UCL2 - WEEK 1
"BE MY BABY"
🎶 Welcome to Week 1 of the New Term! You're kicking off an exciting new term as Level 2 players, and this time, you’ll be working towards our big summer performance — the SUMMER STRUM festival! This is your chance to take the stage alongside our more advanced members, if you're up for it. 🌟
The theme for this year’s festival is “The Movies,” so we’ve put together a fun and nostalgic setlist featuring iconic songs from classic films.
First up: “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 exploring each strumming pattern individually, then gradually piece them together as you learn the full song. You should be familiar with all the chords, so it's all about strumming this week.
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! 🎸✨
The theme for this year’s festival is “The Movies,” so we’ve put together a fun and nostalgic setlist featuring iconic songs from classic films.
First up: “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 exploring each strumming pattern individually, then gradually piece them together as you learn the full song. You should be familiar with all the chords, so it's all about strumming this week.
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
Click on all buttons below for this weeks PDF sheets for both the Song Structure and the Finger Gym exercise sheet. If you play right handed, select BE MY BABY - RIGHT and download the "LEFT" one if you are left handed.
FINGER GYM EXERCISE @ 60BPM
Let's begin with a quick warm up, and remember to do some stretching and limbering up before you begin, both in class and when doing home practice.
This is your finger gym challenge for the 1st half of term. it is the same for both left and right handed players. Make sure you have the PDF handy for each session. Starting at 60BPM.
This is your finger gym challenge for the 1st half of term. it is the same for both left and right handed players. Make sure you have the PDF handy for each session. Starting at 60BPM.
STRUMMING TECHNIQUES
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.
HALF CHUCK
The Half Chuck is another fun variation on the classic Calypso strum, but this time, we're adding a sharper, more percussive twist on beat two to really make the rhythm pop.
This is where the “chuck” comes in, a snappy, muted strum that adds a punchy, rhythmic feel, also on beat two and represented by the blue 'X'. To do it, use the backs of your fingernails to strum down across the strings, while simultaneously bringing your wrist in to mute the sound, creating that distinctive, clipped “chuck” effect. It might take a little coordination at first, but once you get it, it adds a great dynamic to your playing.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demonstration of how to master this technique with control and groove.
This is where the “chuck” comes in, a snappy, muted strum that adds a punchy, rhythmic feel, also on beat two and represented by the blue 'X'. To do it, use the backs of your fingernails to strum down across the strings, while simultaneously bringing your wrist in to mute the sound, creating that distinctive, clipped “chuck” effect. It might take a little coordination at first, but once you get it, it adds a great dynamic to your playing.
🎥 Exercise: Watch the video below for a clear demonstration of how to master this technique with control and groove.
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.
SONG VIDEO TUTORIAL
HOW TO PLAY BE MY BABY
This video will be available within 24 hours of your class taking place. Check back in as this is a great way to help with home practice.
AUDIO TRAINING
🎧 Practice Tracks
Listen to the track below which contains just the chords and chord instruction. Try and get used to playing this and following the song sheet before attempting to sing along.
Listen to the track below which contains just the chords and chord instruction. Try and get used to playing this and following the song sheet before attempting to sing along.
🎵 MP3 Download
Download the track below — it features just your part and the vocals, giving you a clear space to focus. It’s been recorded at a slightly slower tempo to help you practice blending the techniques together with ease and precision.
Download the track below — it features just your part and the vocals, giving you a clear space to focus. It’s been recorded at a slightly slower tempo to help you practice blending the techniques together with ease and precision.
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