At the age of 72 I have been playing the "mighty Uke" for just over a year. The clubs I have been attending don't seem to progress other than basic strumming patterns of the George Formby style and become monotonous, with most songs sounding the same and no further than a few basic chords, up to the fourth fret. Whilst it makes great fun for a Karaoke style "sing-a-long", I haven't really learnt much, that is, until I found your fabulous videos. After learning the moveable Pentatonic scales, I find I am now improvising and actually finger picking with greater confidence. Thank you for posting these valuable Tutorials.
John, thank you sooo much! I am a real beginner and enjoyed blues guitar years ago, and just picked up the uke. I studied this video and really enjoyed the simple fun on the frets making cool blues music. Honestly I was bored with basic strumming and this was the motivation I was looking for to get my heart and passion into this new instrument.
I've watched this video scores of times. Having played uke for about four years, I was surprised to learn how much fun and versatile "dressing up" a song can be. Love the "turn arounds" which I'm still truing to master. Thanks!
Thank you so much. That was great. I too, as previous poster, am now in my seventies (turned 70 this week) and am wanting to advance past basic stuff. I have made notes of everything and will be trying to get this down pat. Greetings from Australia.
Haven't touched my Uke for some time...searched on youtube, found your video and I am hooked! Great to follow and play along. Thanks and keep the videos coming!
I kept hearing other people's ukuleles sounding different from mine and couldn't figure out what they were doing. This is so helpful! It really makes it much more fun than just playing those straight chords like I've been playing. Thanks so much!
You explained turn-around very clear this time. I will practice all shown until I am comfortable. Thanks for taking the time to help this old man with disabilities to find more enjoyment in my practice.John
I have just bought a eukulele and have been looking for tutorials to get me going. I love this one. Great to be able to play something. Very relaxed teaching style that you can follow. I will be looking at the other tutorials. Thank you John.
I'm on day 3 of my uke, and this is the first song that I tried that actually sounded like music! I started with Three Little Birds like everyone else, lol, but the F chord is a nightmare for me so far (I have really small hands and I keep muting the C string, I'll get it eventually). Thanks for this, I feel almost accomplished!
Just saw you today, my spouse and I and we really "GET" your teaching style!!! Gonna go to your web page now, and are really hoping that you have lots more for us!!! YOUR the BEST! From Newbie Ukers
Ah amazing, John Thank you! I was strumming out chord patterns - this brings real heart to my Uke - Thanks again, that's a really nice "turnaround" in your vid!
I've been playing a uke and guitar for two years, made 6 CBG's and just finished a U bass, I thought I was good at the 12 bar, but that was the best blue's tutorial I have seen on here, it certainly improved my playing, it would be good to see what you can do on a 3 string CBG. I had a look at what else you have posted, and there all great, love your mandolin video's, it has to be my next make or buy, I'm now your latest subscriber, keep up the great work.
Thanks for the good review. As a teacher, you learn that everyone understands instruction differently. I feels good to connect with people who want to learn. Sorry, I don't have a 3 string CBG.
Thanks - a great help in getting started on playing blues and your tips to liven things up should make a big difference. Glad I landed on this tutorial !
Such a great tutorial, thx!!! Really opened up a whole new style of play... I'm having a blast with it thanks to you! If you're not a beginner don't give up on this vid, just play at 1.25 or 1.5(not the music, just the instructions)
Wow , thanks, blues on uke is my dream come true. Im a bit younger than the other guys at 64 two weeks ago and i think i can do this, fat stiff fingers and all. If only my memory could keep up with the chords. Thanks from Patrick.
Thanks Regina, I have more ukulele tutorials on RUclips. Go to the search box on the home page and type in ukulele and my name John Curtis, they should come up.
Call me stupid if necessary, but I cannot get the turn around inn the C-Uke Blues. The turn around in the A-Uke Blues was explained in detail and I got that one. John
Hi John, If you are referring to my video "C Blues on Ukulele with simple riff". I can see your point. I play the turnaround several different ways on that video. The main purpose of that video was to introduce a simple blues scale. You can the use this scale to play riffs or lead figures along with the chords. In the future I will try to keep everything consistent and explain everything more thoroughly. Thanks
the camera could have been put in a better angle showing the frets and strings mentioned or in the future, put a kind of cord graphics timeline, but nonetheless, thank you for the great motivation
Yes, camera angles are a problem with The uke and the mandolin. These videos are posted with no extra graphics. I just shoot them and post. Trying to keep it simple, sorry.
+Alice Booth/ Start with 5 minute mini practice sessions. Once you get a few things down, then you will want to spend more time because practice will be more fun!
Your sound is so bright compared to mu muffled soprano. Is it a matter of strings and pick? I'm using my fingers and the nylon that came with my Sierra made in China.
The pattern is 2 measures long. The first measure is: Down, down down up down ( count 1,2,3&4) the second measure is: down up down up up down (count 1&2&,&4. You go down on the Beats 1,2,3,4 and up on the &. On the second measure there is no 3 because you do the downstroke but don’t hit the strings. Hope this helps.
......and just watching yet again! A question ,is the fret board smaller in width on a uke banjo? I have a litle trouble on mine when it comes to keeping from catching the free strings. I keep practising tho'
+Andy Richardson The width of the fretboard can be different depending on who the instrument maker is and the model. Ukes come in soprano, concert, and baritone sizes, soprano being the smallest. If your banjolele is a soprano, the fret board could be cozy.
Nice sounding ukulele John what Make and type is it? I've been thinking of getting a tenor or banjolele for a change of sound . Keep up the good work. Dave from England
Thanks Davey, it’s a Lanikai that they don’t make any more. It actually had some intonation problems so I now have an Eastman concert size as well as a Martin S-1. Get a decent banjolele otherwise it can be to plunky.
Most of the time I’m strumming the rhythm : 1 2& 3& 4. The 1,2,3,4 are downstrokes, the &s are upstrokes. So, it would be: Down, down up down up down. Keep the downstrokes steady and just catch a couple of strings on the upstroke. Hope this is helpful.
Yes, I say 1st fret on the first string for the E7 chord, it should be 2nd fret. I correct myself, but it’s hard to hear. I’m hopeful that people will be able to see what I’m doing or consult a chord chart if they are confused. Thanks for watching.
Very enjoyable but is it blues ? "The blues ain't about feelin' better, it's about makin' other people feel worse" - Bleeding Gums Murphy. With videos like yours I feel a uke coming on 😎
After trying for several years to play the Ukelele I discovered Arthurs Uke Blog and it seems to be the best online system (google it if you're interested)
This is great and I'll work it until i get it. I'm a newbie and I've found i have to keep going back to the start of the tutorial to get what each of the chords are. I THINK it might help to add a tabulature overlay to the video so one could see the chord and fingering for whatever chord you were currently playing. Is it just too hard video-wise or is this not a good idea? Again I'm a newbie.
Hey Joe, thanks for watching. If I had any video editing skills, I would most certainly add tab. For now, it’s just point and shoot. Try writing info down as you’re watching. It will not only be a reminder, but will help you learn the tune faster.
My question is: eight minutes into the video you do a walk down from the fourth fret on the second and fourth strings and you say you end up on an E but it looks & sounds like an A7. Can you please clarify this for me. Thank you Z
hi ,this may sound stupid but when your playing a 4 beat measure you go down down down down but then you seem to go down down down up down is that still considered 4 beats ?
+mike falasca Hi Mike, Nan is correct, each downstroke is a beat. If you are moving your hand evenly up and down, the upstroke is called the &, it is the second half of the beat. you count: down 1, up & / down 2, up & etc. You don't always play every down and up stroke, you play the ones that create the rhythm you are going for. So, if I want the rhythm 1,2,3&,4. I play; down down down up down. Sorry i never answered you before this. For some reason, your comment didn't come through until now. Thanks for your interest. john
At 80yr old just got a uku and found this video. You are a good teacher. Thank you.
Who said that thing about old dogs and new tricks. Keep it up.
At the age of 72 I have been playing the "mighty Uke" for just over a year. The clubs I have been attending don't seem to progress other than basic strumming patterns of the George Formby style and become monotonous, with most songs sounding the same and no further than a few basic chords, up to the fourth fret. Whilst it makes great fun for a Karaoke style "sing-a-long", I haven't really learnt much, that is, until I found your fabulous videos. After learning the moveable Pentatonic scales, I find I am now improvising and actually finger picking with greater confidence. Thank you for posting these valuable Tutorials.
You are very welcome. Glad this stuck a chord (pun intended) with you. Have fun!
John Curtis I
Same here, same age same kind of uke club. Good fun but conservative, no real variation. Thanks Mr C for this video.
.tabbing
Basic strumming patterns of the George Formby style??? There's nothing basic about strumming Formby style.
John, thank you sooo much! I am a real beginner and enjoyed blues guitar years ago, and just picked up the uke. I studied this video and really enjoyed the simple fun on the frets making cool blues music. Honestly I was bored with basic strumming and this was the motivation I was looking for to get my heart and passion into this new instrument.
Glad to help. Thanks
For newer UKE players, this is a fabulous lead-in to learning the blues!
Thanks for the good review!
I've watched this video scores of times. Having played uke for about four years, I was surprised to learn how much fun and versatile "dressing up" a song can be. Love the "turn arounds" which I'm still truing to master. Thanks!
Enjoying your instrument is what it’s all about. Thanks
Thank you so much. That was great. I too, as previous poster, am now in my seventies (turned 70 this week) and am wanting to advance past basic stuff. I have made notes of everything and will be trying to get this down pat. Greetings from Australia.
Back at you! Keep up the practice. It beats sitting around watching the tube! Glad you found this useful.
Haven't touched my Uke for some time...searched on youtube, found your video and I am hooked! Great to follow and play along. Thanks and keep the videos coming!
You keep playing, I'll keep posting!
Dude, this is the perfect intro to the uke blues video I've seen. Bravo sir!
Thank you Devon.
I kept hearing other people's ukuleles sounding different from mine and couldn't figure out what they were doing. This is so helpful! It really makes it much more fun than just playing those straight chords like I've been playing. Thanks so much!
Good for you for learning new stuff!
You explained turn-around very clear this time. I will practice all shown until I am comfortable. Thanks for taking the time to help this old man with disabilities to find more enjoyment in my practice.John
Glad to help. Have fun!
This is a wonderful blues-ukulele tutorial! You've really shown some great stuff here. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, glad to help.
Thank you, love the blues on the ukulele. This will be fun to practice on mine.
I have just bought a eukulele and have been looking for tutorials to get me going. I love this one. Great to be able to play something. Very relaxed teaching style that you can follow. I will be looking at the other tutorials. Thank you John.
+Jonathon Priest Thank you, You might try my tutorial for the simple ukulele blues in G.
Bless you for making this ukulele sooo much more fun - thanks
+stuart bailey Thank you soooo much.
Really great stuff John, you make it enjoyable and easy to understand,thank you so much.
Thanks for the kind words, they’re truly appreciated.
Thank you SO much. I am enjoying learning this. You are an excellent teacher!
Thank you. Glad you’re enjoying it. Thanks for watching!
Love your teaching style. I'm having so much fun with my quarantini ukulele
Thank you Taryn and, if it could talk, I’m sure your ukulele would thank you too!
I'm on day 3 of my uke, and this is the first song that I tried that actually sounded like music! I started with Three Little Birds like everyone else, lol, but the F chord is a nightmare for me so far (I have really small hands and I keep muting the C string, I'll get it eventually). Thanks for this, I feel almost accomplished!
Practice... you’ll get it
Just saw you today, my spouse and I and we really "GET" your teaching style!!!
Gonna go to your web page now, and are really hoping that you have lots more for us!!! YOUR the BEST! From Newbie Ukers
Julie Fagan Thanks Julie,Hope to add some more uke vids soon.
A real tonic when stuck at home due to Covid - 19
Thanks for watching.
This is just brilliant. Ukulele blues? What’s not to love 💕
😎🙏
Excellent instruction and way fun. Thanks for expanding my repertoire.
You are most welcome!
Definitely one of the best videos I've seen. I really like your sound and have been playing this non stop. Thank you.
Wonderful lesson John. You're still a great teacher, which I discovered many moons ago when I was torturing a mandolin. All the best.
Thanks Frank, Great to hear from you! Great that you are still playing, or at least trying. ;~)
Hope all is well.--john
Ah amazing, John Thank you! I was strumming out chord patterns - this brings real heart to my Uke - Thanks again, that's a really nice "turnaround" in your vid!
Glad to help.
Thank you so much for making your videos so easy to understand! Please share more and more with us!
nihan ckd My pleasure, glad you enjoy them. i'll do more asap.
Thanks
To play along with you is magical feel like a real pro.
I've been playing a uke and guitar for two years, made 6 CBG's and just finished a U bass, I thought I was good at the 12 bar, but that was the best blue's tutorial I have seen on here, it certainly improved my playing, it would be good to see what you can do on a 3 string CBG.
I had a look at what else you have posted, and there all great, love your mandolin video's, it has to be my next make or buy, I'm now your latest subscriber, keep up the great work.
Thanks for the good review. As a teacher, you learn that everyone understands instruction differently. I feels good to connect with people who want to learn. Sorry, I don't have a 3 string CBG.
Fine offering of the basics, John. During the turnaround portion you often call the chords by the wrong names, not that it matters much.
Thanks Graham! I mentioned that I called out some incorrect chord names in the description. Embarrassing? Yes but too lazy to redo the video.
Thanks - a great help in getting started on playing blues and your tips to liven things up should make a big difference. Glad I landed on this tutorial !
I’m glad you landed on it too. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much. I just love the blues and you taught me how to give it a little more soul. Hmmm mm love it.
Sammy Mac
Thanks Sammy, more soul is good!
Pretty simple licks but I always play it. Second one I learned from you, Thanks for the video.
Thank you, I like simple. Simple doesn’t mean bad, it just means simple.
Thank you. That was such a great lesson and so fun to kinda be playing a song with some rhythm (totally new on uk)
Fun is what it’s all about. Keep it up!
thanks! simple, clearly explained and fun!!
Fun is good, thanks!
Thank you for making the blues feel so easy, another great tutorial!
My pleasure.
Blues sounds soooo good on uke
Glad you think so. It’s fun.
This is really great, thank you. First one of your vids I've watched and I am already a fan.
Thanks!
So easy to sound impressive with this lesson!! Thanks! Sincerely a 5 month player
Great, you’re on your way.
Sir, you deserve for more likes and subscribes. Thank you so much for the lesson.
You’re welcome, thanks.
Such a great tutorial, thx!!! Really opened up a whole new style of play... I'm having a blast with it thanks to you!
If you're not a beginner don't give up on this vid, just play at 1.25 or 1.5(not the music, just the instructions)
Glad you are learning from it.
Wow , thanks, blues on uke is my dream come true. Im a bit younger than the other guys at 64 two weeks ago and i think i can do this, fat stiff fingers and all. If only my memory could keep up with the chords. Thanks from Patrick.
Go for it!
MORE MORE MORE!!!! I loved that.
THANKYOUUUUUUUKULELE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!!
OK! I’LL TRY TO POST MORE!
Thank you so much such a well explained ultra cool ukulele technique!
Glad to help Lucian.
Really appreciate this, and you have a great, open-hearted teaching style. Thank you!
Chris Bird
Thanks very much. Now go play the blues!
That was an awesome lesson ...!,
very clear and easy to follow and understand thanks:-)
Breaker parsons Ok, thanks. Now go play that uke!
perfect way of teaching. fantastic tutorial
Nice! I am just getting into the Blues and you are a great teacher, thanks!
Thanks, Glad I could help.
thanks, got it. love the ending run. Your great at teaching .
Thank you, it helps to have motivated students!
Love your version! Easy to learn. Thanks so much!
+Nola Roden You are welcome!
awesome! very easy to understand! You are great at explaining it.
+Keyla Escribano Many Thanks! Enjoy that uke!
Great lesson thank you, i specifically got into ukulele to play blues and this will really help 👍.
Good to hear, thanks Conger.
Wow your video is great deserves a subscribe for me cause I'm just learning but you've made this really fun and easy
+Chiko Data -Thanks Chiko. Enjoy that uke!
Yes I have to ukuleles i would like to know if I should put meadem or heave I play the guitar and use light strings
Use medium or light strings on the ukulele. Get a set with a wound C string. I know GHS makes one.
This just makes me happy.
wazzup105: Ha! Ha! I'm not sure it should, since it's the blues, but I totally understand what you mean. :)
Hats off to this man
Thanks Joey!
One of the best tutorials for myself a beginner. thank you, where can I find more ??
Thanks Regina, I have more ukulele tutorials on RUclips. Go to the search box on the home page and type in ukulele and my name John Curtis, they should come up.
I award you the best charismatic stylish ukulele blues Prince 2021
! I’m not sure I deserve this distinguished award…… but I accept! Thanks
Still replying to comments, what a great guy
: - )
The best yet. Thank you.
🙏
Very clear and helpful. Thanks very much.
Glad to help.
Fantastic video
Appreciate the feedback, thanks.
LOVE THIS SO MUCH! THANK YOU!
You're so welcome!
Hey by my banjolele is concert size..but my finger are bigger! thanks for your reply matey.. regards
this video got me started playing blues on my uke
Glad to hear it, thanks.
Great! Inspiring....I am going to practice this....
Helen N b
Fantastic! Thank you so much!
You are most welcome!
Should i uses E A D G or D G B E and meadem or heave
You should use ukulele strings, not guitar strings. What sizes are your ukuleles?
Call me stupid if necessary, but I cannot get the turn around inn the C-Uke Blues. The turn around in the A-Uke Blues was explained in detail and I got that one. John
Hi John, If you are referring to my video "C Blues on Ukulele with simple riff".
I can see your point. I play the turnaround several different ways on that video.
The main purpose of that video was to introduce a simple blues scale. You can the use this scale to play riffs or lead figures along with the chords. In the future I will try to keep everything consistent and explain everything more thoroughly. Thanks
2:28
Thanks John !!
You’re welcome Jay.
This is great🎉
Glad you enjoyed it, Go play that uke!
Great clear instructions good job, thanks
+Andy Richardson Thank you Andy.
the camera could have been put in a better angle showing the frets and strings mentioned or in the future, put a kind of cord graphics timeline, but nonetheless, thank you for the great motivation
Yes, camera angles are a problem with The uke and the mandolin.
These videos are posted with no extra graphics. I just shoot them and post. Trying to keep it simple, sorry.
subar24601 agree
I'm looking for free ukelele tab blues as I've just started playing this instrument. please, send me useful informations about. Many thanks. Charles
One of the best...thanks ever so....now I just need to practise..
+Alice Booth/ Start with 5 minute mini practice sessions. Once you get a few things down, then you will want to spend more time because practice will be more fun!
Awesome video! Thank you.
Love It! Thanks. 😊
🙏
Your sound is so bright compared to mu muffled soprano. Is it a matter of strings and pick? I'm using my fingers and the nylon that came with my Sierra made in China.
Try a heavier gauge set of strings. They will give you more volume and should be brighter.
What a great tutorial. Thank you
Bestial !
Thank you! Nice lesson!
You’re welcome.
Thank you so much! Great lesson!
What is the strumming pattern?
The pattern is 2 measures long. The first measure is: Down, down down up down ( count 1,2,3&4) the second measure is: down up down up up down (count 1&2&,&4. You go down on the Beats 1,2,3,4 and up on the &. On the second measure there is no 3 because you do the downstroke but don’t hit the strings. Hope this helps.
Thank you!! 🙏
Awesome!
That's a nice progression. E7 is a lovely chord
Thank you so much for the intro! It's fun! What kind of strings do you have on your ukulele?
I use a GHS set with a wound C.
......and just watching yet again! A question ,is the fret board smaller in width on a uke banjo? I have a litle trouble on mine when it comes to keeping from catching the free strings. I keep practising tho'
+Andy Richardson The width of the fretboard can be different depending on who the instrument maker is and the model. Ukes come in soprano, concert, and baritone sizes, soprano being the smallest. If your banjolele is a soprano, the fret board could be cozy.
Excellent lesson thank you :)
Nice sounding ukulele John what Make and type is it? I've been thinking of getting a tenor or banjolele for a change of sound . Keep up the good work. Dave from England
Thanks Davey, it’s a Lanikai that they don’t make any more. It actually had some intonation problems so I now have an Eastman concert size as well as a Martin S-1. Get a decent banjolele otherwise it can be to plunky.
Strumming patterns only mentioned for a few seconds as an afterthought...
A good criticism. Thanks for the feedback.
@@jcurtis30water No problem. Thanks for making the video, I enjoyed it.
measuring in 4, when do you know to use the up stroke and not?
Most of the time I’m strumming the rhythm : 1 2& 3& 4. The 1,2,3,4 are downstrokes, the &s are upstrokes. So, it would be:
Down, down up down up down. Keep the downstrokes steady and just catch a couple of strings on the upstroke. Hope this is helpful.
Does he make a mistake about frets on the third chord?
Yes, I say 1st fret on the first string for the E7 chord, it should be 2nd fret. I correct myself, but it’s hard to hear. I’m hopeful that people will be able to see what I’m doing or consult a chord chart if they are confused. Thanks for watching.
@@jcurtis30water thanks that's what I did
Do you have metal strings on your Uke?
Not really, this is a GHS set that has a thin aluminum ribbon over nylon. I like the tone.
sooo good. thank you A LOT
You are welcome, enjoy
Very enjoyable but is it blues ? "The blues ain't about feelin' better, it's about makin' other people feel worse" - Bleeding Gums Murphy. With videos like yours I feel a uke coming on 😎
Go for it! Uke it up!
After trying for several years to play the Ukelele I discovered Arthurs Uke Blog and it seems to be the best online system (google it if you're interested)
great
This is great and I'll work it until i get it. I'm a newbie and I've found i have to keep going back to the start of the tutorial to get what each of the chords are. I THINK it might help to add a tabulature overlay to the video so one could see the chord and fingering for whatever chord you were currently playing. Is it just too hard video-wise or is this not a good idea? Again I'm a newbie.
Hey Joe, thanks for watching. If I had any video editing skills, I would most certainly add tab. For now, it’s just point and shoot. Try writing info down as you’re watching. It will not only be a reminder, but will help you learn the tune faster.
My question is: eight minutes into the video you do a walk down from the fourth fret on the second and fourth strings and you say you end up on an E but it looks & sounds like an A7. Can you please clarify this for me. Thank you Z
You are correct, it is an A7. That’s my guitar playing brain getting me in trouble. Thanks for the feedback.
hi ,this may sound stupid but when your playing a 4 beat measure you go down down down down but then you seem to go down down down up down is that still considered 4 beats ?
+mike falasca
It is 1 2 3 & 4. Still 4 beats. The third beat is 3&. Nan McCollum Lehmann
+mike falasca Hi Mike, Nan is correct, each downstroke is a beat. If you are moving your hand evenly up and down, the upstroke is called the &, it is the second half of the beat. you count: down 1, up & / down 2, up & etc. You don't always play every down and up stroke, you play the ones that create the rhythm you are going for. So, if I want the rhythm 1,2,3&,4. I play; down down down up down.
Sorry i never answered you before this. For some reason, your comment didn't come through until now.
Thanks for your interest. john
thanks
What model uke is that please, it sounds pretty good.
It's a Lanikai Concert model. They don't make it any more. Was not expensive , but does have some intonation issues up the neck.