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Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer
Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.
Reading music on the ukulele is easier than reading music on guitar or piano. There are only four strings with a smaller range of possible notes.
Music in the key of C with all natural notes, no flats or sharps is pretty easy to play in open position on a ukulele. This would be the same as playing the white keys of a piano.
Standard music notation has been the Lingua Franco of musicians, both professionals and hobbyists for many centuries.
Reading standard music notation opens you up to vast world of published music.
Reading simple melodies in open position is the first step to reading music on the uke.
Reading Music on Ukulele?
All it takes is time and a plan - The right plan.
Reading is the ability to reproduce music from written notation. It includes five phases; note recognition / alternate note locations, rhythm recognition, fingering considerations, communication terminology and interpretation.
Reading standard music notation really isn't that hard on ukulele. If using a re-entrant tuning with a high string four. You really only need to first learn to read on three strings. And, reading in the open position is somewhat simple.
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 is a distinction between reading and sight reading. Reading is not as hard as you think with the right plan of attack.
Reading involves note recognition, note locations on the fingerboard, rhythm, the music symbols used to navigate an song or composition.
These series of lessons will tackle these individual topics and get you reading standard music notation.
For learning to read in open position my book Reading Music on Ukulele in Open Position - A Primer. is available FREE online.
37 Lesson(s)
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Demystifying Cut Time by Chuck Anderson
Cut Time is a source of confusion for many musicians. What exactly does it mean and how do you apply it? ML04: Published: April 20, 2010, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:36 pm | Author: Chuck Anderson | |||
Enharmonic Equivalents
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. UL19: Published: September 1, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 19, 2013, 3:11 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 | |||
Key Signatures - A Major and F Sharp Minor
A major (or the key of A) is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. Its key signature has three sharps: F♯, C♯ and G♯. Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor. UL47: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:21 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - Ab Major and F Minor
A♭ major is a major scale based on A-flat, consisting of the pitches A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. Its key signature has four flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, and D♭. Its relative minor is F minor, and its parallel minor is A-flat minor. UL55: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - B Major and G Sharp Minor
B major is a major scale based on B. The pitches B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯ are all part of the B major scale. Its key signature has five sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯. B major's relative minor is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is C-flat major. UL49: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:05 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - Bb Major and G Minor
B♭ major or B-flat major is a major scale based on B-flat, consisting of the pitches B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. Its key signature has two flats, B♭ and E♭. Its relative minor is G minor, and its parallel minor is B♭ 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 the flutes in B-flat. UL53: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:07 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - C Flat Major and A Flat Minor
C♭ major is a major scale based on C-flat, consisting of the pitches C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭. Its key signature has seven flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, and F♭. UL58: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:10 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - C Major and A Minor
Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. Sometimes called the learning key, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using. UL44: Published: September 11, 2011, 11:19 pm | Updated: April 7, 2013, 3:41 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - C Sharp Major and A Sharp Sharp Minor
C♯ major (or C-sharp major) is a major scale based on C♯, consisting of the pitches C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Its key signature has seven sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ and B♯ - ALL sharps. Its relative minor is A♯ minor, and its parallel minor is C♯ minor. Its enharmonic equivalent is D♭ major. UL51: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:06 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - D Flat Major and B Flat Minor
D♭ major is a major scale based on D-flat, consisting of the pitches D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭ and C. Its key signature has five flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, and G♭. UL56: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:09 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - D Major and B Minor
D major (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Its key signature consists of two sharps: F♯ and C♯. Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor. UL46: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:00 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:00 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - E Major and C Sharp Minor
E major is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯. Its key signature has four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯ and D♯. Its relative minor is C-sharp minor, and its parallel minor is E minor. UL48: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:04 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - Eb Major and C Minor
E♭ major or E-flat major is a major scale based on E-flat, consisting of the pitches E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. Its key signature has three flats: B♭, E♭, and A♭. Its relative minor is C minor, and its parallel minor is E♭ minor. E-flat major is often associated with bold, heroic music, in part because of Beethoven's usage. UL54: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - F Major and D Minor
F major (or the key of F) is a musical major scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. Its key signature has one flat: B♭. It is by far the oldest key signature with an accidental, predating the others by hundreds of years. Its relative minor is D minor and its parallel minor is F minor. UL52: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:08 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - F Sharp Major and D Sharp Sharp Minor
F♯ major or F-sharp major is a major scale based on F♯, consisting of the pitches F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. Its key signature has six sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯ and E♯. Its relative minor is D♯ minor, and its parallel minor is F♯ minor. Its enharmonic equivalent is G♯ major. UL50: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:05 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - G Flat Major and E Flat Minor
G♭ major is a major scale based on G-flat, consisting of the pitches G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F. Its key signature has six flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ and C♭. Its relative minor is E-flat minor, and its parallel minor is G-flat minor, usually replaced by F-sharp minor, since G-flat minor, which would have nine flats, is not normally used. UL57: Published: September 12, 2011, 10:11 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 4:10 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Key Signatures - G Major and E Minor
Learn the recognize the key signature for G Major and E Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. UL45: Published: September 12, 2011, 12:05 am | Updated: April 7, 2013, 3:49 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Modular Phonetic Rhythm
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. MPR20: Published: May 15, 2012, 12:57 pm | Updated: April 5, 2013, 11:57 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Modular Phonetic Rhythm, Level I Pairs Worksheet
Level I rhythmic syllable pairs for developing your ukulele strums vocabulary. MPR21: Published: May 12, 2012, 9:46 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:38 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Modular Phonetic Rhythm, Level II Pairs Worksheet
Level II rhythmic syllable pairs for developing your ukulele strums vocabulary. MPR22: Published: May 12, 2012, 9:46 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:38 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning
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. UL23: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 9:56 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the Ukulele Fingerboard - D Tuning
Standard music notation, the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for D tuned ukuleles. Covers both high A and low A tuning variations. UL106: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:35 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions Play-along Tracks, Introduction and Tuning Notes
Series introduction and tuning notes. MLQS1CD60i: Published: May 6, 2012, 11:09 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:54 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Aeolian Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Aeolian scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60e: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:33 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:21 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Blues Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Blues scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60a: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:28 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:20 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Dorian Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Dorian scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60c: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:33 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:20 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Ionian Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Ionian scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60f: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:33 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:20 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Mixolydian Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Mixolydian scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60d: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:33 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:21 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
QuickStart Chord Progressions, Pentatonic Play-along Tracks
Four premium practice play-along tracks for mastering and exploring the Blues scale. Suitable for any instrument. MLQS1CD60b: Published: May 6, 2012, 9:33 pm | Updated: April 29, 2013, 6:20 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Reading Music on Ukulele Series
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. UL300: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 9, 2013, 12:34 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation
TAB or Tablature Tablature is a form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. UL22: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 am | Updated: April 26, 2013, 8:20 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Rhythm and Strums Level II Rhythmic Pairs - Lesson Four
Modular Phonetic Level II Rhythmic Syllable 5 of 6. UL126-MPR-L2-5.6: Published: March 22, 2013, 5:23 pm | Updated: April 22, 2013, 3:52 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Standard Music Notation
Rather than do a complete lessons on standard music notation. Why reinvent the wheel. There are lot of great resources on-line and books in music stores that already exsist. Here is my take on several of the offerings. UL17: Published: December 9, 2011, 8:41 pm | Updated: May 7, 2013, 12:40 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
The Trouble with TAB
TAB, short for tablature is a form of musical notation using numbers and letters on a staff that that corresponds to the number of strings of fretted string instrument. Theses number tell a player which fret to place their fingers on rath UL43: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: March 10, 2013, 5:04 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Understanding a Guitar Chord Diagram
The traditional/standard guitar chord diagram typically used for showing chords. It is also used for showing scales shapes, licks and runs. GL104: Published: June 4, 2012, 11:42 pm | Updated: April 17, 2013, 9:57 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Which Way Is Up? - Up, Down, Ascending, Descending, etc...
What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a ukulele? Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not to direction as we know it. UL32: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: April 14, 2013, 3:35 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||




