Ukulele for Guitar Players – Lesson 1: The Basics

Download only. Adam has created a set of basic ukulele lessons taught from a guitar players perspective. In this first lesson he demonstrates the similarities and differences between ukulele and guitar, and shows how to take first position guitar chord knowledge and immediately apply it to the ukulele.

Adam starts with how the two instruments are related, discussing the choices between re-entrant, or high G tuning, and low G. He quickly gets into basic two- and three-chord songs in multiple keys, teaching right hand techniques as well as chord inversions and other tips and tricks to get you playing right away. The lesson progresses with closed position chords that contain easy licks and phrases that will make the relatively simple songs more interesting.

Adam covers Hes Got the Whole World in His Hands in C, F and Bb; Down By the Riverside in C, F and G; When the Saints Go Marching In in C, A and D; Roll in My Sweet Babys Arms in F and Bb. He closes the lesson with the picking-hand driven Cuckoo Bird, which incorporates a banjo-like clawhammer technique that’s accessible but still challenging. 75 min.