Knockin' on Heaven's Door — Let's Play Together!

I am delighted that we have already been able to make music together in two shared productions, even if only virtually. Last December we played the song beginning "Ó, Gyönyörű Szép" , and for this year's World Ukulele Day we prepared a Brahms arrangement. Many of you asked when the next project would be. Well, here it is — and I can tell you that while I was editing the Brahms video, I already decided that this Bob Dylan song should be the next one we arrange together.

This time your task will be easier because you know what we are playing (unlike with Brahms), but also harder because you will need to make longer recordings, and I am also hoping for some singing. I would like a ukulele-and-vocal recording from anyone who can sing confidently and in tune while accompanying themselves on ukulele. If you would rather not sing, please send a chord-strumming video instead — that will also be extremely useful!

The following chords are used in the song:

In the video I explain in detail what to play and how to approach the rhythm, but for clarity I will also write it down here. We play the song in 2/4. The chord progression is the same in the verses and choruses, and each verse (or chorus) consists of four lines:

1. | [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [Am7] [Am7] |

2. | [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [C] [C] |

3. | [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [Am7] [Am7] |

4. | [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [C] [C] |

These four lines have to be repeated four times, so we play 16 lines altogether!

The strumming pattern is shown below, and I have also marked the strumming direction in case that helps. I explain the rhythm in detail in the video.

If we combine the chords above with the lyrics, this is what we get, so this is what I would like you to play and sing (I have also added the lyrics and chords to the video). And yes, it is intentional: we start with the chorus. You will find out why in the finished production .

FIRST ROUND
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [Am7]door [Am7]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [C]door [C]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [Am7]door [Am7]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [C]door [C]

SECOND ROUND (no singing, chords only)
| [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [Am7] [Am7] |

| [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [C] [C] |

| [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [Am7] [Am7] |

| [G] [G] | [D] [D] | [C] [C] |

THIRD ROUND
[G]Mama, [D]put my guns in the [Am7]ground [Am7]
[G]I can't [D]shoot them any[C]more. [C]
[G]That long black [D]cloud is comin' [Am7]down [Am7]
[G]I feel like I'm [D]knockin' on heaven's [C]door. [C]

FOURTH ROUND
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [Am7]door [Am7]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [C]door [C]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [Am7]door [Am7]
[G]Knock, knock, [D]knockin' on heaven's [C]door

At the very end, it is deliberate that the usual C major is missing after the final “door”. We strum the C before “door” once, and that is where the instrumental accompaniment ends. IMPORTANT: let the final C ring out, and wait about 10 seconds before stopping the video — do not immediately reach for the stop button.

In the next video I explain all of the above, and I also play through the four rounds twice in succession. Of course I only need one complete performance from you; I included it twice in the video simply so that if you want to make more than one recording, you do not have to keep rewinding.

If you skip to 7:20, that is where the “play-along” section starts, but please watch the whole video patiently at least once so you have all the information you need to make a usable recording!!!

Finally, here is a summary of the most important points about making and submitting your video. The “official” part is that anyone who sends me a video consents to my processing and publishing that video without any time limit. So, here is what you need to know:

• You need to play four rounds (that is, 4 × 16 bars). The first round is the chorus, then accompaniment only, then the second verse, and finally another chorus in the fourth round.
• Please record a front-facing video showing both your face and your ukulele while you play. This matters for editing: it would not look good if one person showed only their face while someone else showed only the instrument, and so on.
• If possible, keep background noise to a minimum and record in a well-lit place.
• My video must not be audible in your recording, because it would be impossible to remove it from the background during editing.
• Please record horizontally, preferably in HD. I cannot guarantee that videos with an unsuitable aspect ratio can be included, because positioning and resizing them is very time-consuming.
• Do not stop the recording immediately at the end of the fourth round. Please wait about 10 seconds before stopping it (or before introducing yourself — see below).

Please do not send the recording via Facebook, because that significantly reduces the quality. I would like the original file, shared for example via Google Drive, WeTransfer, Mammutmail, Toldacuccot, etc.; please use info@ukulele.hu as the recipient. If you need a Gmail address for sharing, you can send the material to ukuleleblog@gmail.com. If you have any questions before recording or about submitting your video, write to the same address or leave a comment below the post.

Deadline: Monday, 15 March 2021, 10:00 p.m. That is how long I will be waiting for your recordings. Then comes several hours (or days) of editing; the actual time will of course depend on how many videos arrive — hopefully as many as possible. I started editing the Brahms video literally one minute after the deadline , and I expect the same will happen this time, so please do not submit your video late.

If you have not yet sent a video for one of our previous play-along projects, please introduce yourself briefly either by email or at the end of your video and tell me how long you have been playing. These introductions will not appear in the finished production; I will keep them for myself . I would be happy to get to know at least this much about those of you who will appear in the video. Have fun practising and good luck! I look forward to your videos. Thank you .