From tuning by ear to using an electronic tuner. The lesson goes over the various tuning methods for tuning your ukulele. You ALWAYS need to play in tune.

Any tuning is possible on a ukulele, as long as the ukulele’s construction supports it and a string is available.

Exploring the differences in these two common C tunings, both the high G reentrant tuning associated with he ukulele and the low G variation. There are benefits to exploring both C tunings. Good excuse to have more ukes -:)

Pick up any chord dictionary, and one thought that should go through your mind is - TOO MANY CHORDS There is now way to memorize all those shapes. It would be better off learning how they came up with all those shapes. Most chord dictionaries are also just like pages transposed to all possible keys.

Basic one, two, three and four note single string drills for ukulele for developing finger strength and independence. It's critical a player develop the finger strength and independence to explore their full musical potential. By developing a great fingerboard hand, you will be able to explore more challenging musical situations.

There're a lot different ways to show chord shapes, diagrams and images on a fretted instrument. This is the basic chord diagram I use in all my lessons and book. In this lesson the basic chord diagram as used for ukulele is explained.

Standard music notation, the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for C tuned ukuleles. Covers both high C and low G tuning variations.

The D Tuning comes in two versions where string four is either tuned to the "A", a major second below string one or low "A" where string fours is a perfect fifth below string three. The D tuning with a low A is the same as the thin four strings of a standard tuned guitar with a capo at fret (7).

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.

This lesson covers the common terms used for identifying the fingers used. And, presents a series of single string exercises for exploring and developing the techniques needed for this style.

Naturally, for Ukuleles, all chords need to be voiced using only the four strings available. You would think that this is limiting, when in actuality it's quite liberating when you learn the makeup of chords. Chords can be categorized into four categories: “Open Position Chords”, “Movable Form Chords”, “4-part - a.k.a. Jazz Chords”, and “Free Form Chords.”

Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody, and harmony.

The G Tuning comes in two versions where string four is either tuned to the "D", a major second below string one or low "D" where string four is a perfect fifth below string three. The G tuning with a low D is the same as the thin four strings of a standard tuned guitar.

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.

"Major Quick Four Progression - Example D". From the book A Guide to Blues Progressions for Ukulele from A to Z.

The "Major Scale" or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do), the Do in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

"Transposition" is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musical score. This lesson deals with transposing chords on ukulele and transposing chords.

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.

A `Ukulele is: Light Weight, Affordable and Portable | Four Strings and Four Fingers | Less Need for Strumming Accuracy | There is nott a lot expected from a ukulele player. The 'Ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lele) comes in four standard sizes: Soprano (sometimes called Standard), Concert, Tenor and Baritone.

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.

Learn the Blues ( Minor Pentatonic ) and Pentatonic ( Major Pentatonic ) scales on ukulele. A practical approach to learning theses two essential scales using the Blues. These five note scales, the Major Pentatonic and the Blues or Minor Pentatonic scales are two of the most common scales used in contemporary music.

The six essential scales are: Blues Major Pentatonic Mixolydian Dorian Aeolian and Ionian From the six essential scales, you can get through a wide variety of traditional and contemporary music. A scale is simply a collection of pitches or notes, not really a "this is a Jazz scale", "this is a Blues" or "this is a Rock scale". It's how a scale is used that really matters not its name.

Sometimes referred to as cowboy or folk chords. These chords are played in the fret one, two, and three are of the guitar neck and include at least one open string. Technically the open position includes the open strings and frets one, two, three and four. These are typically the first chords anyone learning to play the guitar learn.

The "E/F Movable Barre Form" chords are movable form chords based on the open position E, Em, E7, and Em7 chords. With the root on string six, these chords can be transposed to ANY key.

Developing you single note picking starts with holding the pick properly, choosing the proper size and material and actually working on picking on your guitar.

The "A/Bb Movable Barre Form" chords are movable form barre chords based on the open position A, Am, A7 and Am7 chords. With the root on string five, these chord can be transposed to ANY key.

To play the ukulele effectively, your fingers need physical strength, agility, flexibility and coordination. This four finger-four note drill is designed to get your hands in shape. These exercises work no matter what style of ukulele you play or want to play.

For music and learning an instrument like the ukulele or guitar, it's all about the making the connection between your Mind, your Hands, and your Ear. When listening to music, we enjoy it at the tempo the composer or artist intended, in real time. Only the ear is involved in listening. This is passive listening and you're simply enjoying the music. This is what we do every day and it's what draws us to want to learn a musical instrument.

Traditional key signatures provide a wealth of information that can enhance our understanding of music and its underlying principles.

"D Major" (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, with the pitches E F# G A B C#. Its key signature has two sharps: F# C#. Its Relative Minor scale is Bm Minor. Its Parallel Minor is D Minor.

In music, it is important to learn and recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. These two keys have corresponding major and natural minor scales, along with basic ukulele chords that can be used with each scale. The key of C Major, also known as the learning key, is particularly easy to memorize and start using.

“G Major” (or the key of G) is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G A B C D E F#. Its key signature has one sharp: F#. Its Relative Minor scale is E Minor. Its Parallel Minor is D Minor.

"D Major" (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, with the pitches E F# G A B C#. Its key signature has two sharps: F# C#. Its Relative Minor scale is Bm Minor. Its Parallel Minor is D Minor.

"A Major" (or the key of A) is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A B C# D E F# G#. Its key signature has three sharps: F# C# G#. Its Relative Minor scale is F# Minor, Minor. Its Parallel Minor is A Minor.

"E Major" (or the key of E) is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E F# G# a B C# D#. Its key signature has four sharps: F# C# G# D#. Its Relative Minor scale is B Minor. Its Parallel Minor is E Minor.

"B Major" (or the key of B) is a major scale based on B, with the pitches C# D# E F# G# A#. Its key signature has five sharps: F# C# G# D# A#. Its Relative Minor scale is G# Minor. Its Parallel Minor is B Minor and, its enharmonic equivalent is Cb minor.

"F# Major" (or the key of F#) is a major scale based on F#, with the pitches F# G# A# B C# D# E#. Its key signature has six sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E#. Its Relative Minor scale is G# Minor. Its Parallel Minor is F# Minor and, its enharmonic equivalent is Gb minor.

"C# Major" (or the key of C#) is a major scale based on C#, with the pitches, all sharps C# D# ES F# G# A#. Its key signature has seven sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E# B#. Its Relative Minor scale is A# Minor. Its Parallel Minor is C# Minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is Db minor. C# is a somewhat easy key and scale to memorize as all the note are sharp.

"F# Major" (or the key of F#) is a major scale based on F#, with the pitches F# G# A# B C# D# E#. Its key signature has six sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E#. Its Relative Minor scale is G# Minor. Its Parallel Minor is F# Minor and, its enharmonic equivalent is Gb minor.

"Bb Major" (or the key of Bb) is a major scale based on Bb, with the pitches Bb C D Eb F G A. Its key signature has two flats: Bb Eb. Its Relative Minor scale is G Minor. Its Parallel Minor is Bb Minor. B-flat major is a suitable key for most wind instruments, especially those for which it is their home key, such as clarinets, trumpets, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and flutes in B-flat.

"Eb Major" (or the key of Eb) is a major scale based on Eb, with the pitches Eb F G Ab Bb C D. Its key signature has three flats: Bb Eb Ab. Its Relative Minor scale is C Minor. Its Parallel Minor is Eb Minor. E flat major is often associated with bold, heroic music, in part because of Beethoven's usage.

"Ab Major" (or the key of Ab) is a major scale based on Ab, with the pitches Ab Bb C D Eb F G. Its key signature has four flats: Bb Eb Ab Db. Its Relative Minor scale is F Minor. Its Parallel Minor is Ab Minor.

"Db Major" (or the key of Db) is a major scale based on Db, with the pitches Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C. Its key signature has five flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb. Its Relative Minor scale is Bb Minor. Its Parallel Minor is Db Minor.

"Gb Major" (or the key of Gb) is a major scale based on Gb, with the pitches Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb Ab F. Its key signature has six flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cc. Its Relative Minor scale is Eb Minor. Its Parallel Minor is Gb Minor, usually replaced by F-sharp minor, since G flat minor, which would have nine flats, is theoretically possible but is not typically used.

"Cb Major" (or the key of Cb) is a major scale centered around Cb, with the following pitches: Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, and Bb. The key signature of Cb Major includes seven flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, and Fb. The relative minor scale of Cb Major is Ab Minor, while the parallel minor is Cb Minor. Cb Major is considered relatively easy to memorize, as all of its notes are flat.

There are two approaches when learning a musical instrument like the ukulele or guitar. The first approach and one that is very popular with the ukulele goes right along with its easy to play reputation. This approach uses songs to learn the ukulele. A second approach is to learn what would be consider the the basics before working with songs.

Open position D chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position A chords and its movable form and variations.

Open position C chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position F chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position G chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position D chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position E chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Am chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Cm chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Dm chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Em chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Fm chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position Gm chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position A7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position B7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position C7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position D7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position E7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position F7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Open position G7 chord and its movable form and variations.

What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a guitar? Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not to direction as we know it. Up and higher refers to the raising of musical pitch. Down and lower refer to the lowering of musical pitch. Top refers to the upper note of a chord voicing or musical phrase and bottom refers to the lowest note.

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type. "Chromatic Intervals" are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals.

Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody and harmony.

Music notation or musical notation refers to various systems of writing music. Diverse systems of musical notation have developed in various cultures. In fact, many cultures simply do not notate their music in any form.

Every wonder why certain chords seem to popup together time and time again? All harmonic or chord movement in a chord progression is a combination of the active and passive quality of individual chords within the progression or song. Chords provide tension and resolution, the feeling of movement and non-movement in songs and progressions.

A series of finger drills for developing finger independence, strength and coordination for switching chords.

All possible one, two, three, and four string combinations on ukulele. Used for single note technique, fingerpicking, harmonic intervals, and chord string families.

Just what are the fingers of the plucking and fretting hand called. There can be a bit of confusion as to what the names and numbers of your fretting hand and the plucking or strumming hand are. Here are some of the common fingering notations I’ve encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.

A glossary of common music terms. Common and not so common music terms. Knowing the language and terms used with music aides in your own understanding when exploring your music potential.

As the subtitle of this Fingerpicking Basics lesson for Ukulele implies, this lesson's focus is on the alternating thumb part of the style. Commonly called Travis Picking on guitar and Scrugg's Style for banjo. For guitar it’s an alternating bass note style with the thumb playing the lower, bass notes.

In this lesson we’re introducing the index finger once to the alternating thumb pattern mastered in the Alternate Thumb Fingerpicking Style - Introduction. There are four possible patterns when adding the index finger once in common or cut time.

All the previous lessons in the "Fingerpicking for Ukulele, Alternating Thumb Style Series" where melodic, single notes only. This lesson introduces The *Pinch, where any one of the thumb/index finger or thumb/middle finger combinations can be played together - harmonically.

In this lesson we’re introducing the index finger three times to the alternating thumb pattern mastered in the Alternate Thumb Fingerpicking Style - Introduction. There are three possible patterns in common or cut time.

In this lesson we’re introducing the index finger twice to the alternating thumb pattern mastered in the Alternate Thumb Fingerpicking Style - Introduction. There are six possible patterns in common or cut time.ssible variations in this lesson.

There are two common styles of fingerpicking on ukulele. This series of lessons explores the Alternating Thumb Style. A future series will explore the Thumb and three finger style, the traditional p i m a classical guitar style that we’ll adapt to ukulele.

In this lesson we're introducing the middle finger to the fingerpicking patterns mastered in lesson/chapter four. There's three patterns in common or cut time.

In this lesson we’re introducing the middle finger to the fingerpicking patterns mastered in chapter/lessons four. There are six possible patterns in common or cut time.

In this lesson we’re reolacing the index finger with the middle finger for the patterns mastered in chapters/lessons two, three and four.

All the previous lessons in the "Fingerpicking for Ukulele, Alternating Thumb Style Series" where melodic, single notes only. This lesson introduces The *Pinch, where any one of the thumb/index finger or thumb/middle finger combinations can be played together - harmonically.

Rhythmic variations can be incorporated into this style of fingerpicking, creating a variety of syncopated patterns. All previous patterns were steady in nature, with the thumb alternating and playing on every downbeat. Many of the following patterns are syncopated, creating rhythmic variety.

The patterns in the previous chapters were all in 4/4, common time with four beats per measure or pattern. The alternating thumb fingerpicking style can be used with additional time signatures.

Develop your ukulele strums vocabulary and sharpen your reading chops with the "Level I, Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables — Pairs Worksheet".

Develop your ukulele strums vocabulary and sharpen your reading chops with the "Level II, Modular Phonetic Rhythmic Syllables — Pairs Worksheet".

"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.

"TAB" or "Tablature", is an alternate form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. TAB is sort of a secret language between guitar players and ukulele players. Although a shortcut to getting started it actually serves to alienate one from the rest of the music world.

Efficiency is the key to technique. This lesson shows the proper finger and thumb placement for the fretting hand.

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.

To play the ukulele effectively, your fingers need physical strength, agility, flexibility and coordination. This two finger-two note drill is designed to get your hands in shape. These exercises work no matter what style of ukulele you play or want to play.

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

Sometimes called the “learning key”, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using. C major (often just C or key of C) is a musical major scale based on C, with pitches C D E F G A B C. Its key signature has no flats or sharps. Its relative minor is A minor A B C D E F G A B.

For ukulele there are four core, basic strums that will get you started. This is the first of the four core patterns.

For ukulele, there are four core, basic strums that will get you started. This is the fourth of the four core patterns. This is the famous Island Strum that you will hear a lot in the Ukulele community.

For ukulele and guitar there are four core, basic strums that will get you started. This is the second of the four core patterns.

For ukulele there are four core, basic strums that will get you started. This is the third of the four core patterns.

Review of the four core ukulele strums.

Called the "learning scale" for a reason. The major scale is a great scale for learning how music and chords work. It’s a core scale from which a majority of your core, essential scales can be derived. There are 15 major scales.

The distance between any two notes can be defined by steps - half steps, whole steps, semi-tones, whole tones. From this series of steps you can get the names of the notes of ANY of the fifteen major scales.

The only scale in music with ALL twelve notes of one octave. Not much use for improvisation or solos – but a great scale for learning the notes of the ukulele fingerboard, figuring out scales, chords and more...

There is nothing that returns more value for your investment when learning a fretted musical instrument like the ukulele than really, and I mean really knowing the names of the notes of the fingerboard. This is not the same as learning to read music - but simply knowing the name of any note on the fingerboard - intuitively, second-nature. At a minimum you need to know the open strings to tune the ukulele. In C tuning they are G C E A.

There is nothing that returns more value when learning a fretted musical instrument like the ukulele than really, and I mean really knowing the names of the notes of the fingerboard. This is not the same as learning to read music but simply knowing the name of any note on the fingerboard.b

Nothing when learning a fretted musical instrument like the ukulele returns more value than really, and I mean really knowing the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard. This is not the same as learning to read music — but simply knowing the name of any note on the fingerboard.

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.

Fret (10) is a Secondary Key fret. From the key and secondary key frets, adjacent frets can be memorized relative to that fret.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of C major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is a great way to explore this core chord in various keys. These are the two most common blues progressions used in traditional and contemporary music.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of G major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys. These are the two most common blues progressions used in traditional and contemporary music.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of D major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of A major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of E major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of F major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of Bb major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of Eb major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of Ab major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys.

Basic and Quick Change blues chord progressions in the key of Db major using the core 7th chords from the Big Six series of lessons. This is great way to explore this core chord in various keys

Summary of the core Alternating Thumb patterns from the Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking for Ukulele book.

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. The Blues - a chord progression, a scale, a feeling. This lesson presents an introduction to the blues progression and a couple of scale position of the pentatonic scale to get you started improvising.

Another one of the 72 possible strumming patterns based of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm system level II rhythmic syllables.

Another one of the 72 possible strumming patterns based of the Modular Phonetic Rhythm systems level II rhythmic syllables.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with a repeating note or two. This series of lessons, although the examples are shown for ukulele, are appropriate for any fretted string instrument like guitar, banjo, or mandolin.

Common chord progressions for the key of D. Using the primary and secondary chords for the key explore these common chord progressions for the key of D. D is one of the common keys that include C, G, *D, A, and E.

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.

In this lesson we're introducing the middle finger to the fingerpicking patterns mastered in lesson/chapter five. There's only one pattern in common or cut time. this pattern is demonstarted on the four possible string orders.

Exploring banjo rolls on ukulele. In bluegrass music, a banjo roll or roll is a repeated accompaniment pattern of eighth notes. Each roll pattern is a right hand fingering pattern, which can be played while holding any chord position.

Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Slides are the most basic embellishments and an integral part of rock, folk, country, bluegrass, and pop music styles.

Strums are Inseparably Linked to Rhythm. Any strum can be broken down to its Modular Phonetic rhythmic syllables. Modular Phonetic Rhythm, by Chuck Anderson is a system for learning rhythm. It teaches rhythm phonetically - just as language does. Remember 'Strums ARE rhythm'

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.

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.

Example A blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example B blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example C blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example D blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example E blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example F blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example G blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example H blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example I blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example J blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example L blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example L blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example M blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example N blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example O blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example P blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example Q blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example R blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example S blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example T blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example U blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example V blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example W blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example X blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example Y blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

Example Z blues progression from my book "A Guide To Blues Chord Progressions For Ukulele A To Z".

"Where Do I Start?" This is a common question. This workshop/lesson covers ukulele tunings, learning the ukulele fingerboard, basic chords and strums. This workshop gets you rolling on having some fun playing the ukulele. This is the workshop-lesson handout that given to ukulele players attending the "Learning Ukulele - A Recipe for Success" beginner workshop.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination “1-3-1-2”.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 1-4-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-3-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-4-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-4-1-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-1-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-1-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-1-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-2-1-2

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-2-1-2.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 1-2-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 1-3-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 1-4-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-3-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-4-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-4-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 2-1-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-1-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-1-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 3-2-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-2-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-3-1-2-3.

Building on the single note, 1, 2, 3, and 4 finger basic gymnastics. Now with a repeating note or two. This lesson starts with the finger combination: 4-3-1-3.

Playing in time is an essential skill that every musician must possess. There are no shortcuts or alternatives when it comes to this aspect of music. Keeping your place while playing is a crucial lesson that focuses on honing your ability to maintain a consistent tempo and rhythm throughout your performance.

"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.

"Derived Frets from Secondary Key Frets" are the next higher frets or previous lower frets from the Secondary Key Frets. You basically get these higher and lower frets for FREE.

A handy reference chart of the Natural and Sharp Names for C Ttuning, Low or High G.

A handy reference chart of the Natural and Flat Names for C Ttuning, Low or High G".

A handy reference chart of the Natural, Sharp, and Flat Names for C Ttuning, Low or High G*

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.

The "Ukulele Scale Diagram" is an alternate notation and visual why of showing a scale using a grid pattern representing the strings and frets of the Ukulele Fingerboard.

There is nothing that returns more value when learning a fretted musical instrument like the ukulele than really , and I mean really knowing the names of the notes of the fingerboard. This exercise takes any random fingerboard shape and names the notes using any combination of their natural, sharps and or flats names.

Major and Minor Harmonized Chord Charts are used for while doing a Harmonic Analysis (HA). Shows triads and 4-part chords for ALL 15 major and minor keys. "Yes, Virginia there are 15 keys."

The ultimate goal for any musician when playing a musical instrument is to "Play by Ear". It’s true whether you’re singing, banging a drum, strumming a guitar, or our favorite instrument, the ukulele. If your fingers can already interpret and follow what your inner ear commands, you’ve obtained your goal and are "Playing by Ear."

Building on the basic Quarter Note Strum lessons, here are four variations to get you started.

Listening to songs and wanting to play the same songs on ukulele – that's what draws most people to the ukulele. That and it looks like a load of fun and easy to play – which it is. Then you need to actually remember the songs that you're learning, so you can play them again. And, hopefully, not have to read them off a sheet all the time.

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. Learning the principles of how chords are constructed and the ukulele fingerboard are the way to go. Then you can create more advanced chords like 9#11, 7#5-9, 13b5, 7+9 on the fly as needed.

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.

In Western Harmony there is no stronger chord resolution in a major or minor key than then the V chord to the I chord, the dominant to tonic. In the key of C major this is G or G7 to C.

The "Alternating Thumb Style" lessons are in their own section and book.

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.

The Bo Diddley strum is named after Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley is an American R&B vocalist, guitarist, songwriter ( usually as Ellas McDaniel ), and rock and roll pioneer. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple five-accent clave rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop.

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. The Open Position is the open strings and frets one, two, three and four.

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.

Learning to read begins with recognizing the notes on the staff and knowing where they are located on the fingerboard. Knowing the name is also a essential skill.

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, 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 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 signature or key signature is shown. All songs are played with a quarter note taking one beat.

It is important to always have your ukulele in tune. This lesson covers the various ways of getting you ukulele in tune.

The Ukulele - Reading Music Series uses the "Modular Phonetic Rhythm System" by Chuck Anderson for learning rhythm.

Another common way of extending the I - IV - V sequence is by adding the chord of the sixth scale degree, giving the sequence I - vi - IV - V or I - vi - ii - V, sometimes called the 50s progression.

Diatonic scales such as the major and minor scales lend themselves particularly well to the construction of common chords because they contain a large number of perfect fifths. Such scales predominate in those regions where harmony is an essential part of music, as, for example, in the common practice period of western classical music.

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.

This is the most popular chord progression in use today. It has replaced the most common chord progression that was used in the 50s, the 1 6 2 5 chord progression.

Additional practice material for developing and exploring the possibilities of the alternating thumb on ukulele no found in the book.

Here are the first suggested lessons that ALL my private students and site members get. This series of lessons lay the foundation and establishes common musical terminology for communication and future lesson material. The whole goal of this series of lessons under the "Getting Started with Ukulele" lessons series is to get you playing basic chords in common keys using the common strums.

Got a ukulele, it’s in tune and your are now ready for your first ukulele lesson.

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

For Lesson Four we'll add and build on the lessons and material from lesson three.

For Lesson Five we'll add and build on the lesson and material from lesson four.

For Lesson Six we'll add and build on the lesson and material from lesson five.

Open string fingering gymnasics build on the basic one, two, three and four finger single note - single strings drills.

The basic first chords most players learn. There are the chords in the first one, two, three and four frets of the ukulele and include at least one open string.

Sometimes called barre chords, these chords venture beyond the third fret.

"Core Chords" are a concept that I typically apply to 4-part chords and your more contemporary modern chords. This where a solid foundation of a core set of chords really help in learning the massive amount of chords that are required for play contemporary music or jazz on ukulele or guitar. Not such a task on ukulele with on one four string set of strings to build your 4-part chords vs. the theoretically possible 15 sets available for guitar.

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

The natural, flat and sharp note names of the ukulele fingerboard in :G Tuning, Low or High D". Common on the baritone ukulele and can also be used on a tenor ukulele.

The natural, flat and sharp note names of the ukulele fingerboard in D tuning, low or high A.

This tuning was common in the first and second ukulele craze. It is also the tuning that is used in the Canadian school system.

Essential C Pentatonic or Major Pentatonic scale patterns for ukulele. Learning scales typically starts with learning a position or pattern by shape. For a lot of players that's where it stops. With the many possible shapes between chords and scales to learn - there has to be a better way - There is!!!

An overview of the Ukulele Chords and Chord Progression lessons available.

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.

Playing Melodies, Licks, Riffs, Motifs, and Single Note Lines by ear is all about getting your ear to recognize intervals and train the fingers to follow your inner ear and play these melodies on demand.

Playing "Rhythm by Ear" is all about getting your ear to recognize the sound of rhythms . And just like melodies, train the fingers, and the hands to follow your inner ear and play these rhythms on demand.

There are two approaches to learning chords, the song based approach and learning the fundamentals approach. I'm a big advocate of building a solid base of the fundamentals. A lot of players new to the ukulele like to jump right in and learn songs.

For Lesson Two we'll add and build on the lesson and material from lesson one.

Your first ukulele chord is typically an open position "C Major Chord." It's only one finger and ukulele players love to show new players this, the easiest, usable ukulele chord for new players. Especially someone coming from guitar where an open position C major is three fingers and not that easy as the first chord.

Just what is "Up, Down, Ascending, Descending, Higher, Lower, Top, Bottom" as related to music?

Happy New Year - What better way than to start the new year off with learning a new ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 1st is C. Originally start 2013, this is a great way to review and learn your chords.

Not to leave our guitar players out of the action here is a chart for basic chords for guitar. The basic open position chords that all guitar players should know. These are typically the first chords beginner learn.

It's unfortunate that there' s no oversight or organization that regulates private music teachers. This is especially true for private guitar and ukulele teachers. Anyone can hang a shingle out advertising private lessons or put content online. So finding a good teacher can be a problem. Here are a few questions you can ask prospective teachers and generally speaking what their answers should be. I'll also input my perspective which should give some info on accurately evaluating a prospective teacher or online content.

Level IV rhythmic syllable pairs for developing your ukulele strums vocabulary and sharpen your reading chops.

Level III rhythmic syllable pairs for developing your ukulele strums vocabulary and sharpen your reading chops.

This is a scan of a typical first lesson that ALL students new to the ukulele might get in one of my private one-on-one lessons. View the full lesson for my notes and my comments on what doesn't make it on every the sheet. There's a lot that goes on in an individual private lesson and is different from student to student.