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Your First Uke Lesson - Three Little Birds Chord Chart

This document provides instructions for a beginner's first ukulele lesson. It covers how to hold and tune a ukulele, how to strum clearly, how to read chord diagrams, and presents a simple arrangement of "Three Little Birds" to practice. The lesson emphasizes building finger strength and control through regular short practice sessions.

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Christina Ciofani
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68 views2 pages

Your First Uke Lesson - Three Little Birds Chord Chart

This document provides instructions for a beginner's first ukulele lesson. It covers how to hold and tune a ukulele, how to strum clearly, how to read chord diagrams, and presents a simple arrangement of "Three Little Birds" to practice. The lesson emphasizes building finger strength and control through regular short practice sessions.

Uploaded by

Christina Ciofani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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YOUR FIRST UKE LESSON with Cynthia Lin, http://cynthialin.

com/ukulele
Video tutorials at http://youtube.com/cynthialinmusic
Please share this info and spread the joy of ukulele - happy strumming!

HOW TO HOLD AN UKE:


Neck points 10 o’clock on your body. Left hand at neck, right arm wrap around, use right forearm
to tuck uke against your body. Right hand should be able to strum above the sound hole.

HOW TO TUNE AN UKE:


String order: G C E A (top to bottom)
Practice plucking each string clearly, and say each string's name
Video on how to use an electronic tuner available at http://youtube.com/cynthialinmusic

HOW TO STRUM CLEARLY:


Start with your thumb (easier grip) but you'll want to move to using your index finger.
Pluck each individual string clearly and loudly - don’t be afraid of plucking hard.
Then pluck down onto the next string. Build control to be able to stop on each string.
Strum the strings slowly from top to bottom, articulating each string.
When the slow strum sounds clear, then you can speed up.
Do this for each new chord that you try.

HOW TO PLACE YOUR FINGERS FOR CHORDS:


I recommend the “handshake” method. Hold your left hand out like you’re going to shake
someone’s hand, straight and vertical.
Prop your hand under the neck, so that it lays on the side of your hand at the inside knuckle joint.
Curl your fingers around into chord position. Your top knuckle should be perpendicular to the
fretboard, like a nail into a wall, pressing straight into the string. Your palm should be curled, like
you have a ping-pong ball tucked in your hand - be careful that your palm does not press against
the neck.
Your wrist should be straight, and your arm should support your wrist and hand.
It will take some time for your hand and fingers to build stretch and strength. Practice chord
fingering for 5 minutes a day, and you will see fast improvement!
t t
d t

t
1s fre

HOW TO READ CHORD DIAGRAMS:


2n fre

fre

neck
d
3r

1 is index finger
1st fret — G
2 is middle finger 2nd fret — C
3 is ring finger 3rd fret — E
A

G C E A neck
Beginner Ukulele Lesson #1: THREE LITTLE BIRDS by Bob Marley
Beginner Uke arrangement by Cynthia Lin, http://cynthialin.com/ukulele
Tutorial video at http://youtube.com/cynthialinmusic
simple downstrum, 4 strums per chord

C C
Don’t worry about a thing
F C
cause e-very little thing is gonna be al-right

C C
Singin’ don’t worry about a thing
F C
cause e-very little thing is gonna be al-right

C G
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun
C F
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
C G
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true
F C
sayin’ “this is my message to you”

when the simple strum is comfortable, you can also try the reggae/backbeat strum from the I'm Yours
lesson: d D | d D | d D | d D per chord

HOW TO PRACTICE: 5 minutes a day is good for your brain and good for your soul!
1. Always remember to tune your uke before you practice
2. Your fingertips may hurt at first - practicing 5 to 10 minutes a day will keep them from hurting
too much and allow your fingertips time to build callouses.
3. Strum each chord clearly before you begin playing the song. You can practice transitioning
between the chords as an exercise.
4. Check your handshake position, make sure the palm is curled and the knuckles are curled.
5. You can use the lesson tutorials for review at http://youtube.com/cynthialinmusic
6. There are tons of ukulele chord charts online - search for the song you want to play and give
it a shot. Have fun!

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