UCL2.2+ - WEEK 4
"YOU GIVE A LITTLE LOVE"
This week, we’re diving another movie classic “YOU GIVE A LITTLE LOVE” from Bugsy Malone. It’s a fun piece to play that uses gentle dynamics, flowing tempo changes, and a simple but expressive strumming technique called thumb and strum.
We’ll be learning it in the key of G, which sits comfortably on the uke and allows us to focus on rhythm, feel, and smooth chord transitions. So easy chords, new strumming pattern. Pies may be invovled!
We’ll be learning it in the key of G, which sits comfortably on the uke and allows us to focus on rhythm, feel, and smooth chord transitions. So easy chords, new strumming pattern. Pies may be invovled!
PDF DOWNLOADS
About The Song
🎬 A Little Love for “You Give a Little Love” is the final song from the 1976 musical gangster spoof Bugsy Malone, written and composed by Paul Williams—a legendary songwriter who also penned hits for The Carpenters and wrote for The Muppets.
Though the cast was made up entirely of kids (including a young Jodie Foster!), the vocals were recorded by adult session singers—giving the film its quirky and unforgettable charm.
This song wraps up the film with a hopeful, heartfelt message about kindness and unity—making it perfect for group singalongs and community vibes!
Though the cast was made up entirely of kids (including a young Jodie Foster!), the vocals were recorded by adult session singers—giving the film its quirky and unforgettable charm.
This song wraps up the film with a hopeful, heartfelt message about kindness and unity—making it perfect for group singalongs and community vibes!
THE CHORDS
For intro the main verses you will play the open position chords. For the final chorus sections, play the C & G7 on 7th fret position as illustrated below:
PLUCK & STRUM TECHNIQUE
🪕 Technique Focus: For this song, we’re using a Pluck and Strum pattern to give the music a soft, flowing texture. Here’s how it works:
🎥 Watch the video below to learn the Pluck & Strum technique – Perfect for adding depth and dynamics to your playing!
- Pluck the C string with your thumb then strum all string with the back of your fingernails
- Then Pluck the E string with your thumb then strum all string with the back of your fingernails
🎥 Watch the video below to learn the Pluck & Strum technique – Perfect for adding depth and dynamics to your playing!
SONG BREAKDOWN
Please note, videos will be uploaded within 24hours of your class taking place.
INTRO
We kick things off with a single strum on the dischord, setting the tone before moving into the opening riff. Feel free to give the riff a go—it's a fun challenge! Don’t worry if it doesn’t click straight away—just take your time and enjoy experimenting.
🎧 Listen carefully to the spaces between the notes—those silences are just as important as the sounds.
🔊 Start with the audio to get a feel for the timing, then watch the video for a step-by-step breakdown.
Take it slow, trust your ears, and let the groove guide you!
🎧 Listen carefully to the spaces between the notes—those silences are just as important as the sounds.
🔊 Start with the audio to get a feel for the timing, then watch the video for a step-by-step breakdown.
Take it slow, trust your ears, and let the groove guide you!
VERSE 1
This is where the groove kicks in! The Pluck & Strum technique starts off nice and slow, giving you space to ease into the rhythm—then gradually picks up pace as the chord progression builds momentum.
There is a walkdown chord section G - Gb - Am7 - E7 —followed by a single strum on C and D7 to take you into the riff which you just play twice at this point.
There is a walkdown chord section G - Gb - Am7 - E7 —followed by a single strum on C and D7 to take you into the riff which you just play twice at this point.
VERSE 2
⚡ Things start to speed up here, following the same pattern as Verse 1—with one small twist: the section finishes with four medium speed riffs to round it off with a punch!
Verse 3 - Bridge
This verse picks up the pace again, using the same pluck & strum to keep things flowing. As you head into the bridge, you’ll add another 4 x riffs before smoothly transitioning into the calypso strum, adding a bit more bounce and energy to carry the song forward.
VERSE 4 - END
This is the high-energy burst that launches you straight back into easy mode for the final chorus! You’ll return to the familiar calypso strum, but starting with a single strum on the open C then the second single strum on the high C followed by 2 bars of calypso on the high G in 3rd position on fret 7, then repeat 2 single C's in 7th position and 2 bars of G calypso all the way to the end. The song wraps up with a satisfying single strum on C, bringing everything to a calm, confident close. Phew!
MP3 DOWNLOAD
This download contains jus the L2.2+ arrangement and vocals so you can clearly hear your part.
🎧 Tips for Practice:
Ready to give a little love through your ukulele? Let’s go! 💛🪕
- Start slow and focus on a smooth, even motion between pluck and strum.
- Listen carefully to the changing tempos and feel of the song—it speeds up slightly in places, then returns to a slower pace.
- Sing or hum along if you like—it’ll help with your timing and connection to the melody.
Ready to give a little love through your ukulele? Let’s go! 💛🪕
OPENS A WEEK TUESDAY AT 5PM - HALF TERM NEXT WEEK - NO CLASS!