Over the Rainbow from Oz to Iz

The most requested song that people ask me to play on my ukulele is not Judy Garland’s signature song “Over the Rainbow.” In the 1939 movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” she sings of a place that’s far away, free of trouble. She sings with great rubato, accompanied by a jazz orchestra.

A half century later, native Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, known affectionally as Iz or Bruddah Iz, records his version in a music studio in Honolulu. It’s in strict tempo, without rubato, accompanied by a single instrument: his Martin T1 tenor ukulele.

The two versions are quite different. Yet, there’s a tendency to sing the melody of Garland’s version in playing Iz’s version on the ukulele. The only way to clarify this confusion is to compare the two versions.

To authentically replicate the ukulele accompaniment to Iz’s version, you will need a low-G ukulele. The “strum pattern” is the same throughout the piece. It consists of two down and up strokes. First, fingerpick or pluck the G-string with your straight thumb. Execute the Calypso or Island strum but mute it before the second down and up stroke. This pattern is shown in the above excerpt from my transcription.

The following video does a good comparison and contrast of the two versions.

How does one authentically replicate Iz’s version? Find out at 3 Chord Thursday 7th September 2023 or come to my workshop at the 2nd Annual Nutmeg Ukulele Festival. Or teach yourself via tutorials and song sheets.

Are there tutorials?

• Learn Ukulele the Easy Way
• Live Ukulele
• Ukulele Go
• Uke Like the Pro gives one.
• Ukulele Tricks

How many chords?

Iz uses six chords plus an “extension” i.e. F (add 9). Judy Garland’s version is much more complex and extensive – see Mike Lynch’s post.

Which Song Sheet?

Iz Version:

• All for Uke [6] (3-page PDF)
• Bytown Ukulele Group (2-page PDF) – medley
• Cynthia Lin [6] (1-page PDF)
• Doctor Uke [7] (1-page PDF)
• Luther Burbank Center (3-page PDF) – medley
• San Jose Uke Club [6] (1-page PDF)
• Scorpexeuke (1-page PDF) – medley
• UkuleleReview [5] (webpage)

Oz Version:

Here’s a one-page leadsheet in C major.