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.
More information
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