Gentle Music Theory for 'Ukulele Players
Week 1
Chords and chord progressions typically used in mid-20th-century pop songs (Great American Songbook).
Chords: C7, E7, D7, A7, G7
Songs: In the Good Old Summertime, Five Foot Two
Ode to Joy melody
play melody (single notes) mostly on 2 strings on high frets
how to read tab
In the handouts section below (Google folder), go to the Ode to Joy folder to access the PDFs of the tab/notation and the MP3 files.
Suggested apps/online tools:
Adobe Reader
Week 2
GAS chord progressions
Chords: added B7 this week
Played Five Foot Two, In the Good Old Summertime
Alternate Chord Voicings
Learned an alternate version of the C major chord played at the 3rd fret. It is shaped just like the Bb chord in the bridge but played 2 frets higher.
Played Take Me Home, Country Roads with the new C chord
Ode to Joy
Played the whole tune.
Reviewed how to read tablature.
Your homework (besides continuing to practice the melody) is to look through the other possible parts (located in the Ode to Joy folder in the Google drive) and pick one to learn and play. Choose a version that feels a little bit challenging so that your skills grow.
Next time, we'll start with Brown Eyed Girl and learn the opening riff.
Week 3
We began learning the opening riff to Brown Eyed Girl. The TAB for this is in the Google folder.
Brown Eyed Girl
We began learning the opening riff. The TAB for this is in the Google folder.
GAS chord progressions
Added C#dim to our chords.
Played Ain't She Sweet.
Ode to Joy
Reviewed the melody.
Signed up to play one of the parts.
Alternate Chord Voicings
Learned the Bb shape and how to move it to the third fret for a C chord.
Explored other shapes for C, F, and G.
Played 12-bar blues in C, substituting a new shape for one or all of the chords.
Week 4
Alternate Chord Voicings
Played 12-bar blues in C, substituting a new shape for one or all of the chords.
Ode to Joy
Reviewed the melody.
Played the piece with everyone on their chosen part.
Brown Eyed Girl
Practiced the opening riff slowly.
Tried some left-hand muting techniques on the opening.
GAS chord progressions
Learned Sentimental Journey
Left-hand muting techniques
Learned the Z chord (LH palm mute)
Combined the Z chord with the C, F, and G chord
Week 5
Alternate Chord Voicings
Played 12-bar blues in C, substituting a new shape for one or all of the chords.
Left-hand muting techniques
Reviewed Z chord (LH palm mute) and Z chord combined with C, F, and G chord.
Learned cutoff technique (relaxing a barre chord after the strum)
Ode to Joy
Continued rehearsing all parts together. Keep working on it for our final day together.
Groups
Groups practiced their song for our final day together which we're calling a "coffeehouse."
Week 6
Our coffeehouse was a great success! Every group did a wonderful job singing, playing, and showcasing new skills. Our rendition of "Ode to Joy" in 6 parts was amazing.
Stay tuned for information about a mini ukulele festival in January 2026. In the meantime, keep playing!
Sorry I never posted my notes. Contact me if you need information.
C
Fadd9 and C7 (chord twins)
Am
F
G, G7
D, D7
A, A7
B flat
Cdim7
how to read a chord diagrams
how to read a song sheet with chord diagrams or letters
how to play melodies using single notes
basic strumming patterns and how to gently grow from there
how to play a (musical) in an ensemble (while others are playing a different part)
Count on Me (C, Cmaj7, Am, F, G7)
Turn the World Around (G, C, D)
Sweet Home Alabama (G, C, D)
Seven Bridges Road (G, C, D)
Stuck in the Middle with You (D, C, G, G7, A)
Rock'n Me (F, Bb, C)
Won't You Be My Neighbor (C, A7, Dm, G7, F, Cdim7)
Twist and Shout (D, G, A, A7)
Dona Nobis
words with chords
in an arrangement
audio of the arrangement that you can practice with
audio of the melody only - played one time only
audio of the melody only - played two times
audio of the melody only - played three times
Here's a YouTube playlist with the videos we have used in class.
Songs to be performed with Ed's group:
The chords we have learned so far:
C
Fadd9 and C7 (chord twins)
Am
F
G7
G
The 1-chord songs we have learned so far are:
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Are You Sleeping?
Three Blind Mice
Row Row Row Your Boat
Three Blind Mice
The Coconut Song (C chord)
Chain of Fools (C chord)
Tomorrow Never Knows (C chord)
The Wheels on the Bus (Fadd9 and C7 chords)
Hey Ho Nobody's Home (Am)
The Beat Goes On (F)
Other songs we have learned:
The Wheels on the Bus
Jambalaya
Surfin' USA
When the Saints Go Marching In
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Oh Susanna
Stand By Me
Here's a YouTube playlist with the videos we have used class. You can also watch the videos below.