Read Ukulele For Dummies Online
Authors: Alistair Wood
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Table of Contents
About This BookWhat You're Not to ReadConventions Used in This BookFoolish AssumptionsHow This Book Is OrganisedPart I: Introducing Ukulele BasicsPart II: Starting Out With Chords and StrummingPart III: Picking and Single-Note PlayingPart IV: Discovering Genres and StylesPart V: Buying and Looking After Your UkulelePart VI: The Part of TensPart VII: AppendixesIcons Used in This BookWhere to Go From Here
Part I: Introducing Ukulele BasicsPart II: Starting Out With Chords and StrummingPart III: Picking and Single-Note PlayingPart IV: Discovering Genres and StylesPart V: Buying and Looking After Your UkulelePart VI: The Part of TensPart VII: Appendixes
Chapter 1: Exploring the UkuleleUnderstanding the Uke's AdvantagesLoving the soundJoining a vibrant communityAppreciating the uke's practicalitySizing Up the UkuleleMeeting the family: Daddy uke, mummy uke and baby ukeDeciding which uke is best for youTaking a Tour: The Anatomy of the UkuleleBecoming a Well-Versed Ukulele PlayerStrumming along to hula in HawaiiSwinging and picking across the USARockin' and rollin', and getting down with the bluesDiversifying into ever more stylesChapter 2: Tuning Up to Sound GreatKnowing Some Musical TermsNotes as lettersHalf steps and whole stepsChords and scalesMajor and minorPitching Into Tuning BasicsUnravelling Tunings for Your InstrumentExploring the most common tuning: gCEAUsing other tuningsChoosing a Tuning MethodGoing hi-tech: Tuning with an electronic tunerListening and repeating: Tuning to the audio trackStringing along: Tuning to a guitarSeeing in black and white: Tuning to a piano or keyboardTuning your uke to itselfChapter 3: Discovering How to Handle Your UkuleleHolding On to Your UkulelePositioning yourself to playStanding upSitting downHolding your uke left-handedDeveloping Your StrummingStrumming in the right spotStrumming in the right wayRefusing to use a pick!Pressing On to FrettingPositioning your fretting handLocating where to fretDiscovering how strongly to fretAdjusting when things don't sound rightPlaying and pain
Understanding the Uke's AdvantagesLoving the soundJoining a vibrant communityAppreciating the uke's practicalitySizing Up the UkuleleMeeting the family: Daddy uke, mummy uke and baby ukeDeciding which uke is best for youTaking a Tour: The Anatomy of the UkuleleBecoming a Well-Versed Ukulele PlayerStrumming along to hula in HawaiiSwinging and picking across the USARockin' and rollin', and getting down with the bluesDiversifying into ever more styles
Loving the soundJoining a vibrant communityAppreciating the uke's practicality
Meeting the family: Daddy uke, mummy uke and baby ukeDeciding which uke is best for you
Strumming along to hula in HawaiiSwinging and picking across the USARockin' and rollin', and getting down with the bluesDiversifying into ever more styles
Knowing Some Musical TermsNotes as lettersHalf steps and whole stepsChords and scalesMajor and minorPitching Into Tuning BasicsUnravelling Tunings for Your InstrumentExploring the most common tuning: gCEAUsing other tuningsChoosing a Tuning MethodGoing hi-tech: Tuning with an electronic tunerListening and repeating: Tuning to the audio trackStringing along: Tuning to a guitarSeeing in black and white: Tuning to a piano or keyboardTuning your uke to itself
Notes as lettersHalf steps and whole stepsChords and scalesMajor and minor
Exploring the most common tuning: gCEAUsing other tunings
Going hi-tech: Tuning with an electronic tunerListening and repeating: Tuning to the audio trackStringing along: Tuning to a guitarSeeing in black and white: Tuning to a piano or keyboardTuning your uke to itself
Holding On to Your UkulelePositioning yourself to playStanding upSitting downHolding your uke left-handedDeveloping Your StrummingStrumming in the right spotStrumming in the right wayRefusing to use a pick!Pressing On to FrettingPositioning your fretting handLocating where to fretDiscovering how strongly to fretAdjusting when things don't sound rightPlaying and pain
Positioning yourself to playStanding upSitting downHolding your uke left-handed
Strumming in the right spotStrumming in the right wayRefusing to use a pick!
Positioning your fretting handLocating where to fretDiscovering how strongly to fretAdjusting when things don't sound rightPlaying and pain
Chapter 4: Playing Your First Ukulele Chords and SongsPlaying Music without Reading MusicReading chord diagramsDeciphering chord diagrams for leftiesPlaying a Song Using Two ChordsCreating a C chordFingering an F chordStarting your first song: âLi'l Liza Jane'Developing Your First Strumming PatternsUsing strumming notationFilling in with ups and downsFinding an easy way to follow rhythmsDiscovering Seven ChordsGetting to grips with G7Adding the E7 chordTaking off with your second song: âI'll Fly Away'Practising Minor ChordsAttempting A minorMoving on to D minorMajoring in E minorPlaying your first minor-chord songChapter 5: Drumming Up More Strumming PatternsPocketing the Ever-useful Swiss Army StrumAdding Pep with Some Strumming VariationsChanging chords within barsStrumming strongly and weaklyIntroducing the time signatureChecking out chnksStrumming for Various GenresGetting down with blues strumming: The shuffleBecoming upbeat about the reggae off-beatRocking without strummingRolling your strumsDeciding on an Appropriate Strumming PatternChapter 6: Meeting the Chords and Their FamiliesGetting to Know Chord FamiliesPractising the Three-chord Trick: The IâIVâV ProgressionFingering Barre ChordsGoing flat-out for B flatDeciding to play D7Playing B minorMoving Chord ShapesBudging up barre chordsDiscovering new moveable chord shapesInviting Round More Chord FamiliesGeeing up the G chord familyFinding out about the F chord familyPlaying according to the A chord familyDiscovering the D chord familyAttempting More Complex ChordsMaking melancholy minor 7 chordsRelaxing with major 7 chordsGetting cool with diminished chordsRemaining unresolved with suspended chords
Playing Music without Reading MusicReading chord diagramsDeciphering chord diagrams for leftiesPlaying a Song Using Two ChordsCreating a C chordFingering an F chordStarting your first song: âLi'l Liza Jane'Developing Your First Strumming PatternsUsing strumming notationFilling in with ups and downsFinding an easy way to follow rhythmsDiscovering Seven ChordsGetting to grips with G7Adding the E7 chordTaking off with your second song: âI'll Fly Away'Practising Minor ChordsAttempting A minorMoving on to D minorMajoring in E minorPlaying your first minor-chord song
Reading chord diagramsDeciphering chord diagrams for lefties
Creating a C chordFingering an F chordStarting your first song: âLi'l Liza Jane'
Using strumming notationFilling in with ups and downsFinding an easy way to follow rhythms
Getting to grips with G7Adding the E7 chordTaking off with your second song: âI'll Fly Away'
Attempting A minorMoving on to D minorMajoring in E minorPlaying your first minor-chord song
Pocketing the Ever-useful Swiss Army StrumAdding Pep with Some Strumming VariationsChanging chords within barsStrumming strongly and weaklyIntroducing the time signatureChecking out chnksStrumming for Various GenresGetting down with blues strumming: The shuffleBecoming upbeat about the reggae off-beatRocking without strummingRolling your strumsDeciding on an Appropriate Strumming Pattern
Changing chords within barsStrumming strongly and weaklyIntroducing the time signatureChecking out chnks
Getting down with blues strumming: The shuffleBecoming upbeat about the reggae off-beatRocking without strummingRolling your strums
Getting to Know Chord FamiliesPractising the Three-chord Trick: The IâIVâV ProgressionFingering Barre ChordsGoing flat-out for B flatDeciding to play D7Playing B minorMoving Chord ShapesBudging up barre chordsDiscovering new moveable chord shapesInviting Round More Chord FamiliesGeeing up the G chord familyFinding out about the F chord familyPlaying according to the A chord familyDiscovering the D chord familyAttempting More Complex ChordsMaking melancholy minor 7 chordsRelaxing with major 7 chordsGetting cool with diminished chordsRemaining unresolved with suspended chords
Going flat-out for B flatDeciding to play D7Playing B minor
Budging up barre chordsDiscovering new moveable chord shapes
Geeing up the G chord familyFinding out about the F chord familyPlaying according to the A chord familyDiscovering the D chord family
Making melancholy minor 7 chordsRelaxing with major 7 chordsGetting cool with diminished chordsRemaining unresolved with suspended chords
Chapter 7: Getting to Grips with Tabs and NotationTapping into TabsStringing notes along in tabsFretting notes in tabSequencing notes in tabPlaying simultaneous notes in tabChording in tabStrumming in tabReading RhythmsSplitting into quarter notesHolding on for half and whole notesDividing further: Eighth and sixteenth notesDotting and tying notesResting and RepeatingTaking a restRepeating . . . and repeatingPutting Everything TogetherStarting with a simple tuneMoving up the neckShifting positionsChapter 8: Discovering Fingerpicking PatternsIntroducing the Fingerpicking TechniquePicking Up Some Picking PatternsGetting the lowdown on the up patternRising and falling: The up and down patternPlaying all together: The simultaneous picking patternThumbing around: The alternate picking patternChapter 9: Combining Melodies and Chords When Playing SoloStrumming Melody and Chords TogetherThumb-strumming the melodyUsing up strumsStrumming between the melodyFinger-strumming the melodyPicking Out Melodies and ChordsFaking a strumFingerpicking to combine melody and chordsChapter 10: Picking Up Some Soloing TechniquesGetting Articulated on the FretsHammering-onPulling-offSliding between notesBending notesProducing vibratoPutting everything togetherPicking Your Way to Great SolosBeing all fingers and thumbs (in a good way!)Picking alternately: The running manUsing a pickStrum blockingInventing Solos the Easy WaySoloing using chord shapesPlaying all the chord shapesSoloing with scales
Tapping into TabsStringing notes along in tabsFretting notes in tabSequencing notes in tabPlaying simultaneous notes in tabChording in tabStrumming in tabReading RhythmsSplitting into quarter notesHolding on for half and whole notesDividing further: Eighth and sixteenth notesDotting and tying notesResting and RepeatingTaking a restRepeating . . . and repeatingPutting Everything TogetherStarting with a simple tuneMoving up the neckShifting positions
Stringing notes along in tabsFretting notes in tabSequencing notes in tabPlaying simultaneous notes in tabChording in tabStrumming in tab
Splitting into quarter notesHolding on for half and whole notesDividing further: Eighth and sixteenth notesDotting and tying notes
Taking a restRepeating . . . and repeating
Starting with a simple tuneMoving up the neckShifting positions
Introducing the Fingerpicking TechniquePicking Up Some Picking PatternsGetting the lowdown on the up patternRising and falling: The up and down patternPlaying all together: The simultaneous picking patternThumbing around: The alternate picking pattern
Getting the lowdown on the up patternRising and falling: The up and down patternPlaying all together: The simultaneous picking patternThumbing around: The alternate picking pattern
Strumming Melody and Chords TogetherThumb-strumming the melodyUsing up strumsStrumming between the melodyFinger-strumming the melodyPicking Out Melodies and ChordsFaking a strumFingerpicking to combine melody and chords
Thumb-strumming the melodyUsing up strumsStrumming between the melodyFinger-strumming the melody
Faking a strumFingerpicking to combine melody and chords
Getting Articulated on the FretsHammering-onPulling-offSliding between notesBending notesProducing vibratoPutting everything togetherPicking Your Way to Great SolosBeing all fingers and thumbs (in a good way!)Picking alternately: The running manUsing a pickStrum blockingInventing Solos the Easy WaySoloing using chord shapesPlaying all the chord shapesSoloing with scales
Hammering-onPulling-offSliding between notesBending notesProducing vibratoPutting everything together
Being all fingers and thumbs (in a good way!)Picking alternately: The running manUsing a pickStrum blocking
Soloing using chord shapesPlaying all the chord shapesSoloing with scales
Chapter 11: Rocking Out With Your UkeRocking Out With ChordsKeeping it simple: Three-chord punkAdding a fourth chordPowering up with 5 chordsBuilding tension: Suspended chordsStrumming Rock and Punk RhythmsBo DiddlingIggy PoppingRiffing Your Way to Rock HeavenWorking with chord riffsStrengthening your single-note riffsCombining chords and single notesDiscovering Rock Soloing TechniquesDouble stoppingShifting position with slidesMaking Your Uke Talk: Soloing TipsPhrasing like speakingArticulating questions and answersMoving up the fretboard for tension and releaseChapter 12: Playing the Blues to Lift Your SpiritsPlaying Blues Chord ProgressionsPerforming a simple 12-bar bluesVarying the 12-bar bluesShuffling the bluesTurning the Blues AroundLeading the BluesSoloing with the Blues ScaleDiscovering the first position blues scaleUsing the second position blues scaleScaling the heights with solosChapter 13: Saying âAloha' to the Hawaiian StyleStrumming in the Hawaiian WayTurning Around, Hawaiian-styleProgressing to the Hawaiian turnaroundSoloing the Hawaiian turnaroundStretching Out to Play âAlekoki'Chapter 14: Jazzing Up Your Uke PlayingTurning Around, Jazz-StyleUsing Hot Jazzy ChordsExtending your chordsStretching chords even furtherAltering your chordsStrumming in that Jazzy WayPlaying a ragtime tuneHitting the split strokeFaking a Jazz SoloChapter 15: Strumming Up the Jawaiian StyleStarting Up Some Jawaiian StrummingPractising the touch strumDrumming up the thumb 'n' strum styleâJamming' with Bob MarleyGoing âOne Step Beyond': SkankingChapter 16: Getting Classy: Classical Masterpieces for UkuleleConjuring Chords for ClassicsStrumming Up the ClassicsPicking the Classics â Classical Guitar Pieces for UkulelePlaying Campanella Style
Rocking Out With ChordsKeeping it simple: Three-chord punkAdding a fourth chordPowering up with 5 chordsBuilding tension: Suspended chordsStrumming Rock and Punk RhythmsBo DiddlingIggy PoppingRiffing Your Way to Rock HeavenWorking with chord riffsStrengthening your single-note riffsCombining chords and single notesDiscovering Rock Soloing TechniquesDouble stoppingShifting position with slidesMaking Your Uke Talk: Soloing TipsPhrasing like speakingArticulating questions and answersMoving up the fretboard for tension and release
Keeping it simple: Three-chord punkAdding a fourth chordPowering up with 5 chordsBuilding tension: Suspended chords
Bo DiddlingIggy Popping
Working with chord riffsStrengthening your single-note riffsCombining chords and single notes
Double stoppingShifting position with slides
Phrasing like speakingArticulating questions and answersMoving up the fretboard for tension and release
Playing Blues Chord ProgressionsPerforming a simple 12-bar bluesVarying the 12-bar bluesShuffling the bluesTurning the Blues AroundLeading the BluesSoloing with the Blues ScaleDiscovering the first position blues scaleUsing the second position blues scaleScaling the heights with solos
Performing a simple 12-bar bluesVarying the 12-bar bluesShuffling the blues
Discovering the first position blues scaleUsing the second position blues scaleScaling the heights with solos
Strumming in the Hawaiian WayTurning Around, Hawaiian-styleProgressing to the Hawaiian turnaroundSoloing the Hawaiian turnaroundStretching Out to Play âAlekoki'
Progressing to the Hawaiian turnaroundSoloing the Hawaiian turnaround
Turning Around, Jazz-StyleUsing Hot Jazzy ChordsExtending your chordsStretching chords even furtherAltering your chordsStrumming in that Jazzy WayPlaying a ragtime tuneHitting the split strokeFaking a Jazz Solo
Extending your chordsStretching chords even furtherAltering your chords
Playing a ragtime tuneHitting the split stroke
Starting Up Some Jawaiian StrummingPractising the touch strumDrumming up the thumb 'n' strum styleâJamming' with Bob MarleyGoing âOne Step Beyond': Skanking
Practising the touch strumDrumming up the thumb 'n' strum style
Conjuring Chords for ClassicsStrumming Up the ClassicsPicking the Classics â Classical Guitar Pieces for UkulelePlaying Campanella Style
Chapter 17: Weighing Up Your Options When Buying a UkuleleBuying Your First UkeAssessing how much to spendPicking a sizeAvoiding problemsDeciding Where to BuyBuying from a shopPurchasing onlineObtaining Your Second (and Third, Fourth, Fifth . . .) UkuleleThinking about solid versus laminatedConsidering types of woodPlugging In: Electric UkulelesChapter 18: Splashing Out on Essentials and AccessoriesPicking the Right StringsGetting Hold of Optional AccessoriesClipping on a tunerBagging a caseRecording your performanceLeaving it standing up or hanging down?Strapping on your ukeCapturing the right capoFeeling for a pick â if you really mustComputing Your Way to Better PlayingKeeping time with a metronomeRecording tunesTuning upCharting a way to uke chordsProducing chord sheetsMaking tabsTraining by earChapter 19: Restringing, Maintaining and Adjusting Your UkeRestringing Your UkuleleDeciding when to restringRemoving the stringsTying the strings at the bridgeLooping the strings round the tuning pegsStretching the stringsMaintaining Your UkuleleCleaning after playingStoring your ukuleleTackling humidityDiagnosing and Solving Uke ProblemsDeciding that the strings are too high: Lowering the actionFixing a buzzing sound: Raising the actionFighting against out-of-tune strings high up the fretboardAdjusting strings that go out of tune
Buying Your First UkeAssessing how much to spendPicking a sizeAvoiding problemsDeciding Where to BuyBuying from a shopPurchasing onlineObtaining Your Second (and Third, Fourth, Fifth . . .) UkuleleThinking about solid versus laminatedConsidering types of woodPlugging In: Electric Ukuleles
Assessing how much to spendPicking a sizeAvoiding problems
Buying from a shopPurchasing online
Thinking about solid versus laminatedConsidering types of wood
Picking the Right StringsGetting Hold of Optional AccessoriesClipping on a tunerBagging a caseRecording your performanceLeaving it standing up or hanging down?Strapping on your ukeCapturing the right capoFeeling for a pick â if you really mustComputing Your Way to Better PlayingKeeping time with a metronomeRecording tunesTuning upCharting a way to uke chordsProducing chord sheetsMaking tabsTraining by ear
Clipping on a tunerBagging a caseRecording your performanceLeaving it standing up or hanging down?Strapping on your ukeCapturing the right capoFeeling for a pick â if you really must
Keeping time with a metronomeRecording tunesTuning upCharting a way to uke chordsProducing chord sheetsMaking tabsTraining by ear
Restringing Your UkuleleDeciding when to restringRemoving the stringsTying the strings at the bridgeLooping the strings round the tuning pegsStretching the stringsMaintaining Your UkuleleCleaning after playingStoring your ukuleleTackling humidityDiagnosing and Solving Uke ProblemsDeciding that the strings are too high: Lowering the actionFixing a buzzing sound: Raising the actionFighting against out-of-tune strings high up the fretboardAdjusting strings that go out of tune
Deciding when to restringRemoving the stringsTying the strings at the bridgeLooping the strings round the tuning pegsStretching the strings
Cleaning after playingStoring your ukuleleTackling humidity
Deciding that the strings are too high: Lowering the actionFixing a buzzing sound: Raising the actionFighting against out-of-tune strings high up the fretboardAdjusting strings that go out of tune