ukulele - saskatchewan middle years association · in the 18th century most stringed, fretted...

Grade 7-9 Arts Education

Ukulele Everything you need to know....

Ukulele �1


Ukulele Origins

The history of the Ukulele is slightly unknown as there is no accurate beginning point for the instrument in question. The following information may not be entirely accurate, but we have tried to piece something together that will inform you about this wonderful little creation.

The history of the ukulele starts in Europe. In the 18th Century most stringed, fretted instruments had already been around. Instruments such as guitars and lutes had been around for quite some time already and the smaller “cousins” were used, mainly, by sea-faring musicians. In Portugal, the guitar had shrunk down to become a “machete” (pictured beside). The instrument retained the figure 8 shape of it’s larger brothers and sisters, though, making the smaller size redundant.

In 1878, the Ravenscrag set off for Hawaii with some Portuguese cabinet makers on board. The market for this furniture was low, as the population of Hawaii was largely poor and agrarian. This being the case, the furniture makers started to create instruments for the people. The one that took hold the most was the machete.

The truth behind the mythology of the instrument - where it obtained its name, the tuning (GCEA) and “my dog has fleas” is somewhat mysterious. What is true is that the instrument became big with

Ukulele �2


the Hawaiian Royal Family and the Hawaiians had become firmly attached to the instrument, thus making is the “Hawaiian” instrument by the start of the 20th Century.

After the US annexed Hawaii, the new owners were keen to sell it on to mainland America as a dream tropical island.

Their big push was the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915. Their show included plenty of ukulele music and instrumentalists. The showing featured Jonah Kumalee’s brand of ukulele. This sparked the ukulele boom. People often associated ukulele with a mythical island getaway.

The instrument began its move away from being purely Hawaiian and became such a big part of music making that, by the 30s, most piano scores featured ukulele chord diagrams. Thanks to Ukulele Ike, the Ukulele image turned almost 180 degrees to begin being associated with jazz and blues.

Wall Street, the centre of New York City’s Financial District, collapsed in 1928, pushing the instruments popularity in the US.

Ukulele �3


Meanwhile, the ukulele in it’s louder form, the Banjolele, started growing in popularity in the UK. The biggest star of this era was George Formby, whose banjolele strumming was the most recognizable sound of the Second World War. WWII gave the ukulele the push it needed to pop back up at home, with soldiers bringing souvenir ukuleles home. Soon after, Hawaii was re-joined to the US and the instruments were mass produced in plastic form.

For a large part of the 90s, alternative music was dominated by traditional guitar bands. Reactionary to this, the first decade of the 2000s saw a growing acoustic alternative scene using more unusual instrumentation. Two huge trends that brought the ukulele back to popularity were the expansion of the internet and huge amounts of imports from China and the East. The internet has put ukulele music in front of people and created growth in people wanting to pick up the instrument. More people are playing the instrument for their own enjoyment.

Credit: https://ukuguides.com/information/very-brief-history-of-the-ukulele/

Ukulele �4


The parts

Ukulele �5


But…how do I play?

Playing the ukulele is really easy, but you have to make sure you set yourself up properly! Please always remain seated when playing your ukulele unless otherwise instructed. If you are not playing your ukulele, it can either rest on your lap or on a desk in front of you.

Let’s pick up our ukulele! Your left hand will hold the neck of the ukulele. This is the hand that will hold most of the weight of the ukulele.

Your right arm should be away from your side and your right hand should be placed on the bottom of the ukulele, but your hand should be able to reach the strings comfortably. If you are to move your wrist up and down - you should be able to strum. This arm also holds the ukulele against your body.

When playing the ukulele your left wrist should never be bent. You want your fretting arm to be relaxed and you want your wrist to be straight from your elbow to your hand. The picture here shows how your wrist should not be for extended times. Occasionally, for certain chords, you will have to bend your wrist similar to this. I do not recommend it for long periods. If your wrist hurts: STOP!

Ukulele �6


Your first chords

You are ready now to learn your first four chords! These chords will serve as the backbone to your musical journey on this instrument. Remember, it’s only going to be as easy as you make it for yourself. Music is easy, if you put in the time you will get a return.

To begin playing these chords we need to number off our fingers. The numbers are listed on the hand diagram next to this text. Take your left hand and turn it to have the palm facing you.

When you are learning to play your chords, you must read the chart as though the left edge is the TOP of the ukulele. The numbers on the dots represent which finger presses on the strings. Place your finger between fret bars, not on the fret bars.

Ukulele �7


Strumming the Ukulele

Strumming the ukulele can seem scary at first. I promise you, if you follow these steps you will have a successful chance at strumming with good technique and good sound.

1. Create a fist and keep your elbow near to your side. You should always bring your hand to your instrument, never manipulate your instrument to come to you.

2. Your wrist will strum for you. Your right hand index and middle finger nails will strum the strings.

3. You should just have to move your hand up and bring it across the strings. You do not want to hit them with too much of your finger, or you will hear a “clunky” sound when you hit the strings.

4. Practice going down and using your nails and then coming back up using the pads of your fingers. It should always be those two fingers strumming the strings.

5. Practice the strumming patterns included in this book (page 15) for some extra practice. You can strum on open, or chorded strings.

6. In the following songs, the choruses will be bolded text. The chords marked above words indicate where you change!

Ukulele �8


You are my Sunshine C C

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

F C

You make me happy, when skies are grey!

F C

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,

C G C

So, please, don’t take my sunshine away.

C C

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

F C

I dreamed I held you in my arms

F C

But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

C G C

So, I hung my head and I cried

Ukulele �9


I’m Yours C

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it

G

I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted

Am F

I fell right through the cracks and now I’m trying to get back

C

Before the cool done run out, I’ll be giving it my bestest

G

And nothing’s gonna stop me but divine intervention

Am F

I reckon it’s again my turn, to win some or learn some.

C G Am

So I won’t hesitate no more, no more

F C G Am F C

It cannot wait, I’m yours

Ukulele �10


G

Well open up you mind and see like me,

Am

Open up your plans and dang you’re free,

F

Look into your heart and you’ll find love, love, love, love.

C G

Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing,

Am F

We’re just one big family, and it’s our God-forsaken right to be loved,

loved, loved, loved.

C G Am

So I won’t hesitate no more, no more

F C G Am F

It cannot wait, I’m yours

Ukulele �11


Tips and Tricks for Switching Chords

Are you having trouble switching between chords like C to G or G to F? Sometimes these switches can be tricky, as it means you have to adjust your entire hand. Here are some tips and tricks to learning to switch chords faster!

1. Start slow. Pick a slower tempo to work on your chords more effectively. It’s easier to gain the muscle memory at a slower speed and move it faster than to try and learn it quickly and have to slow it down!

2. Plan it out. Make sure you know, in your brain, where your hand it going. If you don’t have an accurate picture of where your hands/fingers are going on the neck of the ukulele, you will likely have trouble switching chords.

3. Use the chord diagrams! Some fingers can stay in one spot when you play certain chords (example, Am to F. Your middle finger can stay in one spot, and you can add your index finger to the fretboard). Noticing patterns will increase recognition of chords.

4. If none of these work, ask for help. These instruments can be tricky to learn. No one learnt how to play a ukulele, saxophone, piano or how to sing in one day. Doubtful you will be amazing at it the first time! I am here to help you, so let me help you!

Ukulele �12


Reading Music Notation

In this part of our course, we will be looking at learning how to read musical notation or the grand staff. Again, this can be tricky, but I will give you tips and tricks to help you with learning this!

Above is a grand staff. With a pencil, please follow along with the information I will show to you. You can write it however will help you remember! You can refer back to this sheet as often as you need! It is YOUR information!

Ukulele �13


Ukulele �14

Mark Sarnecki, Complete Rudiments


Strumming Patterns

So far we have only used one strumming pattern and it’s not the most exciting pattern out there. There are only a few patterns that you commonly hear in ukulele or guitar music. The first one we will be looking at is this:

To successfully play this pattern is tricky for beginners. It may be best for you beginners to pretend that your hand ALWAYS goes down on the beat. Your hand should always stay in motion when strumming, even if your finger doesn’t brush against the keys.

Ukulele �15


Practice Routine Practice and use this daily to improve!

Chord Changes - 5 minutes Work on the chord changes that you aren’t comfortable with. If

you’re struggling with a certain change, maybe focus on that one more. Try doing as many changes between two chords as you can - 60 seconds.

Fingerpicking - 5 minutes This is a good skill for this instrument, and guitar. It’s difficult at first,

but we will learn simple patterns to practice and, if you are persistent, you will be great! Pick a pattern and stick to it!

Strumming - 5 minutes Struggling with a particular strumming pattern? How about we use

this time to practice 4, or 5, strumming patterns! One minute for each pattern!

Songs - 5 minutes This is your chance to put all that work to practical use. Everyone

will enjoy playing songs that they have the skills to learn. Songs will combine your strumming, chording and picking skills but you will also

have something to show off in the end!

Credit for this modified information goes to ukulelego.com and the UkuleleGo Handbook

Ukulele �16

http://ukulelego.com


Playing Checklist Quick list to check if you’re set to go!

Are you sitting in your chair properly?

Are your ukulele strings good? Do you need new ones?

Is your ukulele tuned? Can you do it alone, or do you need help?

Are you holding your ukulele mainly with your left hand, and strumming with your right?

Did you do your 20 minute warm-up?

Do you have your music and a place to sit where you can work productively?

Ukulele �17


Ukulele �18

Not

e P

yram

id


Tablature What is tablature?

Tablature(tab) is a form of music for ukulele. Usually, when we read guitar, or stringed instrument, music, we will be looking at tablature. This music is formed by numbers on a set of four lines. Remember - music is like a language all on it’s own! You’re learning something new and need to give yourself time.

Much like when we looked at chord diagrams, this music shows us all four strings of the ukulele and is written with the top G string on the bottom. Yes, that’s right: you read this from the bottom up.

You will notice some of the numbers have stems or flags, much like actual music notes. This indicates the speed of the notes - are they half notes, quarter notes of eighth notes? Always check the spacing and the flags!

Reading it gets easier with practice! So, now is your chance to spend some time learning how to read this. I have a page of examples to look at. Go over each one at least 5 times. They are only one line each, so they won’t take long.

This is not your turn to start chatting with your partner. Please focus on the work provided!

Ukulele �19


Nitty-gritty: getting comfy with tab

When you start getting more comfortable with looking at tablature, you can start to recognize which combinations of numbers form chords we know! Take these for instance:

Can you tell which chords these are? We already know them! Once you start to recognize these chords as tablature you have opened up a new door to understanding guitar, electric/upright bass or many ukulele instruments.

If you’re still confused, the chords above are C, Am, F and G (in that order). Take your ukulele like you’re going to play it and move from shape to shape. Can you see the patterns? This happens ALL the time in tablature - if you can see the number patterns and recognize them as chords: you have gained an invaluable skill in reading tab.

Ukulele �20


More songs to learn and play! The songs that I have included in the next pages use the four

chords we have learned. Choruses are in bold and the songs are shortened for easier learning.

1. Africa - Toto

2. Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson

3. Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry

4. No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley

• This song includes a mini-history lesson

5. Can You Feel The Love Tonight? - Elton John (Lion King)

6. Hey Soul Sister - Train

7. Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey

8. Riptide - Vance Joy

The next two songs are written as TAB. You are to choose one of these songs and learn them from the tablature written.

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

2. Happy Birthday

Ukulele �21

All tabs are from various sources on the internet, ukulele-tabs.com, ultimate-guitar.com

http://ukulele-tabs.com

http://ultimate-guitar.com

http://ukulele-tabs.com

http://ultimate-guitar.com


C G Am

I hear the drums echoing tonight,

F Am G C

she has only whispers of some quiet conversa - tion

G Am F

She’s coming in twelve thirty flight, the moonlight winds reflect the stars

Am G C

That guide me toward salva - tion

G Am F

I stopped an old man along the way Hoping to find some old forgotten

Am G

Words of ancient mel - odies

C G Am F

He turned to me as if to say, “Hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you…”

Am F C G

Gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

Ukulele �22


Am F C G

There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

Am F C G

I bless the rains down in Africa

Am F C G

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

C G Am

The wild dogs cry out in the night

F Am G

As they grow restless longing for some solitary compa - ny

C G Am F

I know that I must do what’s right, sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus

Am G

above the Seren - geti

C G Am F

I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve

Become……[go to chorus]

Ukulele �23


Am F C G

Seems like just yesterday, you were a part of me

Am F C G

I used to stand so tall, I used to be so strong.

Am F C G Am

Your arms around me tight, everything felt so right.

F C G

Unbreakable like nothing could go wrong

F

Now I can’t breathe,

Am

Now I can’t sleep,

F

I’m barely hanging on…

Ukulele �24


Am F C G

Here I am, once again, I’m torn into pieces

Am F C G

Can’t deny it, can’t pretend. Just thought you were the

Am F C G

Broken up deep inside, but you won’t get to see the tears

Am F C G

I cry; behind these hazel eyes

Am F C G

I told you everything, opened up and let you in

Am F C G Am

You made me feel alright for once in my life

F C G Am

Now all that’s left of me, is what I pretend to be

F C G

So together, but so broken up inside [go to bridge]

Ukulele �25

one


Am F C G Am F C G

Go on and close the curtains, ‘cause all we need is candlelight

Am F C G Am F C G

You and me, and a bottle of wine to hold you tonight.

Am F C G Am F C G

Well we know I’m going away and how I wish, I wish it weren’t so,

Am F C G Am F C G

So take this wine and drink with me and let’s delay our misery

Am F C G

Save tonight and fight the break of dawn

Am F C G

Come tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll be gone

Am F C G


Am F C G


Ukulele �26


Am F C G Am F C G

There’s a log on the fire and it burns like me for you,

Am F C G Am F C G

Tomorrow comes with one desire, to take me away.

Am F C G Am F C G

It ain’t easy to say goodbye, darlin’ please, don’t start to cry

Am F C G Am F

‘Cause girl you know I’ve got to go, and Lord I wish it wasn’t so

Am F C G


Am F C G


Am F C G


Am F C G


Ukulele �27

C G


C G Am F

No, woman, no cry

C G C F

No, woman, no cry [x2]

C G Am F

Said: I remember when we used to sit

C G Am F

In the government yard in Trenchtown

C G Am F

Oba - obaserving the ‘ypocrites

C G Am F

As they would mingle with the good people we meet

C G Am F

Good friends we have, oh, good friends we’ve lost

C G Am F

Along the way

Ukulele �28


C G Am F

In this great future, you can’t forget your past

C G Am F

So dry your tears, I say and

C G Am F

No, woman, no cry

C G C F

No, woman, no cry

C G Am F

‘ere little darling, don’t shed no tears

C G Am F

No, woman, no cry

Ukulele �29


F C F C

There’s a calm surrender, to the rush of day

F C Am G

When the heat of the rolling world can be turned away

F C F C

An enchanted moment, and it sees me through

F C Am G

It’s enough for this restless warrior, just to be with you

C G Am F C G

And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are!

F C Am F G C

It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer, that we got this far!

C G Am F C G

And can you feel the love tonight? How it’s laid to rest?

F C Am F G C

It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best.

Ukulele �30


F C F C

There’s a time for everyone, if they only learn

F C Am G

That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn

F C F C

There’s a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors

F C Am G

When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours.

C G Am F C G

And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are!

F C Am F G C

It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer, that we got this far!

C G Am F C G

And can you feel the love tonight? How it’s laid to rest?

F C Am F G C

It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best! [x2]

Ukulele �31


C G Am F

Hey-ay, hey-ay-ay-ay, hey-ay-ay-ay

C G Am F

Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left-side brains…

C G Am F

I knew I wouldn’t forget ya, and so I went and let you blow my mind…

C G Am F

Your sweet moonbeam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream,

C G Am F

I knew when we collided, you’re the one I have decided is one of my kind

F G C G F

Hey, soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo?

G C G

The way you move ain’t fair you know!

F G C G F G G7 G C

Hey, soul sister, I don’t wanna miss a single thing you do-oo tonight

Ukulele �32


C G Am F

Hey-ay, hey-ay-ay-ay, hey-ay-ay-ay

C G Am F

Just in time, I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me

C G Am F

You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can’t deny

C G Am F

I’m so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest,

C G

I believe in you, like a virgin, you’re Madonna

Am F

And I’m always gonna wanna blow your mind

F G C G F

Hey, soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo?

G C G

The way you move ain’t fair you know!

Ukulele �33

F G C G F G G7 G C

Hey, soul sister, I don’t wanna miss a single thing you do-oo tonight


C G Am F

Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world.

C G Am F

She took the midnight train going anywhere.

C G Am F

Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit,

C G Am F

He took the midnight train going anywhere.

C G Am F

A singer in a smoky room, smells of wine and cheap perfume

C G Am F

For a smile they can share the night, it goes on and on, and on, and on

G F G C G C G C

Strangers waiting Up and down the boulevard

G F G F G C G C

Their shadows searching in the night

Ukulele �34


G F G F G C G C

Streetlight, people Livin’ just to find emotion

G F G F G C G C F

Hidin’ somewhere in the ni————————ght

C G Am F

Workin’ hard to get my fill, everybody wants a thrill

C G Am F

Payin’ anything to roll the dice just one more time.

C G Am F

Some will win and some will lose, some were for to sing the blues.

C G Am F

Oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on, and on, and on…

[GO TO Chorus]

Ukulele �35


Notes and Reminders

Ukulele �36


Ukulele �37


Ukulele �38

32 UKULELE STRUMS

I GOT THIS FROM UKULELEGO COM

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

ukulele - saskatchewan middle years association · in the 18th century most stringed, fretted...

Documents