Can a melody live in both major and minor worlds? Before my eyes open to embrace the day, I am already composing a melody in my head. Which chords are necessary to “force” a major melody into its parallel minor? Do the notes need to change? Let’s take a simple melody and find out in the “Major Minor Menagerie” for ukulele.
Ways to play
In pursuit of flexibility, I like to offer different options to play this instrumental piece, as follows:
- Fingerpick the melody with correct (optimal) fingers and fingerpicking technique
- Accompany the melody with chords and explore different strum and fingerpicking patterns. In other words, duet with the melody picker.
- Create a chord melody arrangement, combining both melody and harmony together as an instrumental solo
Parallel major and minor
The piece opens with a simple melody in C major. In the second section, I lower the third and sixth degrees of the major scale to move the melody to its parallel minor key of C minor. The result still sounds like the original with a twist.
Alternative endings as transitions
There are two endings to the second section. The first stays in C minor while the second transitions to C major. It’s also possible to switch the two endings.
Why repeat?
The repeat signs are intended to give opportunities for
- Alternative expression
- Practice (for re-enforcement)
- Alternative accompaniment
In the last section of this piece, I deliberately mix up the major and minor. I make use of secondary dominant chords, e.g. A7 before Dm; E7 before Am; G7 before C7 before F.
Of course, we can return to previous sections and use the accompanying chords indicated, too.
Pick! Pluck! Play!
I would love to include “Major Minor Menagerie” in the first level of the book “Pick! Pluck! Play!” certainly the melody can but the chords may be level two.
The last page “Ukulele Chords” of the new book contains a table of ukulele chord diagrams ordered alphabetically for the chords used in the book.
I’m thrilled about releasing these two books as a precursors (prerequisite) to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Suite, which contains three skill levels.
I am recording all my new compositions in the 100 Days of Ukulele 2025 project. To me, this challenge means uploading a new video recording of a new piece each consecutive day from 1st March to 8th June 2025.
For other recent compositions and arrangements by Anne Ku, please visit the Daily Music Writing Project or scroll through the consecutive blog posts.
