Feeling Good Mandolin Tab By Michael Buble
Based on its musical structure as a jazz standard, playing "Feeling Good" by Michael Bublé on the piano in the key of G Major is a moderately difficult task. While the melody is straightforward, the song's jazz harmonies and swing rhythm require a level of skill beyond a true beginner. As the Fiddle is tuned the same as the mandolin GDAE, this tab will also work for the Violin.
Here is a breakdown of how to play the song.
1. The Chords
The song's chord progression is the foundation of its rich, jazz-infused sound. In the key of G Major, the most common chords are:
2. The Melody
The melody is clear, powerful, and easy to follow. A pianist with some experience can play it with their right hand. The melody is very similar to the vocal line and is straightforward to learn by ear.
3. The Rhythm and Feel
The key to playing this song is to capture its swinging, big-band rhythm. This is where the main challenge lies.
4. Step-by-Step Guide
Summary of Playability
Here is a breakdown of how to play the song.
1. The Chords
The song's chord progression is the foundation of its rich, jazz-infused sound. In the key of G Major, the most common chords are:
- G (I) or Gmaj7: G - B - D - F#
- C (IV) or Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
- D (V) or D7: D - F# - A - C
- A (II) or Am7: A - C - E - G
- B (III) or Bm7: B - D - F# - A
2. The Melody
The melody is clear, powerful, and easy to follow. A pianist with some experience can play it with their right hand. The melody is very similar to the vocal line and is straightforward to learn by ear.
3. The Rhythm and Feel
The key to playing this song is to capture its swinging, big-band rhythm. This is where the main challenge lies.
- Left Hand: For a basic version, the left hand can play a simple root-note bass line, similar to a walking bass. For a more authentic feel, an intermediate player can play a rhythmic bass line with a "swing" feel, playing the root note on the downbeat and the fifth or octave on the upbeat.
- Right Hand: The right hand can play the melody and the chords. The rhythm is not straight but has a swing feel, meaning the eighth notes are played as a triplet feel (long-short).
- Coordination: The coordination between the swinging left hand and the melodic right hand requires practice.
4. Step-by-Step Guide
- Learn the Chords: Start by practicing the chord changes with your left hand. Get comfortable with the Gmaj7, Cmaj7, D7, and Am7 chords.
- Learn the Melody: Practice playing the melody with your right hand. Focus on making it sound smooth and connected.
- Combine the Hands: Once you are comfortable with both parts, combine them. The left hand can play a simple bass line while the right hand plays the melody and chords.
- Add the Swing Feel: Begin with a slow tempo. Once you are comfortable, work on adding the swing feel to your playing. This is a subtle rhythmic feel that will give your performance authenticity.
- Focus on Dynamics: The song has a dramatic and powerful feel. Practice moving from a soft, gentle feel in the verses to a strong, powerful feel in the chorus.
Summary of Playability
- For Beginners: It's not recommended for a beginner. The complex chords and the swing rhythm would be a significant challenge.
- For Intermediate Players: This is an excellent song to work on. You can focus on learning the jazz chords and on developing a swing rhythm in your left hand.
- For Advanced Players: An advanced player can use this song to create a full, intricate arrangement, adding complex chord voicings, improvisational runs, and a more sophisticated walking bass line.
