Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday is now in the Public Domain.
PUBLISHED: Oct 1, 2011 • UPDATED: Jan 27, 2020 • VIEWS: 145 • LESSON CODE: UL510 •
Instruments: ukulele leadsheet Subjects: beginner • repertoire
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Happy Birthday to You, also known more simply as Happy Birthday, is a song that is traditionally sung to celebrate the anniversary of a person's birth. According to the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is the most recognized song in the English language, followed by "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and "Auld Lang Syne". The song's base lyrics have been translated into at least 18 languages.
Performance Notes for Happy Birthday
Here is how I remember the melody of Happy Birthday:
- Song starts on the 5th of the key of the song. Plays that note twice and then up a perfect 4th (Here Comes the Bride interval) and down 1/2 step
- repeat, then up a perfect 5th (Do You Hear What I Here interval and a bell like tone), done 1/2 step) then repeat again and up an octave
- The octave (8) is the fifth of a descending major triad, the I chord, then descending 1/2 step, then to whole step.
- up a major sixth. This ones sounds a little dissonant in the context of all the constant melody. Then down 1/2 step and to root of key/scale, up M2 and back - DONE
Happy Birthday is NOW in the public domain.
Main Song Download(s)
The main downloads for this Song.
Happy Birthday - Key of F, Melody in Standard Notation and TAB
Updated: Jan 27, 2020
Chords and melody lead sheet in the key of F. Melody in standard music notation and TAB.
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Song Road Map
Tips and tricks for remembering a song.
Remembering songs is all about the form and harmonic content and movement with taking in the similarities between songs. And, just like a road map they're landmarks that will trigger memories of how to get through various sections, changes or parts of a song.
This section of a song's page presents some tips on how I try and remember a particular song.
- Song starts on the 5th of the key of the song. Plays that note twice and then up a perfect 4th (Here Comes the Bride interval) and down 1/2 step
- repeat, then up a perfect 5th (Do You Hear What I Here interval and a bell like tone), done 1/2 step) then repeat again and up an octave
- The octave (8) is the fifth of a descending major triad, the I chord, then descending 1/2 step, then to whole step.
- up a major sixth. This ones sounds a little dissonant in the context of all the constant melody. Then down 1/2 step and to root of key/scale, up M2 and back - DONE
Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Happy Birthday at this time.
Key Signatures - C Major and A Minor • Updated: Sep 21, 2011
Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. Sometimes called the learning key, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using.
Additional Song Files, Resources and Assets
These are the related song files, resources and assets for Happy Birthday at this time.
Happy Birthday - Key of F, Melody in Standard Notation and TAB
Updated: Jan 27, 2020
Chords and melody lead sheet in the key of F. Melody in standard music notation and TAB.
Members Only
Log-in to access.
Related Books
Related Books for Happy Birthday at this time.
Related Songs
Related Songs for Happy Birthday at this time.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Happy Birthday at this time.
Getting Started Series of `Ukulele Lessons
Updated: Jan 1, 2003
This series of lessons is intended to take a beginning ukulele player, just Getting Started through the basics. Your goal, as well as mine, is to help you create a solid foundation for future learning and development with this fun, cool instrument - the ukulele. This series of lessons are also a great refresher for all players who've been playing for awhile or are in a position to offer assistance or advice to fellow players.
Reading Music on Ukulele - Primer
Updated: Jan 1, 2003
There are a few things in music that students and players avoid. These are things like learning to read and knowing the notes of their own instrument. It is hard on guitar - but not so hard on ukulele. With the right guidance and plan of attack. IT IS EASY.
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