Comments (4)

• Dave Reply

  Hi… I just bought my first ukulele this afternoon, so I’m a complete novice to the dark art of Ukelele playing, and I hope you won’t think this question impertinent!

  However, after trying to play this with an Emaj7, and struggling with that particular chord shape, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would sound like with an E7 (which, I discovered, is not only much easier to play, but is also the same chord-shape as an Em7. on the Uke… curiouser and curiouser!) and to my ear, it seems as if this chord fits much better than an Emaj7…

  So anyway, now I’m wondering, is your Emaj7 in the manner of a ‘deliberate mistake’, as per the usual copyright-avoiding practice/politesse?

  In short, can I use an E7 (or Em7) or will I come a cropper later on? Does it really HAVE to be an Emaj7?

  Would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Thanks! (And thanks for posting this beautiful song… always loved ol’ Satchmo, and this song is an all-time favorite of mine!)

  May 6, 2019 at 1:46 pm
• ranchguitar Reply

  Dear Dave,

  Thank you for your question!

  Here is the link of Emaj7 and E7 ukulele chords hand’s pose.

  http://www.ranchguitar.com/2018/10/09/ukulele-all-chords-diagrams-and-demo/

  In second picture: Ukulele Chords with Demo. You will see clearly what is the difference between Emaj7 and E7. If you put your fingers in right position, it will be as easy as pie~

  Hope it helps.

  Have a good time with ukulele~

  Warmly,
  Yours Ranch

  May 15, 2019 at 3:29 am
• David Reply

  Thanks for that link… however I have tried the correct finger position; indeed that was the position I was using all along, and a) it’s still not ‘easy’… doable, but not easy, especially when changing from the C (I suppose it would feel more natural with practice) and b) it still sounds wrong.

  While I’m a novice at the ukulele, I’m not such a novice to music in general, nor to stringed instruments in particular, having played guitar for many years. I see now from your chart that there IS a difference between an E7 and an Em7… the former has a C# on the third string. It must therefore be the Em7 that I have substituted for your Emaj7….

  Em7 is unfortunately not shown on your chord chart, though it is the same as the E7, except for a natural C on the 3rd string. However to my ear, this STILL sounds much better than your Emaj7… and it is so much easier to change to. I think I’ve also seen another song sheet for this song which includes an Em7, so I think I shall keep on using it. I hope you will try playing it with an Em7 and let me know what you think. To my mind it both feels and sounds like a much more natural (and correct) change from the C.

  I”m having a great time with the ukulele and even though I’ve had mine for less than a week, I’ve learned more than a dozen songs already, thank you.

  Kind regards,

  David

  May 15, 2019 at 4:48 am
• Jim Reply

  What a great song.! I can hear the down strums at the beginning and end of the song. What other strum pattern is used. Thanks

  January 25, 2020 at 12:51 pm