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Everything you need to Play

start playing the in any
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Strumming techniques explained

Tune and restring your uke Learn the different chords
Welcome to
Ukulele
People of all abilities can play the ukulele, from complete novices who have never
played an instrument before to accomplished musicians who want to add another
string to their bow (so to speak). That’s probably why so many people, young and old,
are picking up this versatile little instrument and making music. This edition of Ukulele
for Beginners is the perfect companion for you and your new ukulele, and will help
you decide which type of instrument – whether soprano, baritone, concert or electric
– is right for you. You’ll learn how to play, from the basic major chords to tabs and even
music theory and notation. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be rocking out on
your uke in the styles of your favourite artists, including Green Day, Taylor Swift, Kanye
West and Elvis Presley. We’ll answer the burning questions you have about your uke in
our Helpdesk section, and you’ll ind all the chords you need in the charts at the back
of the book. So grab your ukulele, pick up this book and get strumming!
Imagine Publishing Ltd
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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may
be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
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endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
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Photography locations courtesy of: Southern Ukulele Store @ Music Is Life,

Southbourne, Bournemouth; The Real Eating Company, Bournemouth; Huckleberry’s
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Ukulele for Beginners Second Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd
ISBN 978 1785 463 563

Contents
Guiding you every step of the way and providing you with everything you need
to start learning the ukulele – all you need to know and all in one place
Give it a try
Look out for this logo
on some pages, as it
means that an audio file
is available online to help
you master a certain
ukulele technique.
Getting started 28 Stretch to improve

Use these exercises to improve your reach 46 Play barre chords
It takes time but these chords are worth it
10 Get to know your ukulele

Say hello to your new instrument Techniques 48 Barre chord tips
Make life easier when barring with these hints
12 Choose the right ukulele

Which type of ukulele is best for your needs? 32 Notes, strings and frets
Get to grips with the basics of notation 50 Use a capo
Alter your ukulele’s pitch with this handy clamp
16 Tune your ukulele

Master this essential skill before you play 34 Play basic ukulele chords
Start strumming with these major chords 52 Finger pick
Move beyond strumming and pick out the notes
18 Hold your ukulele

Perfect your posture and get comfortable 36 Basic chord progression
Move from one chord to another smoothly 54 Tremolo pick
Get a hard-rock sound with your ukulele
20 Take care of your ukulele

Keep your uke clean for the best sound 38 Strum your ukulele
Play chords with these rhythm patterns 56 Mute strings
Silence speaks loudly with this technique
22 Restring your ukulele

It’s not as hard as it looks, and sounds great 40 Strum for different genres
From reggae to folk, strum the right sounds 58 Learn to slide
Get a bluesy sound by sliding notes
24 Essential accessories
What do you need to enhance your playing? 42 Practise with basic chords
Play a piece to recap what you’ve learned so far 60 Practise with more chords
Recap the sophisticated techniques you’ve learnt
26 Warm up your hands

Avoid cramp and play for longer 44 Master chnking
An essential ukulele technique that sounds great 62 Practise string bending
Add an extra tone to your notes with movement
6 Ukulele for Beginners

Strings and frets A
E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Throughout this bookazine, the horizontal lines on these
tab diagrams (right) refer to the string you’re fretting. The C
numbers refer to which fret you’re playing (below).
G
A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 E
C
G
64 Play in octaves
Master a classic-rock sound on the ukulele 88 Interpret key signatures
What are key signatures and how are they used?
66 Get to grips with recording

Commit your strumming to digital record 90 Rests and repetition
Master these two essential parts of notation
68 Play ukulele with others

Music’s more fun with friends, find out how 92 Introducing musical scales
Practise your notes in sequence
70 Useful apps for ukulele

Download apps to help you on the move 93 The major scale
How to play a major scale and what it means
72 Useful sites for ukulele

Research your instrument even further online 94 The minor scale
The sounds of the minor scale and how to play
Reading music 95 The major pentatonic scale

A scale found in music all over the world
76 Read ukulele tabs

Understand the method of tablature 96 The minor pentatonic scale
Made up of five notes, play this interesting scale
80 What is musical notation?

Get to grips with traditional music theory 97 The blues scale
A distinct-sounding scale that’s great for pop
82 Introducing the staves

See where all the notes live 98 Playing solos
Work out how to take the limelight with your uke
83 Notes and their values

Find out about the circles that sit on the staves 100 Ukulele improvisation
More than just making it up as you go 120 Foo Fighters
Channel Dave Grohl and rock out on your uke
84 Read musical notation Play in the style of...

Discover how music is represented on the page 122 Kanye West
Invoke the ‘greatest living rock star’ on the uke
86 Understand time signatures 104 Traditional Hawaiian

Play the right number of beats per bar Play along with the traditional ukulele sound 124 Taylor Swift
Play Swift’s country-pop sound for yourself
106 One Direction Get the big pop sound of 1D 126 The Smiths

Can your ukulele sound like The Smiths?
108 Green Day Mimic their flavour of bratty pop-punk 128 Bob Marley

Marley’s reggae is a great style for ukulele
110 Mumford and Sons The ukulele is perfect for this folky style 130 Elvis Presley
Tap your blue suede shoes along to the uke
112 Amy Winehouse Play the genre of jazz with Amy’s sound Helpdesk
114 Ed Sheeran Make use of the ukulele’s acoustic credentials 134 Your questions answered
All the questions you’re asking, answered
116 Bruno Mars Get a funky R&B sound like Bruno Mars 148 Glossary
Find out what the trickiest terms mean
118 Nile Rodgers Learn how to play like this jazz legend 150 Chord charts
All the chords you need for your reference
Ukulele for Beginners 7

Getting started
The ultimate guide to picking up your ukulele and making it sound great, with step-by-step
tutorials and tips for warming up, tuning and keeping the uke in top condition
Give it a try
Look out for this logo on
each page, as it means
that an audio file is
available online to help
ukulele technique.
10 Get to know your ukulele

12 Choose the right ukulele
16 Tune your ukulele
18 Hold your ukulele
20 Take care of your ukulele
22 Restring your ukulele
24 Essential accessories
26 Warm up your hands
28 Stretch to improve

Getting started
Get to know
your ukulele
Just picking up a ukulele for the first time? Then take
time to get better acquainted with your instrument
U
kuleles come in many shapes and you are already familiar with the workings of a guitar the instrument, this will be usually fashioned out
sizes, but they usually resemble small then you will instantly know the parts that make up of superior materials than the sides and back. The
traditional acoustic guitars. They also a ukulele and the roles that they play. If not then you strings are what are used to make the sounds that
come in four main sizes – soprano, should know that the two main sound-producing the body produces.
concert, tenor and baritone. A soprano ukulele parts of the instrument are the body and the strings. We will go into more detail on what each
usually measures about 21 inches in length and The body is where the sound is produced and part does here, as well as identify the other key
is most likely the one that you are holding in your consists of three main parts: the soundboard (the components that make up your ukulele. Getting to
hands right now, as it is far and away the most top or front of the ukulele), the back and the sides. know your instrument inside and out is one of the
popular type. Concert ukuleles measure about 23 As the soundboard is the most important part of fundamentals for learning how to play it.
inches in length and are very similar to soprano
ukuleles in terms of sound, as they are tuned the
same way. Things start to get slightly different “The two main sound-producing parts of the
when we come to the tenor ukulele. These measure
26 inches in length and are tuned like soprano instrument are the body and the strings”
ukuleles. However, the fourth string, G, is one octave
lower. Baritone ukuleles are the largest members of
the family, measuring 30 inches in length, and are
tuned similar to the tenor ukulele but a 4th lower.
Although the shape of the ukulele you are
playing won’t affect the sound – most sound the
same – it can determine how easy the instrument
is to play. This is why you should learn on a more
traditionally shaped ukulele, like the one pictured
here, before moving onto some of the more radical
Flying-V or cricket bat-shaped electric ukuleles. If
Headstock
The headstock is the part of the ukulele
where the tuning pegs are attached
and also where the instrument’s brand
logo and serial number (which is usually
on the back) will be displayed
Tuning pegs
Also known as tuning keys or machine
heads, the tuning pegs are metal pegs
through which the strings are threaded.
These pegs are then twisted in order to
tune the strings of the ukulele

Anatomy of a ukulele Strings
Threaded up from
the bridge and pulled
Get to know your instrument and discover all of the key components taut at the headstock,
If you are keen to start playing the ukulele then it is useful to learn what all of the parts the strings run across
of the instrument are called and the roles that they play. This also makes it easier to order the soundhole and
spare parts and talk to other people about the different aspects of your instrument. Here up the fretboard and
we identify all of the key components of the ukulele, which are actually the same in terms are what you strum
of name and function as those of a standard acoustic guitar. or pluck to create the
sound. Ukulele strings
are usually made
from synthetic fibres,
Soundhole such as nylon
The soundhole is a circular opening in the
Fret markers top of the ukulele’s body to let out the
Traditionally resembling vibrations created when the strings are
dots, fret markers are present strummed. Soundholes are familiar features
on the fretboard (usually at of most acoustic stringed instruments
the third, fifth, seventh, tenth
and twelfth frets) to act as
an at-a-glance reference as
to where the various frets
can be found. Where no
fret markers are present, just
count up or down from the
ones that are there
Fretboard Bridge
Usually fashioned out of rosewood, the The bridge is mounted on top of the body
fretboard is where all of the instrument’s and holds a saddle, which is required to
frets are arranged – these are the metal hold all of the strings in place above the
bars placed horizontally across the fretboard. When stringing a ukulele, the
fretboard to denote the different notes strings are knotted at the bridge

Getting started
Choose the
right ukulele
There are several types of ukulele available. We tell you all about each one
so you can make an informed choice about which model to purchase
Soprano
The soprano is seen as the most
traditional ukulele and will give Top tip
you that authentic ukulele sound Pay a little more
With a ukulele, you us
ua
what you pay for. Wh lly get
If the ukulele has recently piqued your interest and ile
are plenty of afordab there
inspired you to go out and buy one, the soprano le models
that are great for lea
sized version is likely to be what you’re looking for. Tuning heads rners, avoid
super-cheap options
The smallest ukulele you can get – not including the Much like your standard guitar, as they
will struggle to stay
each tuning head allows in tune,
rare but growing in popularity sopranissimo – it also which can be very
produces the highest sound (and the one you’ve you to alter the pitch of each annoying.
got playing in your head right now). string. The standard tuning for
Coming in at the grand size of just 21 inches long, a soprano ukulele is GCEA
soprano ukuleles usually feature 12 frets (although
some may have 14). Due to their size, they only
have a range of 22 notes (turn to p.74 for more on
reading music). Its standard tuning is GCEA.
Although the soprano is the model people Strings Frets
widely think of when a ukulele pops into their Even a cheap ukulele can be Most soprano ukuleles have
thoughts – and is notably cheaper than other types improved with a decent set between 12 and 14 frets. Due
– it can be a tad small for adults, which makes it of strings, so no matter what to the instrument‘s small size,
difficult to use and perform with if that’s the road soprano you opt for, make sure however, players with large
you’re planning to take. Its produced sound is what you invest in this area too fingers may struggle
many would expect from a ukulele, but this is still
rather thin and not as warm as other models that
are available. It‘s also not as powerful as you might
expect, so as you develop as a player, you may well
want to switch to a different model.
Ensuring the body is to a high standard is key
Body
when producing the right tone – the shape and
A high-quality wood
quality of the wood makes a huge difference –
body is always going
but those on a budget can still opt for a plastic
to produce a better
soprano ukulele when first starting out, or if ease of
sound, but players on
transport is high on the agenda. While the model
a tight budget may
you purchase may not be capable of the sound
find that a plastic one
you were hoping for, upgrading to a quality set of
is good enough when
strings can make all the difference – a tip we would
first starting out
encourage all beginners to follow. Just make sure to
go for a set that are designed for a soprano, as each
model needs to be fitted differently.
An ideal choice for those starting out, the range
of soprano ukuleles makes it exceptionally pain-free
to find one that fits an individual’s tastes, from your
basic beginner models to those that carry a bit
more musical punch.

Tenor
Soundhole Larger than the soprano, with a far fuller tone, the
As the name suggests, tenor is a model that carries more weight
this is the hole which
produces the ukulele’s Although only six inches longer, the tenor ukulele looks twice as big as its
sound. The wood used soprano counterpart. With between 15 and 20 frets that are also far bigger, its
in the body of the main selling point is its wider body and fuller sound. Tenor ukuleles are also
Bridge
ukulele will affect the more varied, often offering four-, six- and eight-string models. If you’re a guitarist
Responsible for holding
tone that’s projected looking to make the jump across, this is probably your best bet.
the saddle – which in
Almost sounding like a bassy classical guitar – while still holding onto that
turn keeps the strings in
ukulele twang – many players take advantage of this by fitting it with a G string
place – this is also where
an octave lower than the norm. The ability to work with more lower notes
you’ll knot said strings
opens up further possibilities for the tenor ukulele, including many Hawaiian
players who are keen to take on a ‘slack key’ style (custom tuning).
Their increased size makes tenors far more suited to those who want to play
‘licks’ or ‘riffs’, too, as it’s easier to run your fingers up and down the fretboard. Its
smaller neck makes this type of playing far more accessible.
Fortunately, a tenor ukulele will still result in that unique tone you’re looking
for while giving you a greater amount of options and variety. It’s also the model
that most players choose to perform with, given its superior size and warmth.
Much like the soprano, introducing new strings or experimenting with different
kinds of wood for the body may also help you to get the sound you’re after.
“If you’re a guitarist looking to make

the jump across, this is probably
your best bet”
Concert Fret markers

Existing to make your
Slightly bigger than the soprano, the concert life a little easier, fret
markers are put in
ukulele retains that authentic sound place so you can dot
A step up from the soprano – it measures 23 inches – the concert ukulele’s around the fretboard
bigger body and neck allows more room between the frets, making it a little without forgetting
easier to handle. Also known as the medium, or alto, ukulele, it has 14 to 17 where you are
frets, giving you an element of freedom to play with the fretline and achieve a
much thicker sound. While not as great a shift as the tenor, the sole purpose of Nut
the concert model was to meet a rising demand for larger ukuleles that had a Working in tandem
deeper tone. Originating in the 1920s, it’s the perfect option for adults that don’t with the bridge, the nut
want to veer too far away from what a soprano offers, but aren’t keen on feeling (or saddle) keeps strings
like they’re holding a child’s instrument. in the correct place
More melodic than other members within its family, thanks to its longer scale
length and slightly tauter strings, you can also expect better sustain. Tuned in
the same fashion – GCEA – it’s become the ‘go to’ choice for many professional
players, hence its given name.
While it’s a great next ukulele after learning the basics on a soprano, those
with a big enough budget can find concert models which will last the test of
time. Designed to be used in all manner of scenarios – from live performances to
just practising in your bedroom – the concert is arguably the most versatile of all
the ukuleles available. The right model and set of strings could set you up with
an instrument that has the potential to last you a lifetime.
“Arguably the most versatile of all

the ukuleles available”
Getting started
Hybrid ukuleles Neck

Designed to mimic
Why opt for a standard ukulele when you can have the scale, tuning
and playing style of
one that also sounds like a banjo or electric guitar? the ukulele, its sole
As the ukulele grows ever more popular, the demand for weird hybrids, purpose is to tick
combining it with similar instruments, is greater than ever. One of the more both the banjo and Body
popular has even adopted its own name, the somewhat ridiculous ‘banjolele’. ‘uke’ boxes The body, as you
The coming together, as we’re sure you’ve figured out, of both the ukulele can see, is that of a
and the banjo, these models have a banjo-like head, rim, resonate and brackets, banjo, allowing the
but are tuned in the same as a ukulele. This means they’re instantly familiar to banjolele to have
ukulele players and, with the right tweaks and strings, can genuinely sound like a the construction
coming together of the two. Why you’d want that we don’t know, but at least it and distinctive tone
means there’s something out there for everyone. of its namesake
This continues with the ‘resonator ukulele’ that borrows elements from the
traditional metal resonator guitar. Ignoring wood, the body of these is made
entirely of metal (although you can get versions that opt for a mixture of metal
and wood) to produce a distinct and very loud sound that helps cut through
dense mixes – a problem that many ukuleles, especially those of the smaller
variety, run into.
For the truly dedicated, there are also Vorson’s range of electric ukuleles.
Dolled up as if they were a Gibson SG, they come with either dual or single coil
pick-ups without losing that ukulele tone. You even get a three-way toggle and
tone control. Combine this with an adjustable truss rod and bridge and you have
a ukulele that exists to be shredded like you were Van Halen. What a world…
“The demand for weird ukulele

hybrids is greater than ever”
Input
Allowing you to plug Electric
your instrument into an
amplifier or sound-making
The electric ukulele allows a tremendous amount
box of choice, most of variety without sacrificing tone
electric ukuleles connect
Electric ukuleles were always going to come to prominence one day. Although
with a 3.5mm jack
seen as ‘not authentic’ by some traditional players, they offer a very unique tone
Toggles
and, more importantly, greatly increase the range sound that can be produced
Be it volume or tone,
on the instrument.
these toggles allow
Boasting an electronic pick-up that, much like an electro-acoustic guitar,
you to adjust both
detects the ukulele’s vibrations and converts them to electronic signals before
to manipulate the
beaming the noises out of an amplifier, this is the perfect choice for those
ukulele’s sound to
who are playing in a band and need to ensure they can be heard against a
your preference
loud backdrop.
While a more standard ukulele can work in a scenario such as this by simply
placing a microphone in front of it, going the electric path eliminates the
problem of feedback and, from a performing standpoint, also greatly increases
mobility and the freedom you have on stage. Most electric ukuleles also feature
on-board volume and tone controls that help you achieve a more natural sound,
even when it’s being projected to an audience.
On top of this, there are benefits to a model of this type depending on
your budget. Many electric ukuleles offer a USB output that opens up the
opportunity to record directly to the appropriate recording device – a huge
asset in the modern world where many songs are being recorded digitally
through the likes of GarageBand. Furthermore, the technical variety this allows
means you can, more or less, mimic the sound of any ukulele – from soprano to
baritone – with the push of a button.
An electric ukulele may move away from tradition in some sense, but it’s
definitely worth a look for the more modern player.

Baritone
The biggest model, the baritone
Top tip is ideal for those looking for a
Diferent strings merger of ukulele and guitar
Be it nylon, luorocarb
titanium, wound nylon on, The largest of the ukulele family, the baritone offers
, wound the fullest sound out of the entire range and will
metal or steel, the be
st, and appeal mostly to those who are looking for an
only way, to ind out
wh
of string works for yo at type instrument similar to a guitar. Tuned the same as
u is
Headstock as many as you can un to try the last four strings on a guitar – DGBE – it has a far
til yo
This is the top part of the ukulele ukulele sounds the wa ur lower tone than the typical ukulele sound, which
and where the tuning pegs are y
you want it to. makes it somewhat controversial: not all players are
attached. It’s also where you’ll impressed by it.
find the ukulele’s brand logo and Originating in the 1940s and measuring around
usually a serial number, too 30 inches in length, it’s somewhat of an anomaly,
especially with beginner players, due to the
aforementioned tuning. Unlike other ukulele models
which can all be learned in conjunction with ‘how
to’ or ‘chord chart’ guides, the baritone needs to be
treated as a separate instrument in order to master it
Neck
properly. In many ways, it’s the equivalent of picking
The neck is a sturdy piece of
up a normal or bass guitar.
Wood wood that supports the fretboard
With that said, its increased size does make it far
The wood your ukulele is made and connects the headstock
more appealing to blues players or ‘fingerpickers’.
out of can have a huge impact on with the body. The bigger the
The enlarged neck and fretboard make it easier to
both the sound and longevity of instrument, the bigger the neck
run your hand around without having to carefully
your instrument manoeuvre in a relatively small space. You are,
though, sacrificing that bright, crisp sound many
associate with the more traditional ukulele. In this
sense, the soprano reigns supreme.
While the wood your ukulele is made of is key
no matter what model you opt for, the deeper
Sound sounds produced by the baritone mean there can
The deeper sound be a huge shift depending which material you
the baritone ukulele opt for. Koa wood has become the most sought
produces means after, simply due to it being unique to Hawaii and
you’re getting a the most common wood for a ukulele to be made
bigger instrument in out of. Given its expense, though, mahogany has
every sense, from the became just as popular, also boasting workability,
body, to the fretboard, weight, flexibility, volume and, where the baritone
to the neck is concerned, tone, helping to bring out those rich
and deep sounds.
In recent years, plywood design ukuleles have
proven to be very popular due to their lower cost.
The right research and in-house testing can result
in a more than solid instrument without having to
break the bank. Given that wood ages, however,
you may want to think twice before going this route
with a baritone.
If you want that ukulele magic coupled with the
power of a guitar, the baritone is without doubt the
option for you.
“The baritone needs to

be treated as a separate
instrument in order to master
it properly”
Getting started
Tune your ukuleleTuning up properly before you play will make learning a whole
lot easier. Here’s how to make sure things sound right
B
efore you start performing on your pitch than the note you want), then you loosen the
ukulele, it is essential that it is tuned string. If it is flat (lower than the note you need), then
correctly, which is a crucial skill to master. tighten the string.
Ukuleles can be tuned in several keys with To tune a ukulele, you will need to start with the
the most popular tuning based on the notes: string nearest to you (the G string) and tune them
G C E A
one at a time. The simplest method to help you B C D E F G A B C
achieve this is to use another sound source such as
There are several methods of tuning your a piano. There are many smartphone or tablet apps
instrument, with the majority involving you either available to aid you with this. The lowest string on 3rd string 2nd string 4th string 1st string
tightening or loosening the open strings by turning the ukulele is tuned to middle C on a keyboard. The
the tuning pegs at the head of the ukulele. You may diagram will show you how to tune you ukulele. sound of chords and solos. You might want to check
hear people refer to your instrument sounding sharp You’ll need tune your ukulele frequently, at least the tuning during performances, as the strings will
or flat. If your ukulele is sharp (sounding higher in every time before you perform, as it will affect the loosen, and also when new strings are added.
Relative tuning How to master relative tuning
01 Check the C string 02 The bottom string

You can tune your ukulele to the C string (3rd) of the instrument. This is known Next, place you finger on the 7th fret of the C string. This will produce the G
as relative tuning. Make sure your C string is in tune first by using a sound source. note needed to tune the 4th string, also known as the bottom string.
03 The second string 04 The top string

When you have completed that, place your finger on the 4th fret of the C string. The final step is the top string. Place your finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom
This is an E and will give you the note required for the 2nd string for tuning. string (G string) to give you the note a need to tune the first string.

Basic ukulele tuning
Here are a few key pointers you’ll need to know
about when it comes to tuning your ukulele to itself
Tuning pegs
Obviously, these are the most
The strings vital parts when tuning your
A good set of strings will always help ukulele. Remember, sharp
maintain the tuning of your instrument. tuning, loosen the peg; flat
You may want change these to give tuning, tighten the peg
your ukulele the best-quality sound
Top tip
Machine heads Order of strings
If you have problems Unlike the guitar, the
ukulele is not tuned
tuning your ukulele, as in order
of pitch, so you have
Re-entrant tuning well as changing the to be
careful. The bottom
This is the term commonly associated strings, you may want to string of
a ukulele is conventio
na
with ukulele tuning. It describes tighten the screws of the the G string, with the lly
where the notes are not ordered machine heads if they top
string the A.
from lowest pitch to highest pitch have become loose
Tuning devices Many devices can help you tune your ukulele.
Choose one you feel comfortable with
Electronic/
digital tuner
These have lots of
advantages to them
and are usually very
precise. When you
play a note, the display
will show whether you Online ukulele tuner
are sharp or flat. This is similar to using an app, with a vast majority
of free ones available. Simply click the string of the
Amp with built-in tuner note to tune and adjust your string accordingly.
Again, this is similar to an electronic tuner, but
will need your ukulele to have an input into the
amplifier to make it work.
Software tuner plug-in Tuner apps

This is ideal when recording performances. Most There are many free apps available for the
of the major recording software (Logic, Cubase, majority of smartphones. They will either play the
Pro Tools) will contain their own tuner plug-in. notes required or act similarly to digital tuners.

Getting started
Hold your ukulele

There are numerous ways to hold the ukulele, but not all of them are conducive
to good playing. Here we outline the best ways to hold your instrument
Y
our posture while playing the ukulele be careful not to hold your ukulele too tightly and index finger, and your forearm on the front
is vital – if you slouch or are generally to your chest – doing so will kill the volume and just behind the bridge. As your confidence grows,
seated badly, then you could easily pick tone, so try to make as little bodily contact with however, you can play your instrument while
up bad playing habits that make it much the instrument as possible. In order to create more standing up, too.
harder to learn to play your instrument. natural sound, position the back of the ukulele In this tutorial we provide useful tips on ensuring
When learning, the best position is to remain against your body, the underside of the neck so that your ukulele playing doesn’t suffer through lack
seated with a nice straight back. You also need to that it rests against the crook between your thumb of comfort, whichever way you choose to play.
Correct hand Sitting with your ukulele

position The ideal position to maintain while seated with your instrument
There are two ways to hold the neck Instrument position String position
The best way to approach getting a grip on Hold your instrument The G-string should be
your ukulele is by placing the neck on top of the so that the back of the closest to your face. Left-
outstretched palm of your fretting hand so that body comes into contact handed people can swap the
the nut is pointing towards your index finger. with your chest, and the strings around and flip their
Next, curl your thumb around the neck so that headstock end is pointing instrument over if it makes
it pokes out above the top of the nut. Cradling away from you playing a little easier
the neck like this provides support so you don’t
drop your instrument, and frees up the rest of
your fingers for fretting. When you encounter a
particularly tricky passage that wreaks havoc on
your fretting hand, moving your thumb to the
back of the neck frees up your fingers more and
allows you to add more pressure.
Rest on your leg

Most people prefer
not to, but resting
your ukulele on your
leg while playing
sitting down can
provide stability
The orthodox position, with thumb on back of neck
Are you sitting comfortably?

Sit in an armless chair and be
seated with your back against the
back of the chair. Slouching is a
definite no-no as it could lead to
you developing bad habits
Alternatively, you can move your thumb round to fret with it

Standing with your ukulele
Don’t sacrifice your comfort while you stand up to play your instrument
When learning ukulele, it is natural to sit down with your instrument as this allows you to concentrate
more on your playing and less on your body movement. And while any time spent practising is good,
you might find that standing allows you to be more mobile, helps your playing posture and forces you
to concentrate on your chords without looking at them. Plus, it’s infinitely more ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ than sitting,
right? So here are some useful tips for playing your instrument while standing.
Learn to walk
Good posture is what allows you to stand while playing ukulele. You probably already know how to
sit while playing, so practise standing with your back nice and straight. Hold your ukulele in your hand
and walk around with it against your chest so that your body gets used to the weight.
Change the balance

Tackling a tricky sequence while standing up can sometimes be next to impossible when you are
just starting out. If you can’t hold the neck as firmly while fretting, supporting the ukulele with your
strumming hand can make things a lot easier.
Strap it up
Though most people go without one, there’s no shame in using a strap to hold your instrument
up, especially when playing a tenor ukulele. A strap frees up your strumming and fretting hands
so you can focus more on making delicious music than trying not to drop your instrument.
Get the height right

Your ukulele cannot be held too low or too high in relation to your body. When finding the perfect
height for your fretting hand, make sure that you can access every fret equally. If you have to contort
your fingers uncomfortably to do so then that’s a good indicator that your position isn’t good.
Strumming hand
Your strumming hand should rest comfortably on the side of your ukulele’s body and have easy access
to all of the strings. If your ukulele is too high, you will have to twist your wrist one way; if it’s too low,
you’ll have to twist it the other way. Playing this way could cause you some damage.
“When finding the perfect height for your

fretting hand, make sure that you can
access every fret equally”
Playing aids There are a wide range of accessories available to aid your playing position
Ukulele straps Clip-on tuners Felt picks

Investing in a strap designed for ukuleles rather Playing regularly can slacken the strings of your Most ukulele players will tell you to avoid using a
than a regular guitar strap will pay off. Otherwise, ukulele, so you may have to retune in a hurry. A clip- pick at all costs. But if you absolutely must, a felt
you’ll need to get a strap button installed. on tuner can help you do that quickly and easily. pick is kinder to the strings than a plastic one.

Getting started
Take care of
your ukulele
If you want your instrument to continue producing
crisp, defined sounds, you need to take good care of it
You should treat your ukulele with the utmost storing your ukulele somewhere sensible. If you
respect, not only to keep it looking beautiful and neglect your instrument, it could become damaged
shiny, but also to make sure you get the best and not produce the results you want. Here are
possible sound out of it. Things like dust can muffle some handy dos and don’ts when it comes to
the notes, so it is worth cleaning regularly and handling your instrument.
Clean your ukulele

How best to go about cleaning the instrument
01 Loosen the strings 02 Clean around components

Start off by loosening the strings of your ukulele Using a dry cloth, wipe away the accumulated dust
slightly. You only need to loosen them just enough around the pickups of an electric ukulele or around
to get a cloth under them and clean the vital the bridge of an acoustic ukulele. This area attracts
components of the instrument. a lot of dust if not maintained.
03 Things
to avoid
Never spray your
ukulele with
chemicals to clean
it (as they might
discolour it) and
it is best to use a
dry cloth to avoid
damage. If in doubt,
ask for advice at your
local music store.

“Dust can muffle the
notes, so it is worth
cleaning regularly and
storing your ukulele
somewhere sensible”

Getting started
Restring
your ukulele
Whether you’ve snapped a string or your ukulele is sounding dull,
restringing is essential and can give it a whole new lease of life
R
estringing your ukulele is an important the tone of the strings will start to sound dull and
part of any owner’s relatively small not as resonant as when they were first put on.
maintenance schedule, and while it might Secondly, there may be grooves, nicks or flat spots
seem a little daunting when you do it for in the string. If you’re noticing either or both of these
the first time, the whole restringing process is characteristics in your strings, then it’s time to give
actually a lot easier than you might think. your ukulele a new lease of life.
How often you choose to restring your ukulele As we’ve already mentioned, the first time you
really depends on a number of factors, such as restring your ukulele may seem like a daunting
how often you play, your playing style itself and prospect, but it’s far easier than you think and once
the quality of strings on your instrument. Some you get used to it, it’ll take no time at all. It’s always
ukulele players will change their strings every week worth remembering to buy the string that suits your
if they’re gigging regularly; others may leave it far level. As a beginner, there is not much point buying
longer if they’re only an occasional player. It’s not expensive strings, although try to get the best
an exact science, but there are a few clues that can quality available. Aquila strings are popular, but do
help you decide it’s time for a change. First of all, some research and find the ones that suit you.
“Restringing is an important part of any ukulele

player’s maintenance schedule”
Restringing Change your ukulele’s strings
01 Detune your ukulele 02 Attach to the bridge

Detune the string you wish to replace by turning the tuning peg. Make sure you Tie two opposing knots in the end of the string, leaving a tail. Feed the string
turn it until the string is completely loose. To save time and energy, you can use into the notch of the bridge, making sure it sits comfortably. Check it by pulling
a string winder. carefully toward the headstock. Cut the tail, leaving 5mm at the end.

Top restringing tips A few things to watch out for as you restring
In size order
If you are replacing all of your ukulele strings, it is
best to start with the C string, then the E, before
moving onto the two thinner G and A strings
Line it up
Tools you’ll need

As you start to tighten
up the slack on new
Top tip
To restring your ukulele you’ll need strings, ensure they’re Finish the job
Once you’ve itted yo
a set of wire/string cutters, a string aligned with the correct ur
strings, it’s time to tun new
winder, your new strings and a lint- grooves in your ukulele’s It’s worth noting tha e up.
t yo
free cloth for a quick clean nut (above the first fret) need to do this a few u may
times as
you ‘play in’ the string
s. It
can take some practi
ce,
so you may need a
guide at irst.
03 Round the peg 04 Wind and repeat

Make sure the string is aligned with the grooves in your ukulele’s neck, then To prevent the string from unravelling, begin tightening the string by turning
wind the top part of your new string around its corresponding tuning peg and the tuning peg until the string is fairly taut. Repeat this process for all four strings,
push the rest through its hole to ensure it stays in place. then your ukulele will need to be tuned.

Getting started
Essential accessories
As with any hobby, there are a wide range of accessories available for ukulele players
to make playing easier. Here we take a look at some essential kit
From straps to tuners, slides to strings, there is almost
no end of accessories that you can buy for your ukulele. Strings
If you want your instrument to continue sounding great, then you will need to regularly
Some are essential for the transportation and well- restring it and keep plenty of additional strings handy if one breaks while you are
being of your instrument, others simply enhance the playing – which they will do through regular use or if they become stretched. Strings
cosmetics, change the sound it makes or enable you vary in thickness, so experiment with the different gauges to get the sound you want.
to play in a particular way. Here we run through the
Recommended buy: Aquila SUPER Nylgut Soprano Strings 100U Price: £8.49/$9.89
variety of add-ons available for your instrument, and URL: www.aquilacorde.com
recommend our favourite buys.
Straps
Although ukuleles are lightweight instruments, you may
wish to have the extra security of a strap when playing
or you may want to swing your uke temporarily around
to your back to play another instrument, either way,
straps come in a variety of types and colours.
Recommended buy: D’Addario adjustable ukulele strap

Price: £6/$6.80 URL: www.daddario.com
Slides
Slide, or bottleneck, is a particular method for playing
the ukulele in which a slide is placed upon the string
to vary its vibrating length and pitch. This slide can
be moved along the string without lifting, creating
continuous transitions in the pitch.
Recommended buy: Jim Dunlop 220 chrome slide

Price: £4.99/$3.99
URL: www.jimdunlop.com
Hard cases
If you perform gigs or generally transport
your ukulele around a lot then a mini hard
case is a worthwhile investment to offer
the maximum-possible security for your
instrument (many are lockable too). They
come in a range of colours and styles.
Recommended buy: Gator Journeyman

soprano ukulele case (burlap exterior)
Price: £62.99/$69.99
URL: http://www.gatorcases.com/
Capos
A ukulele capo is a clamp that you stick on different frets of the
instrument in order to change the pitch or key of the open strings. Each
fret on the ukulele is a half step, therefore, if you place a capo on the
very first fret, all of the open strings will sound half a step higher than
normal, making it easy to change the key of a song you want to play.
Recommended buy: D’Addario NS Ukulele Pro Capo

Price: £14.99/$15.49 URL: www.daddario.com

Gig bags
If you just want a simple case to sling your instrument into while
commuting or for safe storage, a simple gig bag could be just the
thing. Though they won’t guard your instrument against hard
knocks like the hard cases, they will offer a degree of protection
and are comfortable to carry.
Recommended buy: Stagg padded ukulele gig bag

Price: £15/$22 URL: www.staggmusic.com
Stands
It is vitally important for your
ukulele’s welfare to store it safely
when not in use as laying it flat on
the ground will undoubtedly lead
to it getting battered. So it is well
worth investing in a simple floor
stand to keep your uke upright
and primed for use whenever you Tuners
want to pick it up. As you become proficient at ukulele
playing, you’ll gradually develop
Recommended buy: Eddy Finn the skill to tune your uke by ear. But
portable ukulele stand until then, there are a wide range of
Price: £9.99/$8.99 electronic tuners available to help you
URL: www.eddyfinnukes.com instantly get your ukulele sounding
great. If you don’t want to invest in
a physical tuner, there are plenty of
smartphone apps up to the task too.
Recommended buy: TGI81 clip-

on tuner Price: £8 URL: www.
southernukulelestore.co.uk
Picks Leads
Without growing the fingernails on your strumming If you play an electric ukulele you will need a cable in order
hand, the easiest way to rhythmically strum your ukulele to connect your instrument to your amp. The variety of
is by using a plectrum – or pick. These little playing aids these leads is staggering; not just in style and the materials
are traditionally fashioned out of felt for ukuleles and are used, but also the length. So if you are intending to play
shaped like an isosceles triangle with curved edges, and gigs and move around the stage you’ll need something
vary in width for different sounds and styles. that won’t restrict your strutting.
Recommended buy: Jim Dunlop 3mm felt picks Recommended buy: Planet Waves 10ft Classic Cable
Price: £2.00/$3.50 URL: www.jimdunlop.com Price: £12.50/$9.95 URL: www.planetwaves.com

Getting started
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Warm up Further
info
your hands
along on Turnto page 76 for
your ukulele more information on
how to read tabs
Warming up is key to playing well. Use these four quick

exercises to get your hands loose, limber and ready to play
W
arming up your hands before make you a better ukulele player. And that’s notes a semitone at a time, and the last one
you begin playing your ukulele equally important whether you’re getting on is ideal for finger pickers as it stretches out
is crucial, which is why the top stage to perform to thousands of people or just and warms up the other hand too. You can
pros do it. It brings a number of practising in your bedroom. listen and play along by opening the audio file
advantages, including helping to prevent RSI, This guide will give you four quick exercises provided online. Once you’ve got the hang of
enabling you to move your hands and fingers to get your muscles and joints warm, loose and them, use a metronome to keep the pace of
more quickly and avoiding cramp while you’re agile, ready for your more challenging practice your playing even and then increase the speed
playing. Getting your hands used to the frets sessions and performances. They might not to push yourself once you get comfortable. If
will also give you the advantage of muscle come naturally or very easily at first, but soon you don’t have a metronome, look to download
memory when it comes to learning complicated they will be like second nature and you’ll be a free app for your smartphone. So go and grab
riffs. Basically, a five-minute warm-up before able to run them off as soon as you’re tuned your instrument and get ready for a thorough
you get into the trickier pieces will help you up and sitting comfortably. We will begin with workout of your digits – we guarantee you’ll
get the most out of your playing session and basic chromatic exercises, which run up the notice the difference to your playing.
Get your hands ready Why it’s a crucial practice
Warm up without a ukulele Circulation

You can stretch your hands A key advantage of warming up is getting the
without your ukulele by circulation going in your hand. The more blood there
rolling your wrists, flexing the is flowing to those digits, the better they’ll perform
palm back and forwards and
opening out your fingers
Top tip
Keep warm
As well as lexible an
Muscle memory stretched, your hand d
s need
Familiarising your fingers with the to be warm. Avoid pla
ying in
Avoid pain motions they will have to make very cold places (this
will help
The most fundamental reason for warming up is when playing songs will build keep your ukulele in
tune
your muscle memory – a huge otherwise wear ingerl too),
to avoid RSI (repetitive strain injury). Warming up ess
gloves so your playin
can reduce the risk and help you avoid any pain advantage for any musician g
doesn’t sufer.

Exercises to warm up Stretch your hands and fingers
1 2 3 4 12 2 3 34
1 2 3 4 12 23 34
1 2 3 4 12 23 34
1 2 3 4 12 2 3 34
01 Chromatic steps 02 Chromatic pairs
Starting on the G string, place your index, middle, ring and little fingers on the Pluck the G with your index finger on the first fret, then with your middle finger
first, second, third and fourth frets. Pluck the string once for each note, moving on the second. Repeat for all strings, then change to middle and ring fingers on
up and removing a finger each time. Repeat for all strings. second and third frets. Carry on until you’ve used all your fingers.
4 5 6 7 3 3 3
3 4 5 6 0 0
2 3 4 5 0 0
1 2 3 4 3 0
03 Across the fretboard 04 Fingerpicking warm-up
Use the same finger pattern as the first exercise, but spread across the fretboard, Put your fretting index finger on the third fret of the G string and your ring
your index finger starting on the G on the first fret, your middle on the second finger on the third fret of the A string. Follow the above tab and pluck using the
string and second fret and so on. Move this shape further down the neck. pattern thumb, second, first, third, second, fourth, first, third, thumb.

Getting started
Stretch to
improve
Performing more complex stretches, even if you’re not about to play, can
improve your reach and ability overall
J
ust like with playing sport, it is also you so that you feel them stretch – but don’t Here we outline an exercise to ensure your
important to have a good stretch before pull too far so as to feel uncomfortable. Repeat fretting hand gets a thorough workout ahead
playing your ukulele. Stretching your the process with your other hand. Next, hold of playing. In fact, we recommend that you
arms will not only make you looser, more one arm out and form a thumbs-up gesture perform this exercise daily, regardless of how
supple and more relaxed when playing, it will with your hand and, with the other hand, pull long you intend to play, as it will help keep your
also minimise the amount of fatigue you feel the tip of the thumb towards you. Repeat with fretting hand nice and supple, making it easier
after playing. the other arm. to hold the more demanding chords without
A good exercise for preparing your arms to Another, often overlooked, warm-up involves grimacing and running the risk of your hand
play is to hold one of your arms straight out in your actual instrument. Simply by holding your cramping up.
front of you, with your palm facing away from ukulele prior to playing it will help warm up the Once you have been through all of the
you and your fingers pointing upwards, and wood and ensure it sounds as good as it can. So exercises highlighted in this section, you’ll be
then take your other hand and pull the tips of go on, cradle your instrument like a baby and good to take to the stage and wow the crowds
the fingers on your outstretched hand towards get that body nice and toasty ready for playing. with your fretting dexterity.
Stretching your limbs A warm-up prior to playing is crucial
Stretching your arms Finger dexterity

Prior to playing, hold one arm The more you work your fingers along the
straight out in front of you and pull fretboard, the more natural it’ll start to feel.
the fingers back, then repeat with Check out our exercises designed to help
the other arm to start warming up
Top tip
Warming down
If your ukulele play ses
sions last
a decent amount of
tim
it is a good idea to rep e then
eat the
Warming up the wood various exercises and
stretches
Some players insist that if the wood of your outlined in this sectio
n up
ukulele is warmed up prior to playing then inishing, to help cond on
ition
it sounds better. So get cradling! yourself for your
next session.

Hand stretch exercise Work out your fretting digits
1 2 1 2 3 4
1 1 1 1 1 1
01 Get into position 02 Strum and move

Place your index finger on the second string, at the first fret, and then position Strum the bottom two strings and then continue to move your middle finger
your middle finger on the first string, first fret. Strum the bottom two strings and up a fret each time before strumming the two strings. See how many frets you
then move your middle finger up a fret. can ascend and when you get to the furthest, perform six strums.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
03 Onto the next finger 04 Repeat for all digits

Once you have completed step 2, keep your index finger positioned on the Again, once you have moved your ring finger as high as it will comfortably go
second string of the first fret and then position your ring finger on the first string up the fretboard and performed six strums, move onto your little finger and
at the first fret and repeat the exercise. repeat the exercise to give all of your digits a thorough workout.

Techniques
From playing basic chords to pleasing effects like sliding, string
bending and tremolo picking, master essential ukulele techniques
32 Notes, strings and frets

34 Play basic ukulele chords
36 Basic chord progression
38 Strum your ukulele
40 Strum for different genres
42 Practise with basic chords
44 Master chnking
46 Play barre chords
48 Barre chord tips
50 Use a capo
52 Finger pick
54 Tremolo pick
56 Mute strings
58 Learn to slide
60 Practise with more chords
62 Practise string bending
64 Play in octaves
66 Get to grips with recording
68 Play ukulele with others
70 Useful apps for ukulele
72 Useful sites for ukulele

Give it a try
ukulele technique.

Techniques
Notes, strings
and frets
Music is made up of notes, and knowing where to find these notes on the neck of a ukulele is
vital if you are to develop as a player. Here, we show you how and where to find them
N
otes form the tapestry of ukulele by fretting the strings, and the same notes can be lower than the previous note. For example, the note
playing. All music is made up of notes, found at multiple places along the neck. on the second fret of the E string is F#/G , as it’s one
and a note is just any pitch made by When learning to locate the notes on a ukulele, fret higher than F, but one fret lower than G.
a musical instrument. Every note is it is useful to know that most natural notes (ie not It is important to know where each note can
symbolised by a letter, and the musical alphabet is flats or sharps) are two frets apart. The exceptions be found on the neck so that you can play certain
made up of 12 notes: A, A#/B , B, C, C#/D , D, D#/E , are B and C, and E and F, which are only a semitone songs. It is also worth remembering that certain
E, F, F#/G , G, and G#/A – after which the sequence (ie one fret) apart. An F is made when fretting the notes sound better when played an octave higher.
goes back to the beginning and starts at A again, first fret of either E string, but a G is created when So finding your way around and experimenting
only an octave higher. The fretboard of a ukulele is playing the third fret. The notes in between are with different notes is vital to your progression as a
laid out so that you can find the notes on the neck sharp or flat notes that are one semitone higher or ukulele player.
“It is useful to know that most natural notes

(ie not flats or sharps) are two frets apart”
Note-finding tips
Here are some hints for how to remember string names and find specific notes
01 Remember the open string notes

The note names from the fourth G string to the first A string can be easily remembered with quirky
sayings like ‘Good Children Eat Apples’. Whatever method you use to remember, knowing the strings
off-by-heart is essential to being able to pick up and play.
02 Learn the musical alphabet

The musical alphabet is made up of only seven letters: A-G. This is because when we play the notes in
C A order, the note that we would call ‘H’ sounds like another ‘A’, so the note is referred to as an ‘A’, only the
pitch is (one octave) higher. It is worth remembering that for the E and F, and B and C notes, there is
G E only one fret space between them.
03 Understand frets
Learning the Frets are the metal strips embedded along the fretboard of a ukulele that divide the scale length.
Pressing a string against a fret determines the string’s vibrating length, and therefore its resultant pitch.
open strings The fret furthest along the neck is the first, and they get narrower as you get closer to the body.
Know what the open string notes are
The first thing you should know when
04 Know what the root of a chord is
In music, the ‘root’ of a chord is the note or pitch upon which a chord may be built by stacking thirds
learning ukulele is the note names of the open
and fifths. For example, a three-note triad using C as a root would be C-E-G. The name of the root note
strings. They are often used to describe finger
normally denotes the chord, so a major chord built on C would be called a C-major chord.
placement (eg, put your index finger on the
second fret of the A string) and are also useful
for tuning your ukulele to another instrument. 05 Be aware of note progression
The diagram above shows the note names of Apart from B-C and E-F, all natural notes are separated by a tone (two semitones), which translates to
the open ukulele strings. two frets on the fretboard. B-C and E-F are separated by one semitone (one fret).

Notes on a ukulele fretboard
Knowing where to find the notes on a ukulele neck is vital if you are to further your skills
String Frets
3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th
1st A A#/B B C C#/D D D#/E E F F#/G G G#/A A
2nd E F F#/G G G#/A A A#/B B C C#/D D D#/E E
3rd C C#/D D D#/E E F F#/G G G#/A A A#/B B C
4th G G#/A A A#/B B C C#/D D D#/E E F F#/G G
The open strings Enharmonic notes Learning notes on a string Two dots
The open strings on This refers to notes that have Taking the fat E string as an Every note on a ukulele string
a ukulele are usually the same pitch, but are known example, when fretted on the repeats itself every 12 frets,
tuned to G,C,E and by different names. Most first fret, the note becomes which is why there are two dots
A (starting from the common are A#/B , C#/D , F, then F# on the second fret, on the 12th fret. So the E string
string at the top of the D#/E , F#/G and G#/A . then G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, played on the 12th is the same
ukulele to the string Although rare, a B note may be E and then back through the note as the open E, just one
nearest the floor) referred to as C , and an E as F sequence again octave higher
Flats and sharps

You will have undoubtedly seen the symbols in relation to notes, but what does a flat or a sharp actually mean?
A ‘sharp’ in music means higher in pitch and, when present, the sharp symbol raises a note by a Sharps
semitone. More specifically, in musical notation, sharp means ‘higher in pitch by a semitone’ (half-step) Sharps are a half-step higher than the
and it is represented by a ‘#’ symbol. On the other hand, when we refer to a ‘flat’ in music, we mean a normal note and are usually represented by
decrease in pitch, and when you see the associated flat symbol (‘ ’) it means that the note is lowered a ‘#’ symbol.
by a semitone (half-step). When sharps are applied to ukulele, then, it simply means that the note you
are playing is a half-step (one fret) higher than the natural note. For example, the top open string is G, Flats
but if you press your finger on the first fret then it becomes an G#/Ab. Move up one more fret and it Flats are a half-note lower than the
becomes A. A flat is half a note lower than the natural note – so F sharp and G flat are the same note, as normal note and are usually represented by
both notes are played on the second fret of the top string. a ‘ ’ symbol.
# #
#
C - sharp B - flat G - flat F - sharp D - flat E - flat A - sharp

Techniques
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Play basic Further
info
ukulele chords
along on Turn to page 150 for
your ukulele a list of the essential
basic chords
Learning these five basic chords is the first step on your ukulele-
playing journey. Practise often to master the art of switching chords
C
hords involve a collection of notes have to use one of the basic patterns outlined here which may indicate that you aren’t pressing down
sounded together that are played on but with either a barre applied or different fret. on them hard enough, or that one or more of your
adjacent or separate strings, or all of the When you first learn how to play chords, it can be fingers is catching a nearby string. When you strum
strings together. The ukulele is a very difficult to get your fingers to co-operate, and you the chord, each note should ring out clearly – if they
versatile instrument for chording purposes, and will undoubtedly feel some degree of discomfort don’t do this then you need to quickly determine
there are five basic moveable major chord shapes as you press down on the strings, or generally as why. Some good tips include trimming the nails on
– C, A, G, F and D, derived from the guitar CAGED your fretting hand contorts into unnatural positions your fretting hand so that they aren’t impeding your
system. You may note that some chords appear to to fret the strings. However, before too long, with contact with the fretboard, as well as ensuring that
be missing, such as F and B (as well as the sharps the aid of constant practice, your fingers will start to your fretting fingers are standing straight up and
and flats). Well, they aren’t here as these chords don’t remember where to go. Other things to be aware down so that they don’t mute neighbouring strings.
have their own patterns – to play them, you will of are a buzzing sound when you play the strings, See pages 150-157 for the basic chords list.
Fretting chords Some things to be aware of when practising fretting basic chords
Know the strings Good contact

Remember, unlike most stringed instruments, When pressing down on the strings, make sure you get good
the strings on a ukulele are not in pitch order. contact and apply plenty of pressure, otherwise the notes
This becomes important when transferring the won’t ring true. This may hurt your fingers to start with
basic shapes to other frets, forming new chords
Practise often
Getting to know these
No touching! basic chords and being
While pressing down on the strings, ensure able to seamlessly switch
that the fingers on your fretting hand between them is vital to your
aren’t touching the strings next to them, progression as a ukulele player,
as this may result in buzzing and flat notes so practise them often

“When you’re first
C major A major learning to play
Fret and play the Fret and play the
common C major chord common A major chord chords, it can be
For this chord, you will only need to fret one
string on the ukulele. You need to press down
For this chord, you need to press down on the
third string (C) with your index finger at the first
very difficult to
on the first string (A) with your ring finger at the
third fret. You can now strum all of the strings
fret, and the fourth string (G) with your middle
finger at the second fret. You can again strum
get your fingers to
at the same time to produce the chord. You
can also try using your index or middle finger if
all the strings for the chord. You will notice that
this shape is similar to the F chord.
co-operate”
this feels more comfortable.
Top tip
Check your thumb
A good thumb posit
ion on your
fretting hand is essen
tia
helping to form chord l for
G C E A G C E A ukulele. Make sure tha s on a
t the ball of
your thumb is presse
1 di
against the neck of the rmly up
This is particularly us ukulele.
2 chords, giving you the
eful with barre
levera
1 required for this type ge
of chord.
G major F major D major

Fret and play the common Fret and play the common F Fret and play the common D
G major chord major chord major chord
For this chord, press down on the third string This is a similar chord shape to the A major Press down on the fourth string (G) with your
(C) with your index finger at the second fret, chord. For this chord, you need to press down index finger at the second fret, the third string
the first string (A) with your middle finger at the on the second string (E) with your index finger (C) with your middle finger at the second
second fret, and the second string (B) with your at the first fret, and the fourth string (G) with fret and the second string (E) with your ring
ring finger at the third fret. Strum all notes in a your middle finger at the second fret. Now finger at the second fret. Strum all strings in a
downstroke. You may find this is a slightly more you can strum all four strings together for downstroke. You might find this chord easier
complex chord to shape, so be patient. the chord. using your index finger in a barre shape.
G C E A G C E A G C E A
1
1 2 2 1 2 3
3

Techniques
Basic chord Learning the

‘1-4-5’ method
progression
Master these three basic
chords and you’ll be able to
play your first song
Now it’s time to get sore fingers. We will show you how to form C major
basic chords and even recognise any song on the ukulele by ear Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A
(first) string to form the C major chord. This is
chord 1 when using the chords 1, 4 and 5.
A
s you will discover throughout this
book, there are loads of ukulele chords.
Some are complicated and somewhat
fiddly to learn, while others are relatively
easy. Some chords will force you to contort
the fingers of your fretting hand into unnatural
positions, while others require just one finger.
A lot of chords take a long time to master,
and others will take just a few minutes, but the
important thing to remember is to take your time
learning them and not try to rush yourself to learn
them all at once because there are far too many
chords for that.
F major
In this tutorial we’re going to teach you three
Place your index finger on the E (second)
basic chords – C major, F major and G major
string, first fret, with your middle finger on the
(commonly known as C, F and G). By mastering and
G (fourth) string, second fret. This is chord 4 in
using these three chords, you will be able to figure
the sequence.
out a song on the ukulele by ear. Known as the your three options until it fits, and then keep to this
‘1-4-5’ method (or I-IV-V), these chords represent simple method all the way through the song.
chords 1, 4, and 5 in the key of C, the idea being Keep practising these chords, visualising in
that you think of any song and start playing with advance where your fingers need to move to for
a simple downward strumming pattern while the next chord, and keeping your fingers nice and
singing. When the chord you start with no longer close to the fretboard so that you get a smooth
fits the tone of the song, switch to another one of transition without delaying the flow of the song.
Give it a try
Try this exercise to build your competence
Form the C-major chord with your fretting hand
G major
and strum the following pattern using only D D D D Place your index finger on the C (third) string,
downstrokes (D). The lower line is for the beats
and the ‘&’ represents a short pause. So, as you 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & second fret, your middle finger on the A (first)
string, second fret, and your ring finger on
count out the beat, insert an ‘and’ in between
The following pattern is similar to the first, but the E (second) string, third fret. This gives you
the numbers like this: one-and-two-and-three-
with upstrokes (U) where the ‘&’ is in between chord 5 using this method.
and-four. When you have completed the fourth
numbers, so there’s less time to form chords.
downward strum, change chord to F major and
repeat the pattern before moving to G major.
This gentle rhythm should give you plenty of D U D U D U D U
time to find the correct chord. Move on to the 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
next pattern when you feel confident.
“This gentle rhythm should give you plenty

of time to find the correct chord”

Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
FAQ
audio guides
and follow
Why do my chords
along on not ring out properly?
your ukulele
There could be many reasons, but the most
likely cause of ‘bum notes’ is that you simply
aren’t pressing down on the strings hard
enough. Getting sufficient contact is essential
for a nice, crisp note, so make sure you are
pressing down firmly and that you aren’t
touching any of the other strings with parts
of your fingers that you shouldn’t be. If you
are sure that you aren’t doing any of this,
check your ukulele is in tune and that the
strings aren’t sitting too close to the frets,
thereby causing an undesirable buzz as they
vibrate against them. In all likelihood, you will
struggle to get sufficient contact on some
of the strings, as your hands contort into the
required positions to form the chords, so
make sure you practise the fingering carefully.
Before long, everything will click into place.

Techniques
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Strum
your ukulele
along on
your ukulele
Strumming is one of the most basic, but crucial, aspects of learning to play
the ukulele. Here’s how to get comfortable and confident with this key technique
S
trumming seems so simple, but there is loose fist and hold it level with the centre of your
an art to it. It’s not uncommon to sit down chest. When playing a guitar, the key is to strum with
with a ukulele for the first time and find it your elbow rather than your wrist. But as ukuleles
difficult to strum up and down the strings are a lot smaller than guitars, you should be moving
comfortably. Most beginners tighten up their wrist, your hand up and down from your wrist as opposed
almost raking the strings, making it impossible to to shaking your whole arm.
get any type of natural flow. Finally, don’t fall into the trap of being overly
Unlike strumming a guitar, strumming a ukulele nervous with your strumming and barely touching
does not require a pick. It’s best to simply use your the strings. The idea is to hit them as quickly as you
thumb or index finger to strum the strings. This can so you get the sound of them ringing together.
will allow far more freedom when performing At the same time, make sure you’re always in control.
downstrokes and upstrokes, and help you apply the
same amount of pressure to each string.
With your first attempt it’s important to
“Move your hand up
remember to keep your strumming hand moving
up and down in a constant motion even if you’re
and down from your
not hitting the strings. Doing this will get your mind wrist instead of shaking
into a rhythm of how to perform both the up and
downstroke. Make your strumming hand into a your whole arm”
Strumming How to strum upwards and downwards

The first down arrow represents The final three arrows should 02 Upward strumming
your first downward stroke be treated in the same fashion Before you play your favourite songs or simply get better at the ukulele, it’s
imperative to perfect the upward stroke too. Use the same method described
in Step 01 and start the one and two and three and four rhythm again, only
this time strum up on the ukulele every time you think or say the ‘and’.
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Keep the beat, but this time ignore each of the four numbers
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

The ‘and’ serves as the offbeat where you’ll take a pause
01 Downward strumming
The first step to comfortable strumming is perfecting the downstroke. This is
simply taking your finger or thumb and strumming it down the strings. Start
a gentle four count in your head or out loud, adding an ‘and’ between each
number to represent the offbeat. For example, one and two and three and The first ‘and’/up arrow Remember that in this exercise,
four, then repeat. Every time you say a number, strum down on the ukulele represents your first you are playing what is known
and ensure you keep the rhythm. It may help to tap your foot while you count upward stroke as the offbeat
the beats. Listen to the audio file included online to hear how it should sound.

The perfect strumming technique How to get it right from the start
The hand Downward strokes
Keep your With your hand in this position,
fist loose and gently use your finger or thumb to
relaxed near almost slide down the strings. Try
your chest and to hit them all with the same force
remember that
all movement
should come
from the wrist. If
your strumming
feels forced, it
could mean
your wrist is not
loose enough
The strumming finger

Use your thumb or index
finger to strum the strings.
Upward strokes When using your finger,
The same as for down, but by doing it all
in reverse. Once again you want to hit all
try hitting the strings with
your nail on the way down
Top tip
the strings as close together as possible. and the fleshy pad of your Tie it in
If you’re struggling or
Eventually, it’ll become a very natural motion finger on the way up lac
inspiration, try strum king
mi
along to your favourite ng
song.
Although the notes
may
not be correct, it’ll he
lp
learn how to keep tim you
e and
when to perform up
and
downstrokes.
Follow the pattern and downstroke Do the same for the 04 Different beat strumming
in time with every ‘D’ upstroke with every ‘U’ When the first three steps feel easy, follow the diagram below in order to
experiment with a different rhythm. This time there will be gaps you’ll have
to observe and stick to in order to get the right beat and become even more
comfortable with strumming patterns.
D U D U D U D U Perform a downstroke on
Leave a gap for the first ‘and’
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & the first beat of the pattern
but strum down again on
the second beat
D D U U
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Keep doing the exercise until it becomes comfortable
03 Upward and downward strumming

Once again, follow the rules laid out in the other two steps, but this time go
up and down on the ukulele in one motion. You should strum down on the Instantly perform an upstroke before leaving another
strings on each number, and strum back up on each ‘and’. Once you get more gap and finish the pattern with a final upstroke
confident, you can even start to double up on certain strums.

Techniques
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Strumming for
different genres
along on
your ukulele
From folk to pop to punk to reggae, follow these strumming pattern

guides to learn how to strum for different musical genres
U
kuleles are good for more than Hawaiian patterns – or an advantage, depending on how
music and covers of songs by the Beatles. you look at it – is the fact that there is actually no
You can cover a whole range of tunes from right or wrong way to strum a song. You just need
different genres, from pop and punk to rock to test out different rhythms and decide for yourself
‘n’ roll and reggae, and still sound amazing no matter what feels and sounds good. Deciding which
what you play. However, before you leap in and start patterns work well with which songs is a great skill to
experimenting, you will need to learn and practise a master. From there, you will be able to start coming
couple of basic strumming patterns to help find the up with your own patterns and even writing your
best way to approach different styles of music. own songs.
When trying to decide on a strumming pattern However, for now, try strumming with these
for a particular song, you need to take into account pattern guides. Once you have got the hang of
the song’s time signature and rhythm, as well as the them, you can then start experimenting and testing
genre. For example, strumming patterns for a song your own.
set to 4/4 time (four beats to the bar) won’t work for
songs that are set to 3/4 (waltz). You need to count
the beats and test out different patterns before
attacking the strumming side of things.
“You need to test different rhythms and decide
Another main problem with strumming for yourself what feels and sounds good”
Basic patterns in 4/4 Learn to strum more than a ‘down, up, down, up’ pattern
Follow the pattern; play a down- Do the same for the up-stroke 02 4/4 pattern 2
stroke in time with every ª with every © This pattern is very similar to the first one, but it requires an extra up stroke at
the end. It still fits with 4/4 songs and the ‘one and two and three and four and’
counting rhythm, but you will need to go straight back to the first down-stroke
after the last up stroke to keep the rhythm going. Once you get the hang of
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & these 4/4 strumming patterns, you can move onto something more complex
or even develop your own. It’s easier than it sounds; try out different ways of
strumming and do what feels right with the rhythm.
Strum downwards for every ª and upwards for every ©
Stop strumming where there is no arrow but keep in time

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
01 4/4 pattern 1
When choosing songs to play, the most common time signature you will
come across is 4/4. With 4/4 songs, you should be able to count along while
you play with the ‘one and two and three and four and’ rhythm. There’s a
number of different 4/4 strumming patterns you can use; you just need to pick
one that works well with each individual song. The 4/4 pattern demonstrated
here is still quite simple, but it sounds more complex than a simple ‘down, up, Stop for gaps and Add a last up-stroke onto the
down, up’ sequence, and the beats that require no strumming at all give it a count if you need to end of the pattern
nice syncopated quality.

Basic half-bar patterns 02 Half-bar pattern 2
This next exercise also uses half-bar
Top tip
Try these patterns for songs where the chords strumming patterns for songs with a Count along
4/4 time signature, but it also requires as you strum
change regularly you to mute the strings. This is when, Lots of beginners ind
str
instead of strumming, you cover the difficult at irst, but the umming
strings with your strumming hand in concentrate on keep key is to
Follow the pattern and count Repeat the pattern and ing in time.
order to silence your instrument for a If it helps, count out
loud
along to keep in time practise until it feels natural in your head, or tap alo or
beat. The variation makes what is actually ng
to the music with
a fairly simple strumming pattern sound a
your foot.
bit more complex and, if we’re being honest,
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & a lot cooler. The pattern is great for songs like
‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ by Stealer’s Wheel and ‘Allo
Darlin’ by Tallulah. For more on muting, turn to page 56.
Strum downwards for every ª and upwards for every ©
Play a down-stroke for every ª

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
and an up-stroke for every ©
01 Half-bar pattern 1
In some songs, the chords can change quite rapidly. For these, it’s best to use
half-bar patterns to play along with. The first four beats of half-bar patterns
(the ‘one and two and’) are exactly the same as the last four beats (the “three
and four and”), so they are quite easy to get the hang of and memorize. Half- Mute the chord for Repeat the pattern
bar patterns are mostly used for songs with 4/4 time signatures, but they are every ‘X’ with your while keeping in time
also great for songs where the chords change twice in one bar. Try out these strumming hand with the rhythm
exercises to practice, using half-bar strumming patterns.
Strumming for reggae These exercises will help you get the hang of reggae
Follow the pattern and strum Mute the strings with your 02 Reggae pattern 2
down for every ª fretting hand on every on-beat This second reggae strumming pattern is a little bit unusual. For all of the
other patterns we’ve learned, ª and © have dominated over pauses. In this
one, you only need to strum three times out of eight beats. In relation to the
regular ‘one and two and three and four and’ rhythm we’ve been using, you
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & only need to strum on the ‘three and’ and the ‘four’. This is where counting
along with the rhythm out loud suddenly becomes really useful. Like with the
previous reggae pattern, you should still be strumming on the off-beats.
Follow the pattern to strum a reggae style rhythm
Start on the first off-beat for a reggae style

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
01 Reggae pattern 1
Reggae is a genre of music that almost always sounds really good when
played on a ukulele. All you have to do is accent the chords on the off-beats.
In order to get that definite jarring beat you often hear in reggae songs, you
need to mute the strings, like with the second half-bar chord patterns, but
this time with your fretting hand. Each time you strum downward, you should
release the chord that your left hand (or right hand if you are left-handed) was Strum downwards on the Keep practising the pattern
previously fretting afterwards. This chord pattern is one of the more simple ª and upwards on the © until it becomes comfortable
reggae patterns.

Techniques
Practise with chords

Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
To play your first song, you will only need to know three chords.
You might recognise the sequence from lots of pop songs
B
efore you begin practising a piece of music, it is important to make
sure that you are holding the ukulele correctly and comfortably. Of
course, you have a choice of whether you perform in a sitting or
standing position.
Sitting is probably the easiest way to start. Choose a seat that will allow
you to keep upright in a good posture. The ukulele should be held just above
the hip (try not to let it rest on your lap), with your right forearm holding it in
position. Your left hand should then support the ukulele without taking too
much of the weight.
Standing, you will find that you adopt a very similar technique to sitting.
Again, make sure that you are stood upright and are balanced correctly to
begin with. With your right forearm, you should gently clasp the ukulele C
against your body towards the bottom of your rib cage. Your left hand should G C E A
support the ukulele as in the sitting position.
The left hand should now be free to form the chord shapes; remember, 1
it is not there to support the ukulele. Place your thumb behind the neck of
the instrument near the headstock without any grip at this stage. It should
2
be comfortable for your fingers to make the chord patterns. This can be
challenging to start with, as you will need to apply enough pressure on
the strings to the fingerboard. Your fingers will not be used to this at first
and might be a little sore, but with practice they will harden and eventually
3 3
become used to stretching. Make sure you keep the nails on your left
hand short! 4
First strums
There are various strumming
techniques that you will learn,
but it is important to learn
the basics to start with. With
a typical ukulele, the best
strumming area is just past
the soundhole, where the last
frets of the fingerboard are.
Remember, strumming comes
from the wrist and not the arm,
so it is important to develop F G Am
a relaxed approach. Try using G C E A G C E A G C E A
a mirror to check that you are
using your wrist rather than
your arm.
1 1 1 1
2 2 2 1 2 2 1
Downstroke and upstroke
These are the two most basic strumming techniques when playing a 3 3 3 3
ukulele. The downstroke should be performed by brushing down across
the strings with the back of your index finger. Make sure that you tuck the 4 4 4
other fingers in towards the palm of your hand. The upstroke is a similar
idea but in reverse. The ball of the finger should gently brush the strings
coming back up from the downstroke, returning to the starting position. Key
1 Index 2 Middle 3 Ring 4 Little X: Don’t strum this string

Let’s play
Our first piece involves a simple strumming
rhythm and chords
This piece is based on a simple pop theme and uses four ukulele chords that
you will find in most pieces of this style. In the first section (bars 1-9) of the piece,
you will use just the chords C, F and G. The first of these strumming patterns
follows this basic one-bar idea:
µ ¶µ µ ¶µ
The second section of the piece begins at bar 9 and introduces the Am chord.
The strumming pattern changes slightly and now follows this pattern:
Top tip
Changing chords
¶ ¶µ ¶¶ µ Playin g the chord shapes
their own is usually ea on
We end with a swept chord (shown by the wiggly line) where we strum sy. It
becomes more chall
en
downwards more slowly than normal so all of the notes are heard individually. when moving betwee ging
n
shapes. Try to ind sim chord
ilariti
between chord patte es
rns
Give it a try Have a go at strumming this simple piece to make changes
smooth.

Techniques
Master chnking
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
Chnking is an important part of the ukulele performer’s
strumming repertoire, so take the time to perfect it
I
n its most basic sense, the ‘chnk’ is a simple you can perform it rhythmically within the context give the chord a detached sound from those either
percussive sound used when strumming on of your strumming pattern. It is possible to chnk side of it. The technique is similar to muting (p.56).
your ukulele. Try to think of it as clapping, but using your left hand by releasing the chord slightly, Many performers use the chnk to break up
using the strings of the instrument. producing a muted or deadened sound (something the monotony of up and down strokes, giving
With most performances executed without the that you might unintentionally do when practising the performance a much needed percussive and
need for a drummer, the chnk replaces the sound anyway). However, this will only work if there are no accented feel. It is often used in, but not exclusive to,
most commonly associated with the snare drum. It open strings within the chord. more up-tempo pieces of music. Listen to Noah and
will give your playing the stringed rhythmic drive To perform a successful chnk rhythm, you will the Whales’ song ‘Five Years Time’ for an excellent
and intensity that is commonly associated with need to perform a basic downstroke first, making example of a ukulele chnk rhythm.
ukulele music. sure that as the strum ends, the heel of your palm
Chnking on the ukulele is not a particularly mutes the strings and stops them from ringing,
difficult technique; the trick is to make sure that giving the chnk sound. Performed correctly, it will
Top tip
In the loop
“Chnking will give your playing the stringed Lots of musicians use
stringed instruments ir
the
as
rhythmic drive and intensity that is commonly percussion too. Chec
guitarists like Ed Shee out
k
ran and
associated with ukulele music” Newton Faulkner to
is possible. These art
see what
ists
use loop pedals to ma often
ke the
instrument sound
like a full band.
Chnking How to chnk on your ukulele
01 Prepare the downstroke 02 Strike the chord

You will need to start by positioning your left hand in its chord position (let’s As with a normal downstroke, bring either three of four fingers down the strings
use the C chord for this section) and place your right hand above the strings, with just enough force to produce the sound of the chord. Be careful at this
ready to perform a downstroke strum. stage not to hit the strings too hard.

Use minimal effort Practise strumming with chnks
Strumming normally
The index finger will play
the initial downstroke. For
a stronger sound, you can
strum using more of your
fingers if needed
Correct shape
Your left hand will be holding
the chord, with the right
hand doing all of the work.
Use the correct finger shapes
for easy transitions
Preparation is key Keep going

Make sure that you only You will find the chnk
use the heel of your strum a little difficult to
palm. This will help you master at first, but slow
to quickly prepare for practice will make it easier
the next chord and give you a great sound
¶ µ chnk µ µ chnk
03 Stop the strings 04 Time to practise

Almost immediately after playing the strings with your right hand, stop them You will now need to perform the ‘chnk’ into a rhythmic pattern. You can only
vibrating by placing the palm of your hand on them. You will only need to use perform it on a downstroke, so have a go at this basic pattern (above). Try
the heel of your palm nearest your thumb, rather than the whole palm. performing with a variety of chords. C, G and F are a good starting point.

Techniques
Play barre chords

Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
They are the most painful chords to learn, but by far the most versatile
once mastered. Here, we guide you through the basic hand positions
P
ut simply, barre chords hurt – at least they Some people find that doubling up the barre However, when the chord also requires pressure on
will while you’re learning them, since they makes for an easier barre chord. You do this by the remaining strings, it is sometimes easier to go
require you to contort your fretting hand placing your middle finger on top of your index for a full barre instead. It can be difficult getting the
into all kinds of unnatural positions as you finger, or barring finger, and putting pressure on it. pressure just right on a half barre, so a full barre can
press down on multiple strings with one finger. This method isn’t always feasible, but it does make make for a cleaner-sounding chord.
Barre chords can also be quite tricky to master, for a stronger barre and causes the strings to ring In some cases where playing a barre chord is just
but once you do you unlock a whole new selection more clearly. too hard, it’s fine to cheat and try out alternative
of chords variations and positions that will make Some chords only require a half barre, meaning positions. Do anything you can to make things
those same old chord progressions a lot more fun you only need to barre two strings on the fret. easier for yourself.
and interesting.
There are several ways of playing barre chords.
Different people use different methods of
approaching them, so you should do what comes
“When playing a barre chord is just too hard, it’s
more naturally to you. fine to cheat and try out alternative positions”
Perfecting barre chords

Training your hands into the correct positions is a tricky process, but well worth the effort
Play each note Thumb position

Strum the chord as a whole, then Keep your thumb central on the back of
pick each note to ensure that each the ukulele neck and press down firmly
one rings cleanly and that your to provide leverage for your index finger
fingers are well positioned to fret adequately
Top tip
Keeping shape Position your
Exert the pressure The beauty of barre barring finger
You have to get the chords is that you can A good trick to remem
pressure right in your index keep the same hand rotate your barring i ber is to
ng
finger to only barre the shape and move it up the the knuckle is pointing er so that
strings that you need to. neck to play any major or headstock you are ba towards the
rring wi
Bend it slightly and use the minor chords. It’s a good side of your inger, the th the
reby
side for this purpose but tricky shortcut avoiding missing str
ings
with the natural kink
in
the middle.

Using the shape of B flat The shape outlined is a major chord with the root on the fourth string. By
moving this shape up the fretboard, you can play any major chord
01 Position your index finger 02 Position your thumb 03 Finger the G and C strings
Position the top third of your index finger over both In order to stop your ukulele from sliding, make sure Now, position your middle finger on the C string at
the E and A strings at the first fret so that the strings your thumb is central on the back of the neck. Don’t the second fret, and your ring finger on the G string
are barred. be afraid to add pressure so the chord rings clearly. at the third fret. Try strumming the chord.
Using the shape of B minor The shape here is a minor chord with the root on the fourth string. When
moved up the fretboard, you can use this shape to play any minor chord
01 Barre the first three strings 02 Position your fingers 03 Moving the chord
Slightly bend your index finger and lay it flat across Stretch your ring finger above the fretboard and fret From a B minor, you can easily change to a C minor.
strings one to three on the second fret. Ensure each the G string at the fourth fret. Now try strumming Simply slide your hand so each finger is a fret higher
string is touching the fretboard to avoid buzzing. the chord. and strum to play the new chord.
Using the shape of F sharp The shape here is a major chord with the root on the fourth string. By
moving this shape up the fretboard, you can play any major chord
01 Barre the first three strings 02 Position your fingers 03 Stretch your fingers
Bend your index finger on the first fret and lay it Place your middle finger on the E string at the If you are having trouble reaching multiple strings,
across the first three strings. Make sure your thumb second fret and your index finger on the G string at try practising finger-stretching exercises a few times
is placed firmly on the back of the neck. the third fret. Strum the chord. a day to make tricky chords easier.

Techniques
Barre chord tips

Now that you know the basics of barre chords, we provide a little extra
assistance for helping you play them easier and more effectively
N
obody said that learning barre chords strings properly and get those chords ringing out
was going to be easy, right? Far from it,
but as well as knowing the basic structures
nice and cleanly.
The main thing to watch out for is your thumb
Top tip
and hand positions that make up the position – you may forget about it if you’re
Practise frequently
As learning barre chord
chords, there are plenty of tricks you can implement concentrating too hard on keeping your index finger s involves
moving your hand an
to make playing them slightly less taxing. held down across all the strings. Make sure that it’s d body,
into unnatural position
Most of these boil down to your playing posture peeping out over the top of the neck, or pressing certainly helps to pra s, it
ctise every
and the way in which you are holding the ukulele. against the centre of the back of the neck if you feel day – even if it’s just
for a
While learning these complex chords, you needn’t you need to get more pressure, as this makes it far of minutes. Concentra couple
ting on
worry about looking cool and adopting a chilled easier for your fretting fingers to reach the required barre chords regularly
will help
out Hawaiian luau stance – it’s far more important frets. Also, be sure to fret the strings so that they develop your ability
to
to get your body trained to get used to the position touch the fretboard. Any strings that aren’t may place them in just a
it needs to be in so that you can confidently fret the distort the barre chord you are playing. couple of weeks.
Chord diagrams Give it a try

How to read barre-chord diagrams for your finger positions Practise barre chords with this
When learning any chord, it is important to know four strings at the second fret. Even though your strumming pattern
the correct positions for your fingers in relation to index finger will be across all the strings, the ‘1’ This exercise will help develop a rhythmic
the strings you need to fret. Barre chords can be will not be written on the strings that have other strumming technique and allow you to practise
tricky at first, as they require you to fret more than fingers fretted on them – you can’t play two moving between the barre chords that use
one string at a time. But if you practise regularly, notes on the same string during the same chord! the shape of D7. To help with the timing of the
you can get the hang of them in no time. Try The numbers ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ refer to the middle, ring strumming, try using a metronome (these can
practising your finger placement with a D7 barre and little finger respectively. Place your middle also be found online and as apps).
chord. On the chord chart, the number ‘1’ refers finger on the A-string at the third fret and strum
to the index finger, which is used to hold down all to play your D7 barre chord.
Exercise details
G C E A Now that you’ve mastered D7, you can also play
12 more barre chords that use the same shape
1 simply by moving up or down a few frets.
Practise by moving through the barre chords
1 that use the shape of D7 while strumming.
Start on the first fret, which forms a C#7 barre
chord, before moving down two frets to D#7
then down another fret to E7. Count to four,
2 1 1 1 2 the numbers being downward strums, and the

‘ands’ upward strums.
After ‘4’, refret to the D7-shape barre chord
and repeat until you get the hang of moving
the shape quickly and easily.
3 2 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Tricks for better barre chords
Playing barre chords involves hours of practice, but these tips should get you off to the best start
01 Check thumb placement 02 Finger placement

For regular chord and finger picking, you thumb should be poking out at the Your index finger should be parallel with the fret wire, so close that it’s barely
top of the fretboard. But when fretting barre chords, it can help if your thumb is touching the side. Roll your finger towards the nut so that the bony side of the
pressing against the centre of the back of the neck. finger is digging into the strings to help you get sufficient contact and force.
03 Don’t press too hard 04 Get some leverage 05 Move your elbow
Your index finger is only responsible for fretting Holding your ukulele in the correct manner is vital In relation to the previous tip, place the elbow of
some of the strings, so don’t try to press down for playing barre chords, so you may need to work your fretting hand closer to your body than you
on each string with equal force. When playing a at it. If you hold your instrument too close you won’t would otherwise do (at around waist level). This will
standard barred B minor chord, press hard with the be able to get sufficient leverage on your fretting enable your index finger to roll onto its side more,
your finger on the C-, E- and A-strings, but the same hand to barre the strings, so position it away slightly thus making it far easier to hold down the strings
amount of pressure on the G-string isn’t necessary. so that your hand can clamp down easier. and ultimately make for a cleaner sound.

Techniques
Use a capo
Altering the pitch of your ukulele is easy using a capo, and there are
a wide variety of types to suit your instrument and style
A
capo is the name for a small clamp that
sits on the fretboard of your ukulele,
depressing all of the strings.
It acts in the same way as a finger,
taking the pitch higher. Each fret represents a
semitone, so if you place a capo on the second fret,
each string will sound a tone higher.
With a capo, you can play songs in a different key
without having to relearn them or know anything
about the intricacies of key signatures. Simply clamp
on your capo and away you go. This can be really
useful if you’re adapting your piece to accompany
other musicians, or if you want to sing along but the
pitch of the music is too low or too high. They are
particularly useful for beginners, as you can adapt a
piece you want to learn if the chord shapes used are
too difficult. Barre chords, for example, can be deftly
avoided. These are the chords where you use your
Chord patterns
There are only a few chord shapes that will be used with a capo and you certainly don’t want to take
index finger to press down on all four strings as part
it any lower than the fifth fret or things will start to get very cramped and uncomfortable with your
of the chord pattern.
playing. The left-hand column represents the original chord from your tablature or sheet music, and the
In standard tuning, D7 is a typical example of this.
subsequent chords are the shapes you should substitute it with depending on where your capo is.
By placing your capo on the second fret you then
only need to worry about pressing down on the A
string at the third fret to ‘override’ the capo holding
Original chord What a chord becomes when a capo is on fret number…
the same string down at the second fret. 1 2 3 4 5
C D D E E F
“With a capo you F G G A A B
can play songs in a G A A B B C
different key” Am Bm Bm Cm C#m Dm
Different types of capo Choose the right one for your ukulele and style
The kind of capo that’s right for you depends
on how much you’re looking to spend. There 01 02 03
are capos designed specifically for ukuleles
or in most cases you can use a guitar capo, if
you already own one.
01 The spring-loaded capo

This inexpensive option is one of the most 02 The smart capo 03 The toggle capo
commonly used types of capo. They can be Working on an automatic mechanism, place Another bargain option, these capos
operated easily with one hand, and can be applied this capo around your ukulele neck and simply come in a range of styles and are generally small
or removed extremely quickly, even mid-song if squeeze to clamp it in place. Applying pressure and portable. Be warned though, they have a
need be. They can accommodate a wider, flatter on the tips then releases it. These are very user- tendency to pull strings out of tune because of the
fretbaord, making them a perfect fit with all tenors, friendly, but can be expensive, and it’s sometimes way they tighten, and can also stick to the strings
sporanos, concerts and baritones. difficult to get them sitting tight enough. after being undone.

Change the pitch Use your capo for quick pitch changes
Tone, semitone Close to the fret
Each fret represents a semitone’s Place your capo as close to the lower
change in pitch. This capo, fret as possible, ensuring that all four
placed on the 4th fret, will raise strings are properly depressed
all the strings by 4 semitones
Alter certain strings

Instead of retuning, if you want
to alter the pitch of one or two
of the outer strings you can
Avoid barre chords just capo those. There are also
If you want to play a song but specialist capos that can pick
it has a lot of barre chords, use out individual strings
your capo to alter the pitch
Attach a capo Make the most of this simple device
01 Attach your capo 02 Adjust to play

Depending on your type of capo, open it and clamp it onto the neck of your Strum without placing any fingers on the fretboard to see how it sounds,
guitar. Place it closer to the lower fret, as that is where the pitch change will listening out for buzzing or muted notes. Check that all of the strings under the
come from. capo are lying straight, adjusting the position of the capo if needed.

Techniques
Finger pick
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
Take your first steps in learning this distinctive style by
following our simple finger-picking guide
U
nlike with a guitar, using a plectrum to chord that you are familiar with. Basic finger-picking having to bend or twist at all. Generally your thumb
pluck individual strings of your ukulele techniques can take the same chord patterns and will play the top string, and sometimes the second
isn’t really an option. Instead, you should replace the strumming that you would usually top, so make sure it’s comfortable to do so. It’s rare
use your fingers. Finger-picking means employ with picking that draws out the individual to pluck any strings with your little finger, so keep
that you can play more than one note at a time and notes or groups of notes. This can add another this one relaxed and out of the way.
create pleasing rhythmic and melodic patterns for dimension to the chord, enabling you to vary the This tutorial will teach you a pattern to finger pick
chords. It is typical of classical, folk and country style pace and feel of the music. with the G major chord. Repeat this exercise until
ukulele playing. Before you start picking, it’s important to get the you feel comfortable and confident playing it, then
While you can learn to finger pick particular position of your picking hand right. It should rest you can go on to try plucking the same strings with
melodies and riffs, an ideal place to start is with a naturally over the sound hole without your wrist different chords.
Finger pick in G Learn the basic pattern
01 The G chord 02 Pluck the strings

Hold the chord of G major (see the above picture and our chord guide on Pluck the C- and A-strings together using your thumb and middle finger.
the next page). Strum to make sure all of the strings are held down then Use the outer edges of your fingertips and try to get the volume of each
get your thumb ready on the root note, in this case the C-string. string roughly the same.
03 Finger run 04 Practice makes perfect

Using your index finger to pluck the middle string. Alternate between Play this pattern until it feels natural. Lifting your little finger up off the
plucking the C- and A-strings and the E-string repeatedly. Make sure your body of the ukulele means that you will be able to switch between picking
little finger stays out of the way to keep the strings vibrating. and strumming quickly and easily.

Learn to finger pick What you need to know for a basic pattern
Hand position Plucking

Your hand should rest naturally over the To pluck the strings, use the
sound hole without bending your wrist. outer edges of your fingertips
The thumb usually rests on the top string and move as if beginning to
make a fist, coming in towards
each other and slightly away
from the ukulele
Top tip
Use your nails
Some players prefer
jus
use the tips of their in t to
but growing the nails gers,
on your
plucking hand so the
y are
longer than your inge just
r
help. The diferent su can
rface
Adding variation can produce a cleare
r sound,
You may need to change Which fingers? especially for the
the root note (what the The thumb usually plays the G- and higher notes.
thumb plays) to the second C-strings while your index, second
string for chords such as C and ring fingers play the rest. This
major and E minor can be adapted and is just a guide
Change chord G C E A G C E A
Pick between major and minor 1 1

When you are comfortable with the basic picking pattern,
you can use it to move between chords. G major works well
with E minor, so pluck the strings exactly as in the four steps
and then change your fingers on the fretboard to the E minor
chord and continue. See our chord diagrams here for how to
2 1 2 2 1
play these chords.
3 3 3 2
“Basic finger-picking
techniques can add another 4 4 3
dimension to the chord”
G major E minor

Techniques
Tremolo pick
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
The picking technique that will improve your rhythm,
soloing and all-round playing
H
ave you ever listened to a song and and form are also important, as both can have a your finger or pick. This is why it’s essential to start
wondered how on earth a single note is serious effect on the sound produced. Learning to slow and gradually increase your speed over time. A
being repeatedly struck so many times? ‘gallop’ – or gain speed – will almost make the note duff note or hit will stand out a mile.
This is known as tremolo picking. Many sound constant, while slowing it down a touch can You will have heard tremolo picking in a lot of
budding ukulele players assume that a fast section help sustain a pattern. Patience is key when learning guitar-based rock music, and the sound on the
of a song – or a solo – is achieved by the individual to tremolo pick, too, as it’s exceptionally easy to ukulele is just as pleasing. It is particularly impressive
somehow managing to hit a string multiple times scrape or mishit a string when coming back up with because it is often unexpected, so get practising!
with a downward stroke. In reality, tremolo – or
alternate – picking is taking place.
At its most basic level, the technique is
accomplished by moving either your index or
“Patience is key when learning to tremolo pick,
thumb up and down rapidly. Numerous solos
rely on such a skill, along with the more energetic
too, as it’s exceptionally easy to scrape or mishit
passages of many metal rhythm sections. Speed a string when coming back up”
Tremolo basics How to tremolo pick

01 Find your pace 02 Increase your speed
Do NOT start tremolo picking as fast as you can when you first begin. Instead, When you can do step 1 with ease, gradually begin to increase your speed by
take it as slow as possible, rest your fingers against the ukulele near the increasing the rhythm. A good way to do this is to find the beats per minute
soundhole, and strike an open A up and down with your index finger. (BPM) you’re comfortable with and increase by ten BPM each time.
03 Moving notes 04 Different notes

Eventually you’ll want to tremolo pick while changing strings. Start with an Tremolo picking on a different string – C, for example – can be a touch harder,
open A, then place your index finger on the same string in the second fret as you have to ensure you don’t scrape other notes in the process. Use the
before moving up to the third fret. same techniques as above so that you only ever hit the one string.
Give it a try Tremolo pick for yourself

With the pick firmly in your grasp, or just both the up and downstroke alternately. Once Work your way back down the frets again to
using your finger, hit the top A string upwards confident with that, start to move onto different finish with the open A string. This is shown in
and downwards in quick succession. When frets. Start on the open A string, then move on our tab below. Remember to start slowly at first,
that becomes more comfortable, try hitting to the second fret of this string, moving onto speeding up when you become more confident
‘semiquavers’ or four strikes of the string – use the third fret, and then jumping up to the fifth. with the technique.
333 333 333 333

222 222 222 222
000 000 000 000 000 000
666 666 666 666
555 555 555 555
444 444 444 444

Tremolo picking basics
What you need to know
Use both strokes

You could try to be a hero and
tremolo pick using only one
stroke, but finding a comfortable
way to hit both the down and
upward stroke will give you
better technique and speed
Hand placement
Rest your fingers against
the ukulele just below the
soundhole. These will act as a
‘pivot point’ for your index finger
which will be doing the majority
of work for the tremolo effect Choose your method
You need to be comfortable
when attempting to tremolo
pick, so therefore make sure
you choose the method best
suited to you. Experiment by
using both your index finger
and your thumb
Top tip
Diferent styles
A more ad vanced way of
the tremolo sound is producing
to rol
your ingers. This is esp l with
useful if you want to ecially
Wrist movement rely less on
ingernails. Start by
The strumming motion for picking the
string with your midd
tremolo should come from le inger,
and then your index
your wrist and not your arm. . Keep
alternating to produ
If you’re struggling with this, ce
the tremolo sound.
try opening up your elbow
before each upstroke

Techniques
Mute strings
In this tutorial, we show you methods of blocking out unwanted noise
whether you are strumming or picking individual strings
S
tring muting is a technique that is used
to prevent strings from sounding while
strumming or picking individual strings.
Preventing unwanted noise
It’s playing without actually playing. We examine the parts of your playing hands you can use
Muting is a technique that is often used in rock
music, which of course makes it cool.
The reason why ukulelists mute strings at
times is because otherwise the vibrating strings
“The reason
will interfere with the music they’re making. For
example, when playing licks, the bending and
why ukulelists
release of some string will cause other strings to
vibrate, either because they’ve been accidentally
mute strings
hit or because they’ve simply vibrated when
other strings have been hit. To effectively mute
Use your fingers is to prevent
strings that you don’t want to be heard, there
Lift your fretting
fingers off the strings unwanted
are numerous techniques available. For example,
many players lay their fretting hand flat on top
when playing a barre
chord to stop them noise”
of the strings. This is called left hand muting. from ringing out
Be careful not to put too much pressure on more than you want
though - pushing the strings so they are touching
the fretboard runs the risk of fretting them and
playing a chord unintentionally.
Keeping in time to the rhythm of a song when
you’re not technically playing anything can be
quite difficult. To make things easier on yourself,
try tapping your foot on the floor, nodding your
head or continuing to move your strumming
hand in order to keep in time.
The chnk technique is also a good way to
mute strings. Chnking involves strumming down
on your ukuele strings, and then placing your
strumming hand’s palm over all the strings just
under the bridge to stop them ringing and create
a chnk sound. Whatever method you choose,
you’ll need to practise the technique thoroughly
to get the results you crave.
Top tipting
Use palm mucan
when tyo u
your palm in the
It’s tricky to ge
consistently and
perfect position to adjacent to the Use your palm
e str ing s
reliably mut and the palm
An effective way to mute Use your left hand
one you’re playing, p the string the strings is to rest the Alternatively, you can use spare
m or e tim e to sto
takes your thumb, palm of your hand across fingers from your fretting hand
from ringing than chnique them, and then just raise it
so try using th te .
at to mute the strings on the
when possible to free up the strings that neck, but don’t press too hard,
you want to play otherwise you’ll fret them

How to mute your strings We demonstrate the four main methods
01 Palm muting 02 Chnking

Fashion your hand into a karate chop, and then place it just in front of the bridge The chnking technique is used for muting strings while you’re strumming. Strum
of your ukulele so that your hand is at a 90-degree angle to the strings. Now, down on your ukulele and then place your hand over the vibrating strings to
move the side of your hand up or down to mute the strings. silence them and create a ‘chnk’ sound.
03 Left hand muting 04 Lift muting

One technique for muting the higher strings is to use the underside of the index Lift muting involves lifting your fretting fingers off the strings when playing a
finger on your fretting hand. Press lightly – not too hard so as to ‘fret’ the strings barre chord just enough so that the chord stops ringing. This technique works
– to mute the strings that you don’t want to sound. really well when playing reggae music.

Techniques
Learn to slide
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
along on
your ukulele
Master how to transition between two notes or chords by sliding
between them, and you’ll open up many new possibilities
S
liding is a common technique used in separately. Slides are also very versatile. As well as the original note. Once you’ve mastered slides with
many genres of guitar playing, enabling sliding up, it is just as simple to slide down. You your fingers, you could try using a steel or glass
the player to move between notes or can also play two or more notes at the same time guitar slide instead, which should be available to
power chords without lifting his or her and slide those fingers up or down the fretboard buy at your local music shop for a few pounds.
hand from the fretboard. This technique can also to create a similar sliding effect, but with chords. These are often used in blues compositions and
be applied to ukulele playing. However, this technique takes a bit more practice, produce a distinct sound.
All you need to do in order to execute a and we recommend having new strings on your Once mastered, string slides can add a more
successful slide is to play one note, then, without instrument before trying it, as the grime and dirt professional-sounding sheen to your compositions.
taking your fretting finger off the fretboard, that accumulates from years of playing can make
slide it up to another fret. You won’t have to sliding tough. We recommend putting new strings
pick the second note if your slide was good. As
its name suggests, the effect it produces is a
on your ukulele before trying slides.
Unlike hammer-ons and pull-offs, which rely on
Top tip
sliding one, and it makes a much smoother sound different fingers of your fretting hand, a slide should Clean the strings
than what is produced by picking the two notes If sliding is proving tou
be made by the same finger or fingers that fretted gh,
possibly because of
old
strings hindering yo
“We recommend putting new strings on movement, try using
string cleaner like Fas a
ur
t Fret.
your ukulele before trying slides” It’s cheap, it will clean
strings up, and it’ll ma ur
yo
ke it
far easier for you to
slide along.
Sliding Use your fingers to slide
01 Separate notes 02 Slide between notes

Pick the note on the fifth fret of the E string. Then, after taking your finger off the Play the fifth of the E string again, but this time slide between the fifth and
fretboard, play the seventh fret on the same string. Remember the two separate seventh fret without taking your finger off the fretboard. Start off slow and
sounds. Play them a few times to familiarise yourself. gradually increase the speed of the slide.

Slide with your hands Easily produce a sliding sound
Fretting finger
The index finger is doing
all the work. Slide from the
third fret to the fifth without
leaving the fretboard
Play as usual
The picking hand No others
doesn’t need to The other three fingers don’t
do anything too need to do anything unless
different. You could you want to play more notes
apply more power to with your original slide
your pick if you can’t
always hear the slide
03 Slide with chords 04 Try using a guitar slide

Fret the first fret on the A and E strings to form the C7sus4 chord. Play For an entirely different sound, try using a guitar slide. Move any one of
these two strings and then slide both fingers up to the fifth third fret to your fretting fingers up and down the fretboard, playing the C, E and A
form the C5 power chord. strings with your picking hand.

Techniques
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Practise with
more chords
along on
your ukulele
Now you have learnt some basic techniques, it is time to add some
variation to your performance with more advanced chords
H
ere we’ll start to use some more challenging chords, starting with
barre ones. A barre chord is where your finger is used to hold down
multiple strings. If we look at the D chord, you can use your first,
second and third fingers to form the chord, or, if this feels cramped,
you could barre the chord to hold down the fourth, third and second strings.
An easy change to make to a chord is to add a seventh (7th) note. If we take
the C chord as an example, the first note (tonic) is the C and if we count up to
the 7th note, we would reach a B. If we played this on the C chord, it would
be known as a major seventh. By playing a B flat (finger on the first string,
first fret), this becomes a C7 chord. We also have augmented or diminished
chords. Augmented chords are shown by a ‘+’ next to the chord (eg C+). For D A E7
this, the fifth note is raised by a semitone. For example, C+ would be C E G#. G C E A G C E A G C E A
A diminished chord is shown by a small ‘o’ next to the chord name (eg Co ).
Here, the fifth note is lowered by a semitone, as is the third, giving a minor 1 1 1 1 1
flattened fifth chord. Using a C chord as example, the diminished chord would
be C Eb Gb. 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 3
“A barre chord is where your finger 3 3 3
holds down multiple strings”
4 4 4
Easy finger picking

Instead of playing all of the
strings at the same time with
simple strumming, you can
pick them one at a time using
your fingers and thumb. This
is known as finger picking. It
will usually involve a repetitive
pattern and can include
all fingers and the thumb,
although there are many styles
that simply just use the first
G F#m G+
finger and thumb. To pick G C E A G C E A G C E A
the strings, use your nails or
fingertips, depending on the 1 1 1 1
sound you are after.
2 1 2 2 2 3 2 1
Let’s try chnking 3 3 3 3 2 3
Chnking on a ukulele is a way of adding ‘colour’ and variety to your
strumming pattern, giving it a rhythmic sound in the absence of any
percussion. It is achieved by playing a heavy, quick downstroke which is 4 4 4
then immediately muted or ‘deadened’. To perform this, you play your
downstroke with the back of your first finger as normal, but then bring the
heel of your palm directly onto the strings. Key
1 Index 2 Middle 3 Ring 4 Little X: Don’t strum this string

Top tip
Slo
Let’s play Be care w dow
betwe ful with the n!
e c
In this piece we’ll look at some of the more strum n inger pic hange
still so ming patter king and
advanced strumming techniques u
down nd musical ns. It will
t if
inger owards the e you slow
The following piece is based on the acoustic musical styles of artists such as Ed pickin nd o
movem g to prepa f your
Sheeran and Adele. You open with four chords – D, E7, G and A – all performed in ent to re you
chord the r
a fingerpicking style. The opening picking pattern will follow this idea using your positio next
n.
thumb (T), first finger (ff), and second finger (sf).
This pattern continues from bars 1-8. Don’t forget the repeat (shown by two bar
lines and two dots). We introduce the chunk into the strumming pattern at bar 9. It
should be performed using this pattern:
¶ chnk µ ¶ chnk µ

This again continues to bar 16, where the piece tells you to go back to the
beginning (DC al coda). Remember, coda is a fancy name for ending, so follow the
piece to bar 8 and the play the chord at the end of the piece using the swept strum.
Give it a try Have a go at this fingerpicking piece

Techniques
Give it a try
Audio files
Listen to the
audio guides
and follow
Practise string
bending
along on
your ukulele
String bending was developed by blues and country players to

mimic bottleneck guitars. Here’s how to perfect this technique on your ukulele
S
tring bending is a very basic blues and country of an inch, and can be found on the packaging of the
technique that involves ‘bending’ or pushing various strings available. Weighing up the pros and cons
the string over the fingerboard with your of each thickness is a matter of personal taste, but you Top tip
fretting fingers so that the string gets tighter should be aware that while thin, light gauge strings are Maintain the note
and the pitch goes up. more pliable and easier on your fretting fingers, they are If the note is trailing
of be
Bending the strings far enough to get the pitch to more likely to break with continued use, have a lower you’ve completed the fore
be
change takes quite a bit of effort, so the key is to use volume and are harder to keep in tune. Thicker strings then you’re probably nd
three of the fingers on your fretting hand to manipulate provide a warmer tone and are a lot more durable, exerting enough pre not
ssure on
the string – one (your ring finger) on the fret you intend though certainly not as easy to bend. It’s a good idea the fretboard. Make
sure you
to bend and then a further two (your middle and index to experiment with as many gauges as possible when use all three ingers
to pu
fingers) on the frets next to it for added leverage. starting out to see what works for you. string up towards the sh the
sky.
easier to bend string It is
The principle factor that dictates the degree in which String bending is a useful technique to have in s on
you can bend a string is its thickness (or gauge). The your ukulele-playing arsenal of tricks as it can add a higher frets.
width of a ukulele string is expressed as a decimal fraction professional-sounding lick to your compositions.
How to bend your strings Bend strings to change the pitch of a note
01 Position your fingers 02 Hear the pitch

Start off by placing your ring finger on the fret you wish to bend, in this The aim is to bend the note up one semitone then return the note to its
case the second (E) string, sixth fret, and then place your middle and index original pitch. Play the second string (E) on the eighth fret and the same
fingers on the same string, but on the seventh and eighth frets. string on the ninth fret so that you can hear the pitch of the note.

String bending Change the pitch of the strings
Listen-up Bending action
Play the same Pick the string on the desired
string at the next fret, then push the string up
one or two frets with your three fingers until
up to hear the you reach the desired pitch,
note that you will as heard on the higher frets
be attempting to
bend the string to
Fingering Releasing
Always place your ring finger on the fret What goes up must come down, so
you wish to ‘bend’, and then place your to return the note to its original pitch
middle and index fingers on the frets relax your fingers slightly, allowing
next to it for extra leverage the string to return to normal
03 Execute the bend 04 …and relax

Now, with your fingers in position as indicated in the first step, pick the second Once you have exerted enough pressure on the string to bend the pitch,
string (E) on the eighth fret and, using your three fingers, push the string up and relax your fingers slightly to allow the string to spring back down to its natural
‘bend’ the note so that it sounds like the ninth fret. position and allow the note to return to its original pitch.

Techniques
Play in Further
info
octaves
Turnto page 76 for
more on how to read
music and tab
Master this classic rock sound and further enhance your

ukulele-playing skills for better effect
A
n octave is the term for the interval a piano where you can see the repeated pattern of 12th (and usually last) fret of your ukulele. You should
between the first and last note of a black and white keys. hear the same note but higher in pitch.
regular scale. After a C note, for example, To find any note’s octave on a ukulele, you need On a ukulele an octave is a way of making a note
there are 12 semitones or eight full tones to count up 12 semitones, which is 12 frets on the sound ’bigger’ without playing all of the notes in a
(hence the name octave) before you reach the next neck. Stretching your hands all the way up the neck chord. This is particularly evident when performing
C. These two Cs will be the same note, but at a will be impossible, so find the equivalent tone on a within a jazz style, where the use of octaves is
different pitch – they are an octave apart. higher string. You can easily play octaves on every particularly useful. In this tutorial we will show you
All instruments can produce notes within a string of a conventional soprano ukulele, first playing how to master the some basic octave shapes so you
number of octaves, and they are most obvious on the open string, and then placing your finger on the will be able to play them on any string and any note.
Octave shapes Two essential finger patterns
01 The first shape 02 Same shape, different strings

Place your first finger on the second fret on the C string (third string). Place your You can use the same shape to play octaves on the G (fourth) and E (second)
little finger on the fifth fret of the A string (first string). Pluck these two strings to string on a low G soprano ukulele. Slide between frets to keep producing your
produce an octave on the note D. octaves. Use a combination of both sets of strings.
03 The second shape 04 Mute notes

You can play octaves on the fourth (G) and first (A) string on a low G soprano You need to mute the notes in between and after your octaves so they don’t
ukulele. Place your index finger on the third fret of the A string, and your ring vibrate when strummed. With the two strings that are unused, mute them with
finger on the fifth fret of the G. This produces an octave C. any finger(s) that you find most comfortable and strum.

Top tip
Rock out in octaves Strum with these shapes Low G tuning
When playing octaves
us
the G and E strings, or ing
second shape, your uk the
ule
The first shape The second shape need to have low G tun le will
Use this shape on the C and A strings. This When playing this basic octave shape, ing. This
means that the G str
shape is also transferable to the G and E mute the other notes by laying your ing would
sound lower than the
C str
strings if you have a low G ukulele middle/ring finger as if playing a barre This makes your ukule ing.
le
chord, but without applying pressure sound more mellow.
A D
E
C D
G
Change the size

The further up the neck
of the ukulele you go, the
smaller the frets become.
Remember to alter the
shape of your fingers to
accommodate this
Slide between octaves

After strumming once, you can slide the
octave shape up or down the fretboard
without taking off the pressure, or
strumming again, for a cool sound
Give it a try Playing in octaves using chromatic scales

You can use the first shape with the notation or tablature below to
play octaves using chromatic notes starting on the note D. This is great “This is great practice for your
practice for your octave shapes, and a useful warm-up for your hands. Play
along with the supplied audio file to make sure you’re doing it right, and octave shapes, and a useful
check out the ‘Reading music’ section from page 76 to learn how to read
tablature and notation. warm-up for your hands”
4
4
A 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
E
C 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
G

Techniques
Get to grips Top tips for

recording
ukulele
with recordingStart recording your very first ukulele masterpiece
01 Be consistent
For the best recording experience, use the
same software. GarageBand is available on
Mac and iOS, meaning that you have seamless
integration of your projects regardless of where
with an Apple Mac, iPhone or iPad you’re working.
02 Make your voice heard
T
here are many reasons why people and hit Record. The tutorials that follow this one will
Don’t want to carry around any additional
want to make recordings of themselves cover the different methods of recording ukulele
equipment? Got an acoustic ukulele you
singing or playing a musical instrument. with different devices.
want to record? Don’t panic, GarageBand has
Some people use recording as a Realistically, you should open up your Mac if you
a handy Audio Recorder which utilises your
method of becoming a better musician by playing want to record the next ‘Wonderwall’, but if you’re
device’s built-in mic.
their recordings back to hear the mistakes they’re just looking to find your feet, look no further than
making, others to remember songs they’ve written. your iPhone or iPad.
Whatever your recording goals or aspirations, we’re When it comes to equipment, decide whether
here to show you how to take your first steps (or recording ukulele is just a hobby or a career,
rather, strums) into the world of recording your and spend less or more money based on these
ukulele playing. expectations. Don’t splash the cash on high-end
The great thing about technological equipment when you just want to record rough
developments is that there are a number of ways ideas. We’ll take you through some of the various
to record music using your Mac or even using your equipment solutions available for all of the different
iPhone. Gone are the days of fumbling around in levels of recording.
your bag for a notepad and pen to scribble down Before you even pick up that ukulele, read on for
your musical ideas – just grab your iPhone or iPad some handy general tips on recording.
“There are a number of ways to record music 03 Stay in tune

Make sure you’re in tune before recording any
using your Mac or even using your iPhone” track. Ukuleles have a habit of falling out of
tune very quickly, so don’t let poor tuning ruin
an otherwise perfect take.
04 Become a team player

Use GarageBand for Mac to play along with
backing tracks. This will not only improve your
playing technique, but will help you get used
to playing with a band.
05 Start with a Mac

If you’re a relatively new player, gain confidence
with GarageBand on Mac before recording
ukulele with your iPhone or iPad – you can’t
remove mistakes from tracks after recording
with GarageBand for iOS.

Record ukulele with a Mac
01 Stay in time 03 Keep it clean 05 Crank it up to… 7
It’s important to maintain a steady tempo. Most Don’t worry too much Don’t be tempted to crank your acoustic-electro
music-recording software packages for Mac will about getting your overall ukulele up to maximum volume. If your recording
have a Metronome feature – use this to improve ukulele sound right before input level is too high, it will result in feedback –
your time-keeping. you begin recording and a painful-sounding recording.
as you can add lots of
authentic effects and post-
recording processing once
you have nailed that tricky
middle section.
04 Select a location
If you’re using your Mac’s on-board mic to
record acoustic ukulele, choose your location
carefully. Smaller rooms work best for a clean,
interference-free recording, whereas bigger
rooms add natural reverb.
02 Multi-take
Recording software such
as GarageBand offers
you the ability to record
several takes of your
ukulele playing on a
loop, providing you with
the option of picking the
best-sounding take!
Record ukulele with an iPhone

01 Get connected 02 Save some space 04 Know your limits
Make sure your ukulele-recording hardware Recording ukulele onto your iPhone can take up Want to create a polished-sounding recording?
(you’ll need some to connect) has a headphone a large amount of iPhone storage. Free up some Use your iPhone to solely record your ukulele
connection on it, otherwise you’ll be playing space before you begin recording, otherwise you then export the recordings to software on your
in silence! A great choice of recording kit is IK could end up running out of space in the middle Mac, such as AmpliTube or GarageBand, to mix
Multimedia’s iRig adaptor. of recording. your recordings.
03 Keep your distance 05 Use as a toolbox

When recording acoustic ukulele with your There are plenty of apps out there that offer
iPhone’s built-in mic, ensure you are seated at handy ukulele tools in one app, such as a tuner,
least 15cm away from the iPhone, otherwise you chord book and metronome, saving you space in
will end up with a bass-heavy recording. your case!

Techniques
Play ukulele Tips for playing

along with
others
with others
Learn how to take your ukulele playing to the next level by
01 Keep in time
If you only play with one other person then
you should use a metronome or an MP3
backing track to help you keep in time. Not
only will this help maintain a steady pace, it will
strumming along with other people also ensure one party doesn’t rush or drag.
02 Know your role
H
owever much you enjoy playing your – and the more people you have playing, the less
When playing as part of a larger group,
ukulele solo and for your own chance there is of the song breaking down if one
remember that every player contributes to the
amusement, you will be amazed how player makes a mistake. When starting out, you
song with an appropriate tone and volume
introducing another player can take should perhaps see if there are any clubs nearby
and never plays in excess of that. In short, don’t
things to a whole new level. that you can join to experience playing as part of
try to outplay the other people in the group.
When playing with two people, one can provide a larger unit. Once you have learnt to master your
the chords and ‘groove’ of a song, leaving the other instrument a bit more then you could perhaps
player free to contribute a melody to complement consider joining a band. The ukulele offers a unique
the song’s progression. This is what tends to happen tone to any musical ensemble and can complement
in bands when there is more than one guitarist – a range of other instruments – and more established
one strums out the chords and helps along the acts are starting to incorporate them into their
rhythm of the song while the other layers on the recordings and live sets.
licks and the solos to give the song some punch. Here we offer some tips and advice on how to
Band dynamics aside, though, playing ukulele gain confidence playing with other people and how
with other people on a more basic level with all to make the ukulele sound work in a bigger band
parties strumming the same tune is a great way environment. Once you start playing, who knows
to develop timing and general playing confidence where it could take you in the future?
“Playing ukulele with other people is a great 03 Listen carefully

You should never inflict excessive playing on
way to develop timing and playing confidence” the group unnecessarily. Instead, listen carefully
to the song that you’re playing as a group and
then try to add only what is needed.
04 Stay disciplined
Needless noodling along the fretboard may be
satisfying from a self-indulgent point of view,
but often it is to the detriment of the song and
the annoyance of the other group members.
05 Let the music breathe

If you are jamming with other ukulele players
to come up with new ideas for songs then
don’t feel the need to fill every bar with notes.
Make sure you give the arrangement enough
space to breathe and come alive.

Learning to keep time
01 Use a metronome 05 Fade in your playing
Investing in a real metronome or an app If your playing suffers as a result of paying too
equivalent on your tablet or smartphone is a much attention to the beat, go with it. Turn
great way to keep a steady beat and flow in your the beat up nice and loud and then listen to
group jam sessions. that more than your playing, before gradually
changing the balance.
03 Tap it out
If using a metronome or backing track, also tap
your foot in time with the beat so that it gets
ingrained. Before too long you will be able to
keep a smooth, steady beat instinctively as you
strum your ukulele.
04 Body in motion
Also consider the motion of your body. If your
02 Use a backing track motions are relaxed and fluid then your back
An MP3 backing track is also a handy way to muscles are constantly balancing the motions of
ensure that you’re all maintaining a steady, your arms, leading to a rhythmic ‘sense’ that can
consistent pace throughout the song. be achieved as you play.
Where does ukulele come in?

01 Know your place
Bands work when the instruments featured
offer unique tones. So a ukulele would sit nicely
alongside guitars, drums, bass, keyboards and
brass instruments such as saxophones, as all of
the parts will blend nicely together.
02 Minimise the ukes

If you have too many ukulele players in a band
(more than two) then it can muddy the sound,
regardless of how many cool parts have been
arranged. So try to stick to one or two and then
complement them with other instruments.
03 Pick the right songs

If you are incorporating a ukulele into a band then
make sure you are playing songs that showcase
the instrument and don’t cause it to be drowned
out by other instruments.
04 Be experimental
Try to surprise your audience with the versatility of 05 Go electric
the ukulele by using it to play the solo in a song. If you’re playing in a band and your ukulele sound
You will find tabs on numerous websites to help is getting drowned out by the other instruments,
you transfer some of the more famous licks to the consider getting an electric ukulele, plugging it
ukulele, and some are very easy to learn. into the PA system and letting rip!

Techniques
Useful apps for ukulele Discover a wide range of toolkits, recorders and digital instruments
to play and enjoy on your mobile device
T
he advent of smartphones and tablet helping us tune our instruments or practising our iOS (iPhone, iPad) or Android, a simple search for
devices has provided us musicians with playing on the move, there really is ‘an app for that’. ‘ukulele’ in the respective app store will throw up
a myriad of ways to take our playing Any instrument you’d care to mention is well plenty of practical, enjoyable and quirky apps to
further. Whether it’s for teaching us how supported with an array of apps and the ukulele help you develop your playing further and get the
to play instruments without having to spend a is particularly well catered for, as the apps here are most out of your instrument. Here we present some
great deal of money on lessons, referencing chords, testament to. Whatever device you are using, be it of our favourites.
Pro
Metronome
iPad | iOS 7.0 | Free
There are hundreds of free
metronome apps available, but
this is undoubtedly one of the
best and is designed to help you
master both daily practice and
stage performance. It comes with
13 different metronome tones
and can be fully customised by
changing beat tones, accents
and even the dynamics of your
rhythm. You also have the option
to upgrade to the Pro version
to unlock even more features,
such as Visual, Flash and Vibrate
modes, which will help you ‘feel’
the beats in loud environments.
Ukulele Companion Real Ukulele Free

iPhone | iOS 3.0 | Free
This app is something of a Swiss Army
If you want to practise your ukulele
knife for ukulele players, crammed with an array
playing then this app lets you strum or pluck
of neat features. Included in the package are tools
individual strings of any chord to work on your
such as a tuner and metronome, but it is the chord
favourite riffs or make up entirely new tunes
finder that really makes this app essential. Using a
on the fly to transfer to your real instrument.
wheel interface, you
It sounds fully authentic and supports both
can select chords
Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, meaning that
and scales and then
you can stream your playing to GarageBand to
the position of your
incorporate it into your track compositions. A
fretting hand will be
shown on the ukulele
great way to take your playing anywhere. My Ukulele
diagram to show you Android | OS 2.3 | Free
exactly where your This app provides you with a virtual
fingers should be to ukulele simulation in which you can pluck strings,
form the chord. What’s strum chords and record your playing on the move.
more, you can strum It features a wide range of modes and effects,
the strings of the including string muting, damping, bending and
on-screen ukulele to vibrato and all of your recordings can be exported
hear what the chord to other apps so everything you strum can be put
should sound like. Hard to good use. The fact that it is totally free is just the
to believe it’s free! icing on an already enticing cake!

GarageBand
Apple’s own mobile recording
studio is perfect for getting the sounds in your
head committed to digital format. A selection
of ‘smart’ instruments means you can lay down
tracks without necessarily being able to play
the real thing, while an in-app audio recorder
makes it easy to record your ukulele playing and
incorporate it into the mix. A recent addition to
the app in the form of Inter-App Audio means
you can incorporate sounds from other third-
party apps, including the various ukulele apps
that support this feature (see Real Ukulele for
just one example). With all of your tracks in
place, GarageBand’s studio editing facilities
make it easy to trim and tweak your music
before exporting it to iTunes. Definitely an
essential app for all music-lovers.
Ukulele Chordfinder
This app concentrates purely on
chords and is a useful reference tool to have
to hand when you need it. You can use the
scroll wheels to select the chord and then the
required finger positions will be illustrated on
the fretboard at the
top of the screen.
You can also listen
to how the chord
should sound
when played right.
Ukulele Karaoke Ukeoke Although the app
iPad | iOS 6.0 | Free doesn’t boast the
If you want to fast-track your ukulele array of features
playing then this fun app provides a rapid way to in some rivals,
learn new songs. Each song is displayed in a karaoke its no-nonsense
style, complete with easy chords, acoustic backing approach and
track and lyrics, and you simply play away with the easy-to-grasp
on-screen prompts. Each song can be tailored to interface make it a
suit all abilities and if you aren’t sure of any of the worthwhile addition
chords required to play the song then you can learn to your iPhone.
them all in-app.
Ultimate Guitar
Tabs HD
Ultimate Guitar Tabs offers a sprawling
database of chords and tabs for pretty
much any song you’d care to name, for any
instrument you have to hand – guitar, bass, CarlTune –
drums and, of course, ukulele. It’s updated Chromatic Tuner
regularly with all of the latest popular songs Android | OS 2.3 | Free
and is expertly laid out and ultra-accessible,
This mobile tuning device displays note, frequency,
to make it easy to find what you want.
octave and cents together, making it easy to know
Although the app itself is free, you will need
where the current tuning sound is in the scale and
to subscribe to the service, but the meagre
how far it strays from the standard frequency. A
amount they’re asking is definitely worth it.
serious bit of kit for the serious ukulele player.

Techniques
Useful sites for ukulele

If you’re in need of a little more insight and inspiration, then check out the
worldwide web for your ukulele fix. Here are some of our favourite sites
F
or the aimless, the internet is a sprawling dedicated to the instrument, its origins, its styles and Here we present a selection of the very best
superhighway of useless distractions, but if the many grooves you can play on it. But without ukulele-related sites that we have encountered
you approach it with a clear purpose then a few pointers in the right direction, you could lose on our web trawls. From manufacturer sites to
the possibilities it presents are endless. Take hours of potential playing time sifting through the tuning sites, tutorial sites to uke troupe sites, there is
the ukulele, for example. A simple Google search search results looking for the truly worthwhile sites. something for all players and fans of the instrument
of the term provides hundreds of thousands of hits So it’s good that we’re on hand to do it for you. here, along with those all-important URLs.
UkuTuner
Kala Brand Ukulele www.ukutuner.com
www.kalabrand.com This site offers an easy-to-use ukulele tuner
“Variety is the spice of life… and as to help keep your instrument in tune without the need
far as we know, you can never have too many for a standalone tuning device. You simply click on the
ukes…” Was ever a truer word said? Surely not tuning peg of the string that you want to tune and
and if you’re into your ukuleles then Kala is one it will play the note repeatedly so that you can adjust
of the most famous brands, with a site offering and tune the peg on your instrument accordingly. The
a wide range of products (we recommend site supports standard ‘C’ tuning (GCEA) or ‘D’ tuning
checking out the awesome KA-KIWI Soprano!), (ADF#B), which is two frets higher than standard tuning.
as well as a rundown of the established artists Provided you have the ear, this is a very useful site.
who use them. Its an inspiring site to visit and
a great place to read up on Kala’s range of
products before finding a dealer close to your Ukulele Underground
location, where you can try the instruments out www.ukuleleunderground.com
for yourself.
Established back in 2008, this site provides a wide range of video tutorials to help learners
develop their ukulele skills and become more proficient players. There are videos to cater for all levels
of expertise, from beginner to advanced, plus a library of song guides to get you strumming along to
some of the world’s most famous tracks.
The Ukulele Way

www.theukuleleway.com
The Ukulele Way is a step-by-step
method that teaches you the art and science of solo
ukulele – including how to play melody, harmony
and rhythm simultaneously… on a single ukulele!
Through this site you can sign up for a free tour,
which includes eight video lessons and a way to
connect with fellow players from all around the
world, or you can subscribe to the full service for
a monthly fee. The full package gives you access
to over 80 video lessons, sheet music, structured
exercises and much more. So if you want to
become a more accomplished player, faster, then
this is well worth checking out.

Top tip
Finding sites
When searching for uk
ule
related internet sites, le-
be
speciic in your search
terminology. For exam
ple, don’t
just type ‘ukulele’ int
o Google
– type something lik
e ‘uk
chords’ to focus the sea ulele
rch
“The Uke Hunt website is a fun and engaging results on what you’r
really after.
e
place for ukulele players to hang out”

The Ukulele Orchestra Uke Hunt
of Great Britain www.ukulelehunt.com
www.ukuleleorchestra.com A fun and engaging place for ukulele players
This site is dedicated to a group of all-singing, all- to hang out, Uke Hunt is, primarily, a chord database
strumming ukulele players who believe that all that makes it easy to find tabs and chords for the songs
genres of music are available for reinterpretation, you want to play. You can browse by keyword, genre
as long as they are played on the ukulele. Their or difficulty and when you find a song that you want
concerts are famous for their good humour and to play, you can download a PDF of the chord chart,
instrument artistry and this site keeps you abreast listen to the song in its entirety and hear the suggested
of any forthcoming concert news as well as strumming techniques you should apply. You can also
serving as an online shop to purchase their back leave comments and converse with fellow players in the
catalogue of albums, DVDS and books. Through this thriving online community. There are loads of chord-
online service, you can also subscribe to an online based uke sites but, for the sheer bulk of content that it
newsletter and get links to the troupe’s various delivers, this definitely ranks among the best.
social media sites.

Reading music
Understanding tablature and notation can seem daunting, but with these
simple guides, you’ll be playing your favourite tunes in no time!
76 Read ukulele tabs

80 What is musical notation?
82 Introducing the staves
83 Notes and their values
84 Read musical notation
86 Understand time signatures
88 Interpret key signatures
90 Rests and repetition
92 Introducing musical scales
93 The major scale
94 The minor scale
95 The major pentatonic scale
96 The minor pentatonic scale
97 The blues scale
98 Playing solos
100 Ukulele improvisation

“You’ll be able to
understand the system
of reading tablature
and play along to
favourite songs in a
matter of minutes”
Give it a try
ukulele technique.

Reading music
Read ukulele tabs Understand this system of reading tablature and enhance
your skills in a matter of minutes
U
kulele tablature (or ‘tab’ for short) The benefits of learning to play tabs are that they
is a system of notation that visually can teach you how to play quite a demanding,
represents the strings and frets of the complex series of notes quickly and easily by simply
ukulele fretboard. Each note is indicated playing what you see – you can spend time working
by a number, which indicates the fret to play, on the notes you need to play and the fingers you
placed on the appropriate string. A basic ukulele use to hold them down, and then slowly build up
tab consists of four lines running horizontally: these your speed. However, tabs often don’t represent
represent the four strings, with the G string at the how long to hold a note and help you maintain a
top and the A string at the bottom. Numbers are decent rhythm – so it’s best to listen to the actual
then placed on these lines to represent finger song for guidance on timing and then practise ‘till
positions on the fretboard. So if you see the number your fingers bleed’! Tabs can also indicate specialised
‘2’ positioned on the A string, then you would have ways of performing notes by the use of letters or
to hold down the first string on the second fret symbols. It will become important to learn these so
and pick the string. If you see a ‘0’ positioned on a performing tabs quickly becomes second nature.
string then this would signify that the string should Playing tabs can be as integral to your learning
be played open. If you are required to play a chord as the chords because being able to pick a lick or
as part of the tab, then the chord notes would be solo based on using a tab will instantly build your
placed in a vertical line upon the horizontal lines confidence and give you a greater understanding of
to indicate that the marked strings all need to be where to find specific notes on the fretboard. In this
played simultaneously. tutorial, we help you get accustomed to using tabs.
“Tabs can teach you how to play a complex

series of notes quickly”
Understanding tabs
By learning how to read ukulele tabs, you’ll be playing famous riffs in minutes!
Although ukulele tabs may look
daunting initially, once you understand
what the tabs are showing you, you’ll 0 1 2 3
be able to play the notes indicated
in no time at all. It is a good idea to
know your fretboard and where to
place your finger first. Once you know
the sequence of notes you need to 0 1 2 0
play, you can practise the sequence
repeatedly to build up a good speed,
smooth transition and fluid rhythm.
First note Fretting notes In sequence Changing strings

As you can see from the tab For the second note, you The sequence continues Starting with the C string
here, the first note in the would need to fret the on the first string (A) at the played openly, you would
sequence is the first string (A) first string (A) on the first second fret, then to the third then need to play the note at
played openly, as indicated by fret, as indicated by the fret, before moving to the the first fret, second fret, and
the ‘0’ on the top line ‘1’ on the top line third string (C) then an open string again

Read and play tabs The relationship between strings, notes and chords
1 2 3
0 1 2 3 2
01 The strings 02 The notes
The horizontal lines of a ukulele tab represent the four strings of the ukulele, The numbers marked on the strings indicate the finger positions on the ukulele
with the G string at the top and the A string at the bottom – as if looking down fretboard. For example, a number ‘2’ on the A string means you have to press it
at your fretboard while holding your ukulele. down at the second fret.
0 2
0 3
0 2
0 0
03 Open notes 04 Playing chords
When you see a ‘0’ marked on a string in the tab sequence, it means that the When you are required to play chords as part of the tab, the notes are placed
respective string needs to be played open, without you pressing it down on a in a vertical line at 90 degrees to the strings. The chord marked here represents
particular fret. C major and you would strum four strings in one motion.
Top tip
Watch for clues
The way some tabs
presented is that the are
lon
space in between the ger the
nu
(notes), the longer yo mbers
u
the note for. So watch hold
out for
obvious gaps and us
e this to
help you with your tim
ing
and rhythm as you pla
y
the piece.

Reading music
Tablature
glossary
Here are some symbols you will encounter
while reading tabs (n = fret number)…
L Lied note
x Muted (dead) note
g Grace note
(n) Ghost note Tablature symbols
> Accentuated note
Here are common symbols that represent the subtler techniques
NH Natural harmonic
AH
TP
Artificial harmonic
Tapped harmonic
5h7 7p5
SH
PH
Semi harmonic
Pitch harmonic
5h7 7p5
h Hammer-on 5h7 7p5
p Pull-off
b Bend 5h7 7p5
br Bend release
pb Pre-bend
01 Hammer-on 02 Pull-off
A hammer-on is executed by picking a note and A pull-off is essentially the opposite of a hammer-
pbr Pre-bend release then hammering down with the fretting finger on, so the first note is played again then the fretting
brb Bend release bend on the second note. The second note isn’t picked, hand pulls the finger off the note, letting it sound.
\n/ Tremolo bar dip it merely echoes the first one. Hammer-ons are A pull-off is typically represented by a ‘p’ directly
\n Tremolo bar dive represented by an ‘h’ directly between notes. between notes, as shown in the diagram above.
-/n Tremolo bar release up
/n\ Tremolo bar inverted dip 7v
/n
-\n
Tremolo bar return
Tremolo bar release down 7/9 7/9 7~~~
S
s
Shift slide
Legato slide
7/9 7/9
/ Slide into from below or out of upwards
\ Slide into from above or out of
downwards 04 Slides 05 Vibrato
~ Vibrato Sliding is a very slick way to move between notes Playing vibrato involves a constant rhythmic
W Wide vibrato on the fretboard and there are two symbols to look bending of the string, bending it up and down
out for within ukulele tabs. A ‘/’ symbol between quickly to create a pulsating, wavy note. Vibrato is
tr Trill
notes indicates that you should slide up to the usually represented by a ‘v’ or a ‘~’ next to the note
TP Tremolo picking second note from the first, while a ‘\’ symbol you need to manipulate. Again, have a look at the
T Tapping signifies a slide down. diagram above for a more visual clue.
S Slap (bass)
P Pop (bass)
< Fade in
^
v
Upstroke
5x 5
Downstroke /
W Whole note (semibreve) /
H Half note (minim) /
Q Quarter note (crotchet)
E 8th note (quaver)
S 16th (semiquaver) 07 String mute 08 Tremolo picking
This means that the string should be ‘muted’ to This technique is when a single note is played
T 32nd (demisemiquaver)
produce a suppressed tone. The most popular repeatedly in quick succession by moving the pick
X 64th (hemisemidemiquaver) method of doing this is with the palm, where up and down rapidly to sustain a melodic line. If
. Note dotted the edge of the palm of the picking hand is picked fast enough, the note sounds constant. This
I-n-I n-tuplets placed at the base of the strings. It’s easier to is represented by ‘TP’ or a series of ‘/’ symbols above
master than it sounds! or below a note.

Applying music to tabs
Understand notes and learn to apply them to tabs
The diagram below shows the same piece easy to play. From the notes on the stave (the five
of music in sheet and tab form. It is a simple lines on which the notes are written), you’ll know
song that everyone will be familiar with and, by how many semitones the notes need to increase
following the directions, that you should soon find by and then find them on the fretboard.
Finding notes Fretting strings

The first note of the song is C, so if you apply this The next note goes up a tone to D, which is
to the tab underneath, you’ll notice that the first played on the third string at the second fret
two notes are played on the open C string before returning to the open C string again
Happy Birthday
7b 7b 3
7r5 7r5 4
T 3
A 1 0 3 1
03 The bends B 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
A bend, represented by a ‘b’, is where the fretting
hand bends the string to change the pitch and the
note is sustained. Release bends, represented by ‘r’,
are like a bend, but it tells you when to release the
bend and go into the next note.
.
3 0 1 1 0
7t 7t 7t T
A
B
1 1 0
2
1 3 1
High C Dropping notes

06 Tapping The highest note of the piece is a C, which is The note then goes down to an A
Tapping is very similar to a hammer-on, but you played on the first string, up at the third fret. (open first string), then F (first fret of
don’t actually strum any notes at all. Just tap the This should sound the same as the first note second string), then an E, which is
notes on your ukulele’s fretboard with your fretting of the piece but an octave higher played on the open second string
hand. Tapping is usually represented by a ‘t’ next to
the fret where you conduct the tap.
“A simple song that everyone will be familiar
Tr~~~~ with and you should soon find easy to play”
5 5 Give it a try
Practise your ukulele tab knowledge
As you will now be aware, reading tabs really
isn’t difficult, but you have to start with simple 3 2
09 Trills pieces of tabbed music and concentrate on
0 3 1 0
A trill is executed when you perform a playing them proficiently before moving on
hammer-on effect and pull-off quickly, back to more complex pieces with more advanced
and forth between two different notes. Trills are techniques required. Practise this simple
represented on musical tabs by ‘Tr’ and are usually phrase and slowly build up the speed to play
followed by a vibrato to indicate the full it continuously as a melody.
length of the trill.

Reading music
What is musical
notation?
Throughout this section we will begin to look at what musical notation
is, how to read it and how it affects the way we play a piece
M
usical notation is a way composers express to musicians how to either through a number or an expressive term, which will indicate the speed of
play a piece of music through both pitch and rhythm. Music is the piece. Underneath, a composer could add dynamic markings to show the
written on a stave which consists of five lines. Notes can be placed volume they want a particular section of music played. Keep an eye out for these
either in the spaces or on the lines themselves, each representing and take note when you are playing the music.
one of the seven natural notes in music.
Musical notes are separated by vertical lines called bar lines. Preceding the
musical notes, you will usually find a clef and time signature, and sometimes
you may see either a sharp or flat notation, representing a key signature within a
“You will usually find a clef and time
particular piece. Above the stave you will almost always find a tempo marking, signature, and either a sharp or flat”
Understanding musical notes Our guide to the most common notation
04
01 02 =130 07 08
09
##4
06
. >
. . .
# 4 06
.
03 #
05 10 05
01 Clef many beats in a bar there are; the bottom 06 Notes

There are various types of clef that you tells you what type of beat it is. The notes in a strip of music are the
can use in a piece of music. This one is musical symbols that tell you both the
called the treble clef (or G clef due to its =130 04 Tempo marking rhythm and pitch of the piece of music
position on the stave). It tells us the pitch There are several ways of indicating the you are playing.
of the notes that have been written. tempo at the beginning of a piece of
music. The two most common are via . 07 Staccato
## 02 Key signature
This will always appear at the beginning
a written word (usually an Italian tempo
expression) or, as in this case, by how
A dot above a note is a staccato marking.
This tells us to play the note slightly
# of the piece of music. By placing the many crotchet beats per minute there are. shorter than we would normally be
symbols either in the spaces or lines, it directed to.
tells us if the notes we should play are 05 Dynamics
flats or sharps. This is A major. These tell you what volume to play the 08 Bar line
particular phrase of music at. The two The bar line divides the notes in to the
4 03 Time signature most common are f (forte), which is loud, correct number of beats, for the time
At the start of a piece of music you will and p (piano), which means quiet. Adding signature. There are many types, including
4 see two different numbers, one on top of an m (mezzo) before either of the two repeats and double barlines, which are
the other. The top number tells you how symbols means moderately. used at the end of a piece of music.

Top tip
Practise and repeat
Learning to read mu
sic can be
quite challenging at
irst, but the
most important thing
is
and repetition. Throu practice
gh
two basic principles, these
you will be able to pla in time
y thr
music without havin ough
g to
think about where the
notes are irst.
14
1. 13 2.
.
..
.
12
15
11
> 09 Accent
When you see a horizontal arrow above a
11 Tenuto
A single horizontal bold line above or
note should not be played again, but
must remain heard.
note, this is known as an accent. Through below a type of musical note is a tenuto
this symbol we need to emphasise a note marking. This explains to us that we 1. 14 First and second
slightly more, usually through dynamics, should be playing that note to its fullest time lines
making the sound slightly louder. Not to value. These will appear above certain bars
be confused with crescendo. during a repeated section where, during
12 Accidentals a repeated play-through, the piece has a
10 Crescendo/ These symbols are placed in front of the different ending.
Decrescendo note and will indicate a pitch that is not
15 Repeat bars
Similar in look to an accent, but larger
and placed under a piece of music, this is
already shown in the key signature. The
three most common types are flats , .. A double barline with two dots means
a dynamic marking that tells us either to sharps and naturals . you should repeat the music that is
get louder (as in the example) or quieter situated between the two sets of repeat
(the opposite of the example). The words 13 Tie signs. When there is only a left-facing
‘cresc.’ or ‘decresc.’ may be used instead of Two notes of the same pitch can be tied sign, repeat the piece from the beginning
the notation marks. together with this symbol. The second to the sign.

Reading music
Introducing
the staves
The five horizontal lines that have everything
you need to read music
S
taves (or staffs) are some of the most Although most instruments’ music (including clef, as it sounds, relates to instruments with lower
important parts of musical notation – ukulele) will feature a single stave, piano music will pitch capabilities. However, when you’re learning
without them we wouldn’t have anywhere nearly always be written on the grand stave (the to read music, it’s important to get to know about
on which to put the notes we need to double-decker stave that is pictured below). what’s happening outside of the ukulele line as well
play! Staves consist of five horizontal lines with four The start of the stave is just as important as the as what’s on it, especially if you are planning to play
spaces, with a clef on the left-hand side. Although rest of it, where the notes you need to play will be with others.
there are several different clefs throughout the located. At the beginning you will find the clef mark. Take a look at the beginnings of staves below
world of music, the ones most commonly seen in In ukulele music, it will almost always show a treble to see how the different clefs and time signatures
sheet music are the treble clef and bass clef. clef as the pitch of the instrument is higher, and bass affect the music that comes after.
The different staves Get acquainted with different signs on the staves
Treble stave
The treble clef stave is where you will find all ukulele
music and a majority of music for other instruments,
too. The treble clef is also known as a G-clef as the
curl of the clef passes through the note G on the
treble stave – if you’re drawing one, this curl is the
4
best place to start from! The clef is also used by
several other popular instruments, including the
4
violin, flute and recorder.
Bass clef stave

You won’t find this stave in soprano ukulele music
as the uke’s range doesn’t go outside the treble
clef, but it is useful to be able to recognise it. It’s also
known as the F-clef, as the two dots next to the
4
curve are bisected by the note F on the bass stave.
Popular instruments whose notation is commonly
4
written on this stave include the cello, double bass
and trombone. The bass clef marks the lower of the
two staves on the grand stave (see below).
The grand stave 4

Both the treble stave and bass stave combine to
create the grand or great stave – the stave used for
4
almost all Western piano notation. You can tell if the
two staves are a grand stave by the curly braces to
the left of the stave. This signifies that both parts
must be played simultaneously. The piano isn’t the 4
only instrument that uses a grand stave, as some
tonally wide-ranging instruments such as the harp, 4
marimba and celesta use it.

Notes and
their values
Get to know a few of the different types of notes you’ll find
sitting on and around the staves
N
otes are the foundation on which sixteenth notes) also have a ‘flag’ attached to them, So what do these note types tell us? Well, they
Western musical notation is based – which will always be attached to the right of the dictate how long the pianist should play the note
without them we wouldn’t know what to note, regardless of its stem direction. As a rule of for. For example, if a piece of music has a minim/half
play or how long to play it for. We know thumb, single note heads below the middle line of note on the middle line of the treble clef stave, the
what note to play by its position on the stave, which the stave should have an upward-pointing stem, pianist should play a B for two beats. Here we run
we’ll address in the next tutorial, and we know how and any above should point down. Stems on single through some of the most common notes that you
long to play it for by the type of note it is. note heads on the middle line can go either way. will find throughout this book.
Most notes consist of the note head (the oval-
shaped dot) and a stem either pointing up from the
right of the head, or pointing down from the left.
The only note you’re likely to see at this stage that
“We know what note to play by its position on
doesn’t have a stem is the semibreve/whole note, the stave and we know how long to play it for
which is just the note head (see below for more).
Quavers/eighth notes and shorter (ie semiquavers/ by the type of note it is”
Introducing the notes Notes and their lengths in simple time

4 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
01 Semibreve/whole note 02 Minim/half note
These notes last for four beats which, in a piece of music in 4/4 or common time, Minims/half notes last for two beats, so two minims in a piece of music in
is the whole bar. They don’t have a stem; rather, they are just a note head resting 4/4 time would take up the whole bar. They can be distinguished from other
on the stave. stemmed notes thanks to the ‘empty’ note head.
4 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
03 Crotchet/quarter note 04 Quaver/eighth note & semiquaver/sixteenth note
A crotchet or quarter note lasts for one beat, so four would make up a whole bar A quaver/eighth note is half the time value of crotchet/quarter note, and a
in 4/4 time. If you are having trouble getting to grips with how long notes last semiquaver/sixteenth note is half of a quaver. More than one of these in a row
for, it may be best to start with crotchets. can be ‘beamed’ together so the score doesn’t get littered with stems.

Reading music
Read musical notation A note is the symbol used to determine a musical sound. There are different
types, but all are split into two elements: pitch and time
A
musical note is represented by a type Semibreve or whole note Quavers can also be joined together in
of dot on the musical stave. This dot can This is worth 4 beats either twos or fours. In groups of twos,
either be filled in or left with a gap in the both notes are worth 1 beat, and in a
middle. Whether or not that gap is filled four, the four notes are worth 2 beats
will change the length of time that you need to Minim or half note
play the note, for example, four crotchets would be This is worth 2 beats
played on the four beats of a bar.
Most notes also contain a vertical line known as
a stem. Again, this will help to determine how long
you hold the note on for, however, the direction
Crotchet or quarter note
This is worth 1 beat
“A musical note is
of the stem (whether it is pointing up or pointing
down) makes no difference, and is dictated by
represented as a type
where the note falls on the stave. On the right are Quaver or eighth note
This is worth 1⁄2 a beat
of dot on the musical
the different musical notes and how long each one
should be played for. stave”
Understanding notes
Use a simple mnemonic to help you out
In order to name the notes on a treble clef stave, we the notes on the stave. If we take the notes on the in the spaces of the stave spell out the word ‘face’.
use the first seven letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, lines (E, G, B, D, F), we can apply a simple mnemonic You can remember this by thinking that it rather
E, F, G. There are several ways in which to remember phrase to help you memorise the order. The notes helpfully rhymes with ‘space’!
Notes on the lines

Here’s the order of the notes on
the lines of a treble clef musical
stave. If you forget the mnemonic,
try to remember that B is Bang in
the middle.
Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit
Notes in the spaces

The notes in the spaces, as these
four show, spell out ‘face’. To help
you further, try to memorise FACE
in the SPACES.
F A C E
E F G A B C D E F

Playing the notes Now it’s time for the exciting bit! Top
Use a tip
The diagrams below show all the notes you have with a number inside. The coloured circles will In music ledger li
learned so far. So, how do you play these on a start on frets 1 to 4, and will use frets 5 to 8 for the go h , sometim
igher o es
ne notes m
ukulele? Each of the symbols pointing to the last three notes. They will tell you which finger to will allow r lower than the ay
notes show the first four frets of a guitar neck. In use. If it’s a clear circle it will be an open string. For must use us. At this stage stave
the following diagrams we will refer to your finger example, the first E is played the open second string. lines can a ledger line. Led we
be u ger
positions through either a coloured or clear circle Let’s have a go… and belo sed both above
w the sta
ve.
0 0
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4
E 2nd string, open F 2nd string, 1st fret G 2nd string, 3rd fret A 1st string, open
E F G A B C D E F
1 1 4 5 5
2 2 2 5 5 6 6
3 3 3 6 7 7 7
4 4 7 8 8 8
B 1st string, 2nd fret C 1st string, 3rd fret D 1st string, 5th fret E 1st string, 7th fret F 1st string, 8th fret
What are chords? A common word, but what is one?

In its simplest form, a chord is two or more notes played notation a chord is shown by notes that are placed on top
together. The most frequently used chord is a triad, which is of each other in the stave. This indicates that they should
three notes played simultaneously. be played at the same time, as a chord is a combination of
There are two common types of chord. They are notes that sound good together. To the right is an example
categorised as major (a chord that sounds rather ‘happy’) of a common chord written as musical notes. You will also
and minor (a chord that sounds particularly ‘sad’). In musical see chords referred to just by the letters that are their names.

Reading music
Understand time
signatures
There are many different ways of changing the beats of the bar through
time signatures, and each has its own distinct feel and style
43
A 6
time signature will always be found Simple time Compound time
at the beginning of a piece of music,
directly after the key signature. It is 44 Simple time is a signature where the
main beat is divided into two equal 8 .
Compound time, much like simple
time, is where the main beat can be
very important as it tells us exactly how beats. For instance, in 44 time, the main divided into three beats. The lowest
to divide the beats of the bar, in turn making it so 2 beat is a crotchet/quarter note, and this number is most commonly an 8. For
much easier to read a piece of music. There are
two main types of time signature: simple time and
4 can be divided in two quavers/eighth
notes. The most common forms of
example, in 68 , where the main beat is a
dotted crotchet/quarter note, this can
4 3 2
compound time. Here’s a bit more about them… simple time signature are 4 , 4 , and 4 . be split into three quavers/eighth notes.
“It is very important as it tells us exactly how to divide the beats of the
bar, in turn making it much easier to read a piece of music”
Explaining time signatures Top

Stress th tip
What do the numbers mean and why are they important? In all tim e
e signatu beat
bea to res, the
stressed f the bar is usua irst
Simple time note. In ll
Time signatures comprise two numbers, one on
using fo time sign y a
top of the other. The top number will indicate 4 1 ur b e atures,
how many beats are in a bar, the bottom 2 is mainly used for marches and
2
( 4 , ), a ts in
8 the third ca a bar
stressed n also be
will tell you what type of beat it is. The most
common numbers found at the bottom of a
4 polka music.
, alt
notes are hough these
no
louder o t always
rm
time signature are 4 (crotchet), 8 (quavers), and
16 (semiquavers).
3 when the pulse is 3 crotchet beats to a importa ore
nt.
4 bar is essentially used for waltzes.
4 Type of
4 or common time (C), is the most Dots and ties
4 widely used of the time signatures
Number
of beats in
4 beat
and is used in a variety of music,
including pop and rock.
Understand exactly what is
meant by dots and ties
the bar
A dot tells you that you add half the value of the
The numbers in time can also be replaced
Compound time note to its original value. For example,
6 9 arevarious
by a symbol that looks like a C. This is called the dotted crotchet ( .) is 1 + ½ =1½ beats. Dots
most commonly found in can be applied to most notes, but most commonly
common time, but also tells us that there are 4
types of folk music.
crotchet beats to a bar.
88 you will find them with quavers and crotchets. A
tie tells you that you should add two note values
together. For example, a crotchet plus another
4 12 music
is quite common in slower blues
and is also used in
crotchet would be two beats and would look like
this: . You would most likely use a tie when you
4 8 folk music. need a note to carry over into the next bar. If a
minim doesn’t fit in a bar you can tie two crotchets
on either side of the bar line.

Beats in a bar
If we take 4
4 as an example, there are several ways in which notes can be used in each bar
01 First bar 02 Second bar 03 Third bar 04 Fourth bar
In the first bar we have used four The second bar uses two minims/half In the third bar, we have used a Alternatively, we can fill an entire
crotchets/quarter notes, that are each notes, that are each worth two beats, combination of both crotchets and four-beat bar with a semibreve to get
worth one beat, to complete the four which will once again total the four minims to total the four exactly the same effect, as shown
beats needed. we are after. beats required. below in the fourth bar.
01 02 03 04
1. 2. 3. 4.
4
4
Timing in ukulele music

Get to grips with the rhythm of ukulele
By far the most common time signature when performing on ukulele
is 4/4, which can also be referred to as common time. This can be
found in vast amount of music and is extremely common when
playing in the pop or rock genre.
Remember that the uppermost four represents the number of
beats in a bar, and the bottom one the type of beat; in this instance
it is a crotchet. For this style then we have to perform four crotchet
strummed beats for each bar of music. Within the pop genre, the
music is usually phrased into recognisable sections, with an even
number of bars covering each section.
For example, a verse may last for eight bars of four beats, whereas
a chorus may only last for four bars. It is important to make sure that
you can identify the pulse when playing along with a song to help
maintain your timing. The first beat of each four will almost certainly
be recognisable and may even be accentuated in some way (possibly
with drums) to help you count. This means that you can concentrate
on playing the correct chord or strumming pattern without having to
worry about whether or not you are in the right place.
The ukulele is regarded by many as a folk instrument, and therefore
some of the songs that you may attempt will be associated with this
genre. Bands such as Mumford and Sons are associated with folk, and
this style of music can often use a more unusual 6/8 time signature.
This tells us that there are six lots of quaver beats per bar. This time
signature is quite recognisable by the feeling of triplets (where there
are three notes played into one beat) within the music. Structurally,
the music is similar to pop where you would expect to hear verses
and choruses, with maybe a middle eight or solo section.
Again, you would expect each section to have an even number
of bars, but counting the beats and staying in time becomes even
more crucial due the naturally fast sound of the music. You will need
to practice your strumming patterns slowly to make sure you have a
relaxed and even triplet feel, and not slip back into the more common
four in a bar feel associated with pop songs. With perseverance, you
will achieve an assured sound in no time.

Reading music
Interpret key
signatures
Explore the role of key signatures in music, learn why they
are needed and how to read them
K
ey signatures are shown at the beginning So, how do we work out a major key from the key For flats, you have to remember that F major has
of a piece of music and are either a signature? If there are no sharps or flats, it’s C major. one flat (B ). For all other key signatures using two or
series of sharps or flats. You will see a key For sharps, you must look at the last one in the more flats, the penultimate flat will tell you the name
signature immediately after the clef in a signature. If you move it one semitone up it will be of the major key.
piece of music, saving the composer from having to the first note and the name of the major key. The The penultimate flat in this example is a B. This key
add them after each required note. Key signatures example below is D major. signature is B major.
explain two things: firstly, the key the piece is in
and, secondly, which of the notes you play as either Last sharp
sharps or flats. The order in which sharps and flats
are placed in a key signature will always remain
the same. There are two mnemonics we can use
to help us remember these orders on a treble clef
##
stave. For sharps we can use:
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battles Penultimate flat

G
F
E
Changing to minor
#### #
D
It’s all relative
# #C
A B
The sound of the piece of music will tell you if it is
a major (happy) of minor (sad) key. You can work
out the name of the relative minor key to a major
relative minor will have the same key signature
as its major key. This example of C major shows
A as the sixth note, so C major’s relative minor is
key by looking at the sixth note of the scale. A A minor.
For flats we can use:
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
E D
B C
6th
1st
A
G F
“Key signatures
are shown at the
beginning of a piece
of music”
Keys Identifying key signatures
01 Key signatures
using sharps
Sometimes you might see a sharp (#) in the key
#4
signature. It will be either placed on a line or on
4
a space of the stave. This tells you to raise the
note by one semitone.
02 Key signatures using flats

Alternatively there may be a flat ( ) sign at the
beginning of the music. Again, this can either
4
be in a line or space, but this time you lower the 4
note by a semitone.
03 Adding naturals into

key signatures
You may see a natural sign ( ) in a key signature.
This happens most often when a piece of music
#4
changes key. This sign cancels either the sharp 4
or flat used in the previous key signature.
04 Using accidentals in a
piece of music
Some musical notes may contain either a sharp,
flat or natural sign in front of them that may be
#4
different from the key signature. This tells you to 4
change that note according to the sign.
Key signatures in action Here is a recap on what we have learned so far

###4
4 #
Key signature
A key signature A flat
will be found at Naturals A sharp A flat can be found
the beginning of a A natural sign will A sharp can be found in in both the key
piece of music or cancel either a a key signature or next signature or next to
can be changed half sharp or flat on a to a note and raises a a note, lowering it
way through note within a piece note by a semitone by a semitone
“A key signature appears immediately after

the clef in a piece”
Reading music
Rests and
repetition
Like most instruments, rests and repetitions are key to learning the ukulele.
Here’s some information and exercises to help you understand them
A
s with most instruments, understanding and still carry with them a rhythmic value instructing idea is to replay it in the same manner as you did
the basics and musical notation is key you on how long, or for how many beats, you need first time round. Often highlighted by two dots
when it comes to playing your ukulele. to pause for. This could be a ‘whole rest’ – which placed atop of one another at the end of a bar, if a
Two elements you’ll need to wrap your lasts for four beats, a ‘half rest’ – which lasts for two piece contains a single repetition then the whole
head around are rests and repetitions. Luckily, these beats – or a ‘quarter rest’ – which lasts for one beat. piece should be repeated from the start. If there
are relatively easy to understand. It’s important to ensure any and all sound ceases are others located at the start of a bar, then this
In addition to notes, songs may also contain when you see a rest note, including any sustain that indicates where the repeat should begin.
silences, also known as ‘rests’. When these occur the may ring out from your ukulele. After a while, and some practise, this will all
idea, as you may have figured out, is to play nothing Repetitions – although being a different become second nature and before you know it,
at all. In its simplest form it’s a musical pause. With instruction altogether – follow a similar concept. you’ll be noticing and responding to rests and
this said, though, rest notes are just that – notes – Directing you to repeat a sound or sequence, the repetitions like you would to any musical note.
Resting and pausing

How do these symbols work when you’re playing?
As with most pieces of music, it’s important to like the one on this page. Start by setting a As the rests appear at different points in the
take note of rests and pauses when they arise moderate tempo by tapping your foot for a count patterns, make sure you know when to expect
in order to either match the piece you’re trying of four. Then, when you’re ready, down-strum them and pre-plan for when you should take a
to play, or add a little something extra to the on the first note – in this case D7 – on each beat, break before starting the exercise. This will help
composition you’re putting together yourself. This making sure that you insert a pause as indicated. prepare yourself for what’s to come.
is even more crucial if you’re playing with others, From there, you can switch up to the appropriate Should you find yourself struggling with it,
especially if it’s a big band setup. chords as and when necessary, before ending decrease the tempo and start again until you
To get used to incorporating rests and pauses on G7 and holding that for a count of two. Then, find a pace you can work at. As you get more
into your playing style it’s all about practise, and keeping the same steady rhythm, start again from confident, increase it to what you consider to be
the best way to start is with a very simple exercise the beginning. an achievable level.
D7 G7
4
4
F G7 C G7
4
4
Decide upon a tempo and play each chord as a downstroke pausing for the rest notes as and when appropriate.
If it’s too tough to start with, stick with just the one chord until you feel confident enough to add in more.

Reading repetition in music
Follow this simple tutorial to understand what to look out for with repetitions
01 Learn the pattern 02 Observe the 03 Shake things up 04 Finish the song
Play the example for a count of four notation Once you are comfortable with the Using everything you’ve just learned,
focusing on just the C chord to start. The repetition signs at the start and pattern, try adding in a G chord on follow all the notation, including the
Maintain the same tempo and repeat end of the passage indicate that you the second and fourth beat as shown chord shift, in order to master the
the phrase from start to finish until have to repeat the pattern when you in the example below. Don’t forget pattern. Then, go right back to the
you’re comfortable with it. get to the end. Try this now. the repetition! start and play again from the C.
C G G
ª & ©ª ª & ©ª
What are rests? How to use

Sometimes in music we need times of silence. These are
represented by different symbols called rests
rests in music
You know what they look
There are several different types of like, but let’s use them…
rests. Each rest relates to its note Type of rest Note Length of rest
equivalent. This chart shows the In a piece of music, where the time
most common types. signature is 44 the rests in the chart to the
4 beats left can be used in this way:
“There are 01 Crotchet rest

Crotchet/quarter rest for one beat.
several 2 beats
different types 02 Quaver rest

Quaver/eighth rest for half a beat.
of rests. Each
rest relates 1 beat 03 Minim rest
Minim/half rest for two beats (note it sits
to its note above the line).
equivalent” 1/2 a beat 04 Semibreve rest

Semibreve/whole rest for one beat (note
this rests underneath the line).
01
03
4 04
4 02

Reading music
Introducing
musical scales
Discover what is meant by a scale and why practising scales can
become important to helping you perform music
S
cales in music are a series of notes that are
arranged into a specific sequence which
can be either ascending or descending.
The circle of fifths Major
#
They usually start and end on the same A visual and easy way of C
musically named note, separated by an octave (the remembering the key of a scale is F G
distance between eight musical notes). Scales will to use the circle of fifths. This circle 1 1# ##
follow a set pattern of either semitones (half-steps) shows the relationship between B 2
D A E 2 D
or tones (whole steps). The three most common
forms of scales are major (a happy sounding scale),
the 12 tones of the musical scale. To
work out how many sharps (#) or
G Minor B #
minor (a sad sounding scale) and chromatic (a flats ( ) a key signature should have, E ###
scale whose sound is ambiguous and is made up follow the circle clockwise; major
3 C F # 3# A
entirely of semitones). Learning scales on ukulele on the outside, minor on the inside.
is important for a number of reasons. It will enable For example, if we look at A major, A 4 F C# 4 #
you to learn your fretboard quickly, which will the key signature would have three E G# E ####
become very important when performing music in sharps (these being F, C and G). The
B
various keys. They will also help to strengthen your inside part of the circle shows us
5 D# 5#
D 6 6# B ## ##
fingers and increase their agility, which will improve the relative minor (orange letters); in #
your ability to be able to play solo passages. this case it would be F# minor. G F# ## ## #
#
Your fretting hand 2

3
0
Let’s look at where your fingers 1
should be placed…
1
When learning the ukulele you will
often find that the fingers of the fretting
hand are referred to with numbers. Each
4
of these numbers are used to visualise
where to place your fingers on the
fretboard of the ukulele. The indicated
2
number will be shown inside a coloured T
circle. 0 represents an open string.
3
“Visualise where to
place your fingers
on the fretboard of 4
the ukulele”

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NE

Everything you need to Play

Strumming techniques explained

Senior Art Editor

Distributed in Australia by:

Photography locations courtesy of: Southern Ukulele Store @ Music Is Life,

Ukulele for Beginners Second Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd

ISBN 978 1785 463 563

Getting started 28 Stretch to improve

10 Get to know your ukulele

12 Choose the right ukulele

16 Tune your ukulele

18 Hold your ukulele

20 Take care of your ukulele

22 Restring your ukulele

26 Warm up your hands

6 Ukulele for Beginners

66 Get to grips with recording

68 Play ukulele with others

70 Useful apps for ukulele

72 Useful sites for ukulele

Reading music 95 The major pentatonic scale

76 Read ukulele tabs

80 What is musical notation?

82 Introducing the staves

83 Notes and their values

84 Read musical notation Play in the style of...

86 Understand time signatures 104 Traditional Hawaiian

106 One Direction Get the big pop sound of 1D 126 The Smiths

108 Green Day Mimic their flavour of bratty pop-punk 128 Bob Marley

Ukulele for Beginners 7

10 Get to know your ukulele

Ukulele for Beginners 9

10 Ukulele for Beginners

Ukulele for Beginners 11

12 Ukulele for Beginners

“If you’re a guitarist looking to make

Concert Fret markers

“Arguably the most versatile of all

Hybrid ukuleles Neck

“The demand for weird ukulele

14 Ukulele for Beginners

“The baritone needs to

Relative tuning How to master relative tuning

01 Check the C string 02 The bottom string

03 The second string 04 The top string

16 Ukulele for Beginners

Software tuner plug-in Tuner apps

Ukulele for Beginners 17

Hold your ukulele

Correct hand Sitting with your ukulele

Rest on your leg

Are you sitting comfortably?

18 Ukulele for Beginners

Change the balance

Get the height right

“When finding the perfect height for your

Ukulele straps Clip-on tuners Felt picks

Ukulele for Beginners 19

Clean your ukulele

01 Loosen the strings 02 Clean around components

20 Ukulele for Beginners

Ukulele for Beginners 21