ISomewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World

[Songbird]

I've finally got round to hearing this and it's beautiful, so haunting. I understand it's played on a ukele (sp) but is it playable on the mandolin? Or would it lose it's kind of power chord touch to it? Or shall I just splash out on a new instrument? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Songbird]

Just realised this is in the totally wrong forum...sorry!

[wannabethile]

man....i absolutely love that song. it is one of my all-time favorites. my bro plays ukelele and he knows how to play that song. i play the melody to it as he does the uke part and its a beautiful thing. hehe im so glad im not the only one that knows about that song!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[dixiecreek]

hehe you're so cute http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif next time I'm over you guys need to play it for me!!!

[Ken Berner]

I have been picking "Over The Rainbow" on mandolin for some time. The gentleman who plays fiddle with me gets irritated when I speed up the cadence for more of a bluegrass feel. I love some of the more simple tunes, too, like "Jesus Loves Me"and "Brahms Lullaby". One tune Jethro Burns played a lot was "Whispering" and we do that often, as well. There is so much good music "out there" to play, and so little time to learn it!

[Ken]

I also really love that version of Rainbow /Wonderful World and am working on it. I've been playing Rainbow for years, but a jazz version of it with a lot of chord substitutions. To try to get it sound like the Israel Kamakawiwio'ole version, I've simplified the chords to the bare basics and tried to copy the uke strum used for the rythm, its not quite the same as playing it on uke, but its close.
Ken.

[wannabethile]

you got it sweetie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Bob DeVellis]

BOth are wonderful songs, but Brudda Iz's interpretation is really special. I've played Over the Rainbow on mando for a while but have tried to give it something ofthe flavor of IZ's version. It works for me, but I'm not sure anyone not familiar with the Iz version what know what the heck I'm doing. It's just for my own enjoyment. I first heard the songs during the closing credits of FInding Forester (a really good movie with nothing to do with mandolin, ukulele, or the songs). Iz died prematurely several years ago, undoubtedly a consequence of his roughly 800 pound weight. The version we're all talking about appears on his Facing Future CD, which is quite good.

[8ch(pl)]

I believe israel has passed away, this true? he has a long hawaiian family name. great song, from the movie Finding Forrester.

[Ken]

Yes he did pass away, I think about two years ago or so. The Rainbow / Wonderful World medley was also used in Meet Joe Black, and I've heard it in a variey of other places too. It's just one of those pieces that grab you.
Ken.

[Bruce Evans]

Brudda Iz's version has almost become the state anthem of Hawaii. I was there a couple years ago, and you hear it played everywhere.

"Rainbow" was one of the first songs I learned to play on the uke about 4 years ago. I had never heard Iz play it, and my version is faster, too. But when I play it my way, occasionally I hear, "That ain't the way Iz played it." Maybe Iz is the Bill Monroe of Hawaiian music. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pickles]

Dang it, that's the prettiest cover of either of those songs, but I wish this thread would go away, because...

every time I glance down the column of topics in this forum and see this song's title, the song gets stuck in my head again!

[om21ed]

So, anybody tabbed it out?

[mandolooter]

One of my fondest memories of my 10 years in the islands was fishin on the leeward side when Iz and his brother who has also passed away showed up and jammed (them not me) for a couple of hours while they cooked up some grinds...didn't get much fishin done but had a blast. Makaha Sons of Niihau are my favorite band from the islands! Great harmonies and its what led me into bluegrass in a round about way.

[wannabethile]

man, that would have been pretty slick

[mandolooter]

Altho they were mega-starz on the island, they were just normal folks off the stage and really down to earth, nice people...even to a hauoli boy from the mainland like me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mando Medic]

I worked it up from the recording in the key of C, but we are going to change it to D. A friend of mine has a great voice and he asked me to play it on Mandolin while he sang it at a fundraiser we did a few months ago. I'm going in the studio to record it for him so he can use it in live shows without me. When I go in, I'll have it tabbed out and will post it for you. It's not that hard really, a few minor chords but the rest is pretty straight forward. The rythmn is a little demanding to keep it simple. Great medley of music. Kenc

[Nathan Sanders]

but is it playable on the mandolin?

In my opinion, anything is playable on a mandolin, or at least should be attempted.

[reindoggy]

I've played Over the Rainbow for years on violin. It is one of my favorites. A real crowd pleasing tear-jerker played straight, but it really can also be a great jazz swing tune played a little jumpier. Just ran through it on mando in C. No problem.

Here's my first tab attempt:
somewhere over the rainbow way up high theres a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----3-----2---------2-3-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------5-7----------------7---5----------3-2------------2----3---------------2--
5-----------------------------5------------2------------5-7-------------7--4-5--7----5

bridge:
someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5----2----5----2---5-2--5--2----5---3---5---3-----5---3-----5---3---5---7--7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

where troubles melt like lemon drops high above the chimney tops thatswhereyoullfindme
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------2---3----5---
5------2---5----2---5-----2--5--2-----4-----7-4--7---4---7----4----7-----------------5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

repeat verse

ending:
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow why oh why can't I?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------2----3
5---2-5---2--5----2--5------3--5--3---5---3---5---3---5---7---5-----
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to line up the lyrics and notes but.....oh well I tried.
Here's a link for lyrics and chords: http://www.theguitarguy.com/overther.htm
Not sure if I did that right.

Hope that helps. Remember it's all country if you play it like country.

Peace all,
Reindog

[wannabethile]

if i knew how to tab stuff out correctly, id do it for ya. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[reindoggy]

My feeble attempt at tab is only the basic song. Not the version mentioned. I tried to put it in closed position so it can be scooted up the neck to any key needed. When I play it, I tend to improvise on it. I only wrote the linear melody; parts of it printed seem to show doubling, which is an error.

Good luck!
Reindog

u have'nt heard this song played till u have heard it played solo by evan marshall! u'll look like this after u hear it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif !

[mpeknox]

I found a recording of a great arrangement by John Reischmann here. (http://www.aircraftbuyer.com/mando/) It is also available as a TablEdit file at mandozine.com. (http://www.mandozine.com/music/search_results.php?searchfor=rainbow&tuneselectby=C&mandolevel=&category=&songkey=&artist=&transcriber=&sortby=T&sortorder=A&submit=) Can't wait to learn it...i'm typically strictly bluegrass but I can't seem to get this song outta my head!!