Published:
2023-12-28
Updated:
2023-02-28

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Daydream

Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: "Daydream".

Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: ULHA-YB-60

Main Category: Harmonic-Analysis Main Instrument: Any

Subjects: Chords

2023-02-28

Daydream

Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: "Daydream".

Daydream

Released: February 19, 1966

Daydream is a song by the American folk rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. Written by John Sebastian, it was issued as a single in February 1966 and was the title track of the band's second album, Daydream, released the following month. The song was the Lovin' Spoonful's third consecutive single to enter the top ten in the United States, and it was their best performing to that point, reaching number two. The single's European release coincided with a British and Swedish promotional tour, leading the song to be the band's first major hit outside North America. It topped sales charts in Canada and Sweden, and it was ultimately the band's most successful record in the United Kingdom, where it reached number two. wikiwand

Daydream is in the The Daily Ukulele 365 Songs for Better Living book.

Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favorite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements with melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys that are particularly suited for groups of one to one hundred to play and sing.

Ukulele Chords

G E7 Am D7sus4 D7 C A7

These and many other chords are covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.

C Tuning Chords

In the Daily Ukulele series of book the chords are actually listing in their order of appearance. And, are always the basic open position chords when possible.

Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval

  • Daydream is in 4/4, Common Time and the Key of D . The original is in the Key of Ab , Tempo: 100 bpm
  • Start on M3 ↓ m2.

Intervals Legend: Root=note that begins a scale of the starting key; C is C, D is D, Am is A, Em is E, etc… m=minor; M=Major; P=Perfect; D=Diminished; A=Augmented. • is up/ascending; is down/descending;

Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet

Visit the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection series of lessons for information on creating your own Harmonic Analysis Worksheet

G
E7
Am
D7
I

VI7
(V of II)

II
V

C: G Ionian

E Mix-2-6

G
E7
Am
D7sus4
D7
I
II
V

E Mix-2-6

C
A7
G
E7
C
A7
G
E7
IV
II7
I
VI7
IV
II7
I
VI7

A Mix

E Mix

A Mix

E Mix

A7 E7 These are Partial Diatonic Seventh chords and NOT Secondary Dominants chords, as they don not resolve to their I, one chords. Simple a Blues/Rock touch.

To Coda

1.

C
A7
G
E7
Am
D7sus4
D7 :||
IV
II7
I
VI7
II
V

A Mix

E Mix

2.

D.C. al Coda (3rd Verse)

D7sus4
D7
V

Coda

Am
D7
G
G
E7
II
V
I

VI7
(V of II)

E Mix-2-6

D7
G
E7
Am
V
I

VI7
(V of II)

II
D7sus4
D7
||: C
A7
G
E7
C
A7
V
IV
II7
I
VI7
IV
II7

A Mix

E Mix

A Mix

Repeat and Fade

G
E7 :||
I
VI7

E Mix

The Harmonic Analysis (HA)

A Harmonic Analysis (RMA/HA) and its worksheet are intended to show the function of the chords, the harmonic principles used, the keys and tonalities the song explores. And, can be used for scale selections and chord and scale substitutions.

NOTE: A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a lead leadsheet. Minimal roadmap information such as repeats, fine, D.S., D.C., and codas has been used in preparing the worksheets to somewhat mirror the leadsheet in the Daily Ukulele book.

Sections, Verse, Chorus, 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks …

The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks, etc. as indicated in the Yellow Book. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to a previous verse or an section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to a different part of the song, a or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.

If turnback chords are not indicated for these 1st and 2nd endings in the original Yellow Book leadsheet, recommended chord(s) will be indicated in parentheses or as an alternate harmony in Red . Typically the last measures or turnbacks will be a chord that resolves to and harmonically leads you to the next section or turning you back to the same section. Typically a V or direct substitution of that next chord.

Reference Key

This is the key of the source leadsheet.

  • Daydream is in 4/4, Common Time and the Key of D . The original is in the Key of Ab , Tempo: 100 bpm

Harmonic Principles Used:

These are the harmonic principles used in Daydream.

Nashville Number System (NNS)

Nashville Numbering System always uses four bars/measures per line, no bar lines, and default is each number of the number of beats per bar/measure based on the time signature. If multiple chords in same bar then they are underlined. It can be as simple as converting the Roman Numerals above to Arabic numbers.

At its simplest you simply replace the roman numbers with Arabic numbers. e.g., I becomes 1 , II becomes 2 , etc. The only exception is the bVII7 chord becomes 7 as this borrowed chord from the Mixolydian tonality is so common and the VII (half-diminished seventh) in a major chord is so rare (actually never). And, you could go as far as saying all the modes are numbered: I II III IV V VI VII — just as in the major scale. So calling it a 7 is not that far out.

Check the definitive book Nashville Number System

Scale Selection

Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed, scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical or horizontal choices. And, really, only needed if you are going to take a solo or embellish the melody with added notes.

Scale Abbreviation Legend

Traditional Scales: Maj: Major (Ionian), Nat Min: Natural Minor, Dim: Diminished, WT: Whole Tone, Har Min: Harmonic Minor

Contemporary Scales: Minor Pent: Minor Pentatonic, Pent: Major Pentatonic, Blues

Scale/Mode Names: Ion: Ionian (Major), Dor: Dorian (Minor), Phrygian: Phrygian, Lyd: Lydian, Mix: Mixolydian (Dominant), Aeol: Aeolian (Natural Minor), Loc: Locrian

Altered Scales: Mix+4: Mixolydian Plus 4 / Lydian Dominant, Mix-2-6: Mixolydian flat 2, flat 6

Checkout the Lesson Series: Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection or download the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book. And the QuickStart Series of Scale and Arpeggio books.

RMA book cover QS1UKES book cover

Performance Notes

Intro

A simple two bar intro (Uke and Bass Guitar shown), using the I chord, C using The Quarter Note Strum . As the ukulele doesn't really have a Bass low-end, even with a low string four. The Bass part is simple and really adds to the Intro.

Default is C Tuning, Low or High G