BEGINNERS HANDBOOK

Table of Contents

Parts of a Ukulele 2 Types of Ukuleles 3 How to Hold a Ukulele 4 Strings and Tuning 5 Strumming 6 Reading Chord Diagrams 7 How to Read Strumming Patterns 8 Chord Chart 9 Ukulele Resources for the Beginner 11

Revised 3.23.18 Parts of a Ukulele

2 Types of Ukuleles

The Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles are usually tuned G C E A. The Baritone ukulele is tuned like the top four strings of a guitar, D G B E.

3 How to Hold a Ukulele

Hold the ukulele against your chest with your right forearm relaxed across the top right edge of the soundboard. The neck of the ukulele should be between your thumb and index finger with the thumb comfortably on the back of the neck.

4 Strings and Tuning

The G string is the one closest to your chin. The G string is also referred to as the 4th string.

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Buy a tuner! Tune your ukulele by plucking the string and turning the corresponding tuning peg until your tuner shows the string is in tune. The types of tuners shown here will clip to the headstock of your ukulele. They will light up green in the top center of the dial when the string is in tune.

5 Strumming

Start out with a loose fist.

Strum with the index finger of your right hand, fingernail side down. When out Strum down, you should be hitting the strings with your nail. When you're strumming up, with the fleshy tip of your finger.

6 Reading Chord Diagrams

G C E A

The numbers under the chord diagrams indicate the fingers you should use when forming the chord. See picture above to match the numbers with the corresponding fingers.

7 How to Read Strumming Patterns

“d” down strum “u” up strum “-” missed strum “x” muted string

An Upper case letter means emphasize.

The number over the letter shows the beat it falls on.

1 &2&3&4& d u dududu

8 STUDENT UKULELE CHORD CHART “g c e a” Standard Tuning

C C7 Cm Cm7 Cdim Caug C6 Cmaj7 C9

Db Db7 Dbm Dbm7 Dbdim Dbaug Db6 Dbmaj7 Db9

D D7 Dm Dm7 Ddim Daug D6 Dmaj7 D9

Eb Eb7 Ebm Ebm7 Ebdim Ebaug Eb6 Ebmaj7 Eb9

E E7 Em Em7 Edim Eaug E6 Emaj7 E9

F F7 Fm Fm7 Fdim Faug F6 Fmaj7 F9

9 Gb Gb7 Gbm Gbm7 Gbdim Gbaug Gb6 Gbmaj7 Gb9

G G7 Gm Gm7 Gdim Gaug G6 Gmaj7 G9

Ab Ab7 Abm Abm7 Abdim Abaug Ab6 Abmaj7 Ab9

A A7 Am Am7 Adim Aaug A6 Amaj7 A9

Bb Bb7 Bbm Bbm7 Bbdim Bbaug Bb6 Bbmaj7 Bb9

B B7 Bm Bm7 Bdim Baug B6 Bmaj7 B9

10 Ukulele: Resources for the Beginner

Materials Available at the Library

Ukuleles with tuners are available for checkout from the library. Search the library catalog for "ukulele" or ask a staff member for assistance. Anyone with a valid NWRLS library card may borrow a ukulele. The loan period is 3 weeks. Ukuleles may be borrowed from and returned to any NWRLS library location.

Print Books - The Daily Ukulele: 365 Songs for Better Living (2010) - 787.8 DAI - First 50 Songs You Should Play on Ukulele (2015) - 787.8 FIR - Ukulele Favorites for Dummies (2014) – 787.8 UKU - Ukulele for Dummies (2015) - 787.8 WOO

Ebooks at https://nwrls.overdrive.com/ - Ukulele for Dummies - Hal Leonard Ukulele Method, Book 1

Online Resources

Chord Charts - Student Ukulele Chord Chart, http://www.ukalady.com/Images/UkeChart.pdf - Ukulele Chord Chart for Absolute Beginners, http://www.learntouke.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2013/03/Ukulele-Chord-Chart-for-Absolute-Beginners-from-Learn-To-Uke1.pdf - Left-handed Ukulele Chord Chart for Absolute Beginners, http://www.learntouke.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2013/03/Left-Handed-Ukulele-Chord-Chart-for-Absolute-Beginners-from-Learn-To- Uke1.pdf

Free Song Websites (with ukulele chords) - Bruce Watson, http://www.brucewatsonmusic.com/uke.html - Dr. Uke, http://www.doctoruke.com/songs.html - Richard G's Ukulele Songbook, http://www.scorpexuke.com/ukulele-songs.html - San Jose Ukulele Club, http://sanjoseukeclub.org/song_book.html - Vermont Ukulele Society, http://vtukes.webs.com/repertoire.htm - Ukulele Boogaloo, http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs.html

If there is a specific song you want to find, simply Google the title of your song with the words "ukulele chords."

11 Video Tutorials A quick Google search will easily find you thousands of ukulele tutorials. The ones below are just a few that are great for beginners and are completely free. You'll notice that there are different ways to strum the ukulele; some players use their index finger, some use their thumb, and some people prefer using a pick. Whichever you prefer is fine. Just play and have fun!

- Learn to play the ukulele in 5 minutes - Take it out of the box, tune it, learn to strum, and play some basic chords, http://ukuleleunderground.com/lessons/learn-to-play-the-ukulele-in-5-minutes/ (Chords: C, F, G7) - Easy Ukulele for Beginners: Lesson 1, https://youtu.be/d78xyol87iE (Chords: C, Am, F) - Easy Ukulele for Beginners: Lesson 2 Your First Strum, https://youtu.be/0_d0qv-uZ1g - Easy Ukulele for Beginners: Lesson 3 Your First Chord Progression, https://youtu.be/Y75A9jQ6mtM (Chords: C, Am, F) - Easy Ukulele Songs: "Twist and Shout," https://youtu.be/O2cKtv09ozE?list=PL9D63E589FD1B4F7F (Chords: C, F, G7) - Ukulele Mike: "You Are My Sunshine," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnA3T8uuuoY (Chords in this song: C, C7, F, G7) - Ukulele Mike: "Octopus' Garden", https://youtu.be/dTMW1HvbVQA (Chords in this song: C, Am, F, G7)

Area Ukulele Groups

Ukulele players tend to be a friendly bunch of people! If you are interested in playing with like-minded ukulele lovers contact a local group. Practice locations tend to change, so it is recommended that you contact the group to confirm.

- Ukulele Social Club (Panama City) Meets at the Bay County Public Library on the first Saturday of the month from 10 – 11:30 AM Central. Beginners are always welcome! Call for more information, 850-522-2109. - Tallahassee Uke Jammers (Tallahassee) http://www.facebook.com/tallahassee-uke-jammers-347759911911583 - Ukulele Orchestra of the Forgotten Coast (Port St. Joe) Meets every Tuesday at 10 AM Eastern First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall 1001 Constitution Drive, Port St. Joe - Ukulele Orchestra of St. Andrews (Panama City) Practices most Wednesday from 6-8 PM Central See Facebook Page for location. https://www.facebook.com/ukes.standrews1/

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