Getting Started with Ukulele - Lesson Seven

Published: 09 Jan 2014 Updated: 19 Nov 2021Visits: 0Code: ULB01-wk-7

Category: BasicsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Rhythm • Beginner • Intermediate • Fingerboard • Strums • Progressions • Enharmonic • Equivalents

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Getting Started with Ukulele - Lesson Seven


For Lesson Seven we’ll add and build on the lesson and material from lesson six.

In lesson seven you’ll learn to 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.

The Fingerboard - Key and Secondary Frets

If you're like most players learning the ukulele fingerboard, you might know them pretty well in one order - from string four to one - nose to toes, the ceiling to the floor or what ever direction you first learned them. Go back and memorize from the floor to the ceiling, the opposite direction.

Know the notes of the neck needs to be second nature and instant recall. This is one are of learning the ukulele that you don't even need to have the ukulele with you and can be done any time.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Primary Chords - E Major

The key of E major is one of the common keys that include C, G, D, A and E.

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 E, A, B, and B7 open position chords. With these four chords you can play countless songs in the key of A major.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Using the Quarter Notes strum and focus on switching between E, A, B, and B7.

NOTE: Technically the B chord do not fit my description of an open position chord as it does no contain any open strings. However with the key of E being a common key, especially on guitar the B is needed as they it is a primary chord.

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

  • E to A
  • E to B
  • E to B7
  • A to E
  • A to B
  • A to B7
  • B to E
  • B to A
  • B to B7
  • B7 to E
  • B7 to A
  • B7 to B

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.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

With these Three Chords you can play a lot of songs.

Common Progressions - Key of E

With the primary and secondary chords in the key of E.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Additional Strumming Patterns

Sticking with the basic eighth core strum, here are another two, closely related and popular strumming patterns that can be added to your strumming vocabulary.

Unless a rhythmic pattern is strongly associated with a famous song or particular style it's hard to give it a descriptive name. So, the best way of naming it is by it's two Modular Phonetic Rhythm syllables ( see below lesson ).

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

Modular Phonetic Rhythm

The Modular Phonetic Rhythm system 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.

This system was developed by Chuck Anderson and forms the foundation for ALL things RHYTHM in the lessons available here.

Through the study of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm system you will can develop a larger vocabulary of stums. Review the introductory lesson on the system and then we'll dive right in it with he next weekly lesson.

Recommended Lessons, Series & Resources

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.

Enharmonic equivalents will sound the same but are notated differently using standard music notation.

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 Seven.

UL07-Cf-0-5-7

Learning the `Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning, Key Frets

The open strings and frets (5) and (7), with only natural notes in C tuning are somewhat easy to memorize. These can be considered Key frets.

UL07-Cf-2-10

Learning the Fingerboard, C Tuning - Secondary Key Frets

After learning the key frets, the secondary key frets start to fill in the remaining fingerboard of the ukulele.

UL48a

Primary Chords - E Major

The primary chords for any major key are the I, IV and V chords of its corresponding major scale. For E Major the primary chords are: E, A, B and B7. From the primary and secondary chords of a major key, countless songs and chords progressions can be played.

UL59f

Three Chord Progressions

Three-chord tunes, though, are more common, since a melody may then dwell on any note of the scale. Often the chords may be selected to fit a pre-conceived melody, but just as often it is the progression itself that gives rise to the melody.

UL126-LII41

`Ukulele Strums - Core Pattern 4.1

Another one of the 72 possible strumming patterns based of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm systems level II rhythmic syllables. A dotted quarter note and one eight note to four eight notes. Basically one rhythmic rhythmic syllable from the Modular Phonetic Rhythm tied to another syllable from the system.

UL126-LII41T

`Ukulele Strums - Core Pattern 4.1T

Another one of the 72 possible strumming patterns based of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm systems level II rhythmic syllables. The last pattern in this series with the end of the first rhythmic syllable tied to the beginning of the second rhythmic syllable.

MPR20

Modular Phonetic Rhythm

"Modular Phonetic Rhythm" by Chuck Anderson 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. This approach is applicable to all ages and to all styles of music.

ML-basic-19

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.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Getting Started with Ukulele - Lesson Seven.

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 Books & Charts

Related Books for Getting Started with Ukulele - Lesson Seven.

ULUNN-C

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

Updated: 26 Aug 2024

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.

UKEREAD1

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).

MPRS-FW1

Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1

Updated: 08 Dec 2021

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.

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 Seven.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

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.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

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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