Free Backing Tracks for Bluegrass, Celtic, Gypsy-Jazz, etc.
If you play a string instrument and like any of these styles of music (Bluegrass, Old-Timey, Celtic, Gypsy-Jazz, etc.) you may like this Website – it offers free backing recordings for playing along with. You can slow down or speed them up.
There is also a section of common Chord Progressions to practice.
http://www.fbbts.com/Home.html
This is similar but a little less daunting. It includes the words, but you can’t slow down, etc. https://toneway.com/songs
Technology Tip:
I use Chrome browser on my laptop and my audio volumes were too soft and so I searched for a solution and found this.
It works great!
https://chrome.google.com/…/nfdfiepdkbnoanddpianalelglmfooik
“How to Chuck 3 Different Ways” – One School Music
“How to Get a ‘Chunkier’ Chunk” (Ukulele Webcam Sessions)
Create a ‘Lei’ decoration for the head of your ukulele
Ever seen ukuleles with beautiful flowers adorning the head? Where do people get those!?!
You are in luck! One Music School shares how to make them from inexpensive fake flowers.
Give it a try! https://youtu.be/US-g1dJq8_Q
Here are some other sources:
- Buy a couple hair ties from the dollar store, take them apart and re-string them.
- Buy one from Ukuhappy on Etsy.com
- Buy one from Ukulele Magazine
‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran for Ukulele – fingerpicking AND strumming
I love this song – the melody is just beautiful.
I wanted to play it on the ukulele and started searching for good arrangements.
Ran across this tutorial video and love it – a little fingerpicking and a little strumming – neither too hard.
The hard part is that you need a capo on the 1st fret – they cost about $15 for a good one.
The video – https://youtu.be/s8b2xKBj-ao
The printed music/notes for the video are in the comments or here – https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B62zBAbDVZxXeWJxNkdDbVdiUUU/view
15 Songs using 4 Chord shapes on Ukulele from Jellynote on YouTube
Top 10 Fingerstyle Ukulele Covers from JellyNote on YouTube
Amahi begins Ukulele Tips of the Week on Facebook
If you don’t know Amahi ukuleles, please give me the pleasure to introduce you. Amahi has been making fine violins for years under the name Amati (with a ‘t’). They recently started making intentionally inexpensive ukuleles and I believe that they are a great contender! They now have a broad range of ukes from $50ish student ukuleles which are similar to Makala to $500ish models. I really like the quality of their intermediates ($150-$300ish). They also offer more expensive brands under separate brand names. They are located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit their Website and ‘like’ them on Facebook to learn more about them.
They also offer less expensive AND more expensive brands under separate brand names.
Amahi is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit their Website and ‘like’ them on Facebook to learn more about them.
Simple Chords and Children’s Songs
You don’t have to be a pro or expert ukulele player to bring joy to children (or adults, for that matters) with simple songs using simple chords. Just have fun!
Check out Storytime Ukulele: Simple chords for Simple songs. Lots of good stuff!
While you at it, check out the article, The Benefits of the Ukulele on Kids’ Attitudes.
