The spider is very similar to the 1234 with a small variation. As we change strings, we also move up a fret at the same time. This creates a kind of zig-zag pattern across the fretboard and will get you used to not only switching strings, but also switching frets. I’ve already mentioned that this book is a little different to any other ukulele book that I’ve previously bought or read. It’s almost entirely constructed of exercises and the whole book is presented in a weekly format. There are 40 weeks in total so you should be kept busy enough. You’re then given exercises to do each day that you play. This format might be a little dry for some players – I wouldn’t say it’s the most fun way to teach people to play but I’m ok with that. I’m the kind of person that likes a challenge.

I’ve written the song out in this simplified format: Riptide PDF (Easy) Universal Strumming Pattern (with a swing feel) Triplets Aguado’s 25 Pieces Pour Guitare (MP3) http://ukulelehunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/aguado-25-pieces-pour-guitare.mp3These are my own interpretations, not necessarily a transcription of a specific performance. I try to keep them as simple as possible because I feel that it’s easier to add your own flavor than to sift through someone else’s style. If you don’t know what Campanella is this is a great book to get you started. Jonathan Lewis’s free book teaches you what campanella means, techniques to help you play it and gives you some easy tunes to get started with. Start with a snippet of the almost-chromatic warmup on the G-string, then fret the second shape of the chord relay and arpeggiate down the strings. Once at the bottom, walk chromatically up to the 4th fret and then descend toward the ceiling with the first chord shape. A |--------------1-2-3-4--------

To better understand this, practise counting (1-tri-plet, 2-tri-plet, 3 tri-plet, 4 tri-plet) while clapping the rhythm. Once you can do this, try to do this on the ukulele. The last three exercises eliminate the use of your thumb and focus on working out your index, middle and ring fingers. How to Figure Out Songs– Being able to ear out a song is a very valuable skill. Here are some tips for DIY songs. Much like our reversed 1234, the reversed spider (or should that be The Redips?) again starts with our pinkie at fret 4. The pattern is essentially the same as the spider but we’re moving down the notes rather than up them. The Hammer UpThis ukulele strumming patterns PDF will help you build up your ability to play interesting strumming patterns on the ukulele. Each pattern builds off of each other to eventually allow you play the universal strumming pattern. (A fun rhythmic pattern that works on most popular songs). Once we’ve got to our pinkie finger we then drop down to the C string and start again at the first fret. |I’ve been working with him on the book right from the start and he did a fantastic job with it. I’ve already learnt a ton from it and it’s inspired me to get more serious about practicing. Now add in the use of your ring finger (represented by an a). These exercises are a bit more difficult because the ring finger isn’t known to be the strongest finger in your hand. Use these exercises to build up strength and to free up movement in your ring finger. If you’re having trouble singing the lyrics of a particular song with strumming pattern (#4 or #5), then try working through the song using pattern #1.