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Using Songs to Learn Ukulele
There are two approaches when learning a musical instrument like the ukulele or guitar. One approach 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 “basics” before working with songs. This would be akin to the apprenticeship system developed in the Middle Ages. An apprentice would develop his or her skills at the foot of a master for several years before going on their own. My personal opinion when learning a musical instrument is to seek out a master teacher or two and study with them one-on-one.
Both approaches involve exploring and mastering the technical and musical aspect of your chosen instrument.
A Song
A song is like a recipe. It provides a list of ingredients that are needed to successfully create the recipe. If you are baking a cake, you need flour and eggs. If you don’t have all the ingredients needed, you have to run out and get what is needed.
The ingredients for a song are the chords, lyrics, melody, and the style of the song. Is it a rock song, a bluegrass song, a country song, a jazz standard, a latin tune, etc... Each style has a recognizable rhythmic style associated with it.
Playing a song also requires you start and end it. That might require an introduction, intor for short, and ending. Compose your own or use the song’s is already written. If you are playing by yourself, you can just start it and end is without an intro or ending.
Video Examples
Coming Soon!!!
Related Lessons for: Songs
Here a few lessons that might be of interest to the topic and principles covered in this lesson.
21 Lesson(s)
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Classic Endings for Ukulele
Two Feel, bVImaj7 bIImaj7, Basie Ending, Single, Double and Triple Tags, Chromatic, Take the 'A' Train Ending, Shave and a Hair Cut, Lawrence Welk Ending, . . . These are common songs ending that are used over and over in the standard song repetoire. UL03: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: May 6, 2013, 2:48 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Creating Introductions and Turnarounds for Ukulele
Introductions are a composed or improvised piece of music that introduces - sets the stage for - a song or composition. Introductions, or intro for short, are used in all types of music. In this lesson, the focus is on introduction UL01: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: May 6, 2013, 2:52 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - All of Me
Using the jazz standard All of Me to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-A: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:50 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - All of Me
Using the jazz standard All of Me to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-B: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:45 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - All the Things You Are
Using the jazz standard All the Things You Are to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-D: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:45 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Autumn Leaves
Using the jazz standard Autumn Leaves to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-C: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:45 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Back Home in Indiana
Using the jazz standard Back Home in Indiana to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-G: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Have You Met Miss Jones
Using the jazz standard Have You Met Miss Jones to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-I: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - It's Only a Paper Moon
Using the jazz standard It's Only a Paper Moon to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-N: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Satin Doll
Using the jazz standard Satin Doll to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-P: Published: March 14, 2013, 12:26 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Satin Doll
Using the jazz standard Satin Doll to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-O: Published: March 14, 2013, 12:26 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Someday My Prince Will Come
Using the jazz standard Someday My Prince Will Come to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-H: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Summer Samba
Using the jazz standard Summer Samba to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-J: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Sweet Georgia Brown
Using the jazz standard Sweet Georgia Brown to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-K: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Sweet Georgia Brown
A variation of the previous lessons using the jazz standard Sweet Georgia Brown to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-L: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Take the A Train
Using the jazz standard Take the A Train to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-Q: Published: March 14, 2013, 12:26 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - The Days of Wine and Roses
Using the jazz standard The Days of Wine and Roses to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-E: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - There Will Never Be Another You
Using the jazz standard There Will Never Be Another You to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-F: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:46 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele, Standard Example - Yesterday
Using the jazz standard Yesterday to explore jazz chords on ukulele. UL601-M: Published: March 14, 2013, 11:52 am | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures
There is a load of information in traditional Key Signatures. Unlocking the principles in this circle leads to a better understanding of music and how think work. ML12: Published: September 5, 2011, 8:45 pm | Updated: March 16, 2013, 1:22 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Using Songs to Learn Ukulele
There are two approaches when learning a musical instrument like the ukulele or guitar. One approach that is very popular with the ukulele goes right along with its "easy" to play reputation. This approach uses songs to learn the ukulele. UL61: Published: January 7, 2011, 9:51 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:36 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Lesson Info
I constantly read online and hear. "Is, where, what site, what software is there for this or that chord or all the chord voicings." Well camper! It's not here. Chord dictionaries, software, web sites are not the answer. Even chord theory does not offer any insight into unraveling the complexity of chord voicings.
Learning basic open position chords and the basic movable form chords presented in the Chord of the Week Lessons I presented in 2007 will set you up for the more advanced chords, typically called “jazz” chords.
These Movable Form Chords lessons have been updated, enhanced and now reside in the Members Subscription area for all basic and Members.
Related Books
All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, 2nd Edition
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, Second Edition is designed as a guide to ukulele chords. Covering the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. A Guide to Ukulele Chords covers movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and includes an introduction to 4-part, a.k.a jazz chords and more...
From a few core, basic chord shapes and a understanding of how chords are constructed. Your chord vocabulary can be dramatically increased without memorizing countless chord shapes. There are too many chord shapes to memorize.
This book will take the mystery out playing and understanding chords on the ukulele, whether it is a standard, concert, tenor or baritone ukulele in C tuning, low or high string four.
Tunings: C Tunings. Low or high string four variations.
Lefties of the world! Don't feel left out. There is a version for you: A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-047-8 Published: November 2011 Pages 50
Ukulele Chords
This mini (1/2 size) chord books are the perfect size for every ukulele gig bag or case and a great addition to you music book library.
SPECIAL: $4.97 for Hard Copy This is the same price as the PDF download.
Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played.
Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.
Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-000-3 Published: March 2007 Pages 44
PDF/eBook
Printable PDF
$4.95
NOW - With quick download after payment.
Apple iBook Available
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
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.
Studying the blues chord progressions presented in this book will open a wealth of creative possibilities for exploring chord progressions in all styles of music, not just blues.
This volume covers the key of C major and C minor. Each example includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and its chord substitutions.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z starts with a basic three chord, 12 bar blues and progresses up to a sophisticated jazz blues with multiple chord substitutions.
All examples are shown in C and G tuning. Suitable for Soprano, concert, tenor and baritone ukuleles. Get through this book and you'll have a solid jazz chord foundation to build on.
Tunings: C and G. Low or high string four variations.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-4-1 Published: March 2005 Pages 80
A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords - Volume I
Beyond learning basic Ukulele chords most players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords. Chord dictionaries are not the answer. Even chord theory does not offer any insight into unraveling the complexity of Ukulele chord voicings.
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele is your answer.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-8-9 Published: March 2003 Pages 70
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele
Exploring Jazz Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
Building a Solid Jazz Chord Foundation using Seventh, Major Seventh, Major 6, Minor Seventh, Minor Sixth, Diminished Seventh, Minor Seventh Flat Five and Augmented Seventh chords.
Tunings: C and G. Low or high string four variations.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-007-2 Published: January 2007 Pages 52
The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I
Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading principles presented in the book.
Tunings: C Tuning with a low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-9-6 Published: January 2004 Pages 80














