As usual, I get way ahead of myself when I get a new idea and immediately try to realize it in one day. Once again, I aim to write an easier piece than the previous one. This time, it’s about the C major scale. How can I make it easy and fun to practice? Before long, I had gone from C major to the chromatic scale. I could keep going. But I must stop at Pick Strum Scale for high G ukulele.
This piece fills three pages, including sections on C major and chromatic scales.
Learning outcomes
The following list is not exhaustive.
- C major scale
- Chromatic scale from middle C to an octave higher
- chords: C, Fadd9, G, G7, Am, Dm, B7, E7, etc.
- Right thumb to pick and strum
- alternating bass
- Calypso or Island strum
- Chord melody
- Right hand fingerpicking technique by walking the index and middle fingers
Pick! Pluck! Play!
“Pick Strum Scale” combines “Pick Strum C Major Scale” and “Pick Strum Chromatic Scale” plus a few goodies into one larger piece at level one.
The last page “Ukulele Chords” of the new book contains a table of ukulele chord diagrams ordered alphabetically for the chords used in the book.
I’m thrilled about releasing these books as a precursors (prerequisite) to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Suite, which contains three skill levels.
I am recording all my new compositions in the 100 Days of Ukulele 2025 project. To me, this challenge means uploading a new video recording of a new piece each consecutive day from 1st March to 8th June 2025.
For other recent compositions and arrangements by Anne Ku, please visit the Daily Music Writing Project or scroll through the consecutive blog posts.
