical conductor and arranger Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra and chorus, and one by bandleader Russ Morgan and his orchestra (the latter featuring lead vocals by Morgan and backing vocals by singers credited as the Morganaires).[4] Tubb's version spent the first week of January 1950 at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Most-Played Juke Box (Country & Western) Records chart, while Winterhalter's version peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Records Most Played by Disk Jockeys chart, and Morgan's version reached No. 11 on Billboard's Best-Selling Pop Singles chart.[5] Both Morgan's and Winterhalter's versions featured a shorter pop edit of the original lyrics. Also in 1950 crooner Billy Eckstine recorded his rendition, backed by the orchestra of Russ Case, with these shortened lyrics in a variation close to what is now the common standard for this song; the orchestral backing of this recording has often been wrongly accredited to Winterhalter. (wikiwand) ·

Blue Christmas is in the The Daily Ukulele 365 Songs for Better Living book.

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.

Chords

C G7 Dm Gm A7 D7 F#dim

Theses and many other chords where covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.

C Tuning Chords

Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval

  • Start on P5 ↓ P4.
  • INTERVALS: Root=note that begins a scale of the starting key; C is C, D is D, Am is a, Em is E, etc... m=minor; M=Major; P=Perfect; D=Diminished; A=Augmented. • ↑ is up/ascending; ↓ is down/descending;

    Harmonic Analysis (HA)

    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.

    A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a leadsheet and minimal roadmap information such repeats, fines, D.S., D.C., codas have been used in preparing the worksheets to somewhat mirror the leadsheet in the Daily Ukulele book..

    Sections, Verse, Chorus, 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks …

    The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks, etc. as in indicated the Yellow Book. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to a previous or verse or section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to a different section, a or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.

    If turnbacks chord are not indication for the these 1st, 2nd Ending will indicate recommended chord(s) in parentheses or as an alternate harmony in Red . Typically the last measures or turnbacks will be a chord that resolves to and harmonically leads you to the next section or turning you back to the same section.

    Reference Key

    This is the key of the source leadsheet.

    • Blue Christmas is in d/4 and the Key of C .

    Harmonic Principles Used:

    Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet

    Visit the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection series of lessons for information on creating a Harmonic Analysis Worksheet

    Cmaj7
    C
    C
    G7
    G7
    I
    V

    C Ionian

    Dm7
    Dm
    G7
    C*
    C
    II
    V
    I

    NOTE: When there is 2 measures of the Tonic I chord. There is a lot you can do with substitutions. Even the II V leading to the I has a lot of potential for some harmonic creativity. See the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book for substitution choices.

    Gm7
    A7+5
    Dm7
    1.
    Gm
    A7
    Dm
    Dm
    Vm

    VI7
    ( V of II)

    II

    G Dorian

    A Mix-2-6

    D7
    D7
    G7
    G7 :||

    II7
    ( V of V)

    V

    D Mixolydian

    2.
    Dm7
    G7
    C6
    (TB: Dm7 G7 )
    F#dim
    G7
    G7
    C
    C
    #IVdim
    V
    I

    D Mixolydian

    TB is a II V Turnback if starting the song over. THis harmonically leads our ear to the start I chord.

    Nashville Number System (NNS)

    Nashville Numbering System always uses four bars/measures per line, no bar lines, and default is each number of the number of beats per bar/measure based on the time signature. If multiple chords in same bar then they are underlined. It can be as simple as convert the Roman Numerals above to Arabic number.

    Scale Selection

    Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed then scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical and horizontal choices. And, really only needed if you are going to take a solo or embellish the melody with added notes.

    Scale Abbreviation Legend

    Traditional Scale Names: Maj: Major, Dim: Diminished, WT: Whole Tone, Pent: Major Pentatonic,
    Scale Mode Names: Ion: Ionian, Dor: Dorian, Phrygian: Phrygian, Lyd: Lydian, Mix: Mixolydian, Aeol: Aeolian, Loc: Locrian

    Scale Abbreviation Legend

    Traditional Scales: Maj: Major (Ionian), Dim: Diminished, WT: Whole Tone, Har Min: Harmonic Minor,
    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

    Checkout LESSONSeries : Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection or download the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book. And the QuickStart Series of Scale and Arpeggio books.

    RMA book cover QS1UKES book cover

    Performance Notes

    Any performance that includes a section of NOT playing the melody would probably be a phrased melody as a solo. Think of it as create a long lost melody that nobody new existed.

    Links & Resources

    Sign-IN — it's FREE — to view, un-blur any additional content for this lesson.

    End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

    Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

    Related Lessons

    Related Lessons for Blue Christmas.

    MLRMAe

    Harmonic Analysis Lesson Series

    Updated: 06 Jan 2020

    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).

    ULHA-YB-index

    The Daily Ukulele a.k.a., The "Yellow" Book Song Index

    Updated: 12 Apr 2023

    Index of the songs in The Daily Ukulele book. 365 Songs for a Better Living.

    Related Lesson Series

    Related Lessons Series for Blue Christmas.

    Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection

    Updated: 09 Jun 2023

    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.

    Related Books & Charts

    Related Books for Blue Christmas.

    RMA1

    Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

    Updated: 08 Jun 2024

    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.

    HL00240356

    The Daily Ukulele

    Updated: 16 Feb 2024

    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.

    A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

    Books

    Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

    Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

    Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

    Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

    Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

    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.

    Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

    Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

    Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

    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.

    Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

    Reference Charts

    Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

    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

    Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

    Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

    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 for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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