From Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” ballet . . .
“Simple Gifts” is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn or as a work song, it is better classified as a dance song.The tune was written by Joseph Brackett (1797–1882) in 1848. Brackett, a lifelong resident of Maine, first joined the Shakers at Gorham, Maine, when his father’s farm helped to form the nucleus of a new Shaker settlement.
I did a highly acclaimed fingerpicking arrangement of this song 3 years ago and is found in my Solo Ukulele Instrumentals 2013 fingerpicking collection enlarged edition. . . But more recently, I decided to try it as a Chord/Melody arrangement and discovered it worked incredibly well in that format as well . . . As you may know, Chord/Melody arrangements are generally more easily accessible for solo players since no fingerpicking is involved. . . . only the strum of the thumb . . . . Try the short excerpts below and I think you’ll be surprised at how easy this song is to play. . . Great tune for beginning solo ukulele players . . .
Notice all of the “zeros” . . . that means those strings are played but no left hand fingers are place on the strings. . most of the melody rides on the FIRST string . . . the melody goes all the way up on the FIRST string to the 10th Fret . . . Looks really impressive in performance . . .
Below is a short clip of the BRIDGE section . . .
“Simple Gifts” Chord/Melody arrangement is contained in the Ukulele Chord/Melody eBook TWO. It can be purchased by making a payment of $23.95 through the paypal button on the Ukulele Mike website: http://www.ukulelemikelynch.com Once purchased, it will be personally emailed to you within the day . . .
Table of Contents:
Each of the Chord/Melody eBooks can be purchased individually or all together at a combined discount . . . . Currently the combo has been discounted further to $55.95 as a summer discount . . .
Questions regarding any Ukulele resources, please email: TheUkuleleMan2012@hotmail.com
