Beginningukuleleworkshop Ebook
Beginningukuleleworkshop Ebook
Beginners Book 1
Meet at the
Romers Arms
Newnham
Daventry
NN11 3HB
Every Tuesday
Beginners @07:00 pm
Everyone else @07:30 pm
If you would like to find out more about Dukesukes.
www.dukesukes.co.uk
01/10/13
What are the bits of a ukulele called?
Tuning a ukulele
You always want to make sure your ukulele is tuned up before you start playing.
The easiest way of tuning is with an electronic tuner. There are two different types
of these one has a microphone the other clips on and picks up the vibrations of the
strings as you strum them. Playing as part of a large group the clip on type is easier
and more accurate.
The standard ukulele tuning is G C E A as shown on the picture to the left. With
new strings these will need retuning frequently as they stretch. A cheap ukulele
can be made to sound much better if you replace the strings, Aquila are a popular
choice but ask other members what they use. If you need any help with restringing
please ask there will plenty of people that will gladly show you how.
To start you will probably be sitting down to play your ukulele, this is
perhaps the easiest way to play. It allows you to rest the bottom of
your instrument on your leg. To get a good sound it is best to have as
little contact between your body and the ukulele as possible without
dropping it Your forearm should press the ukulele to your body,
taking care to keep clear of the strings. The neck rests in the crook of
your hand between your thumb and first finger.
Strumming
So now we need to get some sound out of your ukulele. Strumming is usually
done with the nail of the forefinger on the down strokes and the pad of the finger
on the up strokes. Many people use their thumb but this can stop you doing
some of the more advanced strumming later on. Unlike a guitar where you strum
over the soundhole a ukulele is strummed on the neck somewhere above where
the body and neck join.
It’s important that you keep a steady rhythm, tap your foot as you strum, down is
your down stroke and up your up stroke, how easy is that?
There are some simple strumming patterns at the back of this book.
Chords
All of the songs in this songbook use the same layout. Within the lyrics
you will see which chord you will be playing eg; [C] the box on the right
of each page will have the chords used in the song. The diagram shows
the fret board as if you were looking at your ukulele by holding it in
front of you. The dark bar is the nut and the 4 vertical lines your strings.
The red dots show you where to put your fingers.
There are three ways for you to improve your playing and they are
1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice
Sorry there is a fourth and that’s to come along on a Tuesday night to The
Romers Arms in Newnham but you must also follow steps 1-3 as above
Websites to visit
All of the songs contained in this book are for personal use only and
many have been simplified for playing at our regular club nights
He's got the whole world in his hands
Traditional 1927
Song
1
Cockles and Mussels
Traditional - James Yorkston 1884
CHORUS:
She [F] died of a fever, which [C] no-one could save her
And [F] that was the end of sweet [C] Molly Malone
Now her [F] ghost wheels her barrow, through [C] streets broad
and narrow
Crying [F]"Cockles and mussels a[C]live, alive [F] oh"
CHORUS:
Song
2
Jambalaya
Hank Williams 1952
Intro: [C]x8 [F]x2
Chorus :
[F]Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet [C]gumbo
For tonight, I'm a-gonna see my ma cher a [F]mie-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be [C]gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the [F]bayou
Chorus:
Song
3
We All Smell Good On Sunday
Benny Martin
Count in – 1 2, 1, 2, 3,
[F]Oh we stay out late every Saturday night, have a hangover on [C]Sunday
Daddy say's don't do that way cause you ain't worth a damn on [F]Monday
We work hard the whole week long, so we can make a little bit of [C]money
When Saturday comes we bathe in the creek, so we all smell good on [F]Sunday
[F]Ah the country girls they work hard too,takin' in the washin' and the [C]ironin'
They rub holes in ole washboards, patchin' holes in the [F]darning
Fellas there's one thing that's a buggin' me, on a skinny day up in [C]funday
I never see pretty girls down at the creek, but they all smell good on [F]Sunday
Song
4
Clementine
Traditional
Light she [F]was, and like a fairy, and her shoes were number [C7]nine
Herring boxes without [F]topses, sandals [C7]were for Clemen[F]tine.
Chorus:
Chorus:
Ruby lips [F]above the water, blowing bubbles soft and [C7]fine
But alas, I was no [F]swimmer, neither [C7]was my Clemen[F]tine.
Chorus:
In my [F]dreams she still doth haunt me, robed in garments soaked in[C7] brine
Then she rises from the [F]waters, and I [C7]kiss my Clemen[F]tine.
Chorus:
Song
5
What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
Traditional
Chorus:
[Dm] Way hay and up she rises
[C] Way hay and up she rises
[Dm] Way hay and up she rises
[C] Earl-aye in the [Dm] morning
Song
6
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
Traditional
[Dm] Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, [A7] Jericho, [Dm] Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho ....
And the [A7] walls came tumbling [Dm] down
Chords used
[Dm] You may talk about the men of Gideon in this song
You may brag about the men of [A7] Saul
But there's [Dm] none like good old Joshua
At the [A7]battle of Jeri[Dm] cho ... [A7] Oh ...
[Dm] Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, [A7] Jericho, [Dm] Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho ....
And the [A7] walls came tumbling [Dm] down
[Dm] Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, [A7] Jericho, [Dm] Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho ....
And the [A7] walls came tumbling [Dm] down
Song
7
She’ll be coming round the mountain
Traditional 1800’s
[G7] She’ll be [C] coming round the mountain when she comes (toot toot)
She’ll be coming round the mountain when she [G7]comes (toot toot)
She’ll be [C] coming round the mountain
She’ll be [F] coming round the mountain
She’ll be [C] coming round the [G7] mountain when she [C] comes Chords used
in this song
Chorus:
V2 She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes (whoa back)
V4 Oh we’ll all go down to meet her when she comes (hi! Babe)
V5 Oh we’ll kill the old red rooster when she comes (hack hack)
V6 O we’ll all drink apple cider when she comes (glug glug)
V7 Oh we’ll all have chicken dumplings when she comes (yum yum)
V8 She will have to sleep with grandma when she comes (snore snore)
V9 She will wear a flannel nightie when she comes (scratch scratch)
Chorus:
Cuz [C] I got a brand new combine harvester, An' I'll give you the key
Come on now let's get together, In perfect harmony Chords used
[F] I got twenty acres, An' you got forty-three
in this song
Now [C] I got a brand new combine harvester
An' [G7] I'll give you the [C] key
[C] I'll stick by you, I'll give you all that you need
[G7] We'll 'ave twins and triplets, I'm a man built for speed
And [C] you know I'll love you darlin' so give me your hand
[F] What I want the most is all they [G7] acres of land
Chorus:
[C] For seven long years I've been alone in this place
[G7] Eat, sleep, in the kitchen, it's a proper disgrace
Now [C] if I cleaned it up would you change your mind
[F] I'd give up drinking scrumpy and that [G7] lager and lime
Chorus:
Now [C] I got a brand new combine harvester, An' I'll give you the key
Now that we'me past our fifties I think that you and me
[F] Should stop this galavanting and will you marry me
Coz [C] I got a brand new combine harvester
An' [G7] I'll give you the [C] key [G7] [C]
Song
9
In the Summertime
Mungo Jerry 1970
Intro: [G7]x4 [F]x4 [C]x8
Chords used
[C]In the summertime when the weather is high in this song
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the [F]weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your [C] mind
Have a[G7] drink, have a drive
[F] Go out and see what you can[C]find
[C] We're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean
We love everybody but we do as we please
When the [F]weather's fine
We go fishin' or go swimmin' in the [C]sea
We're always [G7] happy
Life's for [F]livin' yeah, that's our philoso[C] phy
Song
11
Hound Dog
Elvis Presley 1956
[Tacet] You ain't nothin' but a [G] hound dog, cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a [C7] hound dog, cryin' all the [G] time
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine
Chords
used in this
[Tacet] Well they said you was [G] high classed, well that was just a lie song
Yeah they said you was [C7] high classed, well that was just a [G] lie
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine
[Tacet] You ain't nothin' but a [G] hound dog cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a [C7] hound dog cryin' all the [G] time
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine
or
Instrumental: [G] [G] [G] [G] [C7] [C7] [G] [G] [D7] [C7] [G] (4 BEATS EACH BAR)
[Tacet] Well they said you was [G] high classed, well that was just a lie
Yeah they said you was [C7] high classed well, that was just a [G] lie
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine
Instrumental: [G] [G] [G] [G] [C7] [C7] [G] [G] [D7] [C7] [G] (4 BEATS EACH BAR)
[Tacet] Well they said you was [G] high classed, well that was just a lie
Yeah they said you was [C7] high classed, well that was just a [G] lie
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine
[Tacet] You ain't nothin' but a [G] hound dog, cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a [C7] hound dog, cryin' all the [G] time
Song
Well you ain't [D7] never caught a rabbit
And you [C7] ain't no friend of [G] mine [STOP]
12
Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
[C] Don't go around tonight well it's [G] bound to take your life
[D7] There's a [C] bad moon on the [G] rise
Song
13
Colours
Donovan 1965
Song
14
Down By The Riverside
Traditional
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus: 15
Jamaica Farewell
Harry Belafonte 1957
INTRO: [C]x2 [G7]x2 [C]x4
[C] Down the way where the [F] nights are gay
And the [C] sun shines [G7] gaily on the [C] mountain top
I took a trip on a [F] sailing ship
And when I [C] reach Jama[G7]ica I [C] made a stop, but I’m... Chords used
in this song
Chorus:
[C] Sad to say, I’m [F] on my way
[G7] Won’t be back for [C] many a day
Me heart is down, me head is [F] turning around
I had to [C] leave a little [G7] girl in [C] Kingston town
Chorus:
[C] Sad to say, I’m [F] on my way
[G7] Won’t be back for [C] many a day
Me heart is down, me head is [F] turning around
I had to [C] leave a little [G7] girl in [C] Kingston town
Chorus:
[C] Sad to say, I’m [F] on my way
[G7] Won’t be back for [C] many a day
Me heart is down, me head is [F] turning around
I had to [C] leave a little [G7] girl in [C] Kingston town
OUTRO:
There's an old Australian stockman, lying, dying and he gets himself up onto one elbow
and turns to his mates, who are gathered round him. . and says
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus:
[C]Tan me hide when I'm [F]dead, Fred, [G7]Tan me hide when I'm [C]dead
[C]So we tanned his hide when he [F]died, Clyde, that's [G7]it hanging on the
[C]shed
Yes, my [F] heart stood still, [C] Yes, his [G7] name was Bill
[C] And when he [F] walked me home
Da [G7] doo ron ron ron, da [C] doo ron ron
[C]Yes he [F] looked so fine, [C ] Yes, gonna [G7] make him mine
[C] And when he [F] walked me home
Da [G7] doo ron ron ron, da [C] doo ron ron
Da [G7] doo ron ron ron, da [C] doo ron ron
Song
18
Waltzing Matilda
Banjo Patterson 1895
[C] Down came a [G7] jumbuck to [C] drink at the [F] billabong
[C] Up jumped the swagman and [G7] grabbed him with glee
And he [C] sang as he [G7] shoved that [C] jumbuck in his [F] tucker bag
[C] You'll come a waltzing Ma [G7] tilda with [C] me
[C] Up rode the [G7] squatter [C] mounted on his [F] thoroughbred
[C] Up rode the troopers [G7] one two three
[C] Where's that jolly [G7] jumbuck [C] you've got in your [F] tucker bag
[C] You'll come a waltzing Ma [G7] tilda with [C] me
[C] Up jumped the [G7] swagman and [C] sprang into the [F] billabong
[C] You'll never take me a [G7] live said he
And his [C] ghost may be [G7] heard as you [C] pass by that [F] billabong
[C] You'll come a waltzing Ma [G7] tilda with [C] me
Song
21
YMCA
Village People 1978
Count in 1,2,3,4
Chorus:
It's fun to stay at the [C] YMCA it's fun to stay at the [Am] YMCA
They have [F] everything for young men to enjoy
You can [G7] hang out with all the boys
It's fun to stay at the [C] YMCA it's fun to stay at the [Am] YMCA
You can [F] get yourself cleaned you can have a good meal
You can [G7] do whatever you feel (6 down strums on the [G7] chord)
Chorus x 2
Song
22
Blowin’ In The Wind
Bob Dylan 1962
[C] How many [F] roads must a [C] man walk [Am] down
Be[C] fore you [F] call him a [G] man?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] seas must a [C] white dove [Am] sail
Be[C] fore she [F] sleeps in the [G] sand?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] times must the [C] cannon balls [Am] fly
Be[C] fore they’re [F] for ever [G] banned?
Chords used
The [F] answer my [G] friend is [C] blowing in the [Am] wind in this song
The [F] answer is [G] blowing in the [C] wind
Yes’n [C] how many [F] years can a [C] mountain e[Am]xist
Be[C] fore it is [F] washed to the [G] sea?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] years can some [C] people e[Am]xist
Be[C] fore they're a [F]llowed to be [G] free?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] times can a [C] man turn his [Am] head
Pre[C] tending he [F] just doesn't [G] see?
The [F] answer my [G] friend is [C] blowing in the [Am] wind
The [F] answer is [G] blowing in the [C] wind
[C] How many [F] times must a [C] man look [Am] up
Be[C] fore he [F] can see the [G] sky?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] ears must [C] one man [Am] have
Be[C] fore he can [F] hear people [G] cry?
Yes’n [C] how many [F] deaths will it [C] take till he [Am] knows
That [C] too many [F] people have [G] died?
The [F] answer my [G] friend is [C] blowing in the [Am] wind
The [F] answer is [G] blowing in the [C] wind
The [F] answer my [G] friend is [C] blowing in the [Am] wind
The [F] answer is [G] blowing in the [C] wind
Song
23
The Candy Man
Sammy Davis Jr 1972
Song
24
King Of The Road
Roger Miller 1964
Song
25
Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash 1955
Chords used in
I [G]hear the train a coming it's rolling round the bend this song
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know [G7]when
I'm [C]stuck at Folsom Prison and time keeps dragging [G]on
But that [D7]train keeps rolling on down to San Ant[G]one
Well [G]if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move on over a little farther down the [G7]line
Far [C]from Folsom Prison, that's where I want to [G]stay
And I'd [D7]let that lonesome whistle blow my blues [G]away
Song
26
You Are My Sunshine
Davis & Mitchell 1939
Chorus:
You are my [C]sunshine, my only sunshine
[C7]You make me [F]happy when skies are [C]gray
[C]You'll never [F]know dear, how much I [C]love you
[C]Please don't take my [G7]sunshine a[C]way
Song
28
When the Saints Go Marchin' In
Traditional
Song
29
Dream Lover
Bobby Darin 1959 Chords used
in this song
[C]Every night I hope and pray, [Am]a dream lover will come my way
[C]A girl to hold in my arms, [Am]and know the magic of her charms
Because I [C]want a [G7]girl to [C]call my [F]own
I want a, [C]dream lover so [Dm]I won't have to dream a[C]lone.
Song
30
Below is a list of popular ukulele chords.
Some popular strumming patterns
PATTERNS IN 4/4 TIME
UP WITH THE INDEX FINGER FLESHY BIT EQUAL TIME BETWEEN EACH STOKE
1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4
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UP WITH THE INDEX FINGER FLESHY BIT SLIGHT DELAY AFTER EACH DOWN STOKE
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UP WITH THE INDEX FINGER FLESHY BIT SLIGHT DELAY AFTER each SINGLE ‘D’
STROKE
1 23 1 23 1 23 1 23 1 23 1 23 1 23
D DU D DU D DU D DU D DU D DU D DU (TIC ATOC TIC ATOC..)
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