Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position.

Published: 12 Jul 2006 Updated: 03 Jan 2020Visits: 392Code: UKEREAD1

INSTRUMENTS: Reading Main: Ukulele Others: Ukulele Leadsheet
Subjects: Reading • Beginner • Basics • Fingerboard • Repertoire • Melody • Methods

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Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position.

Product Code: UKEREAD1
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Jul 12, 2006
Updated: Jan 3, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-1-0
Size*: ANSI A
Pages: 80
Hard Copy Price: $15.95
PDF Price: $7

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Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position. It is a lot easier than you might think with this step-by-step easy to use approach. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).

Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.

Reading music on the ukulele is easier than reading music on guitar or piano. There are only four strings with a smaller range of possible notes.

Music in the key of C with all natural notes, no flats or sharps is pretty easy to play in open position on a ukulele. This would be the same as playing the white keys of a piano.

Standard music notation has been the Lingua Franco of musicians, both professionals and hobbyists for many centuries.

Reading standard music notation opens you up to vast world of published music.

Reading simple melodies in open position is the first step to reading music on the uke.

Ukulele - Reading Music Series: Reading Music in Open Position, Single Note Studies- Primer uses Chuck Anderson's Modular Phonetic Rhythm System.

Future books cover reading accidentals, the signatures, chords charts as well as reading in different positions up and down the ukulele fingerboard. As well as covering reading music in additional popular ukulele tunings: "G", Tuning and "D" Tuning.

Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).

Table of Contents

Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

  • Introduction
  • Tuning Your Ukulele
  • Reading Rhythm
  • String One
    • Open A
    • B
    • C
    • A B and C
  • String Two
    • Open E
    • F
    • G
    • E F and G
  • String One and Two Review
  • String Three
    • Open C
    • D
    • C and D 40
  • String One, Two & Three Review
  • Alternate Note Locations
  • Ties and Rests
  • Drills & Exercises
  • String Four
  • String Four, High “G”
  • String Four, Low “G”
  • Songs
  • Preview

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Errata

Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

  • 9/29/2006 - (20060930.1.3) Updated to reflect the changes to the Modular Phonetic Rhythm system.

Get The Latest Version

The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.

Related Lessons

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Major & Relative Minor Key Signatures

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A "Key Signature" is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, designating the notes that are to be consistently played higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation. Each major and minor key has an associated key signature that sharpens or flattens the notes which are used in its scale.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer.

Reading for Ukulele - The Next Steps

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Reading can be thought of on many different levels. 1) the ability to slowly and painfully work out the written music. 2) the ability to hear the music by looking at the notation. 3) the ability to notate your ideas in standard music notation. 4) the ability to read music as you read a book or an article. 5) the ability to communicate with other musicians in the written language of music. 6) the ability to learn songs that you have never heard.

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In the realm of music, there are certain aspects that students and players often tend to avoid. These include skills such as learning to read music and familiarizing themselves with the notes on their instrument. While these tasks may seem challenging, particularly on the fretted string instruments, they are comparatively easier on the ukulele. With the appropriate guidance and a well-defined plan, mastering these skills can be a smooth and achievable process.

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A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Related Songs

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Basic Ukulele Chord Chart

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A chart of the most common ukulele chords in the most common keys of C, G, D, A, and E.

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