Rock Around the Clock

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet (RMA/HA)

Published: 12 Sep 2023 Updated: 12 Sep 2023Visits: 42Code: ULHA-YB-198

Category: Harmonic-AnalysisInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Theory • Blues • Rock • Progressions • Harmony • Analysis • Rma

Rock Around the Clock


Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Rock Around the Clock.

Rock Around the Clock

Released: May 20, 1954 (original), May 1955 (re-release)

Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 for American Decca. It was a number one single for two months and did well on the United Kingdom charts; the recording also reentered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s.

The recording is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked No. 159 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

After the 8 bar intro, Rock Around The Clock is a basic 12 bar blues.

Rock Around the Clock 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 F Am G G7 Bb

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 RootM3.
  • 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.

    • Rock Around the Clock is in 4/4, Common Time and the Key of D .

    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

    Psuedo Intro

    D
    D
    D
    D
    D
    D
    A7
    A7
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    V
    V

    12 Bar Blues

    D
    D
    D
    D7
    I
    I
    I
    I7
    G9
    G7
    G7
    D
    D
    IV
    IV
    I
    I
    A9
    G9
    A7
    G7
    D
    D
    V
    IV
    I
    I

    Repeat until the clock strikes twelve, and then take the ending.

    Ending

    D
    D7
    G7
    Bb7
    A7
    D
    I
    I7
    IV
    bIV7*
    V
    I

    * The Bb7 is a Chromatic approach down to the A7 . With it being in the ending one would typically not solo over it.

    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.

    C Blues

    The C Minor Pentatonic / C Blues for short is a great choice with ALL the chords in this song coming straight out of the scale.

    C Pentatonic

    The C Major Pentatonic / C Pentatonic for short is also a great choice with ALL the chords in this song coming straight out of the scale.

    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

    A worksheet is often, really not needed with such a simple Blues, Full Diatonic chord progression.

    The Blues is a Simple I , IV , V chord progression. The Tonic , Subdominant and Dominant , the Primary chords of the major key. The chords are either major or seventh. For a minor blues the I and IV are minor.

    In a short amount of time you'll come recognize these simple chord progressions, just by the chord grids listed at the top of the leadsheet (page).

    The Original Guitar Solo for Ukulele

    Here is the original guitar solo by Danny Cedrone as recorded on the Decca Records, Bill Haley and The Comets recording session of April 12, 1954 and transcribed for ukulele in the key of the Daily Ukulele books version.

    Down a PDF of the Solo in Standard Music Notation and TAB for C Tuning.

    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 Rock Around the Clock.

    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 Rock Around the Clock.

    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 Rock Around the Clock.

    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.

    RMA1CH

    Harmonic Analysis Major and Minor Harmonized Chord Chart

    Updated: 31 Dec 2020

    Harmonic Analysis Major and Minor Harmonized Chord Chart for ALL 15 major and minor keys.

    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.

    AGCPB1UKE

    A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

    Updated: 22 May 2024

    The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. 26 blues progression in C and G tuning, progressing from basic to advanced jazz progression, with chord grids and substitutions explained.

    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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