JOHN LEE MUSIC INSTRUCTION

In Standard Tuning, the Ukulele fretboard has the open strings “G, C, E, A” from strings 4 to 1, or bottom to top. We may remember these open string notes by using the phrase “Good Charlie Eats Apples”. The notes of the fingerboard ascends from the open strings with the chromatic scale up the Ukulele neck and descends down the neck. Taking the 4 th  string as example, the 4 th  string begins and ascends with G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G. Decending from the 12 th  fret, we will have G, Gb, F, E, Eb, D, Db, C, B, Bb, A, Ab, G. Because the “Musical Alphabet” or Chromatic Scale has 12 notes, the notes of the fingerboard repeat the open string notes on the 12 fret 1 Octave above Open. Thus, the 13 th  fret holds the same notes as the 1 st  fret, and the 14 th  fret has the same notes as the 2 nd  fret, and so on.

In Standard Tuning, the Guitar fretboard has the open strings “E, A, D, G, B, E” from strings 6 to 1 or bottom to top. We may remember these open string note with the phrase “Every Alligator Does Get Born Early”. The notes of the fingerboard ascends from the open strings with the chromatic scale up the Guitar neck and descends down the neck. Taking the 6 th  string as example, the 6 th  string ascends and begin from the open string E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E. And descending from the 12 th  fret, we will have E, Eb, D, Db, C, B, Bb, A, Ab, G, Gb, F, E. Because the “Musical Alphabet” or Chromatic Scale has 12 notes, the notes on the Guitar fretboard repeat the open string notes on the 12 fret 1 Octave above Open. Thus, the 13 th  fret hold the same notes as the 1 st  fret, the 14 th  fret with similar notes as the 2 nd  fret, and so on.

In the Key of C, the I, IV, V & VIm Chords are C, F, G & Am as shown in the Chord Diagram. The I, IV & V Chords have been the basis of Blues Music and lay the foundation to the structure of Modern Pop and Rock. If we add the VIm Chord to the I, IV & V, we are able to play countless Songs we hear today. Play these chords in different order to see how well they work with each other. Use different Chord Progressions. You may begin with I, IV & V. Then, I, V & IV. Next, I, V, VIm & IV. And I, VIm, IV & V. Lastly, I, IV, VIm & V.

Play the given Chords in the List and hear the difference in Sound Qualities between Major, Minor and Dominant 7th Chords. Major Chords have a positive and happy sound, They are used extensively from Nursery Rhymes to Contemporary Songs such as “Happy Birthday” and “We wish You a Merry Christmas”. Minor Chords have a dark or sad sound and are used in sad Songs such as “My Heart will go on” from the Movie “Titanic”. Dominant 7th Chords have an unresolved or neutral sound and are most common in Blues Music. The last 3 Chords in the List are Slash Chords or Chords with a different Root in the Bass. For example, the C/E Chord is a C Chord with an E in the Bass. These Slash Chords are frequently used in place of regular Chords to add Colour in Music.

The Major Scale is constructed from the Chromatic Scale based on the Major Scale Formula of 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1. The Diagram above shows the C Chromatic and Major Scales. Play the Major Scale on 1 String on your Instrument beginning with a C note near or at Open Position. Sing the Solfege and the Pitches of the Scale as you ascend and descend the Fingerboard. Notice that the Major Scale has a happy and positive sound. This scale is used in many genres of Music ranging from Nursery Rhymes to Modern Pop and Rock.

The C Major Scale is a widely used Scale. Songs using the C Major Scale in the Key of C include “Let It Be” by The Beatles, “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “With Arms Wide Open” by Creed, “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum, “ S omewhere Over The Rainbow” by I srael Kamakawiwo’ole, “Superman” by Five for Fighting, and “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon.  Practise playing the Scale over these Songs and observe how the Scale harmonizes with the Songs.

The G Major Scale is another widely used Scale. Songs using the G Major Scale in the Key of G include “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, “More Than A Feeling” by Boston, “Silent Lucidity” by Queensryche, “Let Her Cry” by Hootie and the Blowfish, “Creep” by Radiohead and “Let It Go” by Demi Lovato. Practise playing the Scale over these Songs and observe how the Scale harmonizes with the Songs.