Fingerstyle ukulele refers to using your individual fingers to pluck the individual strings of your ukulele. Interactive online classes (in Zoom) are ideal for this kind of playing because you get to hear yourself. You can focus on producing a good tone.
Newcomers to the ukulele tend to start with one or the other kind of ukulele playing: strum or pluck. While strumming helps you keep time with rhythmic accompaniment, fingerstyle ukulele offers other possibilities.
TAB & PLUCK is the name of a music course intended for anyone who already plays the ukulele but wants to learn how to read tablature (tab, tabs) more quickly with correct right hand fingering and technique. This is a foundation course, providing the necessary terms, tools and techniques for any or all of the following paths.
fingerpicking accompaniment: pluck patterns such as Travis picking, Alberti accompaniment, arpeggio, and other fingerpicking accompaniments to support singing
melodic fingerpicking: pick the notes to introductions, melody lines and other single notes
riffs and licks: pick the notes of recognizable riffs and repetitive melodic patterns
classical ukulele: arrangements and transcriptions of well-known pieces from classical music, anywhere from Renaissance to modern periods
chord melody arrangements: include the melody in the chord, be able to read from a lead sheet (lyrics, chords, and melody line) and create such a self-accompanied piece
Fun with the Ukulele book series: nursery rhymes, Chinese songs for ukulele, and other applications of fingerstyle ukulele to different genres and skill levels.
In the Intro to Fingerstyle Ukulele workshop (2/9/2022), we replicated Joan Baez’s guitar accompaniment to the timeless love song “Plaisir d’Amour” with a pluck pattern. Listen to Joan Baez’s version. Use the pluck pattern 432132|213121| with the chords from the 1-page song sheet to play along.
Now try the instrumental solo for ukulele to play this song. The following two videos were released to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The same piece can be accompanied with a low G ukulele which gives it more bass. Can you hear the difference?
These kinds of pluck patterns can be used to accompany folk songs.
Related Information
Testimonials
Nearly 60 people registered and attended the 1-hour free workshop in Zoom “Introduction to Fingerstyle Ukulele” on Wednesday 2/9/2022. Here are some of the testimonials.
I learned something new to add to my uke repertoire.
I love every class Anne gives. If you play during the week (I have to use the word homework) you will be amazed at how well you’ll learn!!
Enjoyed it and didn’t mind the questions because it gave me more time to practice.
I love your professional approach to teaching and your hand-outs that can be used for review. I also appreciate your prompt replies to my questions via email and encouragement.
Again so enjoy your efforts and our group. I could feel my brain turning over as it tried to learn. And love the sound of the plucking note melody. I will practice to become more adept.
I wanted to take this class before Anne offered the free lesson, but I was unsure about the time and day fitting into my schedule. Well, the time and day fits and after the first class how could I not want more. I Highly recommend Anne. – Cheryl Uchmanowicz
I did get a sense of how to position fingers and pluck for a triple time tune, thank you.
This course introduction appear as a good one for improving right hand finger dexterity, change chord on time with your left hand and tune your voice when singing . Beside, as good teacher you are, you make learn a lot of fun. All the courses I am now enrolled and taken in the past I learned a lot from you.
Anne Ku is an accomplished teacher. She has offered many courses over the years, both in person and online, and she has a dedicated following among ukulele players. Anne is extremely knowledgable, always personable, and very patient with her students. Learn and enjoy!
Ann is such a talented and creative musician. She brings together all levels of Ukulele players to augment their skills. The Ukulele community is so grateful for all she does.
Anne does a great job for the beginner fingerpicking class. She starts at the very beginning, has clear visuals, plays slowly enough for beginners and progresses through the exercises by baby steps until you are playing a real song! I recommend Anne if you are a beginner to fingerpicking on the ukulele. Vicki
I have enjoyed taking classes from Anne because of her approach to learning music. There have been times when I am unable to join in, and because of this I have appreciated the recordings. Though music at times can be challenging, Anne helps us learn and is always positive. This is why I continue to take classes from Anne.
It was fun learning Plaisir d’Amour at a slower speed at this time.
I think the potential of this Intro class was there, but it didn’t work very well for me, and it was confusing–mostly because Anne kept getting interrupted.
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