Ccc ukulele packet

Chinese Community Church Ukulele Fellowship

Beginners Ukulele Packet March 2010

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PURCHASING A UKULELE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Sizes of ukuleles (from smallest to largest) 1. Soprano/standard 2. Concert 3. Tenor 4. Baritone (tuned like a guitar though) Buying Tips Try out the different sizes of ukuleles before buying one. Each person has a different build, so one size ukulele may feel more comfortable than another. The larger size is not necessarily made for taller people and vice versa. Try each of the sizes. Try other folks ukuleles.

Once you have a size picked out, listen to the tone. You may like a brighter tone vs. a warmer tone.

Plan on spending $70-110 for a good entry-level uke.

Accessories • An extra set of strings.

• A case to protect your instrument.

• A chromatic tuner (about $14.00) Page 2 of 13

WHERE TO PURCHASE A UKULELE

Online

http://stores.ebay.com/Musicguymics-Room http://www.ukulelesource.com/index.html http://www.elderly.com/ http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ http://www.music123.com/ http://www.guitarcenter.com/ http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/

Stores Guitar Center – Sacramento Klein Music – Sacramento Skips Music – Sacramento Ukulele Source – San Jose

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Keys and Chord Progressions Most common keys in ukulele tunes are G, C, F, D Most common chord progressions in popular music are: • 1-4-5-1 • 1-4-2-5-1 • 1-6-4-5-1 If you can play these chord progressions (and their variations) in the four common keys, you can play along with hundreds of popular tunes!

A chord progression in a tune may not fit exactly one of the above, but it may be a close variation.

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1-4-5-1 Chord Progressions G C F D

G-C-D7-G C-F-G7-C F-Bb-C7-F D-G-A7-D

1-6-4-5-1 Chord Progression G C F D

G-Em-C-D7-G C-Am-F-G7-C F-Dm-Bb-C7-F D-Bm-G-A7-D

1-6-2-5-1 Chord Progression G C F D

G-Em-Am-D7-G C-Am-Dm-G7-C F-Dm-Gm-C7-F D-Bm-Em-A7-D

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The chart below shows the chords used in the common progressions. Examples: • The ‘1’ chord in key of F is the F chord.

• The ‘5’ chord in key of G is the D7 chord.

K E Y

F C G D

Chord/Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 Major Minor Minor Major Dominant 7 Minor F Gm Am Bb C7 Dm C Dm Em F G7 Am G Am Bm C D7 Em D Em F#m G A7 Bm

Transposing: Changing the key of a tune Example: Change a tune from key of C to key of D 1. Determine the chord number of each chord in the tune in the original key, i.e., C, F, G7 chord are the ‘1’, ‘4’ and ‘5’ chords in key of C. 2. Replace the original chord with the same chord number in the new key, i.e. new chords (‘1’, ‘4’, ‘5’) are now D, G, A7 in key of D. Keep the same chord types in the new key, i.e. minor chords in old key stay minor in new key, dominant 7 chords in old key stay dominant 7 chords in new key.

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How to use a metronome in practice 1. Start at 60 bpm on metronome.

• Strum each chord once every 4 beats.

• Then move to strumming once every 2 beats.

• Then move to strumming on every beat.

2. Make sure every notes sounds clean, without buzzing.

3. Find the weak spots, e.g. fingering a D7 chord does not sound clean, or moving between D chord and Bm chord is not comfortable. Devote extra time to practicing the weak spots.

4. When you are comfortable at 60 bpm, then increase to 65 bpm, then to 70 bpm, etc.

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Common Progressions - Key of G 1-4-5-1

1-6-4-5-1

1-4-2-5-1

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Common Progressions - Key of C 1-4-5-1

1-6-4-5-1

1-4-2-5-1

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Common Progressions - Key of F 1-4-5-1

1-6-4-5-1

1-4-2-5-1

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Common Progressions - Key of D 1-4-5-1

1-6-4-5-1

1-4-2-5-1

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COMMON CHORDS – page 1

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COMMON CHORDS – page 2

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