UCL2 - WEEK 4
"REBEL, REBEL"

This week you will explore barred chord shapes to fill in the gaps of those basic, open shapes that you learnt at level 1, learn the half chuck strum and how to play a funtastic David Bowie number, "Rebel, Rebel".

FINGER GYM EXERCISE

HOW TO PLAY BARRED CHORDS

A barred chord requires the use of your index finger to bar two or more strings at the same time whilst using your other fingers to complete the rest of the chord shape. Barred chords generally cover all 4 strings and although they can take a bit of getting used too. 

EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to practice barred chords effectively:

​BARRED CHORD SHAPES

Here are some of the barred chords that you will be exploring throughout various songs and exercises throughout this course.  

​EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play the following 5 barred chords:

HALF-CHUCK STRUm

A half-chuck strum means that you play a percussive strum where the blue 'X' falls under beat number 2. The full chuck strum contains chucks on beats 2 & 4 but more on that later.
​EXERCISE: Watch the video below to see how to play a half chuck strum. 

REBEL, REBEL

We are going to ease you into playing those barred chords. The original key of the song is in D but to make things a little easier, we will be transposing the song to the key of C. More on transposing later!

TIP: You can potentially play along to the track in the key of C by placing a CAPO on fret 2 of your ukulele. 

REBEL, REBEL falls under the genre of, GLAM ROCK which was big in England in the early '70s. Bowie had the most mainstream success of the glam rockers. It's a really fun song with a great riff, but will be holding the rhythm together with a combination of calypso and half chuck strumming as well as barring that D major. ​
Have a listen to your part with just vocals and percussion. 
NOW OPEN