FREE Ukulele Beginners Packet


WHAT WE WILL COVER IN THIS CLASS:

PARTS OF THE
UKULELE:

Sound hole

Neck

Tuners

Frets

Nut

Bridge

Body

Strings

STRINGS OF THE
UKULELE

G (top)                #4

C                         #3

E                         #2

A (bottom)          #1


STRINGS OF THE
UKULELE

G (top)                #4

C                         #3

E                         #2

A (bottom)          #1

Your Left hand makes the chord shapes.

We number the fingers to make it easier

to learn how to play the chord.

The thumb is marked “T.”


Let’s make a C Chord:

Place your 3rd finger

          on the 3rd fret

              of the 1st string.

Your hand should look like this:

Congratulations! You just made your first chord!

READY TO LEARN ANOTHER CHORD?

Let’s make the F Chord
(This chord takes two fingers!)

Place your 1st finger (index finger) on the 2nd string of the 1st fret  —AND—

Place your 2nd finger (middle finger) on the top string of the 2nd fret

Now strum all four strings.
You just played the F chord!


READY TO LEARN ANOTHER CHORD?

Let’s make the G7 Chord
(This chord takes three fingers!)

Place your 1st finger (index finger) on the 2nd string of the 1st fret  —AND—

Place your 2nd finger (middle finger) on the 3rd string of the 2nd fret  —AND—

Place your 3rd finger (ring finger) underneath your middle finger on the 1st string of the 2nd fret.

Now strum all four strings.

You just played the G7 chord!


HOW TO STRUM YOUR UKULELE!

FIRST: STAY LOOSE!

Your Right hand

strums the strings
(Strum lightly)

Your Left hand

Makes the chord shapes
(Don’t squeeze too hard)

LET’S PRACTICE STRUMMING!
(D = Down strum)

D – D – D – D
1 – 2 – 3 – 4
D – D – D – D

You can strum down (D) and up (U)

D   U   D   U   D  U    D    U
1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &

A “patterned” strum example is called the Island Strum. It incorporates some “silent” strums (in red) along with strums that are played (in blue):

D U  D U  D U  D U
1 & 2 &  3 &  4 & 

The rhythm and sound of a given song tends to suggest its own strumming pattern, so learn to listen and strum accordingly. There is no wrong way to strum!


A “Time Signature” tells you how many beats are in each measure of a song, and what note value is counted as one beat.  This can help you with strumming patterns and rhythm. (Our songs do not always indicate the time signature.  If not specified, assume 4/4 time.) 

NOW IT’S TIME TO PLAY SOME SIMPLE SONGS

HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD

He’s got the [ C ] whole world in His hands,
He’s got the [ G7 ] whole wide world in His hands,
He’s got the [ C ] whole world in His hands,
He’s got the [ G7 ] whole world in His [ C ] hands.

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

[ C ] Row, row, row your boat
Gent-ly down the stream
Mer-ily, mer-ily, mer- ily, mer-ily,
[ G7 ] life is but a [ C ] dream

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy [ C ] Birthday to [ G7 ] You
Happy Birthday to [ C ] You
Happy Birthday Dear [ F ] (name)
Happy [ C ] Birthday [ G7 ] to [ C ] You!!

Why do we learn such simple songs? Practicing simple songs that you are familiar with helps you prepare for chord changes, keep rhythm (time) and learn how to change between chords more easily. When you have mastered these songs and these three chords you are on your way to playing any song you’d like!


Here are a few simple songs that our group plays often! Our entire catalog of songs can be found on our web site: www.mentoneukes.com and downloaded free of charge.