MODULE 1 “Little Smile”

In this module, you will learn a lovely melody called “Little Smile” inspired by my little son Alex. I became a dad in February 2021, and my son’s little smile has been giving me so much happiness and motivation. But, of course, there are also big cries (especially at night, hehe).

This melody is in the key of C major, and it is played with some of the most popular ukulele chords that we all know and love.

Each module of Just Play Along – Ukulele Style teaches you three things:

1. A chord progression.
2. A scale.
3. A melody.

 

1.THE CHORD PROGRESSION

Little Smile is played with seven chords. If you have been playing ukulele for even just a few months, the chances are that you already know most of these chords.

Learn them below:

C | F | Am | G | C7 | E | Em |

 

LEARN THE CHORDS DOWN BELOW.

 

2.THE SCALE

Little Smile is in the key of C major. Therefore, we can use the notes of the C major scale to write the melody.

The notes of the C major scale are C D E F G A B. You can check the most popular C major scale shape down below. However, in this song, we will extend the scale up to fret 8 of the ukulele.

Check the video down below to learn the C major scale in different shapes.

 

3.THE MELODY

Once we learn the notes of the scale, we add rhythmic and melodic patterns to transform the notes of the C major scale into a melody.

I really recommend that you listen to the instrumental down below many times. Getting the melody into your head is the very first step you should take before you get started. It is always easier to play something that you can sing (even if it’s just in your head).

Of course, you can use the sheet music available below to help you with the notes and chords.

 

BEGINNER LEVEL VS. PRO LEVEL

In this module, there are two versions of the same melody, which are labeled as Beginner level and Pro level.

The Beginner level is rhythmically and melodically simple. In this song, we will mainly play the C major scale up and down over the chords. Also, each note is mainly played on the beat.

The Pro level is indeed more challenging. The notes of the C major scale are rhythmically more intricate and sound more like a melody.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I would recommend that you follow the videos down below. Of course, you can skip some of the videos. However, I would really recommend that you follow the path I laid down for you.

Each video provides valuable tips and tricks on how to play chords, scales, and melodies. They are all connected so, please, start from video n.1!

Good luck and enjoy this module.

Don’t forget to share your progress in the comment section down below.

MODULE 2 “Spanish Lullaby”

In this module, you will learn a lovely melody called “Spanish Lullaby,” inspired by the beautiful flamenco music. I know that when we hear the word “flamenco” or “Spanish music,” we instantly think about super fast plucking, vigorous strumming, and complex rhythm.

Don’t be scared! If you are familiar with my teaching approach, you know how I like to make things simple!

The melody is in the key of G minor, and it will be mainly played over the A string. The goal is not to play as many notes as possible. Instead, we will focus on playing the right notes on each chord.

Each module of Just Play Along – Ukulele Style teaches you three things:

1. A chord progression.
2. A scale.
3. A melody.

 

1.THE CHORD PROGRESSION

Spanish Lullaby has a simple A-B structure.

In the A section, we will play the melody over the most popular Spanish chord progression of all time: The i VII VI V. We are in the key of G minor, so the chords are Gm F Eb D.

The B section is in the key of Bb major. The chord progression is the I V VII V, Bb F Gm F.

Learn the chord structure down below.

Important: The double dot you see at the beginning and the end of each line is a repeat sign. Each line will be repeated twice.

||: Gm | F | Eb | D :||

||: Bb | F | Gm | F :|| 

 

LEARN THE CHORDS DOWN BELOW.

 

2.THE SCALE

Spanish Lullaby is in the key of G minor. Therefore, we can use the notes of the G minor scale to write the melody.

The notes of the G minor scale are G A Bb C D Eb F G. You can check the most popular G minor scale shape down below. However, in this song, we will extend the scale up to fret 10 of the ukulele.

Check the video down below to learn the C major scale in different shapes.

 

3.THE MELODY

Once we learn the notes of the scale, we add rhythmic and melodic patterns to transform the notes of the G minor scale into a melody.

I really recommend that you listen to the instrumental down below many times. Getting the melody into your head is the very first step you should take before you get started. It is always easier to play something that you can sing (even if it’s just in your head).

Of course, you can use the sheet music available below to help you with the notes and chords.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Spanish Lullaby is a lovely melody that I am sure you’ll love!

Follow the steps below and learn the chord progression and scale before moving to the melody. Of course, you can skip some of the videos. However, I would really recommend that you follow the path I laid down for you.

Each video provides valuable tips and tricks on how to play chords, scales, and melodies. They are all connected so, please, start from video n.1!

Good luck and enjoy this module.

Don’t forget to share your progress in the comment section down below.

 

TAKE THE LESSONS BELOW

MODULE 3 “Uke Ballad” 

In this module, you will learn a lovely melody called “Uke Ballad” inspired by one of my favorite guitar players Gary Moore. The melody is played over a beautiful chord progression in the key of D minor.

Each module of Just Play Along – Ukulele Style teaches you three things:

1. A chord progression.
2. A scale.
3. A melody.

 

1. THE CHORD PROGRESSION

Uke Ballad has a simple A-A-B structure.

In the A section, the chord progression is played with the following chords: Dm | Gm | C | F | Bb| Gm | Am | Dm |.

In the B section, we will play a similar chord progression, however, some of the bars will be played with two chords per measure. Gm C | F | Gm C | F | Gm C | F D | Gm C | F |.

LEARN THE CHORDS DOWN BELOW.

 

2. THE SCALE

Uke Ballad is in the key of D minor. We can learn the D minor scale to have a better understanding of the melody and note choices.

The notes of the D minor scale are D E F G A Bb C D.

Check the video down below to learn the C major scale in different shapes.

 

3. THE MELODY

Once we learn the notes of the scale, we add rhythmic and melodic patterns to transform the notes of the D minor scale into a melody.

I really recommend that you listen to the instrumental down below many times. Getting the melody into your head is the very first step you should take before you get started. It is always easier to play something you can sing (even if it’s just in your head).

Of course, you can use the sheet music available below to help you with the notes and chords.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Uke Ballad is so far my favorite melody in this program. It is, however, not the most simple, so I really recommend that you memorize the melody quite well before playing it with the backing track!

Follow the steps below and learn the chord progression and scale before moving to the melody. Of course, you can skip some of the videos. However, I would recommend that you follow the path I laid down for you.

Each video provides valuable tips and tricks on how to play chords, scales, and melodies. They are all connected so, please, start from video n.1!

Good luck and enjoy this module.

Don’t forget to share your progress in the comment section down below.

 

TAKE THE LESSONS BELOW

MODULE 4 “Jazzy Uke” 

In this module, you will learn a lovely melody called “Jazzy Uke” a simple yet super fun to play Jazz melody in the key of F major.

Each module of Just Play Along – Ukulele Style teaches you three things:

1. A chord progression.
2. A scale.
3. A melody.

 

1. THE CHORD PROGRESSION

Jazzy Uke follows a three-section structure that we could call ABC.

In the A section, the chord progression is played with the following chords: Gm7 | C7 | Fmaj7 | D7b9 |. This is indeed one of the most popular jazz chord progressions. We can also label this chord progression based on the scale degree on which is chord is built: ii V I VI.

The B section is played with a different chord progression. We have Em7b5 | A7 | Dm9 | G7 | Gm | Am | Bbmaj7 | C7 |. 

The C section can be considered the outro. We repeat the same four chords: Fmaj7 | D7b9 | Gm | C7 |.

LEARN THE CHORDS DOWN BELOW.

 

2. THE SCALE

“Jazzy Uke” is in the key of F major. We can learn the F major in three different positions.

3. THE MELODY

Once we learn the notes of the scale, we add rhythmic and melodic patterns to transform the notes of the F major scale into a melody.

I really recommend that you listen to the instrumental down below many times. Getting the melody into your head is the very first step you should take before you get started. It is always easier to play something you can sing (even if it’s just in your head).

Of course, you can use the sheet music available below to help you with the notes and chords.

FINAL THOUGHTS

“Jazzy Uke” is a nice and rhythmic melody that will challenge not only your playing skills but also your rhythmic abilities.

Follow the steps below and learn the chord progression and scale before moving to the melody. Of course, you can skip some of the videos. However, I would recommend that you follow the path I laid down for you.

Each video provides valuable tips and tricks on how to play chords, scales, and melodies. They are all connected so, please, start from video n.1!

Good luck and enjoy this module.

Don’t forget to share your progress in the comment section down below.

 

TAKE THE LESSONS BELOW

MODULE 5 “Latin Vibe” 

In this module, you will learn a lovely melody called “Latin Vibe” a simple yet super fun to play Jazz melody in the key of Em major.

Each module of Just Play Along – Ukulele Style teaches you three things:

1. A chord progression.
2. A scale.
3. A melody.

 

1. THE CHORD PROGRESSION

Latin Vibe follows a two structure that we could call AB.

In the A section, the chord progression is played with the following chords: Em | Am | F#m7b5 Cdim| Em | Am | Cmaj7 B | Em |. 

The B section is played with a different chord progression. We have | Am D7 | G | Am D7 | G | F#m7b5 B | Em A | Cmaj7 B | Em |. 

You will also find a short outro.

 

2. THE SCALE

“Latin Vibe” is in the key of Em so we will use the notes from the E minor scale to create the melody.

3. THE MELODY

Once we learn the notes of the scale, we add rhythmic and melodic patterns to transform the notes of the E minor scale into a melody.

I really recommend that you listen to the instrumental down below many times. Getting the melody into your head is the very first step you should take before you get started. It is always easier to play something you can sing (even if it’s just in your head).

Of course, you can use the sheet music available below to help you with the notes and chords.

 

TAKE THE LESSONS BELOW