MODULE 3
STRUM PATTERN 2 & SOng 2 - "DON'T WORRY / WHAT'S UP"
🎶 Major, Minor chords & the Calypso Strum
In this module, you’ll add more depth to your playing by learning:
✅ A new major chord [F] and its relative minor [Dm], alongside C major
✅ The most popular ukulele strumming pattern — the Calypso Strum, also known as the Island Strum in Hawaii 🌴
✅ A fun mash-up of two iconic songs:
🎯 Before you dive in, start with the finger gym warm-up below to get those fretting fingers ready!
In this module, you’ll add more depth to your playing by learning:
✅ A new major chord [F] and its relative minor [Dm], alongside C major
✅ The most popular ukulele strumming pattern — the Calypso Strum, also known as the Island Strum in Hawaii 🌴
✅ A fun mash-up of two iconic songs:
- Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
- What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes
🎯 Before you dive in, start with the finger gym warm-up below to get those fretting fingers ready!
WARM UP - FINGER GYM EXERCISE
Strumming Pattern 2 - Calypso Strum
As mentioned above, the strumming pattern illustrated below represents the "Calypso Strum". Try not to over think the pattern and remember to keep your strumming hand relaxed and in a constant down / up motion, hitting the strings only when stated.
Chord Shapes
These are three chords contained within this song that you will practice changing to using the calypso strum in this module as follows: C (C major), Dm (D minor) and F (F major).
|
|
|
CHORD STRUCTURE
Each section of the song contains the same 8-bar pattern. Each chord lasts for two bars beginning with C, Dm, F and returning to C for the final two bars as follows:
EXERCISE: Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation on how to play the new chords and strumming pattern with an 8 bar sequence.
EXERCISE: Now try practicing the chord changes at varying speeds starting at 80BPM. The audio player below contains all speeds consecutively. Each speed is played twice before changing up. The final speed is 115BPM and is played 4 times, twice with guided instruction and twice without. Good luck!
Song 2 - Don't Worry / What's Up (Mash Up)
The second song arrangement comprises of two wonderful songs in what we call a 'Mash Up'.
The first song, DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY, written by Bobby McFerrin back in 1988, doesn't actually use any instruments in his song at all - just his voice with finger clicks and whistling. The hook, or chorus is based on a PENTATONIC SCALE for the whistling part and in this video he demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale. The second song, WHAT'S UP, was a 1993 hit for Four Non Blondes and used a variety of instruments.
The first song, DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY, written by Bobby McFerrin back in 1988, doesn't actually use any instruments in his song at all - just his voice with finger clicks and whistling. The hook, or chorus is based on a PENTATONIC SCALE for the whistling part and in this video he demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale. The second song, WHAT'S UP, was a 1993 hit for Four Non Blondes and used a variety of instruments.
AUDIO PLAY ALONG 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!
DON'T WORRY/WHAT'S UP: Chords w/click track
DON'T WORRY/WHAT'S UP: Chords & Vocals w/click track
MP3 DOWNLOAD
Click the button below to download the full song and practice anytime, even offline.