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Curt Sheller | All Things `Ukulele and Jazz Guitar

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Learning Ukulele

Learning Ukulele lessons available through Curt Sheller Publications

What level ukulele player are you? BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced

If you are not sure of your current level then visit the Determining Your Level page. It will help you determine where you are in your development.

toon_EyechartYou might be an intermediate player as far as chords go but a beginner for scales and improvisation. A great strummer but just starting to explore fingerstyle. So one level doesn't fit all players and/or all subjects.

This is where a experienced teacher can really help out. It's sometimes hard to evaluate where you are in your own development. A outside set of ears and eyes can help determine a good course of development, depending on your goals.

Teaching your self can be frustrating at times. One problem with going the self taught route is the glut of information available online. There is no one controlling the flow of information, no one to guide you from the basic foundation skills and knowledge needed to more advance concepts for any particular topic. Patience is paramount with yourself is crucial — there’s nothing in the world that someone hasn’t managed to learn, starting from right from where you are. And, it's probably written down somewhere, either in a books or online.

Advanced Single Note Fingering Drills for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL15b
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Developing finger strength and independence with a series of graduated single string exercises.

In this lesson expands basic single string drills using multiple strings.

Lessons Link

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Alternate Fingerings for F7

Lesson Code: UL118
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Alternate fingerings for F7 in C tuning. The same fingerings would apply to C7 in G tuning and G7 in D tuning.

These are taken from the Ukulele Chord of the Week lessons presented 2007.

Lessons Link

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Alterted Seventh Chords on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL102
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Beyond basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and a core set of 4-part chords. There are just too many chords shapes too memorize. Learning the principles of how chords are constructed and the ukulele fingerboard are the way to go. Yu can then create more advanced chords like 9#11, 7#5-9, 13b5, 7+9 on the fly as needed from your core set of chords.

Lessons Link

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An Introduction to Creating Solo Ukulele Arrangements

Lesson Code: UL125
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Creating a solo ukulele chord arrangement is as simple as harmonizing a melody by playing a chord that has the melody note as the top note of the chord. This style of playing is called Chord Melody or Melody and Chord. The hard part comes with - What chord voicing? When should I play a chord? When are single notes OK? And a few other issues usually pop up.

Luckily we don't have to wait for monster chops, a massive chord vocabulary or endless hours of practicing scales and chords to play the ukulele in this style. Although practice is a good idea and never hurts, all we need are a few chords and single notes to have hours of ukulele fun. What you already know can lead to hours of enjoyment.

Lessons Link

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Basic Open Position Ukulele Chord Chart

Lesson Code: UL700a
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A core set of basic chords that all Ukulele players should know in five common keys: C, G, D, A and E. In all common "dominant" seventh chords in every key.

Lessons Link

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Basic Open Position Ukulele Chord Chart for Lefties

Lesson Code: UL700b
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The Basic Open Position Ukulele Chord chart for Lefties. Common chords in five common common keys: C, G, D, A and E. In all common "dominant" seventh chords in every key.

Lessons Link

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Basic Single Note Drills for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL15
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Basic one, two, three and four note single string drills for ukulele for developing finger strength and independence.

It's critical a player develop the finger strength and independence to explore their full musical potential. By developing a great fingerboard hand, you will be able to explore more challenging musical situations.

To develop this great technique there is a series of graduated drills or finger gymnastics/exercises that allows you to play at higher and higher levels, as well as increase your comfort zone of usable technique.

Lessons Link

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Basic Ukulele Chords

Lesson Code: ULM40
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The art and sceince of chord fingering. Learning yuor basic open position chords in common keys.

Lessons Link

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Building a Solid Jazz Chord Foundation for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL103
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Beyond learning basic openposition ukulele chords. Most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. These more sophisticated voicings, commonly called jazz chords, find a wide use in all forms of music and styles. These 4-part chords are the bread and butter of jazz ukulele.

Lessons Link

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Chord Shapes and Learning Ukulele Chords

Lesson Code: UL40
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A chord shape is a function of a particular instrument and tuning. Know how chords are built and the notes can work on any instrument.

Beyond the basic open position chords and basic movable form chords (major, minor and seventh), one needs to learn how chords are created. Then you can build ANY chord you will ever need by moving or displacing a note or notes from the basic chords.

It's the notes that make the chord shape. And, there is no way one can memorize ALL chord shapes. Even memorizing a few hundred is impossible.

Lessons Link

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Chord Spelling - An Alternate Approach

Lesson Code: ML02
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The quickest and most directy way to determine the chord tones of any chord are to use the scale degrees of its major scale. For a major triad the chord tones are the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees of its major scale. For a minor triad you simply flat the 3rd.

For a C major chord the 1st, 3rd, and 5th of the C major scale (C D E F G A B C) are the C E and G. For C minor it's C Eb and G.

By memorizing one sequence of notes, your major scales and a few chord building rules we can learn to spell ANY chord.

Lessons Link

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Chord Substitution on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL80
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A chord substitution is when one chord replaces another chord or is used in addition to a current chord.

This lesson covers some of the underlining principles that are used to substutie one chords or a series of chords for another.

Lessons Link

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Classic Endings for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL03
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Two Feel, bVImaj7 bIImaj7, Basie Ending, Single, Double and Triple Tags, Chromatic, Take the 'A' Train Ending, Shave and a Hair Cut, Lawrence Welk Ending, . . . These are common songs ending that are used over and over in the standard song repetoire.

Lessons Link

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Common Ukulele Tunings

Lesson Code: UL101
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Any tuning is possible on a ukulele as long as the construction supports it and a string is available.

Here are the most common tunings for the Ukulele shown in concert pitch.

Lessons Link

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Comparing the High G and Low G, C Tunings

Lesson Code: UL14
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

There are benefits to exploring both C tunings. Good excuse to have more ukes -:)

Lessons Link

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Cool Ukulele Chords

Lesson Code: UL34
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Cool Chords - These are the chords that don't typically show up in chord dictionaries or song books. They might show up in software programs that produce chords based on some underlying computer algorithm.

These are the chords players ask, "What is THAT chord"?

Bennt Chong is a master of these chords.

Lessons Link

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Cool Ukulele Chords - A7

Lesson Code: UL131
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A cool chord is most likely a Free Form chord. A free form chord typically include open strings, wide stretches, displaced chord tones and or chord voicings. Plus they just sound cool.

Here is a cool sounding A7 chord.

Lessons Link

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Cool Ukulele Chords - F Sharp Minor Seven Flat Five

Lesson Code: UL133
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

F#m7b5 or F#half-diminished seven is a common chord in the key of G major and Em - especially Em.

Part of my Cool Chords series for ukulele, this chord is strange in that an alternate fingering produces the same notes, different TAB but the same notes. Comes in handle when createing melody and chord arrangements on ukulele and for shord improvisation.

Lessons Link

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Cool Ukulele Chords - G7

Lesson Code: UL105
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A cool chord is most likely a Free Form chord. These free form chords typically include open strings, wide stretches, displaced chord tones and or chord voicings. Plus they just sound cool.

Here is a cool sounding G7 chord.

Lessons Link

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Core Chords - Creating the Big Six from F7, 1st Voicing

Lesson Code: UL42a
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Taking a movable F7 chord, you can derive each of the 'big six' essential chords. 7, maj7, m7, m7b5, dim7, and aug7.

Lessons Link

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Core Chords - Creating the Big Six from F7, 2nd Voicing

Lesson Code: UL42b
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Taking a movable F7 chord, you can derive each of the 'big six' essential chords. 7, maj7, m7, m7b5, dim7, and aug7.

Lessons Link

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Core Chords - Creating the Big Six from F7, 3rd Voicing

Lesson Code: UL42c
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Taking a movable F7 chord, you can derive each of the “big six” essential chords. 7, maj7, m7, m7b5, dim7, and aug7.

Lessons Link

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Core Chords - Creating the Big Six from F7, 4th Voicing

Lesson Code: UL42d
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Taking a movable F7 chord, you can derive each of the “big six” essential chords. maj7, m7, m7b5, dim7, and aug7.

Lessons Link

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Core Chords - The Big Six - Building a Solid Chord Foundation

Lesson Code: UL42
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your 4-part chords. These chords commonly called jazz chords, are really just 4-part chords used in a wide range of musical styles.

The Big Six chords include: Seventh 7, Major Seventh maj7, Minor Seventh m7, Half Diminished Seventh or Minor Seven Flat Five diminished 7 (m7b5), Diminished Seventh o7 and Augmented Seventh +7. These six chords form a core set of chords.

Lessons Link

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Creating Introductions and Turnarounds for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL01
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Introductions are a composed or improvised piece of music that introduces - sets the stage for - a song or composition. Introductions, or intro for short, are used in all types of music. In this lesson, the focus is on introductions in contemporary music.

Intros can be various lengths but are typically four measures long. They are mainly harmonic in nature, using chords without a melody. Single notes and intervals can be added for melodic color.

Lessons Link

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Demystifying Cut Time by Chuck Anderson

Lesson Code: ML04
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Cut Time is a source of confusion for many musicians. What exactly does it mean and how do you apply it?

Too often cut time is thought of as having two beats in a measure. There are not two beats in a measure of cut time - there are four beats in a measure of cut time. So what makes cut time any different than common time 4/4 time?

Lessons Link

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Diminished Scale for Ukulele - C Tuning

Lesson Code: UL25b
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The Diminished scale is a symmetrical scale with a repeating pattern of whole steps and half steps. You only need to learn the Diminished scale in three keys to cover all 15 keys.

Lessons Link

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Dominant Seventh Chords?

Lesson Code: UL108
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Not all seventh chords are actually "dominant" seventh chords.

This lesson covers when is a Dominant Seventh Chord NOT really a Dominant seventh?

Lessons Link

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Ear Training

Lesson Code: ML03
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody and harmony.

Lessons Link

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Ear Training

Lesson Code: UL10
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Ear Training is the development of the active and passive capability to relate to music aurally. This includes the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic intervals, chords, chords progressions, rhythm, melody and harmony.

Lessons Link

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Enharmonic Equivalents

Lesson Code: UL19
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

An Enharmonic Equivalent is where a musical pitch can have different names depending on the context in which it is functioning. An example is G# produces the same pitch as Ab.

Enharmonic equivalents will sound the same but are notated differently using standard music notation.

Lessons Link

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Exploring Jazz Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL123
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Wikipedia defines Jazz as a musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions. The style's West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note.

At a minimum to explore jazz or contemporary music on a ukulele you need a core set of chords and scales. It's this foundation or core that you can build on.

This lesson contains links and resources for developing as a jazz ukulele player. And, a great overview of what is needed as far as chords, scale and the essential elements that are needed to explore jazz on a ukulele.

Lessons Link

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Fingering an Open Postion D Major Ukulele Chord

Lesson Code: UL111
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

There are several ways to finger an open position D major chord. Depending on the context of how the chord is being used one fingering might be better than another.

Lessons Link

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Fingerstyle - Travis Picking for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL113
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

This style of fingerpicking on guitar is called Travis Picking.

Travis Picking is a fingerstyle made famous by country guitar legand, Merle Travis. This style is commonly played on steel string acoustic guitars. Patterned picking is the use of "preset right-hand patterns" while fingerpicking, with the left hand fingering standard chords.

Lessons Link

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Fingerstyle Basics for Ukulele - Single String Exploration

Lesson Code: UL112
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Exploring 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 style.

Lessons Link

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Fingerstyle on Ukulele - Single and Multi String Exploration

Lesson Code: UL112a
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Exploring 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 for this style.

Lessons Link

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Four Finger, Single String Gymnastics for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL08
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

To play the ukulele effectively, your fingers need physical strength, agility, flexibility and coordination. This series of drills is designed to get your hands in shape. These exercises work no matter what style of ukulele you play or want to play.

Lessons Link

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Hearing the Changes

Lesson Code: UL127
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Hearing The Changes are knowing what and when the chords of a chord or chord progressions occur. this lessons gets you on the raod to developing this abaility.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures

Lesson Code: UL09
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

There is a load of information in traditional Key Signatures. Unlocking the principles in this circle leads to a better understanding of music and how think work.

A key signature is a series of sharp or flat symbols placed on the staff, designating the notes that are to be consistently played higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation. Each major and minor key has an associated key signature that sharpens or flattens the notes which are used in its scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - A Major and F Sharp Minor

Lesson Code: UL47
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for A Major and F Sharp Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - Ab Major and F Minor

Lesson Code: UL55
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Ab Major and F Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - B Major and G Sharp Minor

Lesson Code: UL49
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for B Major and G Sharp Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - Bb Major and G Minor

Lesson Code: UL53
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Bb Major and G Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - C Flat Major and A Flat Minor

Lesson Code: UL58
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Cb Major and Ab Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - C Flat Major and A Flat Minor

Lesson Code: UL58
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Cb Major and Ab Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - C Major and A Minor

Lesson Code: UL44
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - C Sharp Major and A Sharp Sharp Minor

Lesson Code: UL51
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for C Sharp Major and A Sharp Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - D Flat Major and B FLat Minor

Lesson Code: UL56
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Db Major and Bb Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - D Major and B Minor

Lesson Code: UL46
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for D Major and B Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - E Major and C Sharp Minor

Lesson Code: UL48
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for E Major and C Sharp Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - Eb Major and C Minor

Lesson Code: UL54
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Eb Major and C Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - F Major and D Minor

Lesson Code: UL52
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for F Major and D Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - F Sharp Major and D Sharp Sharp Minor

Lesson Code: UL50
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for F Sharp Major and D Sharp Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - G Flat Major and E Flat Minor

Lesson Code: UL57
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Gb Major and Eb Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - G Flat Major and E Flat Minor

Lesson Code: UL57
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for Gb Major and Eb Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Key Signatures - G Major and E Minor

Lesson Code: UL45
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the recognize the key signature for G Major and E Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale.

Lessons Link

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Learning Core Seventh Chords on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL119
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Beyond basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and a core set of 4-part chords. There are just too many chords shapes too memorize. Learning the principles of how chords are constructed and the ukulele fingerboard are the way to go. Then you can create more advanced chords like 9#11, 7#5-9, 13b5, 7+9 on the fly as needed.

Seventh chords are the chords that have the most possible variations. 9th, 11th, 13th, b5, #5, b9, #9. And, combinations of the same.

From these four core seventh chords you can build ALL your altered seventh chords. From these core seventh chords you can build ANY 4-part chord you will even need.

Lessons Link

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Learning The Blues Scale on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL13
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learn the Blues and Pentatonic scales on ukulele.

A practical approach to learning theses two essential scales using the Blues scale.

Scales like chords, are typically learned as shapes using chord grids, TAB or any number of methods. They show a fingerboard shape, what strings to play and possibly the fingers that are used to play the scale. But what are the names of the notes? What chords can I use them with? You are usually left to fend for yourself.

The five note Major Pentatonic and Blues or Minor Pentatonic scales are two of the most common scales used in contemporary music. This lesson focuses on the blues scale in the common key of D.

Lessons Link

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Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard (Finally!!!)

Lesson Code: UL07
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Finally learn the notes of you favorite ukulele tuning.

Most players struggle with learning the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard. There doesn't seem to a pattern and notes repeat. There is an easy way and...

...it's easier that you think!

Learning, really learning the notes of the neck is one of those break through moments in a musician's or player's learning that returns more bang for the buck. Well worth the little effort it actually takes.

Lessons Link

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Learning Ukulele Strums - A Recipe for Success

Lesson Code: UL11
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Learning Strums, A Receipe for Success covers how to go about learning the various rhythmic patters that are strums.

A strum is the execution of a rhythmic pattern - in a specific style at tempo.

Strumming requires a specific set of skills. They are: 1) Memorization of chords 2) The ability to switch chords smoothly and 3) The ability to choose and execute a suitable rhythmic strum.

This series of lesson's focus is on the execution.

Lessons Link

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Movable Ukulele Chords

Lesson Code: UL200
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A series of weekly ukulele lessons presented throughout 2009 on movable ukulele chords.

Beyond memorizing a core set of basic open position, a couple of movable form chords and a basic set of 4-part chords. You can't possibly memorize all the possible chord shapes available on the ukulele. You need to be able to create chords on the fly as needed. With a basic knowledge of how chords are constructed and knowing the notes of the ukulele fingerboard this is possible. So throw out the chord dictionaries, software programs and your chord charts and get started on REALLY knowing chords.

Lessons Link

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Naming Chords on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL20
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A Chord can have alternate names based on how it is being used. A chord's function is an important determining factor in naming a chord. So unless you know the harmonic function you might not be able to accurately name it.

Lessons Link

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Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

Lesson Code: UL23
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Standard music notation, the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for C tuned ukuleles. Covers both high C and low G tuning variations.

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Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the Ukulele Fingerboard - D Tuning

Lesson Code: UL106
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Standard notation - the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for D tuned ukuleles. Both high A and low A variations.

Lessons Link

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Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the Ukulele Fingerboard - G Tuning

Lesson Code: UL116
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Standard notation - the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for G tuned ukuleles. Both high D and low D variations.

Lessons Link

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Open Position A and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL71
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position A and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position A7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL85
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position A7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Am and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL78
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Am and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position B7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL86
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position B7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position C and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL73
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position C and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position C and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL73
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position C and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position C7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL87
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position C7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Cm and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL79
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Cm and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position D and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL76
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position D and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position D7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL88
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position D7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Dm and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL81
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Dm and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position E and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL77
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position E and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position E7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL89
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position E7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Em and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL82
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Em and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position F and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL74
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position F and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position F7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL90
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position F7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Fm and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL83
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Fm and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position G and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL75
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position G and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position G7 and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL91
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position G7 and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Open Position Gm and It's Movable Forms

Lesson Code: UL84
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Open position Gm and its movable form and variations.

Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords.

Lessons Link

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Playing Ukulele by Ear

Lesson Code: UL06
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A art of hearing a melody or chord progression (song) and reproduce it without needing the written music.

Lessons Link

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Practice Cycles and Sequences

Lesson Code: UL18
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Sequences and cycles for practicing scales, intervals, melodic sequences and arpeggios.

These sequences also help in learning where any interval is of a given note, the chord tones of chords and aide in memorizing scales.

Lessons Link

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QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Lesson Series

Lesson Code: QS01
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings are a highly organized, efficient system of scale and arpeggio fingerings. Each fingering pattern is shown with a fingerboard shape, TAB and standard music notation. Related chords are also explained for each scale. Master these fingerings and unlock your potential for solos and improvisation.

Lessons Link

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Reading Music on Ukulele Series

Lesson Code: UL300
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

This series of lessons will allow you finally, to check that Reading item off your music To Do list.

Learning to read standard music notation opens a world of music to you. Music notation is the Lingua franca of amateur and professional musicians alike.

There is a distinction between reading and sight reading. Reading is not as hard as you think with the right plan of attack. Especially on a ukulele.

Lessons Link

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Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation

Lesson Code: UL22
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

TAB or Tablature is a form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play.

Generally speaking, tablature is commonly used by informally trained musicians in folk, popular and rock music.

Lessons Link

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Selecting a Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL128
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lele) comes in four sizes: Soprano (sometimes called Standard), Concert, Tenor and Baritone. The Baritone is tuned just like the four thin strings of a standard tuned guitar and called "G" tuning (D G B E). The Soprano, Concert and Tenor is typically tuning in a "C" Tuning (G C E A) or "D" tuning (A D F# B). The Tenor can also be tuned like the Baritone ukulele.

Lessons Link

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Six Essential Scales for Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL04
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The six essential scale are: Blues, Major Pentatonic, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, and Ionian.

There are two scales that can be the memorized and all other essential scales referenced from these two. These two scales are the Major and Natural Minor scales. The Major and Natural Minor scales are traditional scales and common scales in all forms of contemporary music. This lesson explores the Major and Natural Minor scales and their derivations.

From these two scales the Blues, Major Pentatonic, Mixolydiand and Dorian scale can be created.

Lessons Link

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Standard Music Notation

Lesson Code: UL17
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Rather than do a complete lessons on standard music notation. Whay reinvent the wheel. There are lot of great resources online and books in music stores that already exsist.

However, here is a link to a greate pdf download from:.

Lessons Link

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The Learning Process - The Mind, Hands and Ears

Lesson Code: UL450
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

For music and learning an instrument like the ukulele or guitar, it's all about the making the connection between the Mind, Hands and Ear.

When listening to music, we enjoy it at the tempo the composer or artist intended, in real time. Only the ear is involved in listening. This is passive listening and enjoying the music. This is what we do everyday. It's what draws us to want to learn a musical instrument.

Lessons Link

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The Major Scale

Lesson Code: UL124
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The Major Scale or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do)", the "Do" in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

The simplest major scale to write or play on the piano is C major, the only major scale that does not require sharps or flats. The C major scale uses only the white keys on the piano keyboard.

Lessons Link

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The Trouble with TAB

Lesson Code: UL43
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

TAB, short for tablature is a form of musical notation using numbers and letters on a staff that that corresponds to the number of strings of fretted string instrument. Theses number tell a player which fret to place their fingers on rather than which pitches to play.

TAB has a history with lute music from centuries ago and has found wide use in the music publishing industry catering to the guitarist who can't or doesn't want to learn to read. TAB doesn't exist in mainstream music, primarily by some music magazines and on the internet.

Learning to read TAB can be accomplished in minutes. Learning to read standard music notation takes a little longer.

Lessons Link

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Transposing Chords

Lesson Code: UL05
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Transposition is the process of moving note, chord, scale or any musicial passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musicial score. This lesson deals with transposing chords. This lessons covers transposing chords.

With the supplied ukulele fingerboard chart and knowing thenames of any chord. You can tranpose a chords to different keys.

Lessons Link

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Tuning Your Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL02
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Various methods of tuning your ukulele. From tuning by ear to using an electronic tuner.

Lessons Link

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Types of Ukulele Chords

Lesson Code: UL114
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The types of chords possible on ukulele.

Open position chords, movable form chords, 4-part, a.k.a. jazz chords and free from chords.

Lessons Link

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Ukulele Blues, Example D

Lesson Code: UL122
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Major Quick Four Progression - Example D

From the book A Guide to Blues Progressions for Ukulele from A to Z

To break up the monotony of six measures of a I chord when the progression is repeated. A V chord is added to measure twelve turning the progression back to the I chord. A IV chord is added to measure two, returning to the I chord in measure three. This change is often referred to as aQuick Four change. A IV chord can also be added to measure ten.

Lessons Link

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Ukulele Blues, Example J

Lesson Code: UL121
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Diminished Seventh Passing Chord - Example J

From the book A Guide to Blues Progressions for Ukulele from A to Z

A common linking substitution is to use a diminished chord as a passing chord on beats three and four of measure six.

Lessons Link

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Ukulele Doodling - An Introduction to Scales and Soloing on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL107
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

An Introduction to Scales and Soloing on Ukulele using the C Pentatonic Scale

Licks, riffs, leads, spontaneous melodies, solos... In the guitar world, this is called Lead Guitar. In the ukulele world, we can call it whatever we want.

I call it Ukulele Doodling! Just as an artist can doodle around and draw whatever he or she fancies, we can do the same on ukulele. Anyone can have hours of fun just doodling around and exploring the ukulele's possibilities.

This lesson explores the Major Pentatonic scale and its related chords.

Lessons Link

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Ukulele Strums - Getting Started

Lesson Code: UL126
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A Strum is the execution of a specific rhythmic pattern, at tempo in a particular style.

Strumming requires a specific set of skills. They are: 1) Memorization of chords 2) The ability to switch chords smoothly and 3) The ability to choose and execute a suitable rhythmic strum.

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 these lessons.

Lessons Link

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Understanding a Ukulele Chord Diagram

Lesson Code: UL104
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The basic chord diagram as used for ukulele is explained.

Lessons Link

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Understanding Chromatic Intervals

Lesson Code: UL31b
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type.

Chromatic Intervals are NOT taken from a major scale. They are derived from the diatonic intervals.

Lessons Link

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Understanding Interval Inversion

Lesson Code: UL31c
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Inverting intervals using the Rule of Nine.

Lessons Link

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Understanding Intervals

Lesson Code: UL31
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

An interval is the distance between two notes. An interval has a name and a type.

Simple Diatonic Intervals are taken from a major scale.

Lessons Link

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Upper Partial Chord Tones

Lesson Code: UL109
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Upper Partials or extensions are the 9th, 11th, and 13ths of a chord. The 9, 11 and 13 can be altered chord tones depending on chord type: examples b9, #9, #11, b13.

Lessons Link

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Using Triads on Ukulele

Lesson Code: UL120
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Triads can be used harmonically, as chords and melodically, as single notes.

Triads are a great way to get started with creating solos and improvising.

These lessons explores using triads as a basis for creating melodies and improvising.

Lessons Link

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What is the different between a Scale and a Mode?

Lesson Code: UL110
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

A scale and mode can contain exactly the same notes. So when it is a scale and when is it a mode?

This lesson explores the content that determine when a scale is a mode.

Lessons Link

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Which Way Is Up? - Up, Down, Ascending, Descending, etc...

Lesson Code: UL32
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a ukulele? Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not to direction as we know it. Up and higher refers to the raising of musical pitch. Down and lower refer to the lowering of musical pitch. Top refers to the upper note of a chord voicing or musical phrase and bottom refers to the lowest note.

Lessons Link

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Whole Tone Scale for Ukulele - C Tuning

Lesson Code: UL25
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

The Whole Tone scale is a symmetrical scale with an equal distance been each note or scale degree. Each scale degree is a whole step from the previous. You only need two whole tone scales to cover all keys.

Lessons Link

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Your First Ukulele Chord

Lesson Code: UL117
Published: December 31, 1969
Updated: December 31, 1969

Lesson Info

Your first ukulele chrod is typically an open position C major chord. It's only one finger and ukulele players love to so this, the easiest, usable ukulele chord to new players. Especially someone coming from guitar where an open position C major is three fingers and not that easy as the first chord.

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