QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, Getting Beyond Shapes

Creating Your Own Fingering System

Published: 19 Sep 2018 Updated: 09 Dec 2021Visits: 36Code: UL6SUF-Beyond-Shapes

INSTRUMENTS: Fingering Main: Ukulele Others: Ukulele
Subjects: Scales • Fingering • Intervals • Arpeggios • Sequences

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QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, Getting Beyond Shapes


Over the years, people have come up with various fingering systems, patterns, and even gadgets to make learning the ukulele easier. Most systems are shape and pattern based and geared to the beginning student and do not require any knowledge of the ukulele fingerboard beyond what a fret is and the location of strings.

This is the Ukulele version of an article I did a long time a go for Just Jazz Guitar magazine. I've adapted it to ukulele and it appears in all the QuickStart Scale and Arpeggios Fingering series of individual scale books.

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

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ANYSONG

Any Song Will Do

Updated: 07 Dec 2015

This is not really a song, but simply saying that for the purposes of a lot of the lessons and lesson series on this site ANY song will do for exploring the lesson's material and concepts presented in the lesson.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, Getting Beyond Shapes.

QSUAT-G

QuickStart Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele - Triads G Tuning

Updated: 23 Sep 2009

Scale Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele - Triads is a concise, well organized book ideal for any ukulele player beginning to explore the ukulele's full potential as a musical instrument. Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele - Triads keeps a sharp focus on essential arpeggios and their fingerings. Major, minor, diminished and augmented arpeggio fingeringss for G tuned Ukuleles.

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QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, Volume I, C Tuning

Updated: 01 Apr 2024

Learn to create exciting solos in a variety of contemporary styles! Scales are used to improvise, create melodies and riffs. With broad knowledge of the essential scales that are used in contemporary music and a mastery of the ukulele's fingerboard and fingering principles, you're well on your way.

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QuickStartScale Fingerings for Tenor and Baritone Ukulele, Volume I, G Tuning

Updated: 13 Apr 2023

This book is out of print and has been replaced by the individual scale books covering each scale with additional information.

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Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Updated: 03 Oct 2022

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Whether your style is Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz or Classical, these principles will improve your technique, your solos, even your sight reading. Think of fingering as a series of pathways. When you learn to connect these pathways, there are benefits not only to technique but also to creativity.

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.

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