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1 | ʻUkulele Project No. 1

'Ukulele Blues and the First String

Peter Kun Frary

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In this lesson, you will learn the notes on the first string, study fingering principles, and play the ʻUkulele Blues. 

Kala Elite Doghair Tenor | ©Peter Kun Frary

Notes on the First String

Memorize your new notes:

Memorizing New Notes

• Speak the note names aloud as you play them on the ʻukulele.
• Look at the notes on the music sheet and say their names out loud.

Don’t write in note names or positions. Burn them into your brain by repetition.

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Notes or TAB?

Should you read notes or tablature? I recommend reading notes and using TAB to check note positions as needed. However, the choice is yours and you may read tablature and find the rhythm by peeking at the note or listening to the audio track. There will be a quiz on notes and rhythm, so at least learn the basics.

Next, study basic fingering principles.

Fingerings

Left-Hand Fingerings

How do you know which finger to use in a fret? Begin with this pattern: First finger in the first fret. Second finger in the second fret. Third finger in the third fret. Fourth finger in the fourth fret. The primary fingering principle is to maintain economy of movement and, thus, avoid needless shifting of the hand up and down the fingerboard.

Left-hand fingerings are often written above chord diagrams:

Right-Hand Fingerings

To play single notes passages such as melodies and scales, alternate between two fingers. Thus, in the C major scale below, pluck the notes by alternating between the middle and index fingers (m-i):

If you prefer, you may also use the thumb to pluck melody and scale notes.

Kala Elite 3Koa | Photo courtesy Kala Brand Music Co.

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Study Question 1. What is the name of the note on the fingerboard diagram? [answer]

Study Tips

What is Melody?

Melody is an expressive sequence of notes and the salient component of a song. For example, the tune you sing in the shower is a melody. Still not sure what melody is? Watch this video for details.

ʻUkulele Blues

Your first piece, ʻUkulele Blues, is written in staff notation (notes), tablature and chord symbols. Learn the melody first, the part in notes and tablature, before practicing the chords. As indicated above, play the melody notes by alternating strokes between the middle and index fingers (m-i) or by using the thumb.

• Practice until the melody is smooth and aligned with the beat.
• Spend extra time spot practicing problem areas.
• Take a break after thirty minutes to avoid sore fingers and mental fatigue.

ʻUkulele Blues | Playing tips and melody demonstration by Professor Peter

Play the Melody

Practice the melody of the ʻUkulele Blues until smooth and aligned with the beat. Read the music—don't merely copy the finger movements in the video. Play along with the audio track or video to help shore up your rhythm.

ʻUkulele Blues | Peter Kun Frary, 'ukulele

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Click for a direct link to the audio track.

Now that the melody of the ʻUkulele Blues is under your fingers, work on playing the background accompaniment—the chords.

Chords

The Role of Chords

Chords are a harmonic and rhythmic backdrop for the melody. Chords should be played softer than the melody, thus allowing the melody to sparkle and shine.

Simple Strum 4/4

There are three chords in the ʻUkulele Blues: D7, G7 and A7. Memorize their names and shapes. Don't just read the diagrams. Know what you are playing! When you're ready to practice the chords, use the Simple Strum 4/4: one thumb strum per measure on beat one: strum-2-3-4 | strum-2-3-4 | etc.

Simple Strum 4/4 | One strum per measure.

Once you can navigate the changes, you may wish to increase strum frequency to four strums per measure (Flat-Four Strum). When no chord is written above a measure, continue playing the prior chord.

ʻUkulele Blues Chord Strum Demo and Tips

Practicing Chords

First, trim your left-hand fingernails as short as possible. No amount of practice will overcome buzzes and muffled tones caused by long fingernails.

If a chord is difficult to finger, spend time practicing the individual chord:

• Form the chord shape in the air and hover it over the strings.
• Drop the chord shape onto the strings.
• Do the above repeatedly until it becomes a reflex.

Place all the notes of the chord at once, rather than one finger at a time. Staggered placement creates delays.

If a chord transition is difficult, practice switching back and forth between the two chords until smooth.

ʻUkulele Blues | Peter Kun Frary, 'ukulele

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Click for a direct link to the audio track.

Download | ʻUkulele Blues

Answer

The note is C.

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Vocabulary

A, B, C, D, fingerings

©Copyright 2021-26 by Peter Kun Frary | All Rights Reserved

Preface	Technique	Music Reading	Project 1
Project 2	Project 3	Project 4	Fingerboard Chart