It is really very easy to play melodies on your ukulele. If you know how! After reading this ukulele lesson you will be able to play a melodi without knowing sheet music. Let's start!
In this ukulele lesson we will learn the melody to the song Home On The Range. I have written the lyrics of the first verse here:
Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Let's start with the first line of lyrics and corresponding ukulele melody:
Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam
0/3 0/3 1/2 3/2 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3 1/1 1/1 1/1
What does this notation mean?
In this ukulele lesson we will use an ukulele tab notation that shows you by numbers on which fret and on which string to press down your fingers.
For example, 3/2 means press down the third fret on the second string.
let's continue with the next line:
Where the deer and the antelope play
0/1 1/1 3/1 1/2 1/2 1/2 0/2 1/2 3/2
Which left hand fingers should you use?
Many beginners only use their left hand index finger to play all notes. They are fully concentrated on finding the right notes and don't want to think about the fingering bit too.
If you want to take your ukulele playing up to a more professional level I suggest that you play all notes on the first fret with your index finger, the notes on the second fret with your middle finger and the notes on the third fret with your, that's right!, ring finger.
We will continue this ukulele lesson by playing the next line:
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
0/3 0/3 1/2 3/2 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3 1/1 1/1 1/1
As you already have observed this melody is the same as the first line.
Now you might ask:
My left hand ring finger is too weak to play notes!
Well, that's a problem for a beginning ukulele player. What to do?
Actually, the strength is often not a problem. The problem is that many players avoid using this finger as they don't think it is of any use. Therefore this finger will not receive proper training.
If you take a step in faith and try to use it believing that it will work better with some training you will soon find that it will be of great use in your playing.
Here is the last line of the verse:
And the skies are not cloudy all day
1/1 1/1 0/1 3/2 1/2 0/2 1/2 3/2 1/2
I guess you have learned tu use the tab notation in this ukulele lesson by now so I will give you the rest of the song right away:
Home, home on the range
3/1 1/1 0/1 3/2 0/1
Where the deer and the antelope play
0/3 0/3 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 0/2 1/2 3/2
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
0/3 0/3 1/2 3/2 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3 1/1 1/1 1/1
And the skies are not cloudy all day
1/1 1/1 0/1 3/2 1/2 0/2 1/2 3/2 1/2
I will end this ukulele lesson by suggesting that you learn this melody by heart one line at a time. Then you can pick up an ukulele and have a fun time with this melody wherever you are!
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