Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Rhythm

This series of lessons will allow you finally, to check that Reading item off your music To Do list. Learning to read standard music notation opens a world of music to you. Music notation is the Lingua franca of amateur and professional musicians alike.

There are a few things in music that students and players avoid. These are things like learning to read and knowing the notes of their own instrument. It is hard on guitar - but not so hard on ukulele. With the right guidance and plan of attack. IT IS EASY.

It is really quite easy on a uke. Starting with natural notes in in the open position you can finally check off the Reading Music to do item.

Learning to read standard music notation is really, really easy.

From the available natural notes in open position there are three notes on string one. A, B and C.

NOTE: - Open Position is the open strings and frets one, two, three and four.

The first step in learning to read is to first recognize the notes on the staff and know where on the fingerboard they are located. Knowing the name is also a beneficial skill.

From the available natural notes in open position there are three notes on string two. E, F and G.

From the available natural notes in open position there are two notes on string three. C, and D.

Open Position Review

All the natural notes covered on string one, two and three comprise the C Major scale. Here is the fingerboard shape on ukulele.

One of the reasons it is hard to read music on the guitar and the ukulele is, alternate note locations.

In the open position there is one alternate note location. The open E, string two can also be played on string three, fret (3). If there is no overwhelming musical reason to play one location vs. the other. Then play the one that is easier to play.

Use your ear as the final judge as to which one you prefer.

A tie extends the rhythmic value of the first note by the value of the next note. Ties can span multiple notes. Rests are symbols for silence. Each note each has an equivalent symbol for silence.

You can get the fingers working and trained to follow our ear by playing scales, intervals, sequences and arpeggios. These are the four elements used to create melodies and improvisation.

“C” tuning with a low “G” extends the melodic range to G below middle “C”. This expanded range allows for a wider selection when selecting songs to play.

The G, A and B are the same names as a high “G” string four but sounding one octave lower.

The following songs can be played in open position using the natural notes covered in the previous lessons of this primer.

These songs do not use any signatures, no time or key signature is shown. All songs are played with a quarter note taking one beat.

Signatures - both time signatures and key signatures are covers in book 1 of Ukulele - Reading Music. Playing the rhythms correctly insures that you are playing in the proper time signature.

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. This approach is applicable to all ages and to all styles of music. It has applications for the individual musician as well as for groups such as orchestra, jazz band, marching band, small groups etc.