Is the best place to play ukulele on a sandy beach? I think so. Likewise, overlooking the lake is a good spot to write about ukulele. In this epistle, I describe some of my favorite tips and techniques. There's no particular order to these tips. Some make things easier while playing. After all, aren't we all a bit lazy? Well, we should be.
First, if you have to play Bm, how many of you just fake it with Bm7 instead? Bm is one of the lesser used chords in the key of G. But I've found that Bm7 works just as nicely, and often adds bit of a jazz feel to the song. And it's just a simple barre at the 2nd fret.
If you're playing in the key of D, the usual chords in a three chord song are D, G, and A7. The usual open A7 is one of the easier chords. But there's an interesting alternative to the open 0100 fingering: 0454. Why is this fingering worth considering? In a three-chord song in the key of D, you're often changing from G to A7. With your fingers on G, A7 can be played simply by moving your fingers up two frets. That is, you keep the fingers in the same shape, but move from 0232 to 0454.
Those who know me know that I'm a big fan of the suspended chords. When you're playing one chord for a couple of bars, throwing in a suspended chord for one strum can provide interest and color to your song. And if you have G and D chords in a song, all the better since both sus2 and sus4 are easily reached when playing G and D. Csus4 (0013) is also easy. I often find that Cadd9 (0203) is an acceptable, and easier alternative to Csus2 (0233).
Now consider the dreaded E major chord. Many people play the barred 4447 form instead of 4442. That's a common short-cut, but I find it is often too high compared to other chords, especially if the other chords in the song are open chords. But consider, there's already an open E on the ukulele. Why don't the common chord charts list the open E major chord, 1402? We already play the open E7, 1202. Why is the 1402 fingering not well known? Unlike other open chords, it's not even an inversion. I suspect the reason is that, unlike other open chords, the 1402 has two identical notes side by side, and when played, it doesn't quite sound as full as other open chords where the identical notes are separated. The 1402 might not be the easiest fingering. But I think most people will find it easier than 4442.
What are some of your favorite techniques?
Cheers! Hans
Flip thumb over to play DMaj 2220. Can even make it a moveable chord and play EMaj 4442 with the first finger on the 2nd fret. That small neck makes for some very cool possibilities.
ReplyDeleteBuck: Are you outing yourself as a ukulele player? Or can you tune a viola the same as a ukulele?
ReplyDeleteSome people wrap their thumb over onto the G string. I don't do that. I finger the 2220 D with three fingers, leaving the pinky to make a Dsus4 (0230 or 2230), a D6 (2222), or a D7 (2223). The 4442 Dmaj is the killer for most people. Some put one finger across the G and C strings. Some use their thumb. I usually do it with one finger on each string. But another trick is to play E7 (1202) instead. In some songs, you can get away with E7 instead of Emaj.
I have a Makala uke. Wouldn't call myself a uke player exactly, but there is definitely a degree of self criticism that comes from being able to play pretty much anything I want on the viola by ear. I have to think about the chords I want to play on the uke, so that makes it seem (to me) that I'm still a journeyman. Which is OK. I like the uke better than the guitar, and I like the challenge of learning new finger memory. Learning new nomenclature is fun too!
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time with 3 fingers on one fret-space and I know exactly why that is. On the viola, one places one's finger precisely on the string to sound a given note. That is, mentally, there is one and only one place to put a finger; a few millimetres either way and it's the wrong note. On a fretted instrument there's this great big space where one can put one's finger and as long as the string touches the fret solidly enough, the note is correct. My fingers all want to go to 'the one right spot' rather than spreading out inside the space available. It's a tough habit to alter; more difficult that I'd imagined.
Chord substitution is the fun part about playing. Well, one of the fun parts!
Buck: If you can strum out a three-chord song on a uke, then as far as I'm concerned, you're a ukulele player. Welcome to the fellowship! I know other ukulele players who play a variety of instruments. One of the cofounders of the Corktown Uke Jam in Toronto also plays Cello, as well as a few other instruments. And technically, the ukulele is my 3rd instrument.
ReplyDeleteIf you're having trouble with the frets, don't fret - there are fretless ukuleles! (Albeit, not very common.)
Cheers! Hans
I don't need to get rid of the frets, I need to embrace them :-)
ReplyDelete