MODULE 2
STRUM PATTERN 1 & SOng 1 - "ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU"
🎸 Welcome to the Module: Your First Major Chords & Song!
In this module, you'll dive into some exciting firsts on your ukulele journey:
✅ Learn your first 2 major chords
✅ Practice a basic strumming pattern
✅ Play your first full song
✅ Try a fun finger gym exercise to build strength, flexibility, and coordination in your fretting hand
You’ll also start to understand which fingers to use for plucking each string, helping you build solid technique right from the start.
Let’s get those fingers moving and that music flowing! 🎶
In this module, you'll dive into some exciting firsts on your ukulele journey:
✅ Learn your first 2 major chords
✅ Practice a basic strumming pattern
✅ Play your first full song
✅ Try a fun finger gym exercise to build strength, flexibility, and coordination in your fretting hand
You’ll also start to understand which fingers to use for plucking each string, helping you build solid technique right from the start.
Let’s get those fingers moving and that music flowing! 🎶
FINGER GYM WARM UP EXERCISE
STRENGTHENING & CONTROL: This Finger Gym exercise, the 16-FRET STRETCH, is designed to strengthen your fingers, improve dexterity, and enhance your control over finger placement and plucking technique. It may feel a bit challenging at first, so be patient with yourself as you get accustomed to the movements.
For best results, aim to practice this exercise 1–3 times per day for at least four consecutive days before attempting to play along with the audio track below. This will give you time to develop muscle memory and precision in both fretting and plucking. Always warm up before playing your ukulele and stretch your fingers, hands and arms out to avoid aches, pulls and pains.
TASK: Watch the tutorial and download the PDF guide for detailed instructions. Take it step by step, and enjoy the process!
For best results, aim to practice this exercise 1–3 times per day for at least four consecutive days before attempting to play along with the audio track below. This will give you time to develop muscle memory and precision in both fretting and plucking. Always warm up before playing your ukulele and stretch your fingers, hands and arms out to avoid aches, pulls and pains.
TASK: Watch the tutorial and download the PDF guide for detailed instructions. Take it step by step, and enjoy the process!
CHORD SHAPES
Here are the first two chords you'll be applying in your first song: G Major and C Major. In musical notation, these chords are commonly represented by their capital letter names (G and C), a fundamental convention in chord charts and sheet music:
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MUSIC THEORY: Understanding Major Chords
Major chords are built using three notes: the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the MAJOR SCALE.
Major chords are built using three notes: the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the MAJOR SCALE.
- C Major = C + E + G
- G Major = G + B + D
STRUMMING PATTERN 1
The illustration below represents a basic strumming pattern, where you strum downward on each beat of the bar. This bar follows a 4/4 time signature, meaning there are four beats per measure.
The "+" symbols between the beats represent eighth note divisions, which will be introduced next. For now, focus on maintaining a steady down strum on each beat to build a strong rhythmic foundation.
TASK: Play a G chord and strum along to the audio below for as long as you can without losing time. This pattern follows a simple, steady quarter note rhythm, making it an excellent starting point for building timing and consistency in your strumming. Take it slow, focus on even strums, and enjoy the process!
The "+" symbols between the beats represent eighth note divisions, which will be introduced next. For now, focus on maintaining a steady down strum on each beat to build a strong rhythmic foundation.
TASK: Play a G chord and strum along to the audio below for as long as you can without losing time. This pattern follows a simple, steady quarter note rhythm, making it an excellent starting point for building timing and consistency in your strumming. Take it slow, focus on even strums, and enjoy the process!
TOP TIP: Use your index finger to strum the sweet spot—just where the body of the ukulele meets the neck—as this will produce a warm, balanced tone.
TASK: Now try playing a C chord and strum along to the audio below for as long as you can without losing time. Make sure you are using the third finger to fret this chord!
Adding Up Strums for a More Dynamic RhythmOnce you feel comfortable with the basic down strum pattern and have your timing under control, try incorporating up strums to add more rhythm and flow. Specifically, add up strums between beats 2 & 3 and after beat 4, then continue repeating the pattern.
This will introduce a more dynamic feel to your strumming, helping you develop better coordination and groove. Take it slow at first, ensuring your up strums are light and even, then gradually build up speed as you gain confidence.
This will introduce a more dynamic feel to your strumming, helping you develop better coordination and groove. Take it slow at first, ensuring your up strums are light and even, then gradually build up speed as you gain confidence.
Each number above the arrows represents a beat. In this case, there are 4 beats per bar. A bar is a divisional measure of music that breaks down each section of a song. All of the down strums fall on each of the beats, whilst the up strums fall in between the beats.
CHORD STRUCTURE - SONG 1
To help you understand how the songs are formed that you will practice throughout this course, we break the chord structure down into easy to follow charts. The first song you will explore contains the following chord structure:
Now you may be thinking, the song may seem a lot longer than this?! And you would be absolutely right! Download the PDF below to find out more about Strophic formation songs!
SONG 1 - ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU
The first song you will work on is called 'Anyone Else But You', written by the Moldy Peaches and starring in the film, Juno.
For this exercise, we have reduced the number of verses as to not overwhelm you. Don't worry too much about singing along with your strumming just yet, that will come later, however if you want to give it a go, then go for it!
For this exercise, we have reduced the number of verses as to not overwhelm you. Don't worry too much about singing along with your strumming just yet, that will come later, however if you want to give it a go, then go for it!
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Now it's time to apply what you've learned! Watch the video below to see proper finger placement and fretting positions for both chords. Practice strumming along while transitioning between chords, following the song's chord structure as shown above. Focus on smooth, controlled movements to build confidence and accuracy.
PRACTICING SPEED
EXERCISE: Now try practicing the chord changes at varying speeds starting at 80BPM and gradually getting up to the full speed of 115BPM, at which speed the song is played. The first two tracks have spoken instruction included to help you with those chord changes, after that, you're on your own.
BPM = Beats Per Minute.
Most popular music is generally played between 60BPM (E.G: My Girl by Otis Redding) to around 180BPM (EG: I Would Die 4 U by Prince). Many pop songs average between 100 - 150BPM and for your peace of mind, 150BPM is the fastest speed you will hit during this course. Also note that different styles of strumming or 'rhythm' will make playing at speed a little easier, which you will find out in a later module.
Most popular music is generally played between 60BPM (E.G: My Girl by Otis Redding) to around 180BPM (EG: I Would Die 4 U by Prince). Many pop songs average between 100 - 150BPM and for your peace of mind, 150BPM is the fastest speed you will hit during this course. Also note that different styles of strumming or 'rhythm' will make playing at speed a little easier, which you will find out in a later module.
AUDIO - PLAYALONG TRACKS
Listen to the audio tracks below and start by playing along using only the chords. Once you feel comfortable, challenge yourself by adding the vocals and singing along!
ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU: With Click Track & Uke Only (CHANGE AUDIO)
ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU: With click track - Uke & Vocals only
MP3 DOWNLOAD
Click the button below to download the full song and practice anytime, even offline.
Off to a great start! Now try module 3 for more chords and another strumming pattern: