The Basics and Beyond!!! Take your playing to the next level.
The Internet's largest collection of information for ukulele and jazz guitar.
The right hand, for right hand players and left hand for left hand players, is responsible for getting the strings moving – No movement - no sound.
Strings can be plucked, picked, strummed and any combination of the same to get the strings moving.
Pick up your ukulele and finger a C chord. Nothing happens until you get the strings moving. Everybody sounds the same until they get the strings moving.
An interviewer once told the great guitarist, Chet Atkins. “That guitar sounds great”. Chet put the guitar down and then asked “How's it sound now?”
Initially my fingerstyle technique was limited to Bossa Nova style accompaniment using fingers. It wasn't until I started developing my concert repertoire for ukulele that I really started exploring legit fingerstyle technique. With 20 plus years as a private guitar, bass and ukulele teacher, and up to 60 students a week at times. I know the value of dedicated practice when it comes to learning specific instrument techniques.
SO I set out to explore fingerstyle and incorporate in to my playing repertoire.
Fingerpicking can be organized in to two styles:

Here are the common fingering notations I've encounter over the course of my studying ukulele and guitar.
Fingering for chords is typically expressed using arbic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and T for Thumb.
For the plucking hand, in fingerstyle, the Spanish classical names and what are commonly used in English are shown.
Spanish: p i m a, English: t i m r
If you're studying legit classical guitar technique the classical terms are what you will encounter. For all else I recommend simply using the english terms.
When playing all four strings, each finger can handle their own string. On ukulele it's a simple finger to string assignment, your thumb handles string ④, your index finger handles string ③, your middle finger handles string ② and your ring finger handles string ①. A simple one finger to one string assignment.
When playing any of the three, possible three string sets. You can use the thumb, index and middle fingers.
For the two string pairs any combination of t i mr is possible depending on the musical context
The final decision as to what fingering combination to use wil be a musical one. But it is definitely worth exploring all possible combinations.
So, one day I decided to finally get a handle on fingerstyle using my thumb and three fingers. I had developed my "travis" style fingerpicking, where you use your thumb, index and middle fingers. But not "legit" a.k.a. classical fingerstyle.
So, it was during a one hour drive home in a thunderstorm that I practiced, t i m r on the open strings of my Fluke ukulele, which was lying on the passenger seat. No chords, only did t i m r for one hour plus. I focused on getting a clean sound, even volume and tone. Starting S L O W and only after many reps did I increase the tempo. I only did t i m r for the whole hour, no other combinations. I then practiced accenting one of the strings in the sequence. t i m r, t i m r, t i m r, t i m r
There is only the thumb and three fingers to master. However the pinky can be can be developed to a high level as well.
There are only 12 possible two finger, single string combinations.
Example starting on the thumb (t), C tuning with a high G string four.
There are only 24 possible three finger, single string combinations.
There are only 24 possible four finger, single string combinations.
The pinky is typically not used in fingerstyle. With the ukulele only having four strings, the thumb and three fingers are enough.
For all practical purposes, single string fingerpicking can be mostly done with your thumb, index and middle fingers.
This video demonstrates the following exercises starting on t, your thumb:
A general practice question I get a lot is: How long should I practice?
My response is, "8 hours a day!"
Maybe you can't do 8 hours a day ;-). However, the secret, if there is a secret is to play your instrument everyday.
For these exercises / drills, explore each until they are second nature and you don''t have to think about what is involved.
Generally, you can't over practice this stuff.
There are several schools of though with regards to classical fingerstyle. Here is a collection of links and information I've been collecting during my research in to fingerstyle as applied to the ukulele.
The classical guitar technique is a fingerstyle technique used by classical guitarists to play classical guitar music on a classical guitar.
Fingerstyle guitar is the technique of playing the guitar by plucking the strings directly with the fingertips, fingernails, or picks attached to fingers, as opposed to flatpicking (picking individual notes with a single plectrum called a flatpick) or strumming all the strings of the instrument in chords. The term is often used synonymously with fingerpicking (although fingerpicking can also refer to a specific stylistic subset; see below). Music arranged for fingerstyle playing can include chords, arpeggios and other elements such as artificial harmonics, hammering on and pulling off with the fretting hand, using the body of the guitar percussively, and many other techniques.
Hybrid picking is a guitar-playing technique that involves picking with a pick and one or more fingers alternately or simultaneously. Hybrid picking allows guitar players who use a pick (plectrum) to perform music which would normally require fingerstyle playing. It also facilitates wide string leaps (e.g. from the sixth string to the second string, etc) which might otherwise be quite difficult. The technique is not widespread in most genres of guitar playing (though notable exceptions exist), but is most often employed by country and bluegrass flatpickers who play music which occasionally demands fingerstyle passages.
For fingerstyle Tuck goes over; Development of fingerstyle, The fundamentals of fingerstyle technique according to Tuck, Choosing which finger to use when playing single lines, How to use picking to improve fingerstyle
This is a great article on the benefits of developing string contact with the fleshy part of the finger before the nail. Explains why getting a good sound on nylon strings with a pick is so hard to develop.
The use of the nails of the right hand has been debated over the years starting with Fernando Sor who found the use of nails to be unnecessary. While his contemporary Dionisio Aguado felt that the nails were necessary to achieve speed and tonal variation. From Andres Segovia onwards the nail in conjunction with the flesh of the right hand fingers has become the accepted practice.
Regular and proper care of your nails is the single, foremost way to prevent them from breaking and requiring repair.(Everyday)
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Nail making and repair kit, includes: band of self adhesive silk, 2 tubes of resin, Nail file, needle and applicator stick. |
(from their site) - Richard Dwight "Rico" Stover (b. 1945, Clinton, Iowa) grew up in California where he attended Roosevelt High School in Fresno and later Fresno State University. He earned a degree in Latin American Ethnomusicology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1975. During his many years as a guitarist and investigator, he has lived in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
Savarez
Savarez S.A.
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APE : 363Z
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Fax : (0033/0) 4 37 40 32 10

Benefiting from the most recent discoveries, the classical guitar strings (three trebles strings made at first of plain gut and basses strings made of copper wound on silk (later on silver plated copper wound on silk)) have evolved into the use of monofilament nylon called plain nylon for the three trebles strings and of silver plated copper wound for the three basses strings.
( source: Savarez web site )
Here is a tenor uke string set that I've been using for years:
C Tuning, low or high G
( from StringBYMail.com ) The Savarez 540 HT Classic Series are noted for their long life. The basses are the brightest and most rigid of the Savarez basses. You can choose between sets paired with either Alliance trebles or New Cristal trebles. The Alliance trebles are made from a carbon fiber type material (fluorocarbon). They have a slightly thinner diameter than most other nylon trebles, are very smooth to the touch and are very bright and punchy. The New Cristal trebles are made from a blended polymer nylon and yield a warmer, richer tone than the Alliance trebles.
These are available as singles or a treble set from StringByMail.com
C Tuning, low G or D Tuning, low A
They now have ukulele strings.

Savarez ukulele strings for tenor ukulele. They are made of ALLIANCE KF composite fibers which represents a big advantage, improving the sound of the instrument and enhancing its colored personality.
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Pumping Nylon (Book and DVD) (The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook) Edited by Nathaniel Gunod, written by Scott Tennant. Instructional book and instructional video: DVD for classical guitar. With introductory text, instructional text, illustrations and standard guitar notation. Series: National Guitar Workshop. 95 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.20417) See more info... |
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Pumping Nylon (Book) (The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook) Edited by Nathaniel Gunod, written by Scott Tennant. Instructional book for classical guitar. With standard guitar notation, introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, musical examples and performance notes. Series: National Guitar Workshop. 95 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.7000) See more info... |
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Pumping Nylon (DVD) (A Guide to Classical Guitar Technique) Written and performed by Scott Tennant. Instructional video: DVD for classical guitar. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.20418) See more info... |
You can not have a web site with a classical guitar page and not have mention of the Andrés Segovia. Segovia IS responsible for the recognition that the classical guitar has today.
Andrés Torres Segovia, marqués de Salobreña (February 21, 1893 – June 3, 1987) was a Spanish classical guitarist, and later nobleman, born in Linares, Spain who is considered to be the father of the modern classical guitar movement by most modern music scholars. Segovia claimed that he "rescued the guitar from the hands of flamenco gypsies," and built up a classical repertoire to give it a place in concert halls. In recognition of his contributions to music and the arts, Segovia was ennobled June 24th, 1981 by the King of Spain (S.M. el rey Juan Carlos) who elevated Segovia into the first hereditary marquess of Salobreña, (formally styled, "El señor don Andrés Torres Segovia, marqués de Salobreña", i.e. the Most Illus. Lord The Marquess of Salobreña.) with the following coat of arms: "en campo de azur sobre ondas de azur y plata, unas rocas de su color, sumadas de una torre donjonada de oro, aclarada de azur."
Andrés Segovia (1893-1987) is considered to be the father of the modern classical guitar movement by most modern scholars.
Without Segovia's efforts, the classical guitar would not be where it is today.
(from classicalguitar.net) - Segovia had many students throughout his career. Among the more famous are Christopher Parkening, John Williams, Elliot Fisk and Oscar Ghiglia. These students, along with the many others, carry on Segovia's tradition, while at the same time expanding the classical guitar's presence, repertoire, and musical boundaries.
Here a few lessons that might be of interest to the topic and principles covered in this lesson.
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Fingerpicking - Alternating Thumb Style for Ukulele, FoundationThis lesson’s focus in on the alternating thumb style, commonly called Travis Picking in the guitar world. For guitar it’s an alternating bass note style with the thumb playing the lower, bass notes. For ..... ULFP117a: Published: April 9, 2012, 8:29 pm | Updated: April 26, 2012, 12:47 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb StyleIn this lesson we’re introducing the index finger four times to the alternating thumb pattern mastered in the Alternate Thumb Fingerpicking Style - Introduction. There is only one pattern in common or cut time. ULFP117: Published: April 10, 2012, 1:21 pm | Updated: April 26, 2012, 12:58 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 3/4 TimeApplying the alternating thumb fingerpicking style to 3/4 time. ULFP117l: Published: April 22, 2012, 8:33 pm | Updated: April 26, 2012, 12:56 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Ukulele, Lesson FiveIn this lesson we’re introducing the middle finger to the patterns mastered in lesson two. There are three possible patterns in common or cut time. ULFP117fT2L2: Published: April 10, 2012, 1:21 pm | Updated: April 22, 2012, 3:33 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Ukulele, Lesson SevenIn this lesson we’re introducing the middle finger to the fingerpicking pattern mastered in lesson four. There’s only one pattern in common or cut time. ULFP117hT2L4: Published: April 10, 2012, 1:21 pm | Updated: April 22, 2012, 3:31 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Ukulele, Lesson SixIn this lesson we’re introducing the middle finger to the fingerpicking patterns mastered in lesson three. There are six possible patterns in common or cut time. ULFP117gT2L3: Published: April 10, 2012, 1:21 pm | Updated: April 22, 2012, 3:32 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerpicking on Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Ukulele, Variations - Lessons TenLesson ten introduces variations of lesson nine the level II rhythmic syllables from Chuck Anderson's Modular Phonetic Rhythmic System. These patterns are part of a possible 36 variations. ULFP117k: Published: April 15, 2012, 9:23 pm | Updated: April 22, 2012, 3:28 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerstyle Basics for Ukulele - Single String ExplorationExploring fingerstyle on ukulele. This lesson covers the common terms used for identifing the fingers used. And, presents a series of single string exercises for exploring and developing the techniques needed for this ..... UL112: Published: January 2, 2005, 12:00 pm | Updated: March 9, 2012, 9:14 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Fingerstyle on Ukulele - Single and Multi String ExplorationExploring fingerstyle on ukulele. This lesson covers the common terms used for identifing the fingers used. And, presents a series of single and multi string exercises for exploring and developing the techniques needed ..... UL112a: Published: October 17, 2011, 11:16 pm | Updated: March 12, 2012, 8:13 pm | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
Ukulele String CombinationsAll posible ukulele string combinations.
These are used to developing your ukulele technique. UL26: Published: March 22, 2012, 10:19 am | Updated: March 22, 2012, 8:41 am | Author: Curt Sheller | |||
All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.
Learn a variety of strums and rhythmic patterns in wide range of musical styles.
One of the first skills a ukulele player learns is the art and craft of strumming, playing rhythm. This refers to an accompaniment technique suitable for the singer, singer - songwriter or someone who plays a support role for another instrument.
Strumming requires a specific set of skills:
It's this 3rd skill that is our focus in A Guide to Ukulele Strums and Rhythmic Patterns.
Though strumming looks natural to the casual observer, it is anything but natural to the beginning ukulele player. Even experienced players have difficulty in identifying and executing certain strums. Though this is one of those topics that is typically taken for granted, there is much to learn about rhythmic feels, accents, dynamics, strum direction, feel, percussive accents, idiomatic styles and tempo variation.
First and foremost, the subject of strumming is inseparably linked to rhythm. Though an ability to read rhythm is helpful, it's not necessary to profit from this material.
Each strum is identified with a term that differentiates it from every other strum. This term is typically called a 'feel'. Drummers learn these terms early in their studies so learning this language is not only helpful to learning the strums, it's also helpful with communications among musicians in general and drummers in particular.
The strums in this book work in any tuning or instrument. Chord examples shown for ukuleles in C tuning.
One strum is different from another based on the stroke direction, the stroke density, the subdivision of the beat and the accent pattern.
Strums covered include: Quarter Note, Sustain, Rock, Light Rock, 12/8, Shuffle, Power Shuffle, Double Time, Gallop, Flowing 3/4, Ska, Bass Note Patterns, 3/4, Reggae and Broken Patterns
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 78-1-60321-019-5 Published: July 2008 Pages 28
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, Second Edition is designed as a guide to ukulele chords. Covering the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. A Guide to Ukulele Chords covers movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and includes an introduction to 4-part, a.k.a jazz chords and more...
From a few core, basic chord shapes and a understanding of how chords are constructed. Your chord vocabulary can be dramatically increased without memorizing countless chord shapes. There are too many chord shapes to memorize.
This book will take the mystery out playing and understanding chords on the ukulele, whether it is a standard, concert, tenor or baritone ukulele in C tuning, low or high string four.
Tunings: C Tunings. Low or high string four variations.
Lefties of the world! Don't feel left out. There is a version for you: A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-047-8 Published: November 2011 Pages 50
This mini (1/2 size) chord books are the perfect size for every ukulele gig bag or case and a great addition to you music book library.
SPECIAL: $4.97 for Hard Copy This is the same price as the PDF download.
Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played.
Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.
Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-000-3 Published: March 2007 Pages 44
The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today.
Studying the blues chord progressions presented in this book will open a wealth of creative possibilities for exploring chord progressions in all styles of music, not just blues.
This volume covers the key of C major and C minor. Each example includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and its chord substitutions.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z starts with a basic three chord, 12 bar blues and progresses up to a sophisticated jazz blues with multiple chord substitutions.
All examples are shown in C and G tuning. Suitable for Soprano, concert, tenor and baritone ukuleles. Get through this book and you'll have a solid jazz chord foundation to build on.
Tunings: C and G. Low or high string four variations.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-4-1 Published: March 2005 Pages 80
Beyond learning basic Ukulele chords most players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords. Chord dictionaries are not the answer. Even chord theory does not offer any insight into unraveling the complexity of Ukulele chord voicings.
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele is your answer.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-8-9 Published: March 2003 Pages 70
Exploring Jazz Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
Building a Solid Jazz Chord Foundation using Seventh, Major Seventh, Major 6, Minor Seventh, Minor Sixth, Diminished Seventh, Minor Seventh Flat Five and Augmented Seventh chords.
Tunings: C and G. Low or high string four variations.
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-007-2 Published: January 2007 Pages 52
Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading principles presented in the book.
Tunings: C Tuning with a low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).
More info, samples, table of contents, audio, video and more...
ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-9-6 Published: January 2004 Pages 80
You'll need a copy of Adobe®: Acrobat® reader (version 3.0 or higher) to view or print the PDF file. If you don't already have a copy, or if you have an older version, you can get the latest reader for free from Adobe.
Lessons, TABS and Songs are intended FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
Portions of copy regarding particular songs is from WidipediA, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Thanks, Curt
AGCPUKE1 - UL112_FINGERSTYLE_BASICS_FOR_UKULELE.PHP | Updated: Saturday, 14th April, 2012 @ 08:54pm