Pick Pluck Play! Book 3

The third book in the Pick Pluck Play fingerstyle ukulele series opens with “Counting Sheep to Sleep,” a spin-off of “Counting Sheep” in the forthcoming Chinese Zodiac book of 12 pentatonic pieces. I quote a famous cantata by Bach. This book is special in that I introduce different fingerpicking accompaniments such as arpeggio, Alberti bass, waltz, and Travis picking. This book will be published on Amazon worldwide.

Preface

The twelve pieces in Book 3 of the “Pick Pluck Play!” Series encompass common fingerpicking accompaniments for the right hand (waltz, arpeggio, Alberti bass, travis picking), smooth transition between chords for the left hand (also known as chord switching and chord choreography), and a bit of chord melody playing (instrumental soloing). 

For the complete beginner in fingerstyle ukulele who stepped into fingerpicking open strings in Book 1, moving progressively into Book 2, this book makes use of everything learned so far.

Progressive means that the pieces are presented according to increasing levels of difficulty. However, this may be subjective. Your feedback is welcome to be reflected in future editions.

Notice that the size of the notes gets smaller and the number of notes gets larger as the pieces advance in difficulty. Fingerstyle ukulele players will get used to the different kinds of indicators: left hand finger numbers, right hand small italic letters for fingers, small left hand technique abbreviations, fret numbers on the tablature, chord names, and italic bold abbreviations for dynamics and other musical expression.

Unlike the previous two books in which the skill levels noticeably advance, the contents of Book 3 and Book 4 are relatively similar, the latter focusing mainly on chord melody playing.

Table of Contents

1. Counting Sheep to Sleep – a lullaby that won’t put you to sleep in the first three frets

2. Sense the Sicilienne – a dance in 6/8 time (the chord melody version appears in Book 4)

3. C Major Scale Waltz – everyone should know the C major scale; easier in a song

4. C Minor Scale Waltz – parallel to C major is C minor – the same tune but in minor

5. Tulips in Triple Time – the first note starts on the 5th fret but most of it in first three frets, a tulip waltz

6. Cadencia Andaluza Por Favor – the Andalusian Cadence is a common chord progression in a minor key heard in popular songs like “Hit the Road Jack” and “Stray Cat Strut” If you can finger these four chords, you can fingerpick the notes of the corresponding broken chords.

7. I Hear Ya, Andaluza – the Andalusian Cadence in different keys with eighth notes

8. Arpeggio Curioso – the Italian word for harp-like, to sound like a harp, is none other than notes of a broken chord in one direction. If you’re curious, check out the samples in the blog post.

9. Arpeggio Carpaccio Prego – what sounds like an arpeggio doesn’t necessarily look like an arpeggio on high G ukulele tablature; here’s another exploration of this broken chord accompaniment

10. Alberti Zucchini – the Alberti bass can be heard in the early classical piano sonatas, which can be replicated easily on the ukulele with three strings

11. Travel with Travis in the Wind – named after Merle Travis, this popular fingerpicking pattern has many variations. You can hear it in Dust in the Wind and Blowin’ in the Wind.

12. Travel with Travis: Hammer, Pull, Slide – Travis Picking can be embellished with left hand techniques of hammer on, pull off, and slide.

BONUS INCLUSIONS

Skip to My Lou – different ways to play this popular children’s song

Chord Choregraphy – fingersing and switching exercises for chords used in this book

Auld Lang Syne arrangement

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