Somewhere Over the Rainbow

[Dk360]

Just having fun - Enjoy!

Somewhere over the Rainbow

[Luke]

Hey @Dk360 - sound great man!

How are you doing with the -3" bend? Love to hear you try that and play the melody.

Also, if you love this song, you might wanna pick up a country-tuned harp and try it in 2nd position (needs a lot of -3" bend though.)

This song is on my to-do list for future lessons. Glad you posted this. Very cool.

[Dk360]

@Luke I can 3" bend with no problems. I was working of a tab on this tune, which didn’t call for any bends.

Even without bends, I think whoever wrote the tab did a great job!

https://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=85

[Luke]

Thanks for sharing the tabs! I appreciate it. Well timed. Rock on!

[scott4]

This is one of the songs I started to learn out of the block. I like tunes that require me to move back and forth on the harp playing single notes. There is one line I cannot get into memory.

The fellow that lived in Hawaii that passed a couple of years ago was the greatest. Cannot remember his name but he sure could play this tune and play it right.

[Luke]

Israel Kamakawiwoole

[scott4]

Luke

Thanks You make it to SPAH?

[PapaCurly]

Yeah, bruddah Iz, they called him. Only recently, I stumbled upon a video of him singing and playing it on ukulele. So beautiful. Sad that he’s gone.

[Luke]

@scott4 No I didn’t make it this year! Hope to be there next year!

[donaldbrockett]

Check out Rolly Platt’s version of Somewhere over the Rainbow on YouTube.

[Luke]

@donaldbrockett YESSAH! My favorite version for sure!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Roly Platt Harmonica

The whole album is great which you can buy here.

I wrote a review of it here:

Roly Platt Inside Out Album Review

This Harmonica Album will Funk You Up [600x400-1] Although released in 2014, I just last year discovered Roly Platt’s debut album, Inside Out, and it’s now on my list of favorite harmonica albums. Here’s a taste of what’s on the album with one of the standout tunes, his version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which he plays in 2nd position on a country tuned harp (country tuning is identical to standard tuning except the -5 is tuned a half-step higher). On both Over the Rainbow, and Georgia o…

[scott4]

I picked this song when I started and am glad. Your single note play and rhythm are very good. I chose it as this tune makes you move around the harp. I need to keep playing it as it one of the few songs I know, including the lyrics. You played the theme song for the most watched movie ever from a global standpoint. Great job.

[dblues]

Fairly easy on a Melody tuned harp. You can get the usual -3” on the 3 blow instead and M7 on -5. I can do it on a valved harp but the 6 blow bend M7 is not as easily obtained.

[craig.faucher]

I just returned from Todd Parrott’s NC Harpfest and Buddy Green performed this. I sent the recording to my mother as it is her favorite. I talked to Buddy after and he said he had never performed it before.

Mom made a request that I learn, perform, and record it. I thought I would try to ear train it at first, but I need a good starting point. I figured 3rd position major (which I would have to learn) would be the way to go for expressiveness, but now I’m seeing Roly’s version here on Country tuned harp in 2nd (none of which I own). Any insight or suggestions Luke?

BTW here is a photo of buddy playing it. I will upload a clip when I figure that out.

Cheers

[Carlos1]

Using a harp with country tuning is definitely the easiest unless you know how to cleanly and accurately play the +5o (overblow on hole 5). Another option that still gives you the diatonic sound is to use a JDR Trochilus (either the one with the blue comb or the one with the red comb).

[Luke]

@craig.faucher Yes it works so well on a country-tuned harp. I’ve performed it at a couple of funerals. Such a great tune for any occasion!