Ukulele

This is our page for finding lots of links and resources to help you with your ukulele playing. Have fun - and don't forget to let Mrs Woolfenden know if you need any help!

Ukulele Magic!

We are very excited to be learning Ukulele at Queensbridge. Every child gets a new Queensbridge blue Ukulele to play at school. We all learn to name the parts of the Ukulele and hold it properly, and we are learning strumming and plucking techniques on open strings. As well as learning how to play, we are finding out about the history of the instrument and listening to some inspirational performances. You can explore the following links for home learning and check the Knowledge Organiser for an overview of the curriculum for your yeargroup. 

If you are keen to practice at home, see if you can get a copy of this book, Ukulele Magic Book 1. It's really clear to follow. If you are looking to buy a beginners Ukulele, I recommend the Octopus Soprano Ukuleles as a great value and reliable first instrument. Some cheaper models will just disappoint! 

Play along with the Thumb Brush Strum here:

The Thumb Brush Strum is based on the 'Bo Diddley Beat' invented by Rock 'n' Roll Legend, Bo Diddley(1928-2008). He was instrumental in moving from Blues to Rock 'n' Roll, and was famous for his distinctive style. He learnt classical violin before playing guitar, and made his own guitars. You can find out more facts about Bo Diddley here. Here he is playing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1955 - his first TV performance. He became a sensational and famous artist, but was banned from TV because the music was thought to be too exciting! Do you think it should have been banned? Can you hear the call and response of the voice and instruments? Can you clap along? 

How does his 1989 performance of the same song sound different? 

GCEA

Can you remember the names of the strings? These diagrams should help you, and you can see where the open string notes would be written on the stave. Try to practise the rainy patterns that we learnt in class:
drip, drop (E   C)       pitter patter (GAGA)                           splash! (strum)

We made up the mnenomic 'giant cats eat apples' to help us to remember the names of the different ukulele notes. Someone asked me to post my quick sketch of this ukulele-playing, apple-eating lion! 

 

SOME UKULELE GREATS

It is always inspiring to listen to great players, and different styles of playing. Here are some selections. Which ones do you like best? Why? Which one would you like to be able to play?

Herb Ohta (AKA Ukulele Master Ohta-San)

Herb Ohta plays his beautiful tune Hawaii in honour of his birthplace, and the home of the Ukulele itself. What do you notice about his strumming and picking patterns? Do you like this song? Ohta was also famous for thrilling interpretations of pop and jazz tunes. 

Herb Ohta Jr. 

Herb's son has also had a career performing on the Ukulele, and I thought you'd like this recording of Sir Duke - a favourite singing assembly song at Queensbridge!

Honoka and Azita

This Hawaiian Duo really know how to play. Listen to their arrangements of Bodysurfing and Misirlou. What different techniques are they using to make a more percussive sound? Who is playing the melody and who is playing the accompaniment? 

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's version of a famous Western film soundtrack.

Do you like the sound effects? As an orchestra, the group plays the different instruments in the ukulele family. Can you hear the different parts played by the low bass or the high soprano Ukuleles?

Kermit on the Uke

The famous song Ukulele Lady as performed by Kermit and Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show. 

George Formby

George Formby is famous as a ukulele player, although he usually played the banjolele - an instrument with four strings like a ukulele, but with a banjo-style body (more like a drum). Formby uses the instrument to accompany comedy songs. I love this one in praise of the ukulele, from the 1935 film 'Off the Dole'. Does anyone in your family remember listening to George Formby? Can you make up a song and strum along in time?

The first ever solo Ukulele recording

This crackly recording is of Hawaiian musician, Frank Ferera. Ferera was the first international star of Hawaiian music and recorded successfully between 1915 and 1930. It seems this recording dates from 1922. Can you hear how he picks out the melody and then fills in the chords with simple strumming patterns? 

Makaha Sons of Ni'Ihau

Featuring the famous ukulele player Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, this Hawaiian band was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. They are singing in Hawaiian, a polynesian language. Can you tell the difference between the sound of the ukulele and the guitars? Israel Kamakawiwo'ole became famous for his ukulele version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, recorded in 1990.

Tegan and Kaylan

I don't think these performers are professional (yet), but they play and sing really nicely, using the ukulele and guitar to accompany pop music. Which is your favourite clip from all of these? 

Ukulele Percussion

This is an amazing demonstration of how the ukulele can make some cool percussion sounds as well as its string sounds. Do you recognise the song he plays? 

Knowledge Organiser

Your overview of  everything we are learning about in our ukulele lessons.