CLICK HERE to access EXCLUSIVE CONTENT in my ‘BEYOND TABS’ guitar course
|
|
| Song Background | |
| Music by Walter Donaldson and words by Gus Kahn, Makin’ Whoopee first became popular in the 1928 musical Whoopee ! Great lyrics and great old tune to get swnging with. Many Jazz and blues artists have recorded it over the years, I’ve included some of my favourite versions below | |
| Guitar Chord Progression Analysis | |
| The chord progression for Makin’ Whoopee has a very familiar feel to it. Starting on the I chord it moves to I#dim and then chord II followed by chord V. As guitarists we should be looking to ways in which we can make chord movements like this sound smooth and seamless. Progressions like this are great to play with a fingerpicking guitar technique. Once you’ve worked out the way that sounds good to your ears and feels nice to play then you will begin to able to hear other songs within which the movements are placed. A lot of the American songbook songs utilise the same turn-arounds. If you would like to learn more about how to play these turnarounds on the guitar, come and join my Beyond Tabs guitar course where I have free video guitar lessons that will help you along the way. | |
| Suggested Listening | |
| Dinah Washington Album – UnforgettableThis one really swings along with Dinah Washington bringing out the words brilliantly |
Charlie ByrdAlbum – The Guitar Artistry of Charlie ByrdListen to the great interplay between the guitar and the bass. Players listening to each other, a musical conversation….. |
| Kenny BurrellAlbum – 12/15/78I love the bass solo in this version. You can hear it being developed as it moves along. Working on bass line is something that I cover in the guitar course |
Nat King ColeAlbum – The Complete Capitol recordings of the Nat King Cole TrioI’ve listen to this trio so often over the years. Great guitar lines , great piano playing |
| Which artist’s version of Makin’ Whoopee would you recommend? Tell me about it and I can feature it here | |