Left hand techniques refer to the different ways to produce sound with the fretting hand. In addition to preparing the pitch, these left hand fingers can also be employed to produce sound by sliding, bending, hammering on, and pulling off. We explore exercises for the high G ukulele, as applied to Auld Lang Syne for high G ukulele.
Left hand techniques add variety to the sound production on the ukulele. These are also used for other string instruments such as the guitar and violin.
In the sample extract above, I show just one of many ways to play the individual melodic notes by using the left hand fingers. Here are the definitions of left hand techniques (LHT).
Hammer on: after plucking a string with a right hand finger, use a left hand finger to hit that string like a hammer on a fret for that pitch. A hammer is most powerful when struck perpendicular to the surface at the tip. You can hammer on either an open or fretted string.
Slide: after plucking a string with a right hand finger, use a left left hand finger to slide or glide on the same string to the next fret for that pitch.
Pull off: use a left hand finger to pluck the string
Bend: use a left hand finger to move a pressed string towards adjacent strings. This technique isn’t used in this example. Can you think of where you might be able to employ this “bend” ? The middle strings are easier to bend than the outer strings. It’s also easier to bend a string on the third or fourth frets than on the first fret.
Notice in the third measure, I indicated a slide from the open G string to the 4th fret. First fingerpick or pluck the open G string with a right hand finger. Immediately, use the left hand index finger press the open G string on the first fret and slide to the fourth fret rapidly. The rapid motion produces the momentum necessary to slide so many frets on an open string.
You can pull off a fretted string to an open string or another fret.
In the second part of the lead sheet (shown immediately above), it’s possible to pull off the A string from the 7th to the 5th fret in bars 10 and 11 — corresponding to the lyrics “for all.” In general, we pull off from a higher fretted string to a lower fretted or open string.
Instead of sliding to a higher fret, you can also hammer on the string at a higher fret.
Practice Suggestion
Practice each of the indicated left hand techniques several times until you don’t spend extra time getting ready and until you are satisfied with the sound you produce.
How to get access to the sheet music
- These one-page PDFs will be sent to all those who registered and paid for the 8-week Ukulele Winter 2025 course. See the Classes Webpage for further details.
- Annual subscribers to 3 Chord Thursday 2025 may request and receive these new arrangements as part of their package, for supporting the thematic song sessions for 2025.
- In due course, these arrangements will be available for purchase.
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Catalog of New Music by Anne Ku
On the first day of the new year, I declared that I’ll compose or arrange music every day and publish (announce) on my website. This declaration doesn’t mean that I will produce one new piece each day but that over time, there will be 31 in the month of January. Today I was very productive because I know that I will be busy this weekend with crochet, guitar and organ.
Below is what I know and have done so far and what I plan to do for this week. Each piece is followed by exercises to prepare and support that piece.
| Day | Title / Topic | Keys | Type | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greensleeves / What Child Is This | Em, Fm, Gm, Am | Lead Sheet Chord Melody | sample score, video |
| 2 | Andalusian Cadence | Am, Gm | Arpeggio Accompaniment | sample score |
| 3 | Auld Lang Syne for high G ukulele | F, G | Lead Sheet Chord Melody | sample score, playalong video |
| 4 | Left Hand Techniques | G | Lead Sheet | definition, sample score |
| 5 | On Top of Spaghetti | C | Chord Melody | |
| 6 | Auld Lang Syne for low G ukulele | Chord Melody | ||
| 7 | Accompaniment Styles | Hymn Ballad |
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