Share the California Dreamin' on: Bluesky • facebook • twitter (X)

Related LessonAssets

Lessons Lesson Series Books & Charts Resources & Assets

California Dreamin'

Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: California Dreamin'.

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet
& Performance Notes Below

Analysis Worksheet Chords Melody Scales Performance Links

California Dreamin'

Released: December 8, 1965

California Dreamin' is a song written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first recorded by Barry McGuire. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in December 1965. The lyrics express the narrator's longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold winter in New York City. It is recorded in the key of C-sharp minor.

"California Dreamin'" became a signpost of the California sound, heralding the arrival of the nascent counterculture era. It was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2023 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 420 in its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list. (wikiwand);

California Dreamin' 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.

The Daily Ukulele — 365 Songs for Better Living • INDEX of Songs

California Dreamin' Ukulele Chords

Dm C Bb A7sus F Bb6 Bbmaj7

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

Start on Root ↑ M2. Original in the Key of C#m, Tempo 112 bmp.

C Tuning, Low or High G

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) Worksheet

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

Minor keys can draw chords from three minor scales: Natural Minor/Aeolian Dm, Bb, C , Harmonic Minor A7 , and Melodic Minor.

A7sus

VII

Dm: D Aeolian

A Mixolydian

Partial Diatonic Seventh chord, drawing from the D Harmonic Scale/Tonality. This hold tru for the rest of the lines.

Bb6

VII

A Mixolydian

A7sus

VII

A Mixolydian

To Coda

A7sus

VII

A Mixolydian

A7sus

VII

A Mixolydian

Bb6

III

A Mixolydian

A7sus

VII

A Mixolydian

D.S. al Coda

A7sus

VII

A Mixolydian

NOTE: As you might be able to see when the melody, lyrics, and leadsheet format are stripped away, and the chord progression exposed, it is somewhat simple when an RMA Worksheet is done.

Coda

VII

Bbmaj

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 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.

California Dreamin' is in 4/4, Cut Time and the Key of Dm . Actually in the Aeolian mode. The original is in the Key of C♯m , Tempo: 112 bpm

Harmonic Principles Used:

These are the harmonic principles used in California Dreamin'.

Full Diatonic
Partial Diatonic • Full Diatonic includes Secondary Dominant chords

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 aberic 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 coul dgo as far as saying all the modes have number I II II IV V VI VII — just as in the major scale. So calling it a 7, seven as not that far out.

Check the definitive book Nashville Number System

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 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.

Performance Notes

The Intro has parts for two ukes (Uke One: line 1 and Uke Two: line 2).

C Tuning, Low G

Links & Resources

(wikiwand) California Dreamin'
California Dreamin' •

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 California Dreamin'.

Harmonic Analysis Lesson Series

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).

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

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

Demystifying Cut Time by Chuck Anderson

Cut Time is a source of confusion for many musicians. What exactly does it mean and how do you apply it? Here is a guest lesson by internationally renowned jazz guitarist and educator Chuck Anderson.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for California Dreamin'.

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.

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

Individual Harmonic Analysis worksheets for the songs of The Daily Ukulele book.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for California Dreamin'.

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

A Guide to Ukulele Strums

Learn a variety of strums and rhythmic patterns in wide range of musical styles. One of the first skills a ukulele player learns is the art and craft of strumming, playing rhythm. This refers to an accompaniment technique suitable for the singer, singer - songwriter or someone who plays a support role for another instrument.

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 all 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

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

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.

Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for California Dreamin'.

Harmonic Analysis Major and Minor Chord Charts

All 15 full diatonic major and minor key with chord charts. For use when performing a harmonic analysis on a song or chord pregression.

Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized.

Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths - A4 Sized

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues. A4 sized.