TELEVISION

How to Play the Ukulele

Series: How to Play the Ukulele
4.8
(13)
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Episodes
24
Rating
NR
Year
2021
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

Dive into the magical world of this traditional Hawaiian instrument with Michael Poupko, professional musician and instructor. Let Michael's 20-plus years of playing and teaching music take you from musical novice to master the uke in the 24 easy lessons of How to Play the Ukulele. Come along as he shares with you the skills you need to explore the voice of the ukulele for years to come.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 24

1. The Musical World of Ukulele

21m

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Master musician and teacher Michael Poupko advises that this course does not require any musical experience, just a desire to play the ukulele. Learn general navigation of the uke, tablature, and tuning, all in this first video lesson. Your journey to the music of the islands begins right here.

2. Learning Your Way around Your Ukulele

12m

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After a thorough review of the material from Lesson 1, expand your understanding of tablature and add frets and finger placement to your complement of skills. Michael will take you through several short exercises with clear graphics and patient repetition before sending you off to practice your new skills with the course companion workbook.

3. Six Starter Chords for Ukulele

21m

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Play along as your personal instructor guides you through fingering charts and six starter chords on your uke. Add a metronome to keep the beat, and this lesson will have you practicing the chords and chord progressions necessary to access hundreds of easy songs on your ukulele.

4. Strumming Techniques for Ukulele

17m

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With several basic chords under your belt, it is time to turn to strum patterns to bring it together. Practice several chord progressions, then a variety of strum combinations. Finally, play along as you master "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "One, Five or Six to Four."

5. C Major Scale and Melodies for Ukulele

20m

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Following some independent practice time, return to your lessons to learn about major scales and a little more music theory. He supports you through your next assignment-playing the C Major scale-and translating your knowledge into picking notes in the melody for two songs, including "Ode to Joy."

6. Playing a Ukulele Melody with Chords

19m

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The more you practice, the faster you will improve. If you put in the time this week, you will be ready to move on to this 6th lesson. Combine what you learned in Lessons 1-5 to play a chord melody for both the songs you have been practicing. This lesson represents a real jump in your musical skills, so take the time you need to bring it all together.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great Coursesdirector
The Great Coursesproducer
Mike Poupkoactor