Discover How to Fingerpick the Ukulele as a Solo Instrument
In the last lesson, you learned how to take a simple fingerpicking pattern and pluck the chords of a song.
In this lesson, I show you how the ukulele is played as a solo instrument in the style of arpeggio-based fingerstyle. You learn a beginner piece in this style.
Unlike before, where you sing or hum the melody of a song as you fingerpick, in this style of playing the ukulele, there is no singing. The kind of song you learn in this lesson stands on its own as an expressive piece.
Most songs in this style are based on famous classical and Spanish guitar songs by well-known composers like Francisco Tárrega, Dionisio Agaudo, Fernando Sor, and Matteo Carcassi.
If you ask me, playing pieces in this style are the most rewarding and impressive sounding to play. You're going to love this lesson!
In this lesson:
- Find your "voice" playing the ukulele without using your singing voice
- Play the ukulele as a solo instrument in the style of arpeggio-based fingerstyle
- Learn a delicate, intricate-sounding 19th century Spanish piece by Dionisio Aguado titled Op. 6, no. 19.
What is an arpeggio?
Don't let the fancy talk of arpeggios and playing 19th century fingerstyle pieces on the ukulele intimidate you!
An arpeggio is simply a repeating fingerpicking pattern. Arpeggios aren't too different from the fingerpicking pattern you learned in the last lesson. Take a look at the arpeggio pattern you learn in this lesson:
Don't know how to read ukulele tab? It's easy to learn. We got you covered. Download the handout here.
A couple things to note about this arpeggio:
- The arpeggio is played on the bottom three strings of the ukulele.
- Play the arpeggio to a count of four. The arpeggio is subdivided into sixteenth notes, so you count the pattern: 1 ee and uh, 2 ee and uh, 3 ee and uh, 4 ee and uh.
- To play this pattern, use your thumb (represented by a p) to pluck the C-string, index finger (represented by an i) to pluck the E-string and middle finger (represented by an m) to pluck the A-string.
As you practice this arpeggio, let each string ring out as long as possible before plucking the string again. Think about making each pluck as even as possible. For now, don’t worry about playing at blazing fast speeds. That will come with time and practice.
Watch the following video lesson from the Fingerpicking Tricks online video lesson course and learn the arpeggio:
Note: The additional arpeggio patterns are only covered in the full Fingerpicking Tricks online video lesson course.
At first, go slow, and focus on being as consistent as possible. Aim to make each pluck as even as the others. There should not be a significant difference in volume and tone between each note you pluck. When you’re ready, practice changing from a C to G chord:
With this arpeggio pattern, you're ready to learn your next song!
Listen to Dionisio Aguado's Op. 6, no. 19
You learn to play Dionisio Aguado's Op. 6, no. 19. In this video, take a listen to how this piece sounds.
In the next video, I show you exactly how this piece is played.
Learn How to Play Aguado's Op. 6, no. 19
Together, let's now look at Op. 6, no. 19. I am confident you can learn to play this piece!
The first step is to download the sheet music and ukulele tab for this piece.
Download the sheet music and ukulele tab for Dionisio Aguado's Op. 6, no. 19.
When you have the ukulele tab out in front of you, dive into this piece with me in the following video:
If you aren't familiar with sheet music, it can be intimidating when you first look at a piece like this. No need to be scared by all the ink on the page. Let’s break it down and make it easier to understand.
There are two main lines or staffs of music. In the top staff, you see the actual notes that are played in standard music notation. In the bottom staff, where you’ll focus primarily, you see the tab indicating the frets on which strings you press to play the notes on the top staff. If you need refreshed on the ins and outs of reading ukulele tab, download the printout here.
When I approach a new piece of music that is based on an arpeggio rhythm, I make it easier by following these steps:
1. Learn the arpeggio pattern. The piece uses an arpeggio pattern that repeats through the entire piece. First, learn the arpeggio rhythm by just repeating and playing the first measure of the piece.
2. Practice the fretting hand finger positions. Next, go through each measure of the tab (second line) and practice positioning your fingers to play the notes indicated in the tab. The numbers (1-4) written above or below the notes on the top music staff (first line) are used to more clearly specify the finger position in your fretting hand: the number 1 represents the index finger, number 2 the middle finger, number 3 the ring finger and number 4 the little finger. See measures 3 and 15 in this piece for an example of this fretting hand notation.
3. Take it slow measure by measure. When you’ve practiced the arpeggio pattern and have an idea of the finger positions required from your fretting hand, start practicing the song a couple measures at a time at a slow tempo. At least for me, when it comes to learning fingerstyle pieces like this, they take a lot longer for me to learn because of the seemingly unordinary chord positions. It takes time and practice to get these changes to be seamless and smooth.
The key in all of this is patience. Fingerstyle pieces like this tend to require more effort and practice. At the same time, when it all starts coming together, you'll find that this piece is very rewarding and impressive to play for your friends and family.
How to Fingerpick Faster
You might be thinking:
"I could never fingerpick that fast or smoothly."
Remember, the goal right now is not to fingerpick the arpeggio in this song as fast as me or faster than me. The goal is to pluck the arpeggio measure-by-measure at a smooth, consistent slow tempo.
Even played at a slow tempo, this song sounds really cool!
The trick with fingerpicking faster is to learn how to pick in a relaxed, smooth manner at a slow tempo first.
If you can't fingerpick at a slow tempo in a relaxed way, when you speed up your picking, you simply amplify your sloppy technique and any tension you carry in your picking hand.
Not to worry. Picking faster comes in time. You'll notice that as you get more and more comfortable with this arpeggio pattern that you'll be able to pick it at a faster and faster tempo.
Be patient with yourself and enjoy the journey!
Your Lesson 2 Practice Objectives
Give yourself a pat on the back! We covered a lot this week.
Continue to make it your goal to practice at least 15 minutes per day this week. Just a little bit of practice goes a long way. You can do this!
Next week Monday, look for your next lesson in your inbox. Until then, practice the following:
- Practice the four sixteenth note arpeggio pattern presented in this lesson.
- Work on switching from a C to G chord as you play the arpeggio pattern. Additionally, write out chord changes to practice the arpeggio pattern. Search and discover new chords in the Ukulele Tricks Chord Library.
- Learn how to play Aguado's Op. 6, no. 19.
Keep up the great work!
P.S. – You might be wondering why I'm giving these lessons away for free. First, I want to show you that you can learn to fingerpick the ukulele and find your voice in a whole new way. Secondly, there are thousands of students in the Fingerpicking Tricks online video lesson course who have become proficient fingerpickers in multiple styles. I want to show the kind of learning experience you can have learning with me in Fingerpicking Tricks (more on that later). For now, sit back, relax and enjoy the lessons!
P.P.S. – Need to go back and review? Don't worry. Lesson 1 of the Fingerpicking Tricks Mini-Lesson Series is still available here.
Join the Discussion
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