Which is just another way of showing the familiar C chord! Here’s a little exercise to help you get used to playing two notes at a time. To show a chord (or any notes played at the same time as each other), we just right the numbers above one another, like this: Of course you can also use ukulele tab to show chords, and often pieces written in ukulele tab will sometimes use single notes, and sometimes chords. So you don’t end up sliding one finger around to play all the notes, try and get used to using your first finger to play notes at the first fret, your second finger for the second fret, etc. Remember, your right hand shouldn’t be strumming all the strings, just plucking the string indicated in the ukulele tab (try using a thumb rest stroke).

We read from left to right, and try and pluck the string in time with the count. A zero means that string is played open (with no left hand fingers holding it down). The number indicates which fret to hold that string down at. Count a regular 1, 2, 3, 4 as you tap your foot.Īll that we do now to show which notes to play, is write numbers on the strings. The count along the top helps you play the notes on the correct beat. As you can see from the colour-coding, it might seem upside down at first, but think of it as being written from your point of view! Slide your uke down from the playing position so it is flat your lap and look down at it. The four horizontal lines represent the strings of your uke. It allows you to read and notate melodies without being able to read music, and it shows you exactly where to play it on your ukulele fretboard. Typical song choices might range from tin pan alley numbers from the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s to jazz standards to folk, rock and pop songs, and even comic or novelty songs. Ukulele tablature (tab) is a very easy to understand and useful way of notating ukulele music. We play the widest possible range of styles of music that works for the ukulele and which is likely to encourage a good sing-a-long.

Free ukulele music pdf