Free Technique and Theory Lessons

Understanding & Applying Vibrato on Ukulele - Vibrato is a technique that tends to have a bit of mystery surrounding it... Not anymore, because we're breaking it down and taking an in-depth analysis to answer 3 big questions:

1) What is vibrato?
2) How do we do it?
3) Why and how do we use it?

 
Swung vs. Straight Rhythm – A common stylistic approach used in Jazz and Blues Shuffles is to play with a swung rhythm. But, what exactly does it mean to “swing the rhythm”? That’s what we’ll be answering in this lesson.

 
3 Exercises for Warming Up - Learn 3 exercises that can be used for warming up. These exercises were specifically written with the intermediate player in mind.

Exercise 1 focuses on building left hand dexterity by running sequences (repetitive patterns) up the neck. While exercise 2, helps to develop rhythm in the right hand via strumming. Finally, exercise 3 centers around advancing dexterity in both hands, while throwing technique (such as, hammer-ons and pull-offs) into the mix.

 
7 Rhythm Playing Ideas you can use INSTEAD OF Island Strum - Ever been to a jam and EVERYONE is playing the exact same strum pattern, you know, D DU UDU - the Island Strum? That ends today, because this lesson will teach you 7 different rhythms you can use IN PLACE OF the Island Strum.

The rhythm ideas taught in this lesson can be applied to ANY song, allowing you to stand out from the crowd by adding intricate layers to the harmony (chords).

 
Hi guys! Here's an awesome beginner-friendly lesson from Matt Dahlberg on figuring out how to determine the best fingering to use when switching from chord to chord. Here's an example of what this lesson will help with:

We are usually taught to play the C chord (0003) with the ring finger; but depending on the context of the music, this isn’t always the most efficient fingering to use. Sometimes when we transition from one chord to the next, it may make more sense to use the middle finger to fret this chord. But how and when do we know to use the middle or the ring finger? That’s what we’ll be answering in this lesson.

 
Here's another great lesson from Matt Dahlberg on tackling Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs. Deep dive into the mechanics behind this technique, learning 5 examples along the way.

 
Would LOVE some lessons on Cuban and African music. Some Bossa Nova for Ukes would be great too. I know you have Bossa Nova for UBass. LOVE your "Spanish Ukelele". Your site and Daniel Ward Arpeggio book have been the most help to me.
 
We did the uke and bass lesson on this one, which was an original.

Cuban music would be so fun! I'll keep that in mind :) Glad to hear you enjoy the lessons!

 
In-Depth Barre Chord Tutorial for the Intermediate Ukulele Player - In this session, you’ll learn how to properly fret full and partial barre chords. We’ll also cover the main reasons why barre chords do not ring clear, AND, how to overcome these obstacles.

This lesson will move beyond ONLY barring with the index finger; as we’ll also be tackling chords that require barring with the middle and ring finger.

 
Here's an awesome lesson from Matt Dahlberg that talks about how we can get different timbres (textures of sound) out of our playing. This lesson is great for those who play fingerstyle, as it focuses on that style of playing. :D

 
Practicing with a Metronome - Have you ever felt lost or confused when trying to practice with a metronome? Worry not, as this month’s live lesson will lay down a clear path to help you see how rhythm fits within the walls of the “click”.

You’ll also learn why using a metronome is an incredibly valuable tool for practicing.

 
A Beginner’s Guide to Dynamics! - Dynamics breathe life into our performance. But what exactly is it? And how do we incorporate it into our playing? Grab your uke and get ready to make it sing as we dive into the world of dynamics!

 
Strumming Techniques: Beyond the Island Strum - For most of us, our ukulele journey begins by learning to strum a few chords. We dive into strumming patterns, such as the ever-popular “Island Strum” (D DU UDU), before progressing to “Chucking”; which is a percussive technique that creates a backbeat on beats 2 and 4. But then something happens, we hit a wall, we plateau.

This course will help you break through that wall by introducing you to four strumming techniques that will make your rhythm playing POP! These techniques not only add pizzazz to your right hand, but will change the tonal landscape, as you learn how to:

1) Accent beats to create a more dynamic feel to your playing.
2) Alter rhythms – say goodbye to only strumming quarter and eighth note rhythms.

Upon completing this course, you’ll walk away with the ability to spice up any simple strum pattern; creating a rhythmic sound that is unique to you!

 
Triplet Picking Technique - In this session, you’ll learn the triplet picking technique used in classical guitar mainstays like, “Malagueña.” We’ll cover what triplets are from a rhythmic standpoint, as well as, how this technique creates a tremolo effect on the A string.

 
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