Learning Ukulele with Curt
Brown Eyed Girl
Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: "Brown Eyed Girl".
Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications
Authors(s):
Curt Sheller
Category: Harmonic-Analysis
Instrument: Any
Subjects(s):
Theory
•
Progressions
•
Harmony
•
Analysis
•
RMA
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1 March 2026
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Brown Eyed Girl
Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Brown Eyed Girl.
Brown Eyed Girl is a song by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison. Written by Morrison and recorded in March 1967 for Bang Records owner and producer Bert Berns, it was released as a single in June of the same year on the Bang label, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. It featured the Sweet Inspirations singing back-up vocals and is considered to be Van Morrison's signature song.
Originally titled
Brown-Skinned Girl, Morrison changed it to "Brown Eyed Girl" when he recorded it. Morrison remarked on the title change: "That was just a mistake. It was a kind of Jamaican song. Calypso. It just slipped my mind [that] I changed the title. After we'd recorded it, I looked at the tape box and didn't even notice that I'd changed the title. I looked at the box where I'd lain it down with my guitar and it said 'Brown Eyed Girl' on the tape box. It's just one of those things that happen." (wikiwand)
Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Brown Eyed Girl.
Brown Eyed Girl is a song by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison. Written by Morrison and recorded in March 1967 for Bang Records owner and producer Bert Berns, it was released as a single in June of the same year on the Bang label, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. It featured the Sweet Inspirations singing back-up vocals and is considered to be Van Morrison's signature song.
Originally titled
Brown-Skinned Girl, Morrison changed it to "Brown Eyed Girl" when he recorded it. Morrison remarked on the title change: "That was just a mistake. It was a kind of Jamaican song. Calypso. It just slipped my mind [that] I changed the title. After we'd recorded it, I looked at the tape box and didn't even notice that I'd changed the title. I looked at the box where I'd lain it down with my guitar and it said 'Brown Eyed Girl' on the tape box. It's just one of those things that happen." (wikiwand)
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Brown Eyed Girl
Intro : Key of C
Intro : Key of C
Low G, C Tuning
Brown Eyed Girl 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.
Ukulele Chords
C
F
G7
Am
Theses and many other chords are covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.
C Tuning Chords
Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval
Intervals Legend: 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) Worksheet
Visit the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection series of lessons for information on creating a your own Harmonic Analysis Worksheet
F
G7
C
Am
IV
V
I
VI
F
G7
C
G7
IV
V
I
V
C
F
C
G7
I
IV
I
V
1.,2.
3.
C
F
C
I
IV
1
The 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.
NOTE: A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a
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.
Sections, Verse, Chorus, 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks …
The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks, etc. as in indicated the 
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.
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.If turnback chords are not indicated for the these 1st and 2nd endings in the original Yellow Book leadsheet recommended chord(s) will indicated 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. Typically a
V
or direct substitution of that next chord.
Reference Key
This is the key of the source leadsheet.
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.
At its simplest you simply replace the roman numbers with Arabic numbers. e.g.,
I
becomes
1
,
II
becomes
2
, etc. The only exception is the
bVII7
chord becomes
7
as this borrowed chord from the Mixolydian tonality is so common and the
VII
(half-diminished seventh) in a major chord is so rare (actually never). And, you could go as far as saying all the modes are numbered:
I
II
II
IV
V
VI
VII
— just as in the major scale. So calling it a
7
is not that far out.
Verse
1
4
1
5
4x
Chorus
4
57
1
6-
4
57
1
57
NOTE: This will give you an idea of just what the Nashville Number System is–basically a Harmonic Analysis (HA/RMA) using Arabic numbers vs. traditional Roman Numerals with a specific goal of creating a shorthand roadmap of a song that can be performed in ANY key. The main reason it was created in the first place in
Nashvillestudios was to save time and money and not have to rewrite a chart for a singer in a different key than the original chart.
Here is a good overview of the The Nashville Number System Demystified by Dave Martin ( July 8, 2022 ) . Bottom line is you need to know your music theory and how chords work.
Check the definitive book Nashville Number System
Scale Selection
Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed, scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical or 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 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
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.
Performance Notes
It's good to be able to play any song in any key. Which can be a daunting task. However, there are a few songs from the Daily Ukulele book that are more popular in another key. Brown Eyed Girl is one song where it is good to know how to play it in the original of Key of G . Especially if you jam with guitar players — They'll prefer the original key.
Intro Key of C (Daily Ukulele Book)
Low G, C Tuning
High G, C Tuning
Intro Key of G (Original)
Log G, C Tuning
Chorus Key of C
Low G, C Tuning
Chorus Key of G (Original Recording)
Download the PDF file for the latest, complete, and most up-to-date version. As well as additional information not presented on-line.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection
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.
Brown Eyed Girl
Brown Eyed Girl is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. Written and recorded in 1967 by Van Morrison and produced by Bang Records chief Bert Berns, it was first released in May 1967 on the album Blowin' Your Mind!. When released as a single, it rose to number eight on the Cashbox charts, and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
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. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
The Daily Ukulele
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.
These are Books & Reference Charts that apply to a majority of the lessons on LearningUkulele.com–Learning Ukulele with Curt
.
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning
Finally, learn the names of the
notes of the ukulele fingerboard in C tuning .
Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering
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 It there in one thing that give a ROI (corporate speak for
return in your investment)—it is this— learning the
f*ckingnotes of your OWN instrument. Sorry for the tough talks—but it is sooooo true!
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.
Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer
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
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. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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
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 & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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