Nuages.. Finally feel like I can try to learn it

[Tim Toberer]

This seems like a steel guitar standard. I am using my pedal steel, but this song seems to be much more popular with non pedal players. This is a good one for beginners or intermediate players (like me?) because it is slow, the melody is fairly easy and is wide open for harmonic interpretation. The chord chart from my usual resource is a bit lacking, but I found a guitar transcription that is giving me some ideas for chord voicings. I cheat, I steal shhhh.

The opening passage is actually the trickiest part to harmonize(and the later modulation to C with the same chromatic descending melody). I think it is tricky because being chromatic it is open to interpretation, but it sounds good as a minor ii-V7 going to major. I am playing it in G so the chords go like this Bbm7 Eb7b9 Am7b5 D7b9 G6 (GM7). These chords have so many opportunities for gorgeous voice leading. Django and BH 6th diminished concepts go together like peanut butter and jelly! Anyway having some fun with this one and got most of the chords figured out so it is going well. Here are a few versions I found very inspiring and hope you guys don't mind me reposting!
https://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/nuages-arr-mike-neer
https://soundcloud.com/bill-hatcher/nuages-lap-steel

[Twayn Williams]

I've played this in GJ circles (on guitar) for years using the Robin Nolan chart. I've recently pulled it into my E13 repertoire -- in fact I was just practicing it this morning! It's also really fun to play as a latin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLbcHjPu1kU

[Guy Cundell]

Not the sophistication of Mike or Bill but this may have some value for A6 players.

Nuages.png

[Twayn Williams]

Thanks! I'm going to see if I can adapt it to 6-string B11.

[Tim Toberer]

Not the sophistication of Mike or Bill but this may have some value for A6 players.

Looks like a really solid arrangement. Thanks Guy!
I like this version in 6 string C6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlrHEOXbxSw

Once I get the chord melody down then I want to try to learn how to improvise over this. I have been listening to Django non stop for the past few weeks and I am starting to get some ideas hopefully. Trying to embrace the Harmonic Minor scale my old nemesis!