Happy Together

Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Happy Together.

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet
& Performance Notes Below

Analysis Worksheet Chords Melody Scales Performance Links

Happy Together

Released: January 1967

Happy Together is a song written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon and recorded by American rock band the Turtles. It was released as a single, b/w "Like the Seasons", in January 1967, and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's first and only chart-topper there. The song also reached the top 20 in diverse countries, including number 2 in Canada and number 12 in the UK. It was later included on their third studio album, Happy Together (1967).

Bonner and Gordon composed the song while still members of The Magicians. The lyrics, despite the joyous sound of the music, express an unrequited, imagined love. They recorded a demo consisting of a simple arrangement of acoustic guitar and hand claps. The demo was offered to and rejected by a dozen artists, due to its primitive sound.

The Turtles, who had come from commercial and personal problems, found the demo and, thinking the song a potential hit, initially rehearsed it in live performances. They recorded their version in the Sunset Sound studio, with the newly-arrived bassist Chip Douglas arranging the horns and backing vocals. (wikiwand) ·

Here is a super close approximation of the Intro from the original recording transposed Frm F#m to Dm .

Introduction & Verse Accompaniment Riff/Lick/Figure.
Continue for Chords of the Verse: Dm C Bb A .

Happy Together 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

Chords

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.

C Tuning, Low 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)

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.

Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet

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

A re-harmonization, in Red can be simple, sticking pretty close to the original composer's intentions or complex and a whole new set of chord changes.

||: Dm

Dm

C

C

I

VII

F:

D Aeolian, D Minor Pentatonic All the chords of this song are available when using the D Blues Scale: D F G A Bb C.

To Coda

Bb

Bb

A

A :||

VII

V

This is the famous The Andalusian Chord Progression . A very common chord progression. The 1st and 2nd endings are harmonically the same.

D

Am

D

F

I

Vm

I

bIIImaj

D.S. al Coda

D

Am

D

F

I

Vm

I

bIIImaj

A

Dm

A

D

I

VI

IV

V

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.

All the chords are right out of D Aeolian/Natural Minor (D E F G A Bb C D'). The D Minor Pentatonic/Blues scale is also a good choice: D F G A C D').

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

Here is a super close approximation of the Intro from the original recording transposed Frm F#m to Dm .

Introduction & Verse Accompaniment Riff/Lick/Figure.
Continue for Chords of the Verse: Dm C Bb A .

C Tuning, Low G

Links & Resources

• UKULELELesson Happy Together utilizes the The Andalusian Chord Progression for the Intro and Verses.
• (wikiwand) Happy Together
• Happy Together - The Turtles (1967) •