UCL1 - WEEK 2
"Don't Worry / What's Up"
This week you explore a mash up of two contrasting songs that use the same chord structure which can be played a basic strumming style which is one of the most popular strumming patterns for ukulele playing, known as the "Calypso Strum".
Once you get the hang of the chord changes and strumming pattern, you can try out our mash up of two fantastic, yet very different songs, that use exactly the same chord progression.
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.
Once you get the hang of the chord changes and strumming pattern, you can try out our mash up of two fantastic, yet very different songs, that use exactly the same chord progression.
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.
Chord Shapes
These are the chords contained within the 8-bar progression you will practice in this module. Each chord last for two bars and every section of the mash up utilises the same progression.
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Strumming Pattern - 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.
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play the calypso strum effectively.
CHORD STRUCTURE
This is an 8 bar structure that contains 2 bars per chord. It begins with 2 bars of C and ends with 2 bars of C and then repeats right throughout the song.
EXERCISE: Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation on how to play the new chords and strumming pattern with the 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!
AUDIO PRACTICE & MP3
DON'T WORRY/WHAT'S UP: Chords w/click track
DON'T WORRY/WHAT'S UP: Chords & Vocals w/click track
Click on the button below to download the song to help with practice when offline.
16 FRET STRETCH @ 70BPM
EXERCISE: Use your Finger Gym PDF to play along with this weeks speed at 70BPM.
NOW OPEN