UCL 2 - WEEK 1
"BARRED CHORDS & Bad Moon Rising"
This week you will explore a song called Bad Moon Rising and attempt to use barred chords to begin expanding your chord repertoire. You will also practice two finger gym exercises to really get those fingers warmed up and prepare you for barring chords like a pro!
PDF DOWNLOADS
Make sure you print off all of the PDF downloads below ready for your class session. There is more content below to help you practice at home.
FINGER GYM EXERCISE 1
"Skip & Stretch"
This term you will warm up each session with two finger gym exercises, the 1st a fret walking exercise known as the Skip & Stretch exercise.
It is similar to the finger gym exercise you would have practiced at level 1, except this time, instead of moving up the frets chronologically, you will skip a fret to stretch those fingers out before returning to the missing frets. Its a great way to expand you muscle memory and train your fingers to work the way you want them too... in preparation for any solo parts!
It is similar to the finger gym exercise you would have practiced at level 1, except this time, instead of moving up the frets chronologically, you will skip a fret to stretch those fingers out before returning to the missing frets. Its a great way to expand you muscle memory and train your fingers to work the way you want them too... in preparation for any solo parts!
FINGER GYM EXERCISE 2
"D MAJOR SCALE"
The D Major scale exercise can be played both as a barred scale pattern and in open position. Playing in barred position will help strengthen your fingers for playing successful barred chords and open position will help you navigate the fretboard notes more effectively.
AN INTRODUCTION TO BARRED CHORDS
Barred chords are a way to play chords all over the neck of the ukulele, taking you out out the first 3 fret territory. The great thing about barred chords is that once you learn a certain shape, you can move it all over the fretboard to play many different chords.
Here are 3 alternative ways to play D, A and G major. Give them a go for the intro section of the song and don't fret if you can't get them right away, they do take a bit of practice but the sooner you start, the better they will sound and the more confident you will be moving playing positions up and down the ukulele neck.
TOP TIP: When you see a number next to a barred line, this represents the fret position you should be playing at. E.G. The A below has a number 4 next to the bar so you should fret this chord at fret 4.
Here are 3 alternative ways to play D, A and G major. Give them a go for the intro section of the song and don't fret if you can't get them right away, they do take a bit of practice but the sooner you start, the better they will sound and the more confident you will be moving playing positions up and down the ukulele neck.
TOP TIP: When you see a number next to a barred line, this represents the fret position you should be playing at. E.G. The A below has a number 4 next to the bar so you should fret this chord at fret 4.
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BAD MOON RISING
This song, made famous by Creedance Clearwater Revival back in 1973, was Inspired by a scene in the film, The Devil and Daniel Webster, which involved an apocalyptic hurricane. Songwriter, Fogerty claims the song is about "the apocalypse that was going to be visited upon us".... let's hope it isn't true!!
The song has a very stylised strumming pattern and can be played using just 4 chords for the entire song. Feel free to switch the open chord positions for barred chords if you are feeling brave enough, although no pressure just yet! The strumming pattern and chords can be found on the song sheet PDF.
The song has a very stylised strumming pattern and can be played using just 4 chords for the entire song. Feel free to switch the open chord positions for barred chords if you are feeling brave enough, although no pressure just yet! The strumming pattern and chords can be found on the song sheet PDF.
AUDIO PLAY ALONG TRACKS
The audio play along tracks will appear here within 24 hours of your first class taking place and are a great way to help with home practice.
BAD MOON RISING: Chords Only w/click @ 170BPM
BAD MOON RISING: Chords & Vocals w/click @ 170BPM
Download the full song arrangement to help with practice offline. There are two solo parts for this song in alternative positions which you will practice next week.
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