While My Guitar Gently Weeps

 

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:08

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Ukulele While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Arrangement for a low "G", C tuning and in the original key. This is based on the arrangement that I perform in concert in a George Harrison medley with Here Comes the Sun.

Here Comes the Sun feels like it was written on a uke. This is quite possible as George always traveled with two ukes. One for him and one just in case someone else wanted to play.

(from WidipediA:) "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a rock ballad written by George Harrison for The Beatles on their double album The Beatles (also known as The White Album)

More info available on WidipediA: While My Guitar Gently Weeps

George Harrison was a big fan of the ukulele and this is great song to play on the uke.

Video Performance

Low "G", C Tuning

click on above image to play video

Here is my (Curt Sheller) performance of this arrangement. I used a Pono PTRC-CE Tenor cutaway, solid rosewood back and sides, solid cedar top, maple binding.

High "G", C Tuning

click on above image to play video

Here is my (Curt Sheller) performance of this arrangement. I used a Pono PTRC-CE Tenor cutaway, solid rosewood back and sides, solid cedar top, maple binding.

The ending, very impromptu, with me trying to play my way out the corner I painted myself into.

Here is a link to my YouTube channel for more videos.

A few video links

PDF File

Here is my version arranged for low "G" C tuning. Recording and video lesson coming soon.

FREE PDF download, 3 pages, Updated: 9/26/2007
FILE: WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps.pdf ( 112 KB )

You will need Adobe Reader to view your PDF file.

Song Notes

Chord Names

The chords names for the intro are sometimes shown in sheet music as: Am Am/G D9/F# Fmaj7. I've even seen Am Am/G F#m7b5 Dm7/F. The tonality of those four measures is an Am chord with a descending bass line A G F# F and back to Am. The cong House of the Rising Sun has this same type of progression. This makes it a little easier to remember and transpose to different keys.

Chords - A minor Section

||:Am | Am/G | Am/F# | Am/F | Am | G |
1) | D | E :||
2) | C | E ||

A I bVII IV V and the second ending is a bIII V.

Chords - A major Section

A | C#m | F#m | F#m | Bm | Bm | E | E ||

This is a IIII VI III II V [1 3 6 3 2 5] progression. Learning and song by the chords harmonic function in the progressions help in transposing to other keys. And, is easier to remember as there really are not that many different progression out their.

High "G", C Tuning Change
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Line 3, measure 3 the last chord needs to be a different voicing than the low "G", C tuning version.

Performance Notes

All notation should be uses as a guideline, not a literal transcription of a performance. Make the performance your own. Each time I play this song it is a little different.

(Video) Jake Shimabukuro While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[ Click on image to play ] Jake's well deserved world success was accelerated after this video was shot by Jason Tagg for his show Midnight Ukulele Disco in Strawberry Fields in Central Park. This video on YouTube has receive over 1.5 million views.

There are numerous other videos available on the web of Jake preforming this and other songs.


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Curt Sheller is the author of over 30 books on guitar, ukulele and music. A jazz guitarist and educator with over 40 years playing experience and 20 years teaching. Curt's JazzGuitarResources.com and UkuleleResources.com web sites are considered the top resource for jazz guitarists and ukulele players. Get a FREE subscription to Curt's newsletter.

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