Fingerstyle Ukulele Part 1: Simple Ideas To Help Build A Solid Foundation 

Thank you!

I'll take it!

Cheers Andrew! Hope you're doing well.

Thank you!

Thanks. Yes, it would seem logical to use a finger per string, however, this would mean using maybe your weaker finger to play melody motes on the A string. The main reason though is that the thumb provides the rhythmic 'bass' (not really bass on the uke, but you know what I mean!) , alternating between the lower strings. If this were done with the thumb and index, it'll really be tricky to keep it solid AND add extra notes with the 2nd and 3rd finger. I also provides some separation between bass and treble, almost like left hand/ right hand on the piano (thumb doing the left hand part, fingers doing the right hand. This technique is based on the playing (on guitar) of people like Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Merle, in fact, only used the thumb and one finger (which I also often do). It's be worth looking at the playing of people like Del Rey and Adam Franklin who also play this way (Del was a big influence on me). As to when to use this or other techniques, I personally only play this way. I often use thumb/ fingerpicks, and only ever wear two fingerpicks, so I'm only ever using a maximum of 3 digits. More classical style players may well use more fingers, but probably wouldn't be doing the rhythmic alternating bass. Hope this helps!

@@PhilDoleman That helps a helluva lot actually, thank you for that! I remember, now that you mention it, that Merle Haggard played that way. And what you’re saying about trying to carry the upper notes with potentially the weaker finger (using the third finger)… well, that’s already proven to be pretty challenging for me! I think it’s my clarinet upbringing that wants to have a place for every finger, and a finger for every place. But I’m gonna try using the thumb for the G and C strings for a while and see how it goes. I’m also already seeing why everybody who gets into the ukulele seems to have more than one! It’s kinda hard to treat the G as a bass string if it’s not a low G. This could be my self-justification for getting a second instrument. :)

Hi, There are lots of instrumental tuition videos around, especially if you look for 'chord melody' or 'fingerstyle arrangement'. I have one or two for jazzier tunes, such as Moonglow (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A9d7qqH3gQ4.html). I don't personally do any tuition for more modern songs because, 1. I like the old tunes! and 2. copyright can be an issue. Check out TenThumbs Productions on RU-vid, there are lots of more modern popular songs taught with the melody being played.

Thanks John, I replied on the comment on my other video, but I thought I'd copy it here in case anyone reading finds it useful! There are quite a few books out there with nice arrangements. I have a blues fingerstyle book, and a ragtime one (both available as eBooks via my website), and there are great ones from Colin Tribe published by Schott, with English, Scottish, Irish folk tunes (Colin has written so many books)! Matt Stead at the Uke Room put out a book of fingerstyle jazz last year which is challenging, but has really arrangements. You might enjoy the books from Jumpin' Jim (James Hill's Duets for One, John King's Classical Ukulele and the Lyle Ritz jazz books). Oh, and check out Samantha Muir's classical books, too.

Really? I thought the opposite

Really? Nobody cares 😂😂😂​@@ignitore

@@richardsonribeiro770 as I usually answer: people like you are a shame for the culture, you prefer to insult instead of sharing knowledge. So go on you path, I'll take the opposite.

In the video those are Fremont Blackline, as that's what came on the uke. I've since put some of Christopher Davis Shannon's clear fluorocarbon strings which i really like. Other ukes have Aquilas or Worth brown strings on them... I'm always trying new ones 🙂

Thanks. It varies from person to person, but the real trick is to practise little and often. Every day for 20 minutes is better than all day once a week!

@@PhilDoleman, thank you... The same finger pattern?

@@angelahales1201 Whatever it is you want to learn, but yes it pays to keep at it until you get one solidly under your fingers. Once you have one, others will come much more easily.

@@PhilDoleman, thank you so much... Your lessons are very much appreciated

You can do exactly the same thing on an 8 string, as you play each pair of string together as if they were one string. 8 string ukes just have a bigger, fuller sound as each pair of strings is tuned to the same note (either unison or an octane apart). People will tell you you can't fingerpick an 8 string- they're wrong!

@@PhilDoleman Thanks Phil! your lessons are amazing! Best explanations anywhere!

Thanks, no this is my signature model soprano.

Sopraninho

Not typically in guitar/ banjo notation. The thumb is usually referred to as T and the fingers 1 to 3 (the little finger is rarely used). Sometimes they are labelled P I M A. P = pulgar (thumb), indice (index), medio (middle) and anular (ring).