Do you know that you can play melodies on your ukulele? Amazing Grace is a popular christian hymn. It doesn't contain many notes and it is quite easy to play on ukulele with the help of ukulele tab notation. Let's learn Amazing Grace! Here is the lyrics to the first verse: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found Was blind, but now I see We will start this ukulele lesson by introducing an ukulele tab notation suitable for article sites. If you want to play with the help of the more common ukulele tab staff notation you are welcome to visit my site. An ukulele can be tuned in many ways.
I usually tune my ukulele this way: G C E A This tuning is very common and is called C-tuning. A is on the first string with the highest pitch. Look at this ukulele tab example: 1/2 The first number indicates the fret to press down. The number after the slash tells you which string to play. In other words, press down the first fret on the second string. Play the note with your right hand thumb, for example.
We will start by playing the first part of the melody with these lyrics: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound 0/3 1/2 0/1 1/2 0/1 3/2 1/2 2/3 0/3 This ukulele tab notation doesn't indicate the rhythm of the song. As you know the melody and maybe can sing it I guess you will feel how long the notes should be. Let's continue with the next part of the melody and the song lyrics: That saved a wretch like me 0/3 1/2 0/1 1/2 0/1 3/2 0/1 3/1 What fingers should you use with your left hand? Well, it's a little bit up to you, of course! However, I recommend that you use your first finger for the notes on the first fret, the middle finger for the notes on the second fret and, you guessed right!, the ring finger for the notes on the third fret.
These fingerings will help you as you play in many ways. With one finger taking care of one fret each you will not have to look at your fingers as much as you will feel your way around on the fretboard better. Another reason is that you can keep your hand in the same position as you only need to move your fingers and not your left hand. This will help you a lot when you start to play more difficult melodies.
Using your ring finger might feel awkward at first but with persistence you will get used to playing this way and you will benefit from it even when you play melodies on a guitar. Let's look at the next ukulele tab: I once was lost, but now am found 0/1 3/1 0/1 1/2 0/1 3/2 1/2 2/3 0/3 We will now complete this ukulele tab melody: Was blind, but now I see 0/3 1/2 0/1 1/1 0/1 3/2 1/1 I hope you will enjoy playing this melody on your ukulele! I recommend that you learn the melody by heart by practicing one little part of the melody at a time.
Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your ukulele tab and learn to play ukulele resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com
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