Starting out on the ukulele - four chords to learn

Starting an ukulele is the first step to enjoying the qualities it inevitably will bring you. No, that's not right. The first step is to buy an ukulele. Go here, "Liana Soprano Ukulele LU132", and buy a quality instrument for under $100! Yep, in my opinion, you shouldn't spend more than that until you know you'll love it.

Now that you have an uke, welcome to the party. The one thing I was really excited about when I first bought an ukulele was how "simple" it was. That statement underestimates this instrument, but in all fairness, it doesn't take much to get started fooling around with one of these things.

Prior to learning any chords, I loved the sound of strumming the muted strings. Like a half-effort chuck. The sound of the muted strings resonating in the tiny body of the uke sounds so great to me. Every time I pick it up, I can't help but strum the muted strings just to get a feel once again.

The first chords I learned are the chords I play nearly every time I pick the thing up. C major, G major, A minor and F major. By learning those four chords, you can play almost all songs known in the current music industry. Here's a list of 10 VERY popular songs with the progression of those four chords:

1) Hey soul sister - Train
2) Dammit - Blink 182
3) Can you feel the love tonight - Elton John
4) I'm yours - Jason Mraz
5) Somewhere over the rainbow - IZ Kamakawiwo'ole
6) Love the way you hold me - Jamie Grace
7) Let it be - The Beatles
8) Under the bridge - Red hot chili peppers
9) Jesus of Suburbia - Green day
10) Four chords - Axis of Awesome - This one lists the rest of the songs not included in my list.

Of course, I couldn't help but write my own ukulele song in tribute of the four chord staple, so here it is.

Okay, you have a starting place. Learn those four chords and then the songs they are in. Don't forget to buy an ukulele. "Liana Soprano Ukulele LU132"

Peace out.

Weasel - Original song

I wrote a new song a couple days ago that I'd like to share. I call it "Weasel".

Original song - Figure me out

This doesn't quite fit my typical post on this blog, but wanted to share anyway. As posted a few days ago, I've been a little obsessed with writing songs lately. Here's the most recently added:

I love to hear any comments, etc. Thanks for watching.

Oh, and as always, though entirely unrelated, it's never too late to buy a ukulele. It's the most affordable and relaxing instrument you're going to find. Ready, GO! --> "Liana Soprano Ukulele LU132"

Fun duet - It ain't me babe

For anyone aspiring to become a good ukulele player, the biggest piece of advice I can offer is play with others! You can only go so far by watching other people play songs on Youtube, or taking video lessons, etc. In my opinion which is based on personal experience, the best way to learn and improve is to sit down with someone else and play. You seriously don't know what you're missing until you do it, and then you'll know.

However, if you're like me and don't have someone to play with on a regular basis, your next best option is to play with yourself.

Crap, this is beginning to sound like something very different than a music lesson.

Since I've been wanting to play a duet lately, but don't have the "du", I've had to clone myself. Here's my imperfect version of "It ain't me babe", originally written by Bob Dylan. My version is closer to Johnny Cash's take on the song.

Now you're thinking, "I want to play that."

Step one of course is to get a ukulele: "Liana Soprano Ukulele LU132".

Step two - chords and lyrics: http://www.azchords.com/

G               C      G             D          G
Go 'way from my window leave at your own chosen speed
G                   C               G       D       G
I'm not the one you want, Babe, I'm not the one you need.
    Bm                 Am                Bm              Am
You say you're looking for someone never weak but always strong
      Bm             Am               Bm               Am
To protect you and defend you whether you are right or wrong
    C                          D
Someone to open each and every door
             G
But it ain't me, Babe,
C       D            G
No, no, no, it ain't me, Babe,
         C         D       G
It ain't me you're looking for, Babe. 


Go lightly from the ledge, Babe, go lightly on the ground,
I'm not the one you want, Babe, I will only let you down.
You say you're looking for someone 
who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you, someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you and more 
But it ain't me, Babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, Babe,
It ain't me you're looking for, Babe.


Go melt back in the night, Babe, 
everything inside is made of stone,
There's nothing in here moving and anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone 
Who'll pick you up each time you fall,
To gather flowers constantly and to come each time you call
A love of your life and nothing more 
But it ain't me, Babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, Babe,
It ain't me you're looking for, Babe.