Happy Trails

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet (RMA/HA)

Published: 28 Dec 2023 Updated: 28 Feb 2023Visits: 0Code: ULHA-YB-99

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

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Happy Trails


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

Happy Trails

Released: 1932

Happy Trails 1952 single by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

Happy Trails is a song by Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, known as the theme song for both The Roy Rogers Show on radio and The Roy Rogers Show on television, in which they starred. It was written by Evans and always sung by the duo over the end credits of those programs. (wikiwand)

Happy Trails" was released in 1952 as a 78 RPM and 45 RPM by Rogers and Evans with the Whippoorwills and Orchestra, on RCA Victor Records. It was re-issued in 1957 as a 45 RPM record on RCA Victor/Bluebird. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. (wikiwand)

Happy Trails 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

D B7 Em A7 D#dim A+ D7 G E7

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 Perfect Fifth ↓ m2.
  • 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)

    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.

    • Happy Trails is in 4/4, Common Time and the Key of D . The original is in the Key of F , Tempo: 99 bpm

    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

    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.

    D
    B7
    Em
    Em
    I

    VI7
    ( V of II)

    II

    B Mix-2-6

    A7
    A7
    A7
    D
    V
    I
    D
    D
    D
    D#dim
    A7
    I#dim
    V

    D#dim

    A7
    A7
    A7
    A7+
    D
    V
    I

    * see performance notes below

    D7
    G
    B7
    E7
    A7

    I7
    ( V of IV)

    IV

    VI7
    ( V of II)

    II7
    ( V of V)

    V

    D Mix

    B Mix

    E Mix

    As Happy Trails is a simple folk / country song simple Mixolydian scales for the 7th chord will do vs. alterted mixolydian scale a jazzer might use.

    D
    B7
    E7
    A7
    D
    I

    VI7
    ( V of II)

    II7
    ( V of V)

    V
    I

    B Mix

    E Mix

    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 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

    Addressing the D#dim and A+

    • D#Dim (D# Fx(G) A C) • I would most like, as it is only two beats address the chord tones and lead to the A7.
    • A+ • The only difference betweer A7 and A+ is the fifth of the chord: E in the A7 and E#(F) in the A+.

    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.

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    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).

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    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

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    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.

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

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

    Related Books & Charts

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

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    Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

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    Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

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    Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

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    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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    Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths

    Updated: 14 Oct 2019

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

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    Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths - A4 Sized

    Updated: 14 Oct 2019

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

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