Fingerpicking Basics for Ukulele

Name: Fingerpicking Basics for Ukulele
Rating: 4.2 (54 reviews)

Learn to beautify your ukulele playing with these initial, core fingerpicking skills

Created byDi Elle

Last updated 6/2021

English

What you'll learn

Master a few basic fingerpicking patterns you can use time and time again
Learn how to begin to apply fingerpicking to songs you already know
You will understand the fundamental building blocks for developing fingerpicking technique
Develop a more sophisticated sound for your playing
Understand time-keeping with different fingerpicking patterns

Course content

1 section • 9 lectures • 38m total length

Lecture 1 - Welcome and Overview3:21
Meet the tutor and get an overview of handouts and chord knowledge needed for this course.
Introductory Fingerpicking Pattern4:47
This is a basic introductory exercise to get your fingers moving - don't worry about counting or chord changes yet, just get your hand doing some work :)
4-4 Patterns4:45
Playing To Time (4/4) 60bpm0:40
Playing in time is a really integral skill. Play along with this drum loop to improve your time keeping skills, and make your fingerpicking patterns shine.
Treat tempo training like going to the gym. The more you build it into your development routine, the better, easier and more fluid it will get. Keep tempo 'fit' by revisiting these tempo exercises periodically.
Tempo Practice - 60bpm 4/4
The 'Inside Out' Pattern5:24
Unlike a guitar, the ukulele is tuned so the notes are not in ascending order of pitch. This fingerpicking pattern plays notes in ascending pitch order.
Playing To Time (4/4) 100bpm3:08
Increasing the speed of our tempo training. Take your 4/4fingerpicking patterns and play them each along with this drum loop at 100bpm
4-4 Patterns Continued5:23
This finger-picking pattern incorporates one strum in the pattern. This is a lovely technique that can be used in lots of different types of songs.
Playing To Time (4/4) 120bpm3:06
Increasing the speed of our tempo training again. Take your 4/4 fingerpicking patterns and play them each along with this drum loop at 120bpm
Post a video or audio for personalised feedback.
Play An Extract from a Song!7:01
Play along with a song example to see how different fingerpicking patterns can be utilised and combined.

Requirements

You will need a ukulele in standard tuning
You may wish to print off handouts

Description

Are you bored with strumming? Do you want to make your ukulele playing more beautiful? Do you want to develop a more sophisticated sound?

Fingerpicking on the ukulele is a very satisfying style to play, and can really show off what a beautiful instrument the ukulele can be.

This course is designed to help you develop the necessary physical skill to introduce fingerpicking to your repertoire of musical skills.

How to start picking
What does your ‘rhythm’ (strumming) hand have to do
Develop necessary skills in each finger
Learn a few basic patterns
How to apply them to songs you already know.

This course is suitable for ukulele players of all levels. If you have learned a few chords and played a couple of songs, this is a benefit but not necessary. You can start with fingerpicking as a complete newbie if you would like to.

I have been teaching ukulele to players of from age 5-99 all around the Hampshire, for 8 years, from one-to-one coaching to classes of around 60 students. I direct an acoustic band which includes a ukulele section, for which I create suitable arrangements, select music, train members to performance standard and incorporate multi levels of skill.

“Many thanks for all your help Dielle, I really feel I got to grips with the technical stuff” Sue

"This is a very good beginner course and I am going to implement these fingerpicking styles as I learn more." Susan

“The tutors are inspirational” Peter, Hayling Ukulele Club

Who this course is for:

Anyone who wants to start fingerpicking on the ukulele