Pluck and Strum: authentic replication

Ever wanted to play the intro riff that makes a song so recognizable? To replicate a song authentically, in the way we know it from the artists that made it famous, often we need to use both plucking and strumming techniques to bring out the instrumental introduction, interludes, and outro. To accompany it, we may need to pluck AND strum. It’s not enough to use the same strum pattern for the entire song.

The autumn series consisted of one-hour classes over eight consecutive weeks. Learn one song in depth per class (5 songs total) and exercises to build the skills needed. Replicate the original with introductory or other familiar riff, pluck and strum patterns. These five songs are not the same as those below for the summer course.

Pre-requisites: already taken a beginner level class, can comfortably hold a ukulele, read chord diagrams, play the basic strum patterns and chords, and read and play from tablature (tabs).

Skill or technique:

• Chromatic scale
• From piano keyboard to notes to fretboard
• Memorize
• Travis picking
• Major scale
• Replicating a song within one’s skill level
• Articulation: legato vs nonlegato
• Muting techniques

Songs (application of techniques):

• Easy peasy duet (air on open strings)
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Iz version)
• Dust in the Wind
• Whiter Shade of Pale
• Tubular Bells
• Both Sides Now
• James Bond Theme

---

FREE TASTER WORKSHOP:
Thursday July 9, 2020
4:30 pm EDT (you may enter zoom at 4:15 pm)

1. Introduction
2. Warm-up exercises in pluck, strum, and chord switching.
3. Reading tablature.
4. Right hand technique.
5. Proper and improper way to pluck.
6. Learn a song.
7. Discussion. Question and Answer.

---

The summer course (first time Pluck & Strum offered) runs for five consecutive weeks from mid-July, then a two week study break so you can work with your “study buddy”, resuming in September for the two remaining sessions to end with a virtual performance in Three Chord Thursday at Three on Sept 17, 2020 at 3 pm.

---

• Wednesday mornings 10 -11 am EDT 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12. Break. 9/2, 9/9.
• Wednesday evenings 5:15 – 6:15 pm EDT 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12. Break. 9/2, 9/9.
• Thursday afternoons 4:30-5:30 pm EDT 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13. Break. 9/3, 9/10.

The tuition includes a handout (PDF) with links to video recordings of the class session (e-mailed after each class), arrangements and transcriptions made for the class, custom-tailored exercises to strengthen right and left hand techniques.

I will introduce one song per week (for the first five weeks) with my own arrangements and exercises custom-tailored to improve your plucking, strumming, and fingering techniques. All requests are considered.

Schedule of sessions in the 7-week summer course 2020:

1. Norwegian Wood – John Lennon – Session 1 (7/15/2020) riff + strum
2. Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce – Session 2 (7/22 & 7/23) chord melody arrangement (riff + pluck)
3. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – Burt Bacharach – Session 3 (7/29 & 7/30)
4. In the Summertime – Session 4 (8/5 & 8/6)
5. Pineapple Mango – Daniel Ho – Session 5 (8/12 & 8/13)

Register in advance for the FREE TASTER WORKSHOP to get the zoom meeting link, ID, and password. Answer a few questions that will help tailor the course to your background.

Song (year released) composers	Authentic replication: original key, time signature,  riffs, number of chordsform, official video	Transposition, Reductionplay along video	Tips & Technique, unique features
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (1965) John Lennon & Paul McCartney	D major, 6/8 or 3/4, distinct intro riff, 9 chords, AB form: major then minor; Beatles	G major, E major	Sitar intro, suspended chords
Time in a Bottle (1973) Jim Croce	D minor,3/4, intro & outro, 6 chords, AB form: minor then major;  Jim Croce	Am playalong video	inner descending melodic line, book by Croce’s widow
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head (1969) Hal David & Burt Bacharach	F major, 4/4intro & outro riffs, cadence (Gm7, C)9 chords, BJ Thomas	Gm7 instead of BbF instead of Fmaj7, F7 playlong video	Ukulele intro, relaxed not too faststrum with a swing; high G uke
In the Summertime (1970) Ray Dorset (Mungo Jerry)	E major, 4/4, intro, 12-bar blues, vocables, Mungo Jerry.	C major	Ch-ch beatboxHammer on, pull-off, slide; D- -u D- —
Pineapple Mango (2007) Daniel Ho	G major, 4/4, verse, 3 chords, verse, chorus, Daniel Ho solo.	Lead sheet, parts in ensemble, song sheet	Syncopation Solo chord melody as played by Daniel Ho