Tonight you belong to me - ukulele tutorial

Here is a quick tutorial of the classic "Tonight you belong to me".

It's catchy, it gets stuck in your head, and then you have to learn how to play it. I hope this helps! I enjoyed learning it, and equally as much playing it!

How to play Rhythm of Love - Plain White T's

I am a big fan of Plain White T's really enjoyed learning this song: Rhythm of Love. It's fun, it's easy to play, and it's just all around a good time. Here is a walk through of the song, followed by the chords I use to play a simple version of it.

http://youtu.be/ZzhiJrw-Th8 

INTRO: 

|G---|--D-|
|G---|--D-|

VERSE 

G                                      D
My head is stuck in the clouds

G                                   D

She begs me to come down

         Em         D       C           D

Says, "Boy, quit foolin' around"

D                G                                      D
I told her, "I love the view from up here

G                                          D

Warm sun and wind in my ear

        Em         D              C

We'll watch the world from above

         D               G  

As it turns to the rhythm of love"

CHORUS:

               Em   C       G
We may only have tonight

               Em        C              G

But till the morning sun, you're mine

B7  Em

All mine

            D       C

Play the music low

      D                             G

And sway to the rhythm of love

VERSE 2
G                            D

My heart beats like a drum
   G                         D

A guitar string to the strum
   Em         D            C           

A beautiful song to be sung

D            G                              D

She's got blue eyes deep like the sea
G                                             D

That roll back when she's laughing at me
      Em   D              C

She rises up like the tide

      D                             G

The moment her lips meet mine

CHORUS

            Em   C      G

We may only have tonight
              Em          C             G

But till the morning sun, you're mine
B7  Em

All mine

            D       C

Play the music low
       C              D            G

And sway to the rhythm of love

BRIDGE
B7            C           G        D

When the moon is low
B7            C           G        D - A

We can dance in slow motion

C                D

And all your tears will subside

C             D             G
All your tears will dry

VERSE 3
G                  D
Ba ba (ba ba ba ba) 

Em             D               C

Dum da da dum da da dum.

G                              D

And long after I've gone
G                              D

You'll still be humming along
Em                 D             C

And I will keep you in my mind
       D                            G

The way you make love so fine

CHORUS

            Em   C      G

We may only have tonight
              Em          C             G

But till the morning sun, you're mine
B7  Em

All mine

            D       C

Play the music low
       C              D            G

And sway to the rhythm of love

            D        C

Play the music low

      C               D            G

And sway to the rhythm of love

          C                   D              G
Yeah, sway to the rhythm of love

G   D   G

Ukulele tutorial: Amazing Grace

A campfire song we can all hum along to; Amazing Grace. I have put together a quick tutorial of how to play this song. Enjoy!

Ukulele tutorial - Taking Back Sunday's "Cute without the E"

Here is a tutorial of how to play Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team) by Taking Back Sunday on the ukulele.

This was requested by someone, and was not a song I would have pictured to be popular on the ukulele, but who can argue? I mean, in many ways the song can carry more meaning from the uke because it's quieter, and a little more, oh what would be the best word? Intimate? Passive-aggressive? Rather than in your face rock-n-roll!!

Whatever the case may be, here is my tutorial:

Many of my lessons reference a variety of ukulele chords. You can get a grasp of all of them here: Hal Leonard Ukulele Chord Find (Google Affiliate Ad)

Ukulele Tutorial: Neon Trees "Everybody Talks"

I consider myself to be a mainstream, pop-punk listener. I feel that I should have shame in mentioning this, because the whole reason to like punk music is to be counter-cultural, against all authority, etcetera, etcetera. Popular punk is an oxy-moron. It's true.

Spoiler alert, I'm a pop-punk fan. The fact is, I like music that's rockin', but I also like music that follows a formula, has good singers, etc, and today's song definitely fits that mold. 

Neon Trees is a fun band; their songs are great, they have a lot of character and I'm going to be honest, I've got a thing for female drummers. She is fantastic.

Today's song tutorial is "Everybody Talks" by Neon Trees, although everyone probably recognizes this song from "...It started with a whisper!!!" 

Take a look at the tutorial video.



Structure of the song:

Count is 4/4, which means that a bar is four counts (yeah, like that makes sense). I will describe a bar as |----|. So if I say |D---|, that means play D for one bar. Simple. D for two bars is |D---|----|.

Strum pattern: up, down/up, chuck, up, down/up, chuck. Down strums are on the odd count (1 and 3) and up strums are on the even count (2 and 4). If this is too complicated, stick to a shuffle strum: down, up, down, up, down, up, down, up.

Intro: |D---|D---|D---|----| for 3 bars, then hold for one bar.

Verse: D 2 bars, G 2 bars; repeat three times. A for three bars then hold one bar.
|D---|----|G---|----|
|D---|----|G---|----|
|D---|----|G---|----|
|A---|A---|A---|Hold---|

Chorus:
|D---|----|G---|----|
|A---|G---|D---|----|
|F#m---|----|G---|A---|
|D---|----|


Second verse: Same as first, only two rounds of D and G.
|D---|----|G---|----|
|D---|----|G---|----|
|A---|A---|A---|Hold---|

Chorus

Bridge:
|G---|----|D---|----|
|G---|----|A---|----|

Solo:  Hold D for 8 bars.
|D---|----|----|----|
|D---|----|----|----|

Third verse:
|D---|----|G---|----|
|D---|----|Hold---|

Chorus

Outro: (everybody talks, everybody talks)
|D---|----|G---|----|
|A---|G---|D---|----|

|D---|----|G---|----|
|A---|G---|D---|----|

I'm confident this makes no sense. I'm also confident if you're in my brain, it does. Good luck and hope this helps!

Side note: this follows a very common song formula, not only in the progression, but the entire formula of the song. If you figure out how these chords interact, you'll conquer many, many songs out there.

Ukulele Tutorial - Leaving on a Jetplane

I think if you are going to learn an acoustic instrument like a guitar or ukulele, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" is a must know song. Maybe I'm crazy, and was brought up in a folk song-singing family (which I was and likely am), but it just seems to be common knowledge.

I attempt to show you how to play this song in the key of C as well as G. That gives you a little variety in how to sing at your own pitch, as well as get a grasp of how some chords interact with each other (C,F,G versus G,C,D).

Ukulele Tutorial - Del Shannon "Hats off to Larry"

Who has even heard of "Hats Off To Larry "? It was popular a long time ago, and is not so much now. But it's a super fun song to play and sing, so you're welcome.

Of course, Del Shannon was better known for his song "Runaway", but this one is pretty good too. The message is rather bitter, but sometimes that's how break-ups feel.

To play along with the actual song, a capo is necessary on the second fret. But for my own purposes, I don't worry about it.

Am           G
Once I had a pretty girl,
    F               E
her name it doesn't matter
    Am              G
She went away with another guy,
F                      E
now he won't even look at her

E

A                  C#m
Hats off to Larry, he broke your heart
D                                  Dm
Just like you broke mine, when you said we must part
A           A7             D            Dm
He told you lies, now it's your turn to cry cry cry
A              E               A  D A E
Now that Larry said goodbye to you

E
I know this may sound strange
F
I want you back, I think you'll change
G                             C   E
But there's one thing I gotta say

A                     C#m
Hats off to Larry, it may sound cruel
D                               Dm
But you laughed at me, when you said we were through
A           A7             D            Dm
You told me lies, now it's your turn to cry cry cry
A              E               A  D A E
Now that Larry said goodbye to you

Am G F E  Am G F E

A                     C#m
Hats off to Larry, it may sound cruel
D                               Dm
But you laughed at me, when you said we were through
A           A7             D            Dm
You told me lies, now it's your turn to cry cry cry
A              E               A  D A E      A
Now that Larry said goodbye to you. . . . to you

Ukulele Tutorial - "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show

Here is a quick tutorial of "Wagon Wheel " by Old Crow Medicine Show. A great song for beginners, and a fantastic song for an acoustic instrument. And though it isn't the world we live in, I always like to encourage folks to support your artists and buy their music. Okay that's all.

If you want to play consistently with the song, you'll need a capo on the second fret. However, I don't think it's that necessary.

Should you prefer to sing in a different key, you can use the progression C, G, A minor, F

Lyrics/Chords

G                        D
Headed down south to the land of the pines
        Em                   C
And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
G
Starin' up the road
            D         C
And pray to God I see headlights

  G                         D
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Em                      C
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
          G
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
      D             C
I can see my baby tonight

   G                   D
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Em              C
Rock me mama anyway you feel
G   D     C
Hey, mama rock me
G                     D
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Em                  C
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
G   D     C
Hey, mama rock me

G, D, Em, C
G, D, C

G                     D
Runnin' from the cold up in New England
      Em                         C
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time stringband
   G
My baby plays the guitar
D              C
I pick a banjo now

        G                            D
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me now
        Em                       C
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
      G
But I ain't a turnin' back
   D                    C
To livin' that old life no more

   G                   D
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Em              C
Rock me mama anyway you feel
G   D     C
Hey, mama rock me
G                     D
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Em                  C
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
G   D     C
Hey, mama rock me

G, D, Em, C
G, D, C   2x

G                    D
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
           Em
I caught a trucker out of Philly
      C
Had a nice long toke
    G                           D
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
   C
To Johnson City, Tennessee

      G                   D
And I gotta get a move on fit for the sun
          Em
I hear my baby callin' my name
      C
And I know that she's the only one
    G
And if I die in Raleigh
   D                C
At least I will die free


   G                   D
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Em              C
Rock me mama anyway you feel
G   D     C
Hey, mama rock me
G                     D
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Em                  C
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
G   D     C           G
Hey, mama rock me

Ukulele tutorial - "1234" by Plain White T's

Here is a tutorial of a great song by the Plain White T's, a band I have a great respect for. The song: "1234". Fantastic. Click the link for a walkthrough of how to play it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oONQOFfKx5k

I always like to advocate for the artist in these cases. They are the ones who bring us the magic, and if you like what I've played, you'll much prefer what the Plain White T's have created. Buy their music!

Ukulele tutorial - I will follow you into the dark - Death Cab for Cutie

I heard this song several times, then decided to learn it.

So I actually listened to it and got a little misty eyed.  Silly boy. Super awesome song though. It's actually a really common progression, but in a less common key. I hope this video is helpful to those learning to play it.

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.

To the songwriters and bloggers

Throughout my life, I've always had a journal relatively handy. Though I may not write it one regularly, writing my thoughts translates into a form of meditation for my brain.

Tragically, I do not journal very often, and personally I don't count blogging as journaling. Whether I'm not allowing myself the time to do it, or I'm spending more time watching TV than trying to exercise my brain, I don't know. But there's always a part of me that wants to write a poem, or try to sort out the gobbly goop of random slop in my brain.

Earlier this year I embarked on a goal to learn 100 songs in 100 days on the guitar. It was fun because it gave me something to work on every day, but what I soon discovered after starting the goal was how uncomplicated so many songs actually are. I couldn't help wondering why I didn't write more songs myself. I had the capacity to write poems, as well as play the guitar. Why not just slap the two together?

Unfortunately I couldn't justify learning my own songs as a part of my 100 song in 100 day goal. No one would care, and I didn't have much time to devote to an unknown black hole.

But now those 100 days are over and the goal is officially complete. Here I am with a renewed energy for my creative capacity, but I'm still disengaged from sitting down and writing. Crap. Now what? It's not like I have tons of spare time in the day, and can just sit down and write whenever inspiration strikes.

But then I remembered one of my daily goals earlier this year; getting words on paper, every day. You don't know when creativity will strike, but you won't recognize it when it does if you're not writing anything down at all.

Two days ago, I found my most creative time of the day, and it happens to last about 10 minutes in the morning. I drive my wife to work and then come back home. I unbuckle my daughter out of her carseat and she spends the next 10 minutes using the inside of our car as a jungle gym. Meanwhile, I listen to NPR and drink my coffee. Lately though, I've pulled out my phone and have begun writing in the notepad app. Once the toddler is finished, I email my notes to myself and boom, words on paper.

Here is the song I wrote yesterday.

So for anyone out there who has a desire to write, but can't find the time, all you need to do is make it happen, maybe 10 minutes in the morning. If inspiration strikes, you're going to find you have a lot more time in the day than you thought.

Tribute to Mount St Helen's

I use Facebook. It's a funny network because your grandmother can see what you post, and provide all sorts of various feedback. If you have an awesome gramma like me, she'll tell you that your ukulele videos should be recorded while you're fully clothed in the shower. She also will offer suggestions for songs you should write.

I received a suggestion a few days ago, the anniversary of Mt. Saint Helen's erupting, titled: "where were you when the mountain blew?" As a northwesterner, this was a pretty big deal, even though I hadn't been born yet when it happened. I made a deal that I would write music if she wrote lyrics. Gramma's reply was "I was at the zoo, poo poo pa doo". 

It is late, but without further ado, "Where were you when the mountain blew"

Dream a little dream of me - ukulele and guitar

I wrote about this during my 100 song in 100 day goal, which happened to be song 89 of 100. This song is rad. What better way to say it.

Also, the chord progression was much more complicated than I expected. Here's my take on the song:

I've come to believe that there is no better time in history to learn anything than right now. You have at your fingertips every possible resource to learn how to do something. And the better news is that with the help of youtube, it's all free. After thumbing through 200 versions of this song, I was able to find proper instruction on how to play it. Searching for the chord progression, I was able to find it for the uke and the guitar.

The best resource I found to learn this song on the uke was at ukulelehunt.com, a far better resource than I will ever be. Go there. Click here for Dream a little dream's chords and lyrics.

Go out and get an ukulele. It's the best thing you'll ever do.

Leaving on a jet plane - Ukulele style

There are a handful of songs that everyone should know. On day one of owning an ukulele, I learned five chords: C, G, Am, F and D. The rest would come later.

In my excitement, I reached for a song in my repertoire that was easy to play, easy to sing, and that most people enjoy. It's "Leaving on a Jetplane".

Here is my ukulele version of "Leaving on a Jetplane". I've little patience to sing slowly, and my excitement wouldn't allow me to play it's more classic speed. You may also notice that I can't recall the chords throughout the entire song. All in all, it's a fresh version of an old song. Enjoy!


For anyone interested in the chord progression of "Leaving on a jetplane", I use G, C, G, C, G, C. D.

Other equally simple progression can include, but are not limited to:

C, F and G
A, D and E
E, A and B

Depending on how high or low you sing, you're entitled to use whatever chords you like to play a song. You just have to find which chords go together.

Hope that helps. Have fun!