Oregon is becoming the hot bed of ukulele in the Northwest of USA. This makes there festivals in Oregon.

For an easy to remember link: UkuleleShows.com

Just like the name “Folk” or “Cowboy” chords have been associated basic open position chords that movie cowboy singers like Roy Rodgers and folk artist’s like John Denver played. The chords that jazz guitarists played came to be called “jazz” chords.

These jazz chords are simply chords. Typically 4-part chords like major sevenths, sevenths and minor sevenths . Although these chords appear more complex and use more of the guitar neck than the first few frets. These chords can be organized and learned like the basic chords one typically learns.

On guitar these “jazz” chords can be organized into four strings sets. And, four string set, with the most being strings set comprising strings 1234, 2345, 3456, 1235, and 2346. Using a C7 chord as your foundation or core chord – this gives you 20 voicings on guitar to learn. On ukulele one the 1234 string family is available, for four C7 chords – a little less daunting of a task. The number of chords to master as a jazz guitarist contributes to the mystic of “jazz” chords being hard to learn. Not really hard to lear, just a lot of them.

I hear it all the time with ukulele video lessons online, in workshop and other players. It drives me nuts! They call the “higher” stings to bottom on a ukulele. The higher strings produce higher pitches and are on the top of the music staff in standard music notation and to top lines in TAB.

Learning an instrument is tough enough.

What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a ukulele?. This ukulele lesson focuses on clearing up what these terms refer to and should refer too. Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not be related to gravity as we know it. Up and higher refers to the raising of pitch and down and lower refer to the lowering of pitch. Top refers to the upper note of a chord voicing or musical phrase and bottom the lowest note.

The only gravity, up – down reference that is appropriate when communication musically is, when referencing to strumming or picking. Then the normal down and up that we know works.

Here is the definitive answer to Which Way is UP?

The Three Words:There are three words commonly used in music that should be avoided – or at least redefined.

These words are Practice, Play and Rules.

Practice – This implies boring repetition. It’s uncreative and unproductive.

Play – This connotes casual fun – a frivolous, optional activity.

Rules -These are a rigid set of “laws” which must be followed.

I would suggest that the word Practice be replaced with the word Explore.

I would suggest that the word Play be replaced with the word Work.

I would suggest that the word Rules be replaced with the word Principles. Why?

When you explore music, it becomes fun and exciting. To explore is to discover!

Work in the music business is not like work in any other field. Most musicians feel blessed to make music their career. So work in this context is joyful not tedious.

The Principles of music hold the key to the development of your potential. Within these principles, there is unlimited opportunity to expand your creativity.

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)