Find hundreds of Three Chord Songs in Mel Bay’s Songbooks

Need three chord songs to play? Mel Bay has four books in their ‘101 Three-Chord____ Songs’ series. Buy the books OR use the ‘song lists’ (look for the ‘Contents’ tab for each songbook) of each to try playing the songs by ear and the lyrics by memory.

The books include:

– ‘101 Three-Chord Children’s Songs for Guitar, Banjo & Uke’
– ‘101 Three-Chord Country & Bluegrass Songs for Guitar, Banjo & Uke’
– ‘101 Three-Chord Hymns & Gospel Songs for Guitar, Banjo & Uke’
– ‘101 Three-Chord Songs for Guitar, Banjo & Uke’

There is also a ’50 Three-Chord Christmas Songs for Guitar, Banjo & Uke’

With the books ‘you will need only minimal playing skills and three chords–G, C, and D7–to accompany each song in this great book. The jam-packed book is invaluable for all beginning musicians, casual musicians, teachers, family bands, and performers. Melody, lyrics, and chords are included for all songs…
Guitar, uke, and five-string banjo diagrams are included for the three chords, along with basic accompaniment tips. Transposing and how-to-use-the-capo tips are included for singers. An invaluable sourcebook for teachers–and a handy, compact fakebook for performers.’

Check them out… Mel Bay Publications, Inc.

Do you know what UKE stands for?

If you are reading this I suspect that you THINK you do. Of course, Uke is short for ukulele. But what does UKE or U.K.E. stand for? “Ukulele and Kazoo Ensemble” of course! This is a group in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Michigan.

AnnArbor.com announces:
Calling all ukulele strummers, kazoo players, friends and family: the Ann Arbor Ukulele and Kazoo Ensemble (U.K.E.) wants you to march in the 20th Annual Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade.’

…’Anyone interested in joining the Ann Arbor Ukulele and Kazoo Ensemble can go online to http://www.box.net/annarborukes to download songs, sheet music and other information.’

The ensemble will play some great Patriotic Standards including:
– “Yankee Doodle Boy” with “You’re A Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan,
– Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,”
– “When The Saints Go Marching In”
– and an original composition, “Ukes On The March.”

Parade Group Seeks Ukulele and Kazoo Players – Community News

Love These Tommy Bahama Ukulele Swim Trunks

I think you’ll agree that these are some great looking trunks!
Ukulele Blooms Swim Trunks If you like fine clothes check them out. Love them!

Mind you, I would never pay $58.00 for a pair of trunks when I could buy another Makala or other inexpensive uke for that much. I will, however, be looking for them at our local GoodWill store. Guess I’d better be patient – it will take a while for these to show up there AND I’ll need to wash them SEVERAL times.

If you know of a similar cheap version of these great trunks please let me know. : )

ezFolk.com’s ‘ultimate’ ukulele strumming tutorial | Beginner Ukulele

ezFolk.com offers a great strumming tutorial for absolute beginners! The tutorial features very clear examples AND ‘midi files’ in three speeds: very slow, slow and normal. The Website tells the player to use the tutorial this way:

Try the different patterns with different songs and see how they sound. You can decide which patterns work best for you, and it’s up to you to decide which fit in the best with certain songs. After a while you’ll be strumming away, not really thinking about playing a particular pattern but just letting your fingers play what feels right at the time.’

Check out ezFolk.com’s great strumming tutorial! http://www.ezfolk.com

The Value of a Metronome | Beginner Ukulele

I’ve played guitar for many years but still the biggest problem I have is keeping an even rhythm. A metronome is the perfect practice tool. It helps you keep the rhythm steady but it also allows you to start practicing a song at a slower pace and gradually increase the tempo. MetronomeOnline.com provides a wonderful metronome. To quote the site:

MetronomeOnline provides ‘an online metronome ideal for quick and easy use while practicing music, this music tool helps with your rhythm as well as tempo selections and it is always available for free to all students of music at metronomeonline.com

Flash Cards from PlayUke.net help in Playing By Ear

I ordered the flash cards on this Website and they have really helped me in learning to play by ear.

Uke in a Flash

Only $6.00 (including postage) and you get laminated cards with all of the keys (one key each side).

Most all songs in the world can be played using only the chords across the top (Primary Major Chords and Primary Minor Chords).

I look at a song and note what chords are there and verify that they are the same as the top of the card. I then try to play the song (familiar tunes) looking only at the card. It is getting much easier to play by ear.

Check out all of the great resources at PlayUke.net