Stevie Wonder: Uptight (Everything's Alright)

Written in 1965 (Renewed 1993) by Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby, the song Uptight has only two chords. It is from the album Motown Hits of Gold1

1. Stevie Wonder - YouTube
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbyOLzEyfk

 2. Free Midi Download
     http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=1386003&song=Uptight

3. Stevie Wonder Biography
    http://www.answers.com/topic/stevie-wonder

4. Uptight Background
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uptight

From 'Uptight (Everything's Alright)' (1966)


(Original Key: C#)

(Transposed one Semi-tone higher)


Intro:

D  C/D (x3)

Chorus 1:

D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.

Verse 1:

      D                              C/D
I'm a poorman's son, from across the railroad tracks,
    D                   C/D
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back.
    D                     C/D
But I'm the envy of every single guy,
      D                C/D
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye.
     D                         C/D
When we go out stepping on the town, for a while,
   D                   C/D
My money's low, and my suit's out of style.

Bridge 1:

         D                C/D
But it's all right, if my clothes aren't new,
D                         C/D
 Out of sight, because my heart is true. She says...

Chorus 2:

D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.

Verse 2:

        D                               C/D
She's a pearl of a girl, I guess that's what you might say,
  D                           C/D
I guess her folks brought her up that way.
    D                                 C/D
The right side of the tracks, she was born and raised,
     D                           C/D
In a great big old house full of butlers and maids.

Bridge 2:

D           C/D
 No one, is better than I,
D                    C/D
 I know; I'm just an average guy.

Verse 3:

   D                 C/D
No football hero, or smooth Don Juan,
    D                             C/D
Got empty pockets, you see; I'm a poor man's son.
      D                        C/D
Can't give her the things that money can buy,
         D                    C/D
But I'll never, never make my baby cry.

Bridge 3:

         D               C/D
And it's all right, what I can't do,
D                         C/D
 Out of sight, because my heart is true. She says...

Chorus 3:

D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight. She says...

D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight. She says...

Coda:


D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  ah hah hah, hah hah, yeah. She says...
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.
D     C/D
 Baby,  ev'rything is all right,
D         C/D
 Uptight;  out of sight.

(Repeat to Fade)


Beginner's Corner:

D = D/DF#A 

C/D = D/C E

Sometimes the inversions will look like this:

D = D/F#AD

C/D = D/C#EA

Another somewhat easy song to play is "A Place In The Sun."

1. Stevie Wonder Singing

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gawYt1d0vEg

*from 'Down To Earth' (1966)*


*CAPO 1st FRET*

(Original Key: Ebm)


Intro:

Dm7  G7, C

Verse 1:

       Dm7         G7             C          C/B     Am7
Like a long lonely stream, I keep runnin' to-wards a dream;
Dm7        G7      C  F  C
 Movin' on, movin' on.

F6    Am7 Dm7         G7           C        C/B   Am7
 Like a   branch on a tree, I keep reachin' to be free;
Dm7        G7      C  F  C
 Movin' on, movin' on.

Chorus 1:

               Dm7          G7                 C        E7    Am
'Cos there's a place in the sun, where there's hope for ev'ry-one.
      Am7 Dm7           G7             C   Cmaj7  C6
Where my  poor restless heart's, gotta run.

          Dm7          G7          C       E7      Am
There's a place in the sun, and be-fore my life is done;
Am7     Dm7       G7           C   F  C
 Got to find me a place in the sun.

Verse 2:

        Dm7       G7          C      C/B      Am7
Like an old dusty road, I get we-ary from the load;
Dm7        G7      C  F  C
 Movin' on, movin' on.

          Dm7             G7               C       C/B      Am7
Like this tired, troubled earth, I've been rollin' since my birth;
Dm7        G7      C  F  C
 Movin' on, movin' on.

Chorus 2:

               Dm7          G7                 C        E7    Am
'Cos there's a place in the sun, where there's hope for ev'ry-one.
      Am7 Dm7           G7             C   Cmaj7  C6
Where my  poor restless heart's, gotta run.

          Dm7          G7          C       E7      Am
There's a place in the sun, and be-fore my life is done;
Am7     Dm7       G7           C   F  C
 Got to find me a place in the sun. I know...

Chorus 3:

               Dm7          G7                 C        E7    Am
'Cos there's a place in the sun, where there's hope for ev'ry-one.
      Am7 Dm7           G7             C   Cmaj7  C6
Where my  poor restless heart's, gotta run.

          Dm7          G7          C       E7      Am
There's a place in the sun, and be-fore my life is done;
Am7     Dm7       G7           C   F  C
 Got to find me a place in the sun.

(Repeat to Fade)


CHORD DIAGRAMS:
---------------

   Dm7     G7      C       C/B     Am7
 

Beginner's Corner:

Dm7 = D/ACDF

G7 = G/FGB

C = C/GCE

Am = A/CEA

So, if you're looking for music software where you can 

add midi files to a virtual keyboard and learn popular 

songs, visit Song Robot

And if you're a vocalist searching for more vocal 

training, visit Vocals

I just love Stevie Wonder, don't you?

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Chords to Hero by Mariah Carey

Here's how I play Mariah Carey's  Hero

Verse 1

E(add9)                     D6/9
There's a hero if you look inside your heart
C#m7                                           B9sus       B
You don't have to be afraid of what you are
E(add9)                   D/F#
There's an answer if you reach into your soul
           C(add9)                             B9sus        B
And the sorrow that you know will melt away

Chorus

E(add9)           B/D#            C#m7
And then a hero comes along
                      E/B       A(add9)
With the strength to carry on
                  E(add9)G#        F#m7
And you cast your fears aside
          A/B              E
and you know you can survive
                        B/D#        C#m7
so when you feel like hope is gone
         C#m/B                 A(add9)
look inside you and be strong
                   E(add9)G#        F#m7
and you'll finally see the truth
         B9sus           E
that a hero lies in you


Verse 2
Chorus
Verse 3


C      G/B     G           D            C
Lord knows dreams are hard to fallow
                 G/B  G   D/F#  Em7   D
but don't let anyone tear them away
  C   G/B    G          D
Hold on there will be tomorrow
C       G/B                 A/B    B
In time you'll find the way

A Simple Version

Verse 1

E                      D
There's a hero if you look inside your heart
C#                                            B       B7
You don't have to be afraid of what you are
E                          D
There's an answer if you reach into your soul
           C                             B        B7
And the sorrow that you know will melt away

Chorus

E                       C#
And then a hero comes along
                            A
With the strength to carry on
                           F#
And you cast your fears aside
          B              E
and you know you can survive
                                C#
so when you feel like hope is gone
                          A
look inside you and be strong
                             F#
and you'll finally see the truth
         B           E
that a hero lies in you


Verse 2

        E                   D
It's A long road when you face the world alone
C#                                     B       B7
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
E                           D
You can find love if you search within youself
            C                            B     B7
And the emptyness you felt will disappear


Chorus


Verse 3


C      G                D              C
Lord knows dreams are hard to fallow
                 G               D
but don't let anyone tear them away
  C   G                   D
Hold on there will be tomorrow
C       G                  B    B7
In time you'll find the way


Chorus ( times 2 )
Above chord chart found here

 Another Version of the song Hero

Intro: E C#m A F#m B


       Mmmm - mmmm
          E             D9
There's a hero, if you look inside your heart
          C#m                             B4 B
You don't have to be afraid of what you are
           E              D9
There's an answer, if you reach into your soul
        C                                B4 B
And the sorrow that you know will melt away 

{chorus}
E                      C#m                              A
And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on
                        F#m            B9               E 
And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive
                               C#m                          A
So, when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong
                           F#m           B            E 
And you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you

Piano 
E C#m A  B

        E                  D9
It's a long road when you face the world alone
        C#m                            B4 B
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
        E                              D9
You can find love if search within yourself
        C                            B4   B
And the emptiness you felt will disappear

E                      C#m                              A
And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on
                        F#m            B9               E 
And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive
                               C#m                          A
So, when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong
                           F#m           B            E 
And you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you

Ooh - ooh
C    G/B  G             D
Lord knows - dreams are hard to follow
C             G      G D   Em     D
But don't let anyone tear them away
C    G/B G           D
Hold on - there will be tomorrow
C   G                   A
In time you'll find the way


E                      C#m                              A
And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on
                        F#m            B9               E 
And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive
                               C#m                          A
So, when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong
                           F#m           B            E4 E A 
And you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you
       B4   B       E
That a hero lies in you


Piano E C#m A

                 B4   B       E
Mmm-mmm , that a hero lies in you 

 View Chord Chart here

Download Free Sheet Music Here
http://pianotte.szm.com/H.htm

Here is one of the best piano tutorial's for the song, Hero:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYNn2fXuG5s

And I would love to invite you to see Jermaine Griggs introduce the Song Robot and watch his video demonstration learning the song Hero.
http://www.hearandplay.com/main/valentines-day-learn-hero-in-slow-motion

So, here's my last post re: the Song Robot. If you have a PC the music software works great. If you have a Mac, you'll be using midi files in Garage Band on their virtual keyboard. Last sales pitch...

Hi,

As you may know from my last e-mail,
my friends over at Hear and Play Music
have just released their new software
called, "Song Robot."

I know the name sounds funny but with
the power of technology, your computer
can now show you how to play literally
thousands of songs already available on
the internet.

You can literally turn your computer
into a song-teaching machine... that
never sleeps, never charges by the
hour... doesn't get frustrated... and
repeats as much as you want!

More info at:
Virtual Keyboard

You simply load song files into it (which
they give you dozens to get started) and
the Song Robot shows you, on demand, how
to play them on this huge virtual keyboard
that lights up.

More info at:
New Software Tool

Here's what it does:

* It can slow down songs, "turtle speed."

* It transposes songs to all 12 keys so
  you're not stuck in ONE key.

* You have the choice of learning with huge,
  red colored notes that light up or a
  real-looking 3d version of a piano.

* You can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward.

* You can even load your favorite audio files
  and have it remove vocals so you can practice
  (they can even be slowed down and put in all
  12 keys... real albums!)


Visit:
Piano Software

For a limited time, they're making you an
unbeatable deal on the song files... and
throwing the song robot in at no cost!

Once you get your hands on this, you'll see
why so many are excited about it.

Visit:
Song Robot

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail
me.

All the best,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Lord I Lift Your Name On High Chords: The Story Behind The Song

Image via WikipediaWhen you are looking for the chords to "Lord I Lift Your Name On High" (I Corinthians 15:3-4) , which version are you looking for? The song was written by Rick Founds in 1989 and has been around for quite sometime. If you are a church musician, get familiar with the Key of G and know this scale to pull out the melody line. I thought I'd post the chord chart and fill in some of the chords for you. I've heard this particular song played so many different ways. Have you? Here's one of my favorite video lessons for this song.

G      C                 D     CDG
 Lord I lift your name on high
        C                 D         CDG
 Lord I love to sing your praises
        C               D    CDG
 I'm so glad your in my life
        C                D        CDG
 I'm so glad you came to save us

                      C         D
 You came from heaven to earth
    C        G
 To show the way
          C            D
 from the earth to the cross
    C       G
 My debt to pay
          C            D
 from the cross to the grave
          Bm           C
 from the grave to the sky
        D                 G
 Lord I lift your name on high

Here's How I Play It:

G = GD/GB

C/G = GE/CG

D/G = GF#/AD

D = D/AE, D

Dsus = D/ADG resolving to D = D/ADF#

Em7 = E/EGB

Am7 = A/CEG 

Lord I Lift midi

LIFT NAME.mid

Watch the video and see how Sam pulls out the melody 

and harmonizes it in his r.h.
   

Same Song by Lincoln Brewster

G C D C Lord I lift Your name on High G C D C Lord I love to sing Your praises G C D C I'm so glad You're in my life G C D C I'm so glad You came to save us G C D You came from heaven to earth C G To show the way C D From the earth to the cross C G My debt to pay C D From the cross to the grave Em C From the grave to the sky D G Lord I lift your name on high
Download music

Jeff Deyo and Sonicflood

Lord I Lift Your Name On High
Key of A

Chorus:
A              D         E 
You came from heaven to earth
   D        A
To show the way
         D            E
From the earth to the cross
   D       A
My debt to pay
         D            E
From the cross to the grave
         F#m          D
From the grave to the sky
         E               A
Lord, I lift Your name on high

X2

Bridge
A E D D A

Chorus:
              D         E 
You came from heaven to earth
   D        A
To show the way
         D            E
From the earth to the cross
   D       A
My debt to pay
         D            E
From the cross to the grave
         F#m          D
From the grave to the sky
         E               A
Lord, I lift Your name on high

Verse:
A       D                 E      D A
Lord, I lift Your name on high
        D                 E        D A
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
       D                 E        D A
I'm so glad You're in my life
        D               E
I'm so glad You came to save us

Chorus:
              D         E 
You came from heaven to earth
   D        A
To show the way
         D            E
From the earth to the cross
   D       A
My debt to pay
         D            E
From the cross to the grave
         F#m          D
From the grave to the sky
         E               A
Lord, I lift Your name on high

Verse:
A       D                 E      D A
Lord, I lift Your name on high
        D                 E        D A
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
       D                 E        D A
I'm so glad You're in my life
        D               E
I'm so glad You came to save us

Chorus:
              D         E 
You came from heaven to earth
   D        A
To show the way
         D            E
From the earth to the cross
   D       A
My debt to pay
         D            E
From the cross to the grave
         F#m          D
From the grave to the sky
         E               A
Lord, I lift Your name on high

X2

Repeat bridge over and over again,
also as singer sings:

"For you are Holy (Awesome)
Bring your Freedom"

The Story Behind The Song

Lord, I Lift Your Name On High --Rick Founds

"The rain from the night before had left everything fresh and clean in the morning light. As Rick Founds drove to his job where he was music minister at a church in Southern California, he thought to himself what an exceptionally beautiful morning it was. He especially pondered the clouds and the cycle of water, falling to the ground to replenish the earth and then evaporating back into the clouds.


Rick was still thinking about all this after he arrived at work. As was his habit, he began to read the Bible, strumming chords on his guitar while doing so. He started thinking about God's love and His plan for humankind's redemption. Before he knew it, words started to flow: "You came from heaven to earth to show the way, and from earth to cross my debt to pay, from that cross to grave and from grave to sky, and in response to that I lift Your name on high." The words and simple chord progression he had been playing merged into the song"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High."


Later that week he played the song at midweek Bible study and again for Sunday morning service. The song's legacy has been to travel to churches around the globe where audiences learn it easily and quickly tune into its message."

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Song Robot: New Software Tool

Dear Readers,


I always blog about a music dvd I've just discovered or a piano dvd that works for us musicians.


I recently received this bit of news launching a new virtual keyboard. When I watched the video, what caught my eye was the fact that you could learn gospel and jazz songs, plus adding free midis. Here's the note:
What if a robot could teach you songs?

Sounds crazy but with the power of technology,
there's now a way to turn your computer into a
song-teaching machine... that never sleeps,
never charges by the hour... doesn't get
frustrated... and repeats as much as you want!

My friends over at Hear & Play Music are the ones
behind it and just created a video demonstration
at:

Virtual Keyboard

(I only wish I had this little magic tool when
I was young!)

They call it the "Song Robot!" You simply load
song files into it and it shows you, on demand,
how to play them on a big virtual keyboard.

There's a full video demonstration at:

Piano Robot

Here's what it does:

* It can slow down songs, "turtle speed."

* It transposes songs to all 12 keys so you're
  not stuck in ONE key.

* You have the choice of learning with huge, red
  colored notes that light up or a real-looking
  3d version of a piano.

* You can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward.

* You can even load your favorite audio files
  and have it remove vocals so you can practice
  (they can even be slowed down and put in all
  12 keys... real albums!)

Visit:
Song Robot

For a limited time, they're making you an
unbeatable deal on the song files... and
throwing the song robot in at no cost!

Once you get your hands on this, you'll see
why so many are excited about it.

Visit:
New Software

I just might jump on this deal and take advantage of the deal!

Fun way to learn!


P.S. Here's a chord chart to I Love Your Grace by Rick Founds

A           G                 D
I love your grace I love Your mercy
A                  G               D    E
I love the way You help me when I fall
A           G                D             Bm
I love Your truth I love the power of Your name
        G                D                A
But You know I love Your presence most of all

C             G             D                
My soul takes refuge in the shadow of Your wings
G               D               A
Close to You is where I want to be
C          G                   D              F#m
You are my strength You are my God You are my King
      G            D             Esus E
All I want is what You want from me

 Maybe I should post some worship songs that have LOVE in the lyrics or title!



"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How To Play The Piano Without Sheet Music

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornelluniversitylibrary

I wrote an article and you can read it in its entirety below. I just finished looking through a music book I found at our local library and wanted to share this short blurb with you.

"If you memorize, go ahead and test out the strength of your memory. Most performers will tell you that a memory slip is at the top on their lists of things they want to avoid. Play your memorized pieces for anyone who will listen, and play in different places and on different pianos. Play the music a bit slower and a bit faster than you plan to play in the performance. If you find some weak spots, give them a little extra attention before the big gig."-- From Piano for Dummies

 What I've learned about memorizing music.

Looking for tips on how to memorize music? Playing without sheet music is possible. Here are my own challenges and triumphs.

A group of us musicians were asked to play for an outdoor event at an amphitheater right by the ocean. The morning began with a huge downpour and we were frantically drying wet music scores with a hair dryer. Needless to say, it was quite challenging. What did I personally learn from the experience? Memorize your music! Yes, you can insert sheet music in plastic sleeves and that would be one way to succeed. However, it's fun just to go to Guitar Center and play a few memorized tunes in front of anyone who will listen.

1. So, why memorize music?

Playing without sheet music is very liberating.
Of course there's no need to memorize music if you don't want to. As a musician, I choose to memorize to avoid uncomfortable situations like music blowing off my stand when playing outdoors. Especially performing a night gig and the light bulb goes out on your music stand, surrounded by total darkness in the orchestra pit.

If you have been doing your homework during your practice sessions and you are familiar with the set of music, then you're not locked in to reading just the music notes with having to turn pages as well.
You will soon discover new ways of music flowing since you're eager to play without music.

2. Steps to help you memorize music.

If you're playing boogie blues or rock and roll, learn the various left hand patterns in the 12 bar blues form. Notice a couple of phrases and see if the second phrase answers the first.
When I'm reviewing a song, let's say it's a ballad, I first determine the keynote and play around and find the melody in that particular key.

If you're given a lead sheet, remembering chord progressions is the key to memorizing the song that is built on recalling the theory that you understand. Analyze the structure of the piece.

Now memorizing note for note is another ball game. Honestly, it can be more difficult for others than a youngster playing a memorized piece at a recital. In my opinion, the key to memorizing sheet music is through repetition. Also, try to remember if your hands are going in opposite directions or playing separately. Note tricky fingering as well.

I suggest taking small sections of music and repeatedly going over a few lines. We call this chunking and chaining. Please be patient. You may find recording or using flash cards to quiz yourself helps boost confidence in playing licks to a certain measure. I wrote an article on Practice Tips mentioning chunking and chaining. You can view it at: http://zone.hearandplay.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=162&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Laying down a rhythm pattern, programming drums, jamming in garage band or just using a metronome for a classical piece can keep you on track with skills to remember a song. Listening to a phrase of music indeed works the brain for short-term memory. Keep at it daily. In the beginning, I would open my music, then close it and try to play what I pictured.

3. Why these steps will help.

Practice, repetition and patience, a win-win formula, but truly there is no magic pill to take in memorizing music. Playing with other musicians for years and having that experience helps in knowing how to play certain songs well without sheet music. I'm thinking the biggest factor of all is choosing to memorize a song that you know and love will make it much easier for you to learn. You're on your way!

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

What If There Isn't A Transpose Button?

Suppose you're the new keyboard player in the band. This rock band just hired you and welcomed you aboard. Now, you're going to your first gig tonight. You arrive excitedly, greet the other musicians and begin to look over the music set. Most of the songs you do know but there's a few complex ones that change keys several times. No worries because your keyboard has a transpose button so you will just press it a few times. On this special night you soon discover that there isn't a transpose button. Now what are you going to do?

If you have found yourself in this same scenario as I have before, you are faced with a few choices.

1. Learn how to modulate; change keys within the song.
2. Play the first song in the original key. Lay out on the chord that sets up the next key. Jump back in with the new key.
3. Just play through the song once and lay out all together while the rest of the musicians play.

The chances of you actually performing at a live gig, playing a fast, lively song that changes keys several times, like the ones by Israel Houghton and then reaching for the transpose button and clicking away, yet remaining in the groove can cause a train wreck and mess up the other musicians.
The answers to learning how to modulate on your own can be found in learning the Circle of Fifths and using the Number System. Here are a few tips to help you on your way to transposition or simply stated, moving a piece of music from one key to another.

1. Know the scale of the original key.
2. Number each note of the melody by the numbers of the scale.
3. Review the scale of the new key, finding the numbers (degrees) associated with the notes and reconstruct the melody.

The same formula is true with transposing a chord progression. Let's say the original key is C Major and we're playing I chord (C) and the IV chord F. The singer chooses to modulate to the Key of Eb to fit her voice range better and cause a dynamic move in the song. With the same previous steps for changing the melody line, we will now apply to the new key. In the Key of Eb, we play I chord (Eb) and the IV chord (Ab).

Going back to our opening scenario, you will need to know HOW to arrive at the new key and that is called Modulation. Forget that button on your keyboard and discover the solution by learning these easy steps.

To begin, let's say we are starting in the Key of F and we want to move up a half step. Here's what you need to know.

1. A dominant chord is built on the fifth degree of the scale.
2. The most direct movement is from the dominant chord to the tonic chord.
3. This is known as the V-I progression.
4. A dominant seventh chord may also be used, and this is called a V7-I progression.

Now you're ready for your new gig. It's a new day. The band starts a particular song in the Key of F Major. Now to move to F# Major, you are playing the dominant chord (V) of the New Key to set up the new change and that chord would be C# and you begin anew in the key of F# with I chord. Congratulations "smooth modulator."

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King