Pick Pluck Play! Book 3

The third book in the Pick Pluck Play! ukulele series will be released in August 2026 with 12 original pieces for fingerstyle ukulele and a bonus arrangement of Erik Satie’s Gymnopedies – Sortie on Satie.

Preface

Most of the 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 x p = 1p – use the fret indicators (markers) to help you play this opening piece

Suss the Suss – suspended chords; strum; fingerpick

Sense the Sicilienne – a dance in 6/8 time (the chord melody version appears in Book 5)

C Minor Scale Waltz

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

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

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

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

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.

Thrice Blinded by Mice – a familiar song played in an unfamiliar way

Minor Mood

Bella Italia – arpeggiated piece

BONUS MATERIAL

Sortie on Satie – arrangement of Erik Satie’s three Gymnopedies

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

---

Visit Book 1 for testimonials (reviews), and list of titles

Order ukulele books by Anne Ku

Please use the new form to order books. Click on the image below for the Google Form.