intermediate ukulele
The follow on course from Matt's Beginners Course. This course builds on what you've already learned including new techniques, concepts and theory.
All of Matt's YouTube videos are a free resource but if you have found them especially useful and feel you would like to donate towards the running costs and help Matt do more you can follow the links below to help out:
£3 Virtual Coffee – https://theukeroom.com/product/3-virtual-coffee/
£5 High Five – https://theukeroom.com/product/5-virtual-high-five-donation/
Or if you prefer you can drop Matt a virtual tip in his jar by paypal: https://paypal.me/ukeroom
1. WELCOME!
2. Introduction to chord melody
In this video Matt shows you how to create chord melodies in a simple and easy way. Using a clear and simple process Matt takes you through the first method of creating chord melodies as we work out an arrangement together.
3. Chord melody explained
In this video Matt continues to show how chord melodies work in a simple and easy way. Using a clear and simple process Matt takes you through the second method of creating chord melodies as we work out an arrangement together.
4. How to chuck, mute and drum your uke
In this video Matt demystifies how to add a percussive sound to your strumming using chuck/chunk/chnks, mutes and drumming.As always Matt goes into a lot of detail and shows you the crucial little details that many tutorials forget to show you.
5. 6th and Minor 7th chords
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6. How to play songs with more than one chord per measure
In this video Matt shows you how to play songs that have more than one chord in a measure. We look at how to work out how long to play each chord for and Matt offers some help in making it easier.
7. How to play triplets
In this video Matt shows you how to play triplets/the triplet strum. He explains what triplets are, how to read them in sheet music, what they are used for and goes into a lot of detail as to how to play them in different ways.
8. Alternating thumb fingerstyle
In this video Matt shows you how to play an alternating thumb finger style pattern. This is a really versatile finger style pattern which can be used for all kinds of genres. As well as showing you step by step, Matt shows you how to use it for waltz 3/4 songs, swing and you’ll get to practice with the brilliant old time/spiritual I’ll Fly Away.
9. How to sound good!! Accent and syncopation
Accent and syncopation are two of the most crucial parts of making great music but are seldom explained in the context of ukulele. Here Matt shows you what they are and how you can use simple techniques to add dynamism and interest to your ukulele playing. We'll also take a look at 12 bar blues.
10. Master that E chord!
Many ukulele players are intimidated by the E chord for some time as it can be a little tricky with certain fingerings. Matt shows you how working out what makes up an E chord allows you to find alternatives that may work better for you. We also practice a song in the key of A - changing between A, D & E chords.
11. Hammer ons, pull offs, bends and slides
This is a bit of an epic video in which Matt explains how playing with legato and adding ornametation including slides, hammer ons, pull offs, bends and vibrato can make your playing sound so much better. Matt uses a classic song to give context and shows you how to do all of these things in detail.
12. The Island strum / Calypso strum
In this video Matt teaches you the popular Island Strum (also called Calypso Strum) which is the basis of many ukulele performances. You may know Matt isn’t the biggest fan of using strum patterns so we’ll concentrate on using rhythm to learn how to play it quickly and effectively.
13. Tricky time signatures
In this video Matt teaches you about time signatures including some of the more tricky ones. We’ll learn the difference between simple and compound time signatures and find out how easy it is to work out what to do with them. Focussing in 6/8 timing we’ll take a look at House of The Rising sun.
14. Finger picking - House Of The Rising Sun
In this video we learn a simple but effective finger picking pattern that works for any song in 6/8 time. Matt will show you how to use this to create a lovely way of playing House Of The Rising Sun.
15. Introduction to moveable chords
In this video we learn how every chord can become a moveable chord - one that can me moved up and down the fretboard to make many more chord pitches. Learning moveable chords can really add great dynamics to your playing and get you playing up that dusty end!
16. Moveable 7th chords
In this video we learn two chord shapes that will allow you to learn many chords all over the fretboard. It is a really good chance to learn and practice some moveable chords. Learning moveable chords can really add great dynamics to your playing and get you playing up that dusty end!
17. Solo with pentatonic scales - major pentatonic
In this video we learn all about pentatonic scales and how they are amazing tools for learning the fretboard and playing your first solos. You’ll get practical experience of learning to improvise and see that it’s not so difficult after all.
18. How to transpose songs and music to a different key
In this video we learn all about transposing songs - changing songs from one key to another in a higher or lower pitch. We learn what transposition is, why it is an incredibly helpful and important thing to know, and how to do it two different ways.
19. Using moveable chords in song arrangements
In this video we take some of the moveable chords that we’ve learned so far, add some new ones and use them to show how they can bring song arrangements to life. We’ll also tie together some of out learning on chord progressions, the circle of 5ths and chuck muting.
20. Chord melody up the fretboard - Edelweiss
In this video Matt teaches you an entire beautiful chord melody. This lesson ties together everything you have learned so far regards chord melody, finger style and moveable chords.
21. 8 ways to become a better player
In this video Matt goes through 8 concepts that will allow you to play better ukulele. Taking each concept in turn Matt shows you how to apply them to your playing to make you a better musician. As always Matt goes into a lot of detail and shows you the crucial little details that many tutorials forget to show you.
22. Take That - Back for Good - Dynamics & Chord Choice
In this video Matt teaches you a classic pop song Back For Good by Take That, We use this example to explore the concepts of playing better that we learned last week and look in depth at chord choices and dynamics. We’ll learn a simple way to add an extra note to chords to create a beautiful sound.
23. How to play Hawaiian turnarounds - Blue Hawaiian Moonlight
In this video Matt teaches you how to play Hawaiian turnarounds - the classic II V 1 turnaround and a diminished vamp. These simple little chord progressions sound absolutely magical used in the right context. We’ll apply them to the beautiful Hawaiian tune Blue Hawaiian Moonlight.
24. Don't be afraid of diminished 7 chords!
In this video Matt teaches you all about diminished 7 chords. At first glance these 4 finger chords can be quite intimidating if you’ve never learned them before, but we learn easy ways to finger them and how to use them. We discover how amazing it is that one shape covers every diminished chord going!
25. Conclusion, thanks and what's next
In this final video Matt concludes the series. Don't worry, as explained, there is plenty more to explore and much more to come.