Three Chord Thursday: Songs that rip off classical music

For this session (the first of its kind), we are inviting you to experience classical music from a ukulele perspective. We think of classical uke as transcriptions and arrangements of the better-known classical music pieces for the ukulele. In addition to this, many pieces from classical music can be accompanied on the ukulele with chords, if chord diagrams or chord names are specified. Some composers are writing music in the classical style for the ukulele. At the same time, many pop songs have chord progressions, rhythms, or other similar features of classical pieces.

It might require a little bit of research to find songs that are based on more famous classical music pieces or have borrowed from them. Once you find them, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Join us for this Three Chord Thursday 27th May 2021 at 3 pm EDT. As usual, doors are open from 2:30 pm EDT to welcome newcomers and performers who want to check on lighting and sound. Anyone else can arrive early, too, and stay late for chit chat. We do reserve the bulk of the hour for music.

We always start promptly at 3 pm with a warm-up, followed by our sunglasses ritual, line-up, and up to ten songs performed by volunteers who request to perform beforehand. We record and edit our song sessions to review, learn, remember, and share with the community. If you don’t have the Zoom info, be sure to register in advance and to get on the mailing list. Join our new public Facebook Group to get the latest and greatest.

There are so many!! Here are some suggestions:

  • A Whiter Shade of Pale (JS Bach Air on a G String)
  • All By Myself (Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto)
  • American Tune (Bach chorale)
  • Because (Beethoven Moonlight Sonata)
  • Blackbird (JS Bach Bourree in E minor)
  • Lover’s Concerto (“How Gentle is the Rain”) (Bach’s Minuet in G)
  • Memories – Maroon 5 (Pachelbel – Canon in D)
  • One Tin Soldier (Pachelbel – Canon in D)
  • Puff the Magic Dragon (Pachelbel – Canon in D)
  • Streets of London (Pachelbel – Canon in D)
For high G ukulele

The Line-Up

  1. It’s Now or Never made famous by Elvis (O Sole Mio) – Eve (TX) (2-page PDF) [4]
  2. Memories in C by Maroon 5 (Pachelbel’s Canon) – Mike (NJ) (3-page PDF) [5]
  3. One Tin Soldier in C (Pachelbel’s Canon) – Paul (HI), Adrienne (TX) [5]
for Low G ukulele
  1. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows in F (Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu Op. 66) – Pat (CT) (1-page PDF) [6]
  1. Lover’s Concerto (Minuet in C by Christian Petzold) – Ginger (MA) [7]
  2. Can’t Help Falling in Love (Plaisir d’Amour) – Carol (FL) [8] (1-page PDF baritone uke) (1-page PDF)
  1. Blackbird in C by The Beatles (Bourree in E minor by J.S. Bach) – Tony (UK) [14]
  2. Estudio No. 1 by Aguado – Hannah (MA) (1-page PDF from musescore.org)
  3. Prelude to Bach Cello Suite No.1 in G, BWV 1007 – Alex (CA) (3-page PDF)
  1. Sweet Dreams Are Made of This in Cm – Nancy (MA), Laura (MA) (1-page PDF) [5]

DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNGLASSES!

Help support this online song series to keep it running every week and FREE for all participants and performers. 

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1 Response to Three Chord Thursday: Songs that rip off classical music

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