What to Practice?

What do I actually need to practice?

Published: 08 May 2017 Updated: 12 Aug 2022Visits: 9Code: UL402

Category: PracticeInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Beginner • Intermediate • Basics • Advanced • Core • Practice

Share What to Practice? on: Bluesky facebook twitter (X)

What to Practice?


That is the age old question when learning a musical instrument. This lesson explores that foundation needed for various styles of music and what would you need to be successful with each style.

Drawing from The Elements of a Successful Music Program page, right here on the Learning Ukulele with Curt site. The various areas of study, exploration, practice — whatever you want to call it are:

  • Technique is the physical control and coordination needed to play an instrument or sing.
  • Theory is the body of principles behind music.
  • Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capacity to relate to music aurally.
  • Reading is the ability to reproduce music from written notation.
  • Repertoire includes the songs within a musician's performance ability.
  • Improvisation is the ability to spontaneous create melody over a predetermined chord progression.
  • Musical Idioms is the study of music and the musical styles it involves well-developed categories as; Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Classical, Folk, Urban, and Fusion. It also includes subdivisions and specializations.
  • Songwriting is the creation of original music based on a single melodic line with a chord progression.
  • Arranging involves the choice of instruments, tempo, rhythmic feel, form, intros, endings, interludes, solos, harmonies, and instrumental accompaniment of a song.
  • Interpretation involves the ability to perform a song or composition in a unique and personal way. This is the Artistic, being a musician, part pf performing. By increasing your vocabulary of scales, intervals, arpeggios, sequences, chords, rhythmic patterns, and dynamics you'll have a foundation to drawn for creating your own voice on your chosen instrument.

With 2000+ lessons, songs, books, videos, play-along tracks and related assets as of 12 August 2022 on LearningUkulele.com — it can get a bit overwhelming to figure out what to work on and even simply where to start. Start with the Lessons Series , a curated set of lessons, each covering a specific and area of study.

First, a Few Practice Principles

  • Establish a long term musical goal, and keep it in mind at each practice session.
  • Focus on your weaknesses, not on your strengths. Work only on the weaknesses that are relevant to your long term musical goal (Principle No. 1).
  • Set a short-term goal before each practice session, so you know how the first 10 minutes will be used before you start.
  • Practice what you don't know, NOT what you do know.
  • If it sounds good, it's not practice, and it doesn't count towards your practice session.
  • Don't practice anything wrong; not one single note or one beat. When in doubt, triple check the note or beat, and then check it again.
  • Don't play pieces or songs through from beginning until end; work on parts or pieces of songs.
  • Leave your instrument out, or, if you're a singer, leave your music out on a music stand, in a place where you will see it every day.
  • Practice for at least 10 minutes every day. If you miss days, don't give up. Just get back on schedule.
  • Don't practice the same thing, in the same order, that you did the day before.

I use this line on my private students ALL the time when they're trying to do something too… fast. Slowdown, speed is a by-product of playing accurately and under control.

Fast is nothing more than slow — quicker.Curt

Getting Started Series of Lessons

Although this might be viewed as a beginner series of lessons, and you might think you are beyond that stage. I venture to guess that ever seasoned players will get something out if it. Take a quick pass through the lessons in the Getting Started Series and fill in some gaps. Even myself when reviewing and editing the lessons and material in LearningUkulele.com I often refresh my memory and can use something I haven't used in a while.

Two Approaches Too Learning Music

The Song-Based Approach

The song-based approach is one where you pick a song and the song tells you what you need to know to perform the song. This approach really needs the guidance of someone who already knows how songs work and the components of songs in general. And, specifically, can guide you in learning that particular song.

A Systematic Approach

This approach builds a solid foundation of what is needed to perform ANY song by building a set of chords that are required for most songs. It really benefits from the guidance of an expert teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, etc…

This is my approach – NOT to, specifically, teach you songs, but to teach you the principles that are inherent in every song. This allows you to learn any song and develop your repertoire and voice. We do use songs based on the principles being learned. Or, if you are working on a performance piece.

With this approach, you can help the person using the Song-Based Approach.

Sign-IN — it's FREE — to view, un-blur any additional content for this lesson.

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 What to Practice?.

UL04p

A Practical Approach to Exploring Scales

Updated: 10 Jul 2023

On ukulele there aren't many positions where you can play a one octave scale from the root to octave. An instrument like the guitar with the additional lower strings five and six allows one to play a one octave scale in multiple positions in the basic 4-fret, 4-finger position. On ukulele there might be one or two depending on the scale and the key - and whether your using a low string four tuning. This lesson offers a practical approach to practicing your scales on ukulele.

UL09

Major & Relative Minor Key Signatures

Updated: 13 Feb 2020

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.

UL31seq

Practice Cycles and Sequences

Updated: 11 May 2023

Sequences and cycles for practicing scales, intervals, melodic sequences and arpeggios.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for What to Practice?.

Basic Ukulele Chords Charts

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

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

Core “Jazz” Ukulele Chords - The Big Six

Updated: 13 Aug 2024

Core Chords for Ukulele, The Big Six - From four F7 chord voicings or shapes, your can build your massive 4-part, a.k.a., “jazz” chord vocabulary. Beyond basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and a core set of 4-part chords. There are just too many chords shapes too memorize.

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.

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series are a concise, well-organized series of books and lessons ideal for any ukulele, guitar or fretted string player beginning to explore scales and arpeggios. Unlike so many other instruction books on the market, QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series keeps a sharp focus on the six critical scales, their fingerings and their related chords. All material is covered in every key.

Six Essential Ukulele Scales

Updated: 08 Jun 2023

The "Six Essential Ukulele Scales" series is based on the fingering principles from my series of books in the "QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings" series.

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Updated: 09 May 2024

Learning the names of the notes on the fingerboard is indeed a crucial skill for any musician, especially those who play stringed instruments like the guitar, violin, or cello. Having a solid understanding of the notes on the fingerboard can significantly enhance your playing, improvisation, and overall musicality. Here's a step-by-step approach you can follow to learn the fingerboard:

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for What to Practice?.

AGCPB1UKE

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

Updated: 22 May 2024

The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. 26 blues progression in C and G tuning, progressing from basic to advanced jazz progression, with chord grids and substitutions explained.

BC1UKE

A Guide to Ukulele Chords

Updated: 05 Dec 2017

A Guide to Ukulele Chords - covers the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. Plus, an introduction to movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, jazz chords and more.

RMA1

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Updated: 08 Jun 2024

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. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

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 What to Practice?.

FL68

A Guide to Advanced Chords Series - Chord Building Chart

Updated: 31 Dec 2016

A handle dandy reference chart for building fifteen (15) basic triads and 4-part chords.

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

Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths

Updated: 14 Oct 2019

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

Movable 7th Chords for Ukulele Chord Chart - C Tuning

Updated: 31 Dec 2016

A handy dandy single sheet chart showing the each voicing of the four, seventh chords Big Six seventh chord voicings.

Site Access Plans for LearningUkulele.com

Forever Access - With Forever Premium Access, you get ALL the benefits of a Premium Access Subscription such as Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources, related assets, and ALL books by Curt as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site, and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment again. And jump the queue for responding to any questions.

If you're anything like me (Curt) and getting Subscription overloaded with everything and everybody on-line wanting money from you once a month — I'm with you. For like-minded individuals, this forever plan is a pay once, and you're done.

The price for Unlimited Forever access is right around the cost of a few months of private lessons. I can guarantee there is more than enough material on-line to keep you busy for a long, long time. And, you get all of my books for FREE. That alone is more than the cost of this plan.

Premium Access - This premium gives you Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources and related assets. As well as ALL books by Curt Sheller as FREE downloads.

Basic Access - A limited selection of basic lessons — ( currently over 140 ) and 100+ songs for ukulele as well as basic general music reference material — Completely FREE — Simply Register/Signup. HOWEVER - I've been doing ukulele and LearningUkulele.com since 2003 and probably have given too much away already - as reflected in my income from the site in relationship to the time spent on the site. So help support this site and its continued development by signing up for one of the below Premium Access Plans or buy a few of my books. - Thanks, Curt

NOTE: Each higher access level includes ALL the benefits of the lower levels. Private Lessons include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on the schedule.

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!Peter Rhee

Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the bestGlen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys

Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent.fatveg — Portland

Want to drop LearningUkulele.com & Learning Ukulele with Curt a nice comment . We always like to know how we are and you are doing. We'll post any comment, quotes throughout the site and you can help spread the word .

Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

curtieAnim.gif rw.vg.gif

Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II, 37 years ago. Man, does time fly.

“Built for myself (Curt), and sharing with the `Ukulele community!”

LearningUkulele.com has one of the largest collections of lessons, songs, and TABS, Luthiers, ukulele builders, ukulele festival and club information, and, ukulele links on the web. Curt has been on the ®Internet since the early 1990's and This site just never stops growing!!!

Content is added and updated daily — so check back often. I really do need to get out more ;-)

Love LearningUkulele.com? • Show your support!
Support development via a monthly membership or a one-time forever membership!