Is Learning to Play Ukulele by Songs the Right Way to Practice?
As a seasoned ukulele player, I often find myself pondering the most effective methods to master this charming little instrument. While not everyone has a preferred approach, what works best for me is creating a personalized practice routine that leverages song-by-song learning. In this article, I'll explore the benefits of this method and how it has helped me improve over the years.
The Song-By-Song Approach: My Personal Technique
My method starts with selecting a song that I love. From there, I download the original chords to use as a starting point. On my custom tab sheet, I begin by writing the lyrics and filling in the chord tablatures as the lyrics progress. This allows me to visualize the chord changes and lyrics simultaneously.
Following this, I immerse myself in the music by humming the song to get a feel for the timing and rhythm. Once I'm confident in the timing, I identify the notes that correspond to the melody within the chords and add them to my tablature. At this stage, I begin to incorporate the chords and melody, playing the full chords with the melody picked simultaneously. Often, the melody is woven into the chord progression, with the defining note being highlighted.
Next, I add filler licks and riffs to enhance the song and serve as a bridge for any pauses. This is a crucial step that adds my personal style and flare to the piece. Afterward, I play the song repeatedly until muscle memory—really brain memory—kicks in. This muscle memory allows me to pick up the song quickly even after long gaps in practice.
The Importance of Muscle Memory
Muscle memory, or rather brain memory, is key to retaining the song. When I need to recall a song after a long break, I use my tabs to jog my memory and get the gist of the chords. In just a few minutes, the muscle memory takes over, and I'm back to playing seamlessly.
After documenting the song and arranging it, the process is mostly about practice. Over the years, I've accumulated around 80 songs using this method. These songs are a reflection of my unique style, and I work hard to add solos and riffs that honor the original song while making it recognizable.
Beyond Song Practice: Essential Skills for Ukulele Mastery
While learning songs is a vital component of ukulele practice, there are other essential skills you should focus on. Practicing chord progressions, adding personal flair, and playing scales are all crucial for developing a comprehensive skill set.
Chord progressions form the backbone of many songs. Practicing these progressions helps you understand the underlying structure of music, which is invaluable for improvisation and composition. Adding your own flair involves playing fretted notes and experimenting with different picking licks. This not only improves your playing but also adds uniqueness to your style.
Playing scales, especially within different fret ranges, is another key aspect. Scales can be played within a few frets or run right up and down the neck, adding style and variation to your playing. Knowing where to play a note to achieve a more muted sound often leads to richer, more nuanced music.
A Personalized Learning Method
My approach to learning ukulele has evolved over the years. Prior to my current phase, I spent most of my life playing guitar, but arthritis unfortunately put an end to that. However, the ukulele remains playable. My method, while not the only way to achieve excellence, has proven to be a reliable path for me.
But remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to learning the ukulele. Good luck, and happy picking!