How to Play the 12-Bar Blues On Ukulele

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This is the first post (and video lesson) of a three part ukulele fingerpicking blues lesson series. Once you’re ready, go ahead to part two where we learn a fingerpicking pattern to go with this.

The blues has arguably been one of the most influential genres of music in the past century. The chants, spirituals, and songs of African-American slaves in the 19th century gave birth to the genre, while descendants of slaves carried their legacy into recorded form in the early 1900s.

When people think of the blues, they typically think of a man with a raspy voice singing and playing along with a guitar. While this is a common expression of the blues, it’s not unlikely that in the early to mid 20th century people would sing and play the blues on their ukulele too.

In this lesson, we’re going to take a look at one of the most popular chord progressions in traditional blues music known as the 12-bar blues. The blues are characterized by simplicity, repetition, rhythm, and pure emotion.

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Sophie Madeleine: 30 Days of Covers

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Have you heard of Sophie Madeleine? If you haven’t, then you need to know that she is one of the most interesting, creative, lovely, and captivating ukulele players you’ll have the pleasure of listening to these days.

Just a few days ago, Ms. Madeleine started into her 30 days of cover songs. For thirty days straight, she is releasing a video of a cover song each day. This will lead up to the release of a new music video of her first single “Oil & Gold” from her album The Rhythm You Started.

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The Day I Took My Ukulele to Central Park

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If you follow Ukulele Tricks on Twitter, or if you are friends with us on Facebook, you probably saw a video I posted earlier this week of me playing my ukulele in Central Park.

While I was there, I took my ukulele to Central Park to record some videos just for fun. Out of the blue, an older gentlemen came up to me and told me he wanted to sing the song “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” while I played it. I figured, “Why not?!”

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“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz Ukulele Chords

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Summer is just around the corner, and let me tell you, it can’t come soon enough. I’m in the Midwest of the United States and we are still getting the occasional snow and sleet here into April. Unbelievable! So in the excitement and much anticipation for summer to come, let’s take a look at what I would consider a great summer tune for the ukulele: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz.

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Ukulele Strumming Tricks Video Lesson Course: Now Open

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I will be honest with you. There have been fewer updates over the past couple months. For this, I apologize, but I am not too sorry only because I have been hard at work, sweat and all, at one of the BIGGEST projects ever for Ukulele Tricks.

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Ukulele Songbook: All-Time Favorites – iPhone & iPad App Review

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I’ve had an iPhone for awhile now. I’ve loved it so much that I just recently bought an iPad.

Because of this, I’ve been looking for the best apps to use on both devices. I recently came across a new ukulele app called Ukulele Songbook: All-Time Favorites.

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5 Best Ukuleles to Buy for Beginners

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So, you want to learn how to play ukulele, but you’re not sure what uke to buy.

I’ve had a lot of questions from friends of mine and those of you who are looking to buy a ukulele. I wanted to look at a few things that are helpful to think about before buying your first ukulele. I also wanted to go over some recommendations for good beginner ukuleles.

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You’ve Got a Friend In Me Ukulele Chords

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Toy Story is one of my favorite films. I wouldn’t be afraid to say it’s probably one of the best movies in the past 20 years. Randy Newman wrote “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” as a theme song for the movie. It’s a great song and I’ve always wanted to cover this song on the ukulele.

Here is a video of my go at it. Get the chords for the song here too!

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Ukulele Giveaway from Ukeeku

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I just found out today that Tim from Ukeeku is giving away another ukulele on his blog. He’s done this before, but this time it’s a aNueNue Papa II Concert ukulele ($190 value). He’s giving it away with a gig bag, a stand, and will ship to anywhere in the world. Sweet.

It’s really easy to enter the contest. All you have to do is subscribe to get post updates on his blog in the top right column of Ukeeku.

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All About My Tenor Ukulele

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I’ve been receiving a lot of questions through email and comments here on the site asking what type of ukulele I have and how it is tuned. I love my ukulele. My ukulele has quite a bit of meaning to me, so I thought it’d be cool to make an entire post all about my ukulele, the story behind it, how I tune it, and all that.

I’d also love to hear what types of ukuleles you all are playing these days. Every ukulele has a story behind it. At least, it seems. So let’s hear it!

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