Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three

Published: 31 Oct 2013 Updated: 19 Nov 2021Visits: 0Code: ULB01-wk-3

Category: BasicsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Beginner

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Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three


For Lesson Three we'll add and build on the lessons and material from lesson two.

In lesson three you'll learn the following:

NOTE: Although these lessons are presented as a weekly series, you can and should take as long as you like to master each week's lesson as there is a lot of material in each lesson in the series.

The individual lessons in this series are viewable from the Lessons button bar above.

Learning the Fingerboard, Key Key Fret (7)

You might have noticed that the Fingerboard lesson is always the first topic we cover in each week’s lesson – it is that important.

The third of the key frets with no sharp or flat notes - only natural notes is fret (7) is D G B E from strings four to one. If you are coming to ukulele from guitar you might recognize these as the names of the thin four strings of a standard tuned guitar.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

From this weeks fret (7) D G B E you get fret (8) D# G# C F and the fret (6) Db Gb Bb Eb.. We also go Fret (6) from fret (5) in week two’s lesson. Each fret on the ukulele can have more than one name depending on the context the note is being used. For the purpose of names the notes any correct name if fine.

Technique - Three Finger - Three Note Fingering Drills

The Ukulele Gymnastics series contains quite a few lessons for developing your finger strength and independence of the fretting hand. The fretting hand is responsible for playing chords and single notes. The fretting hand and plucking hand are responsible for getting the music out.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Primary Chords - G Major

The key of G major is on of the common keys that include C, G, D, A, and E. For guitar G is really common and a comfortable singing key for most males.

As we learned in week one’s lessons - the primary chords are the three major chords that are the main chords of the key. The primary chords create the tension and resolution in music that gives a chord progression emotion – a feeling of rest and resolution or consonance and dissonance.

Learn the G, C, D and D7 open position chords. With these four chords you can play countless songs in the key of G major.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Use The Quarter Note strum and focus on switching between G, C, D, and D7.

Ultimately any chord can go an any chord so practice all the following combinations:

  • G to C
  • G to D
  • G to D7
  • C to D
  • C to D7
  • C to G
  • D to D7
  • D to G
  • D to C
  • D7 to G
  • D7 to C
  • D7 to D

This will cover all possible connections. Practice switching at a SLOW tempo and slowly increase the tempo as you get comfortable with the chords.

Visualize the next chord while you are on the current chord.

With these three chords you can play a lot of songs. Try a few of the ones listed below.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Core Strumming Pattern One

After the basic Quarter Note strum there are four core strumming patterns that can get you started. These are four of the most used strums in contemporary music.

This is the first of the four core strumming patterns. Theses are some of the most famous strumming patterns used.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Understanding Intervals

An intervals is simply the distance from one single note to another single note. They have and name and distance.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources


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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three.

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Enharmonic Equivalents

An "Enharmonic Equivalent" is where a musical pitch can have different names depending on the context in which it is functioning. An example is G# produces the same pitch as Ab but have different standard notations when written in music.

UL07-Cf7

Learning the Fingerboard, C Tuning - Fret (7)

Fret (7) is a Key fret. From the key and secondary key frets, adjacent frets can be memorized relative to that fret. Fret (7) is the same as the open strings in G Tuning.

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Learning the Fingerboard, C Tuning - Derived Frets from Key Frets

"Derived Frets from Key Frets" are the next higher frets or previous lower frets you get from your Key Frets in C Tuning. You basically get these higher and lower frets for FREE.

UL45a

Primary Chords - G Major

The primary chords for any major key are the I, IV, and V chords of its corresponding major scale. For G Major the primary chords are: G, C, D, and D7.

UL45c

Common Chord Progressions for the Key of G

Common chord progressions for the key of G. Using the primary and seconday chords for the key explore these common chord progressions for the key of G.

UL08-basic-3

Three Finger-Three Note Basic Single String Fingering Drills for `Ukulele

To play the ukulele effectively, your fingers need physical strength, agility, flexibility and coordination. This three finger-three note drill is designed to get your fretting hand in shape.

UL31

Understanding Diatonic Intervals

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. Intervals can be played one note (melodic) or two notes (harmonic) at a time, ascending or descending. Simple and Compound Intervals are taken from a major scale. Chromatic Intervals are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals.

UL111

Fingering an Open Postion D Major `Ukulele Chord

There are several ways to finger an open position D major chord. Depending on the context of how it's being used, one fingering might be better than another. Discover the "Mushy D" fingering.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three.

Key Signatures - G Major

Updated: 09 Jun 2023

In this lesson series, we explore the key of G Major and its relative minor key, Em, including their primary and secondary chords, as well as a selection of common chord progressions.

Types of Chords Available on Ukulele

Updated: 08 Jun 2023

On the ukulele, there are various types of chords that you can explore, including open position chords, movable form chords, 4-part chords (commonly known as jazz chords), and free form chords.

Common Chord Progressions and Remembering Songs

Updated: 08 Jun 2023

Understanding the similarities between chord progressions and songs can greatly enhance your ability to remember and play a wide variety of songs. It's fascinating how much common ground exists among different musical compositions.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection

Updated: 09 Jun 2023

Harmonic Analysis (HA), also known as the study of chord relationships, is the method used to identify the harmonic role of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root note and belonging to a specific chord type. The function of a chord within a particular scale's tonality is determined by its relationship to that scale.

Basic Ukulele Chords Charts

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Not so much a series - but the basic chords ALL ukulele players should know.

Jazz Standard Chord Progressions

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

These are the chord progressions, extracted from my book "Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele" for use with on-line and private students.

Modular Phonetic Rhythm by Chuck Anderson

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.

Getting Started Series of Ukulele Lessons

Updated: 01 Jul 2023

The aim of this series of lessons is to provide comprehensive guidance for beginners embarking on their ukulele journey.

Related Songs

Related Songs for Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three.

UL503

Bingo

Updated: 10 Nov 2022

Bingo, also known as Bingo Was His Name-Oand There Was a Farmer Who Had a Dog, is an English language children's song of obscure origin. In most modern forms, the song involves spelling the name of a dog, and with increasing letters replaced with handclaps on each repetition.

UL505

Brown Eyed Girl

Updated: 05 Nov 2022

Brown Eyed Girl is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. Written and recorded in 1967 by Van Morrison and produced by Bang Records chief Bert Berns, it was first released in May 1967 on the album Blowin' Your Mind!. When released as a single, it rose to number eight on the Cashbox charts, and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Red River Valley

Updated: 12 Nov 2022

Red River Valley is a folk song and cowboy music standard of controversial origins that has gone by different names—e.g., "Cowboy Love Song", "Bright Sherman Valley", "Bright Laurel Valley", "In the Bright Mohawk Valley", and "Bright Little Valley" — depending on where it has been sung.

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Danny Boy

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Danny Boy is a ballad written by Frederic Weatherly and usually set to the tune of the "Londonderry Air". It is most closely associated with Irish communities. The words to "Danny Boy" were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910.

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This Train

Updated: 28 Nov 2017

This Train (is Bound for Glory) by Woody Guthrie.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three.

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Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

Updated: 18 Jan 2023

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard. Learning the notes of your instrument allows you the flexibility of not having to remember so many shapes. There are simply way too many chords, scale and notes patterns, and shapes to remember. It all comes down the notes.

UKESTRUM1

A Guide to Ukulele Strums

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Learn a variety of strums and rhythmic patterns in wide range of musical styles. One of the first skills a ukulele player learns is the art and craft of strumming, playing rhythm. This refers to an accompaniment technique suitable for the singer, singer - songwriter or someone who plays a support role for another instrument.

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Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

Updated: 03 Jan 2020

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).

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 Lesson Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson Three.

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Basic Ukulele Chord Chart

Updated: 11 May 2019

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

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Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G

Updated: 11 May 2019

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G. Shows natural, sharp and flat notes for the ukulele fingerboard. This tuning can be used on a soprano, concert, tenor and baritone ukuleles.

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