WEEK 7 - SONG 1 - PART 2 & 3
"BE MY BABY"
“Be My Baby” by The Ronettes — a timeless tune featured in Dirty Dancing, Mean Streets, Goodfellas, and more. This song offers a great opportunity to sharpen your technique, as it includes a variety of strumming patterns. You’ll start by recapping some of the more technical strumming patterns individually, then piece them together to play the full song. You should be familiar with all the chords, so it's up to you if you want to add some higher voicing's in here and there, or keep it simple with open chords.
While the original is in E major, we’ll simplify things and play it in C major, so you can focus more on rhythm and feel. Let’s get strumming! 🎸✨
While the original is in E major, we’ll simplify things and play it in C major, so you can focus more on rhythm and feel. Let’s get strumming! 🎸✨
PDF DOWNLOADS
Part 2 is playing the low end chords and solo and singing the lower harmonies (Listen out for your vocal parts) and part 3 the higher chords and high end solo with higher harmonies! You can mix and match to suit your voice. Feel free to try either part but have a go playing along and listening to each part first.
STRUMMING TECHNIQUES - RECAP
CALYPSO FLAM
This strumming pattern is a variation of the classic Calypso strum, which you should now be comfortable with and able to play confidently.
In this variation, known as the Calypso Flam, we start with the familiar index finger down strum on beat one. The twist comes on beat two, where you'll add a touch of flamenco flair: a quick, percussive strum created by dragging your thumb through the strings, hence the small 'T' above the squiggly line, which represents the flamenco beat. This flamenco-style movement is used only on beat two for this pattern, after which you'll return to your regular index finger strumming for the rest of the bar.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demo of how to play this technique smoothly and effectively.
In this variation, known as the Calypso Flam, we start with the familiar index finger down strum on beat one. The twist comes on beat two, where you'll add a touch of flamenco flair: a quick, percussive strum created by dragging your thumb through the strings, hence the small 'T' above the squiggly line, which represents the flamenco beat. This flamenco-style movement is used only on beat two for this pattern, after which you'll return to your regular index finger strumming for the rest of the bar.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demo of how to play this technique smoothly and effectively.
FLAMENCO STRUM
This technique steps things up a notch and combines two advanced strumming elements: a flamenco-style strum on beat two, followed by a chuck strum on beat three, where previously you’d have left that beat silent.
It adds a rich, rhythmic flair to your playing, but it can feel a bit tricky at first. Take your time, break it down slowly, and think of it like a dance, each movement has its own rhythm and flow.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demonstration of how to bring this strumming pattern to life.
It adds a rich, rhythmic flair to your playing, but it can feel a bit tricky at first. Take your time, break it down slowly, and think of it like a dance, each movement has its own rhythm and flow.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demonstration of how to bring this strumming pattern to life.
CHORD DAMPENING
This technique adds a crisp, percussive feel to your playing — almost like mimicking a short, snappy drum beat with your ukulele. It’s a great way to add rhythm and dynamics to your strumming.
To dampen or mute the chords:
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video for a clear visual of how each muting technique looks and sounds in real time.
To dampen or mute the chords:
- Strum as usual (e.g., 4 down strums).
- Immediately after each strum, stop the strings from ringing out.
You can do this in two main ways:
- Loosen your grip: Gently release the pressure of your fretting hand on the strings without lifting your fingers off the fretboard completely. This kills the sound but keeps the shape.
- Use spare fingers: If you’ve got an extra finger free, tap it lightly against the strings right after strumming to mute them.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video for a clear visual of how each muting technique looks and sounds in real time.
🎵 MP3 Download
Download the track below — it features all tracks and vocal parts, allowing you to join in with the rest of the group! Make sure you are clear with your own parts before attempting to play with this track.
Download the track below — it features all tracks and vocal parts, allowing you to join in with the rest of the group! Make sure you are clear with your own parts before attempting to play with this track.