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Ukulele
with Marcy Marxer
 
 
About This Course
 
Start playing easy versions of your favorite songs on the ukulele today. You’ll learn the basics, like strumming, first-position chords, and keeping solid time, all while playing a variety of songs that sound great on the lovable little “dancing flea.” Then move on to more intermediate-level techniques with more fun songs to play. Includes Play-Along Tracks so you can play along with Marcy.
 
 
Try a Sample Lesson
 
In this lesson, you’ll learn to accent strums to give a song a bouncy rhythm, using the folk classic “If I Had a Hammer.” You’ll learn a new way to finger the basic C and F chords that will allow you to play a fun intro to the song that switches between the C and F chords quickly. You’ll also learn a quick-changing chord pattern (C, G, F, G) that you can use for most of the verse, along with an accented strum pattern:
 
 
 
Meet the Instructor
Marcy Marxer
 
 
Marcy Marxer is a multi-instrumentalist, studio musician, performer, songwriter, and producer with 30 years of experience and a shelf of impressive awards. She has played acoustic music on Emmy Award–winning National Geographic specials, platinum-shipping Eva Cassidy CDs, and more than 50 recordings and instructional materials created with her partner, Cathy Fink. The fun-loving Marcy is all about connecting music and people. She has created a super-fun international online network for lovers of the mighty ukulele, Ukulele Social Club and has built a large following at top music camps.
 
 
 
Peghead Play-Along Tracks
 
Peghead Nation is creating a library of accompaniment videos (and downloadable MP3s) for songs and tunes that are taught on the site, classics that you'll find at many jams and picking parties. As a subscriber, you have access to this library and can use the tracks to practice playing tunes and songs at a slow or medium tempo with guitar accompaniment. New songs will be added regularly.
 
 
The Ukulele Subscription Includes:
  • 42 in-depth ukulele video lessons
  • 30 complete songs to play
  • Chord and lyric sheets for all songs
  • High-quality video with multiple camera angles and on-screen chord diagrams
  • Play-Along videos so you can play and sing along with Marcy
 
 
$20/Month For One Course
 
Additional courses only $10/month each!   •   Save 20% with an annual subscription
 
 
Get started now!
Use promo code UkeLand at checkout
and get your first month free or $20 off an annual subscription.
 
Ukulele Course Outline
 
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF UKULELES
 
In these three introductory videos, Marcy introduces you to some of the wonderful instruments in her ukulele collection, talks about some of the accessories you may want to use when you’re playing the ukulele (a strap, pick, or capo) demonstrates a few different kinds of picks, and shows you how to use a capo. You’ll also learn how to tune get in tune to standard ukulele re-entrant tuning: G C E A. 
 
STRUMMING BASICS 
 
First things first: learn a simple way to get started strumming: using your thumb to strum four even beats of a measure. Then you’ll learn to strum with the fingernail of your index finger and combine downstrokes and upstrokes with both your thumb and first finger. You’ll also learn a versatile strum pattern used in many styles of music: down, down-up, up, down-up.
 
FIRST CHORDS
 

Now that your picking hand is working, you need something to strum. Learn the C and G7 chords and how to switch between them so you can play “Singing in the Rain.” Then add the C7 and F chords to play  “When the Saints Go Marching In.” This lesson includes a downloadable PDF with basic major, minor, and seventh chords in popular keys, which you can use to play thousands of songs.

 
SONGS AND STRUMS 
 
In these lessons you’ll add new chords and strums and play a variety of fun songs.
 
If I Had a Hammer

Learn to accent strums with a bouncy rhythm, using the folk classic “If I Had a Hammer.” You’ll also learn a new way to finger C and F chords that allows you to play a fun intro to the song. With Lyric/Chord Sheet

 

Siyahamba

Learn the South African song “Siyahamba,” with a down, down-up, _up, down pattern using your thumb for the downstrokes and your finger for the upstrokes. With Lyric/Chord Sheet

 

Accentuate the Positive

Learn the great 1940s pop song “Accentuate (Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate) the Positive,” made popular by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. It uses a few new chords, including C6, A7, Dm7, and D7, which you’ll play with a relaxed down-up strum that gives the song a loping swing rhythm. With Lyric/Chord Sheet

 

 
CHORD DRILLS
 

In this series of four lessons, Marcy gives you some chord drills to help you improve your fluidity when changing from one chord to another. She gives you advice on the most efficient way to change fingerings, using the least amount of movement, and then gives you some drills in the keys of C, F, G, A. You’ll practice your chord-changing skills on the song “Keep on the Sunny Side,” which you’ll play in each of these four keys. With Lyric/Chord Sheets

 
Key of C

In this first video, you’ll work on the major chords in the key of C (C, F, and G7). Marcy gives you advice on the most efficient way to change fingerings, using the least amount of movement, and then gives you drills that change from C to F, F to G7, G7 to C, and then C–F–G7–C, so you can practice them on “Keep on the Sunny Side” in C.

 

Key of F 
Work on changing from one chord to another in the key of F. Marcy gives you drills that change from F to Bb and Bb to C7 and sings “Keep on the Sunny Side” in F.
 

Key of G 
Work on improving your fluidity when changing chords in the key of G. Marcy gives you drills that change from G to C, C to D7, D7 to G, and then G–C–D7–G. Then practice playing “Keep on the Sunny Side” in G with Marcy and her guest Cathy Fink.
 

Key of A 
Work on changing from one chord to another in the key of A. Marcy gives you drills that change from A to D, D to E7, E7 to A, and then A–D–E7–A.
 

 
TONE PRODUCTION 
 
The right-hand technique presented in this lesson will help any ukulele player get the warmest, fattest tone from their instrument.
 
MORE SONGS 
 
Learn a variety of great songs in different keys. With Lyric/Chord Sheets
 
The Hukilau Song

Marcy talks about using economy of motion in your fretting hand, finding ways to save effort in your hand so you can play easier and more smoothly. She goes through a few basic chords, getting you used to playing with the least amount of pressure on the strings. Then she shows you how to apply this concept to the chords in “The Hukilau Song.” 

 

Big Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” is a great song to sing with just three chords in the key of C (C, F, and G7) and a basic strum pattern of down, down-up, down-up, down-up. You’ll also learn how to play a more rockin’ percussive strum using some different versions of the C, F, and G7 chords and how to accent the backbeat by relaxing your fretting-hand fingers.

 

L-O-V-E

The song “L-O-V-E” was made famous by Nat King Cole in 1965. You’ll learn to play it with some nice easy swing chords that flow easily into each other.

 

Under the Boardwalk

In this lesson on playing the summertime classic “Under the Boardwalk,” you’ll learn a number of techniques, including damping and the fan stroke, which you’ll use with the down, down-up, _up, down-up strum pattern. You’ll also learn three different ways to damp the strings to get a percussive sound. 

 

I Love a Ukulele

The great old song “I Love a Ukulele” was recorded by popular Jazz Age singer Annette Hanshaw in 1930. You’ll learn some new chords and how to play the basic C chord with your pinky so you can play the quick C–Cdim–Dm7 turnaround without moving your pinky.

 

Forever Young

Learn Bob Dylan’s song “Forever Young” in Bb, which means you’ll learn some more new chords: Bb, Bbmaj7, Gm, Eb, and a new way to play an F chord. You’ll also learn to play it in G, with a few new versions of G, Gmaj7, Em7, C, D, and D7 chords. 

 

We Shall Not Be Moved

In this lesson, you’ll learn the Civil Rights-era folk song “We Shall Not Be Moved.” You’ll use the down, down-up, _ up down-up strum and basic chords in the key of C. Marcy plays it through and then gives you advice on playing the down, down-up, _ up down-up strum with fingers or thumb, and then shows you the chords, along with a couple of variations. 

 

Get Up and Do Right

Learn a great song to play with simple chords and a catchy chorus written by Alice Gerrard. All you need to know to play this song are C, F, and G7 chords and you can play it with a simple strum pattern. Marcy is joined by Cathy Fink, who sings the verses of the song and joins Marcy on the chorus. And then Marcy shows you some of the strumming variations she used to play “Get Up and Do Right,” including a rhythmic “chunk” pattern played by damping the strings with the side of your hand, giving you a down-up-chunk-up pattern.

 

 
FINGERSTYLE UKE 
 
Learn to use some simple fingerstyle patterns to play these next songs. With Lyric/Chord Sheets
 
The Glory of Love

The pop hit “The Glory of Love” was written in the early 1930s. Marcy’s version was inspired by the blues guitarist and singer Big Bill Broonzy. You’ll learn to play “The Glory of Love” with two fingerstyle patterns: the pinch pattern and a finger roll, which alternates the thumb with the fingers in a simple rolling finger pattern.

 

Freight Train

Guitarist Elizabeth Cotten’s signature song “Freight Train” has become a folk and fingerstyle guitar classic. Learn to play “Freight Train” with a rolling fingerstyle pattern that emulates Cotten’s guitar playing. Marcy explains the pattern, and shows you which picking fingers to use on each string.

 

High on a Mountain

Olabelle Reed was one of the finest songwriters in bluegrass and country music. Learn her most popular song, “High on a Mountain” with a fingerpicking pattern in which the thumb plays the fourth string, the index finger plays the second string, and the middle finger plays the first string. You’ll also learn how to play a melodic solo to “High on a Mountain” using the pentatonic scale.

 

 
PLAYING MELODIES 
 
Ready to play melodies on the ukulele? You’ll learn some great songs and the scales you’ll need to know to play them. With Notation/Tab
 
C, G, and F Scales
Learn the C, G, and F scales in different places on the fingerboard in this series of lessons. You’ll start with open position and then move up and across the fingerboard. 
 

Sleepwalk

“Sleepwalk” is a classic rock and roll hit from the 1950s recorded by Santo and Johnny. Learn to play the melody of “Sleepwalk” in double stops: two notes at a time. You’ll also learn a cool slide technique. 

 

Dixie Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)

The old tune “Dixie Bell” is better known as “Bicycle Built for Two” and is a fun tune to play on the ukulele. It’s a waltz in the key of C and you’ll learn to plays the melody and chords with your fingers: chord-melody style. 

 

This Land Is Your Land

Marcy gives you a guide to playing chord-melody style on the ukulele using “This Land Is Your Land.” You'll review the C major scale on the top string and then learn the basic melody of “This Land Is Your Land.” Then you’ll learn to add chords to the melody. 

 

Autumn Leaves

Johnny Mercer’s classic “Autumn Leaves” is a jazz standard. In this advanced ukulele lesson you’ll learn Marcy’s arrangement of the chords and melody of “Autumn Leaves” played fingerstyle. Marcy walks you through the chord voicings you’ll use and shows you how to add the melody to the chords.  

 

Whispering

Learn a chord-melody version of the early jazz classic “Whispering” in the key of D. You’ll learn a lot of new chords, including a B augmented chord, an A7sus4 chord, and a D6/9 chord, among others, so Marcy makes sure you have them down before showing you how to combine the melody with the chords you’ve learned. You’ll also learn how to play a rest stroke when you’re strumming chords with the melody on the second string. 

 

 
MORE INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL SONGS 
 
 
 
If I Only Had a Brain

Learn the great song “If I Only Had a Brain” from The Wizard of Oz. It’s a fun song to play and sing and the chords are beautiful, including some new ones: D, Em7, D6, B7, C#m7, and Bm7. You’ll also learn the tune’s signature lick. With Lyric/Chord Sheet and Chord Flash Cards

 

IM4U

The song “IM4U” was written for the original Tonight Show, with comedian Jack Paar as host. Paar chose Chicago jazz musicians Marian and Jimmy McPartland to lead his band and they composed this humorous song made up of letters and numbers. Marcy sings it through and shows you the chords you’ll need to sing and play it, including the cool Caug–C6–C7 progression that begins the tune. With Lyric/Chord Sheet

 

Rockin’ the Uke

Learn Roy Smeck’s fun ragtimey tune “Rockin’ the Uke.” Marcy shows you how to embellish some chords by just adding or changing one note and the strumming pattern for “Rockin’ the Uke”: fingers-thumb-up, fingers-thumb-up, fingers-up. With Chord Chart

 

Sentimental Journey

The swing-era classic “Sentimental Journey” makes a great ukulele tune. You’ll start with a position similar to the open G7 position but moved up two frets. This position can be used to play the whole A part in harmony. The second part starts on an F chord and moves up to a D7 chord halfway through, finishing with a cool descending line over the G7 chord. 

 

Can’t Buy Me Love

Learn to play the Beatles’ classic “Can’t Buy Me Love” with a rhythmic strumming pattern. Marcy shows you the pattern by starting with all downs and then adds ups for a down, down, down-up, _ up _ up _ up down, down pattern. She also shows you how to mute the strings after the upstrokes for a more percussive effect. With Lyrics and Chords  

 

Cocktails for Two

This jazz standard was first recorded in the 1930s by jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Spike Jones. Marcy shows you the chords you’ll need to play “Cocktails for Two” in the key of C and then walks you through the entire song slowly, calling out the chords and making sure you understand when they change. With Lyrics and Chords

 

Kissing in the Dark

This great old blues song comes from Memphis Minnie. It’s in the key of C and and has a basic blues progression but Marcy shows you how to get a bluesy sound by playing seventh chords and a couple of other cool bluesy moves. She also shows you how she plays it fingerstyle with a syncopated feel. With Lyrics and Chords 

 

Money, Money, Money

The song “Money, Money, Money” (also called “We Need Some Money”)  comes from Washington, DC, “go-go” music pioneer Chuck Brown. Marcy plays it on the ukulele in the key of Eb. She shows you how to play an Eb9 chord with just a one finger barre, and gives you advice on playing barre chords. She also shows you how to play the percussive syncopated rhythm used in “Money, Money, Money” by strumming with your thumb and fingers and damping the strings. You’ll also learn a cool “horn lick” using sliding Db–D–C chords. With Lyrics and Chords

 

 
 
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