This blog post is about a fingerstyle ukulele exercise for low G ukulele in the key of A minor. The time signature is 3/4 which means a count of three. The exercise supports the song “Feed the Birds” in a previous blog post.
On the throes and thrills of writing fingerpicking exercises for high G ukulele in the previous post, I challenged myself to re-use the material for low G ukulele. To my surprise, it’s taken me in a different direction. More possibilities because of the additional low notes below middle C.
Low G or High G?
Personally I don’t favor one over the other. My first two ukuleles were low G tenor ukuleles. Both solid mahogany wood. A year later, I aquired my first soprano ukulele, with high G string.
I should post a separate blog entry about what I learned from playing on the different ukuleles and writing for low G and high G ukuleles.
Right hand finger choices
In my new exercise for low G ukulele, I also specified to use thumb, index, and middle fingers (p, i, m) for the fingerpicking hand. It’s not be default that you use all four fingers (p, i, m, a) when it’s possible to use only three.
The italicized letters refer to abbreviations of Spanish names for fingers, the convention in classical guitar. As there are only four strings on the ukulele, the right hand pinky is not used.
Repeat until fluid and fluent
In these exercises, the repeat signs do not instruct or mean to repeat once. That’s why I specifically indicate upfront to “repeat until fluid and fluent.”
Fluidity and fluency define a state of flow.
Choose a slow tempo to start with.
Practice suggestions
These measures are intended to be repeated. Repetition is important. Repeat each bar. Practice at different tempos (tempi). Repeat each section.
Access to the sheet music
- The accompaniment exercises are laid out on three pages. The pdfs will be e-mailed 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.
Notification of new and updated work
There is no ONE way to find out. The best way is ALL the ways.
- Sign up for the celebrated Ukulele Enthusiast e-blast (newsletter) to get on the mailing list for notification of such new arrangements. Use the Google Form.
- Subscribe to this website to get instant notification of these daily tabs. Use the form at the top right hand corner of any webpage.
- Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to get notification of new livestreams and uploads. It’s my intention to record my new work within a week of publishing on this website.
Catalog of new music by Anne Ku
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 | playalong video |
| 6 | Auld Lang Syne in F for low G ukulele | F, C | Chord Melody | playalong video |
| 7 | Feed the Birds | Em, Am | Lead Sheet, Chord Melody | sample scores |
| 8 | Accompaniment in 3/4 Time | Am | High G ukulele | sample scores |
| 9 | Accompaniment exercises in 3/4 Time | Am | Low G ukulele | sample scores |