Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering - Principles

A stationary principle keeps the fingering in its original position* after the principle has been used. A mobile principle changes the fingering from its original position to a new position after the principle has been used.

The stationary principles are Basic and Stretch. The mobile principles are Stretch, Slide, Pass, Contraction, and Leap.

Connecting notes on the ukulele is dependent on specific types of movements. These movements are divided into 6 principles of fingering. Each type of motion is appropriate under diTerent circumstances. As always, there is a physical and a musical reason for choosing one fingering over another. Physical reasons are based on ease and efficiency of motion while musical reasons are based on the sound produced. Sound is ultimately the most important consideration. The variety of sound produced by alternative fingerings is one of the most subtle areas of the ukulele. These diTerences can be traced to the fact that the four strings of the ukulele vary in diameter. This produces a timbre (tone color) change every time a single note line changes strings. Based on “note distribution” ( the number of notes per string and the sequence of strings) remarkably different effects can be produced with diTerent fingerings.

Another consideration of ukulele fingering is the timbral differences between open and fingered strings. The subdued sound of fingered strings. Open strings also restrict the use of typical string instrument techniques like vibrato, glissando and bending. By blending open and fingered strings and varying the number of notes per string and the sequence of strings, subtlety diTerent eTects can be produced in single note passages and solos.

The Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingerings the following five note model (G A B C D) to demonstrate each of the 6 principles of fingering.