Learining The Ukulele Fingerboard

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboardby Curt Sheller

Curt Sheller Publications 2050 Orlando Rd., Suite 101 Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

www.curtsheller.com

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Copyright © 2004 by Curt Sheller All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information, contact Curt Sheller Publications. Curt Sheller Publications

2050 Orlando Rd., Suite 101 Pottstown, PA 19464-2348

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

ISBN 10: 1-60321-013-X



ISBN 13: 978-1-60321-013-3

Printed and bound in the United States of America



Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Introduction Memorizing the notes of the ukulele fingerboard is not as hard as one would think. Although there doesn't seem to be any pattern and the same letter can be found on every string. There is a systematic approach that can be used to help remember the notes for each of the tunings. There are four different sized ukuleles in common use today using any one of three different tunings.

Soprano Concert

Tenor

Baritone

These ukulele tunings are tuned to the same relative intervals. Meaning each string is the same distance or interval from each other string. This makes the three ukulele tunings presented in this book the same relative tunings but in different keys and a little easier to remember.

The concept of this book is based on the theory behind “Unlocking the Guitar : Notes of the Neck”. This book is available on my web site at www.CurtSheller.com. It is also available at www.ChuckAndersonJazzGuitar.com.

Introduction

3

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

4

Introduction

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Contents Introduction ..............................................3 Common Tunings .....................................7 “C” Tuning - G C E A ................................. 7 “D” Tuning - A D F# B ................................ 8 “G” Tuning - D G B E .................................. 8

“C” Tuning ..............................................11 Learning the Frets .................................... 11 Transposing to “D” Tuning ....................... 14 Transposing to “G” Tuning ...................... 14

“D” Tuning ...............................................15 Learning the Frets .................................... 15 Transposing to “C” Tuning....................... 18 Transposing to “G” Tuning ...................... 18

“G” Tuning ..............................................19 Learning the Frets .................................... 19 Transposing to “C” Tuning....................... 22 Transposing to “D” Tuning ....................... 22

Enharmonic Equivalents ........................23 Sharps to Flats .......................................... 23 Flats to Sharps .......................................... 23

Fingerboard Charts ................................25 “C” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes ... 26 “C” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes....... 27 “D” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes ... 28 “D” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes ....... 29 “G” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes .. 30 “G” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes ...... 31

Fingerboard Word Search.....................32

Table of Contents

5

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

6

Table of Contents

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Common Tunings There are three common tunings used on the various sizes of ukuleles. For the Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles the "C" and "D" tunings are common as well as a low "G" variation of the "C" tuning and a low "A” variation of the "D" tuning. These variations do not affect the names of the notes, just the pitch of string four. The Tenor ukulele can also be tuned using the “G” tuning with a high or low “D” string four. The Baritone ukulele always uses a "G" tuning with a low "D". This tuning is the same as the high four strings of a standard tuned guitar. Here are the common tunings* for the ukulele:

“C” Tuning - G C E A

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C

E

A

Common Tunings

7

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard Common Tunings “D” Tuning - A D F# B

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A

D

F#

B

“G” Tuning - D G B E

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D

G

B

E

All the above tunings are the same, containing the same relative intervals. G to C for the “C” tuning is the same distance or interval as A to F# for the “D” tuning and D to G for the “G” tuning. * “G” Tuning, Low “D” Variation is shown one octave higher than sounded.

8

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard Common Tunings

Common Tunings

9

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

10

Common Tunings

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

“C” Tuning - G C E A and g C E A This tuning is common for the Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low “G”, it is referred to as a “Low G” tuning.

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G

C

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②

①

E

A

Learning the Frets In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which most ukulele players seem to remember there are two other frets that are easy to remember that have no sharps or flats. open

G

C

E

A

For a ukulele using the "C" tuning, the open strings and frets (5) and (7) have no sharp or flat notes. fret (5)

C

F

A

D

fret (7)

D

G

B

E

“C” Tuning

11

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “C” Tuning - G C E A and g C E A Frets (1), (4), (6) and (8) can be referenced relative to the open strings, fret (5) and fret (7) by flatting or sharping all the notes of those frets. open

G

C

E

A

fret (1)

G#*

C#

E#

A#

fret (4)

Cb

Fb*

Ab

Db

fret (5)

C

F

A

D

fret (6)

C#

F#

A#

D#

fret (6)

Db

Gb

Bb

Eb

fret (7)

D

G

B

E

fret (8)

D#

G#

B#

E#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

12

“C” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “C” Tuning - G C E A and g C E A Frets (2) and (10) have one sharp each. fret (2)

A

D

F#

B

fret (10)

F

A#

D

G

Frets (1), (3), (9) and (11) can be referenced relative to fret (2) and fret (10) by flatting or sharping all the notes of the those frets. fret (1)

Ab

Db

F

Bb

fret (2)

A

D

F#

B

fret (3)

A#

D#

G

B#

fret (9)

Fb

A

Db

Gb

fret (10)

F

A#

D

G

fret (11)

F#

B

D#

G#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in “C” tuning, low or high “G”.

“C” Tuning

13

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “C” Tuning - G C E A and g C E A Transposing to “D” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “D” tuning subtract 2* from the “C” tuning fret number. In “C” tuning fret (5)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “D” tuning fret (3)

Transposing to “G” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “G” tuning add 5* to the “C” tuning fret number. In “C” tuning fret (5)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “G” tuning fret (10)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then subtract 12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names as fret 3 but one octave lower.

14

“C” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

“D” Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B This tuning is common for the Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low “A”, it is referred to as a “Low A” tuning.

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A

D

F#

B

Learning the Frets In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which most ukulele players seem to remember, there are three other frets that are easy to remember that have no sharps or flats. open

A

D

F#

B

For a ukulele using the "D" tuning, frets (3), (5) and (10) have no sharp or flat notes. fret (3)

C

F

A

D

fret (5)

D

G

B

E

“D” Tuning

15

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “D” Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B fret 10

G

C

E

A

Frets (1), (2), (4), (6), (9) and (11) can be referenced relative to the open strings and fret (3), fret (5) and fret (10) by flatting or sharping all the notes off those frets. open

A

D

F#

B

fret (1)

A#*

D#

G

B#

fret (2)

Cb*

Fb

Ab

Db

fret (3)

C

F

A

D

fret (4)

C#

F#

A#

D#

fret (4)

Db

Gb

Bb

Eb

fret (5)

D

G

B

E

fret (6)

D#

G#

B#

E#

fret (9)

Gb

Cb

Eb

Ab

fret (10)

G

C

E

A

fret (11)

G#

C#

E#

A#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

16

“D” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “D” Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B In addition to the open strings which has one sharp, fret (8) has one sharp as well. fret (8)

F

A#

D

G

From fret (8) we can get fret (7) and fret (9). fret (7)

Fb

A

Db

Gb

fret (8)

F

A#

D

G

fret (9)

F#

B

D#

G#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in “D” tuning, low or high “A”.

“D” Tuning

17

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “D” Tuning - A D F# B and a D F# B Transposing to “C” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “C” tuning add 2* to the “D” tuning fret number. In “D” tuning fret (3)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “C” tuning fret (5)

Transposing to “G” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “G” tuning add 7* from the “D” tuning fret number. In “D” tuning fret (3)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “G” tuning fret (10)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then subtract 12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names as fret 3 but one octave lower.

18

“D” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

“G” Tuning - D G B E and d G B E This tuning is common for the Tenor and Baritone ukulele. When string four is tuned to a low “D”, it is referred to as a “Low D” tuning and is the same tuning as the high four strings of a standard tuned guitar.

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D

G

B

E

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Learning the Frets In addition to the open strings (and fret twelve) which most ukulele players seem to remember there are several other frets that are easy to remember. These easy to remember frets have no sharps or flats. open

D

G

B

E

For a ukulele using the "G" tuning, the open strings and frets (5) and (10) have no sharp or flat notes. fret (5)

G

C

E

A

fret (10)

C

F

A

D

* “G” Tuning, Low “D” Variation is shown one octave higher than sounded.

“G” Tuning

19

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “G” Tuning - D G B E and d G B E Frets (1), (4), (6), (9) and (11) can be referenced relative to the open strings, fret (5) and fret (10) by flatting or sharping all the notes of those fret. open

D

G

B

E

fret (1)

D#*

G#

B#

E#

fret (4)

Gb

Cb

Eb

Ab

fret (5)

G

C

E

A

fret (6)

G#

C#

E#

A#

fret (9)

Cb

Fb

Ab

Db

fret (10)

C

F

A

D

fret (11)

C#

F#

A#

D#

* See page 23 for enharmonic equivalent note spellings.

20

“G” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “G” Tuning - D G B E and d G B E Frets (3) and (7) have one sharp each. fret (3)

F

A#

D

G

fret (7)

A

D

F#

B

Frets (2), (4), (6) and (8) can be referenced relative to fret (3) and fret (7) by flatting or sharping all the notes of those frets. fret (2)

Fb

A

Db

Gb

fret (3)

F

A#

D

G

fret (4)

F#

B

D#

G#

fret (6)

Ab

Db

F

Bb

fret (7)

A

D

F#

B

fret (8)

A#

D#

G

B#

That is ALL the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in “G” tuning, low or high “D”.

“G” Tuning

21

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “G” Tuning - D G B E and d G B E Transposing to “C” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “C” tuning subtract 5* from the “G” tuning fret number. In “G” tuning fret (10)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “C” tuning fret (5)

Transposing to “D” Tuning To determine what fret the same notes appear at in “D” tuning subtract 7* from the “G” tuning fret number. In “G” tuning fret (10)

C

F

A

D

C

F

A

D

In “D” tuning fret (3)

* If the starting or ending fret is 12 or greater, then subtract 12. Example: Fret 15 are the same names as fret 3 but one octave lower.

22

“G” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Enharmonic Equivalents Enharmonic equivalents are where the same pitch can have multiple names.

Sharps to Flats A# is the same pitch as Bb B#

is the same pitch as

C

C#

is the same pitch as

Db

D#

is the same pitch as

Eb

E# F#

is the same pitch as is the same pitch as

G#

F

Gb

is the same pitch as

Ab

Flats to Sharps Ab is the same pitch as G# Bb Cb

is the same pitch as

A#

is the same pitch as

B

Db

is the same pitch as

C#

Eb

is the same pitch as

D#

Fb

is the same pitch as

E

Gb

is the same pitch as

F#

Enharmonic Equivalents

23

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

24

Enharmonic Equivalents

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Fingerboard Charts "C” Tuning “D” Tuning “G” Tuning

Fingerboard Charts

25

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “C” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

4

3

2

1

open

G

C

E

A

1

Gs

Cs

F

As

2

A

D

Fs

B

3

As

Ds

G

C

4

B

E

Gs

Cs

5

C

F

A

D

6

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

7

D

G

B

E

8

Ds

Gs

C

F

9

E

A

Cs

Fs

10

F

As

D

G

11

Fs

B

Ds

Gs

Frets

STRING

12 26

same assame open as strings onestrings octave higher open

Fingerboard Charts - “C” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “C” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

4

3

2

1

open

G

C

E

A

1

Af

Df

F

Bf

2

A

D

Gf

B

3

Bf

Ef

G

C

4

B

E

Af

Df

5

C

F

A

D

6

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

7

D

G

B

E

8

Ef

Af

C

F

9

E

A

Df

Gf

10

F

Bf

D

G

11

Gf

B

Ef

Af

Frets

STRING

12

same assame open strings onestrings octave higher as open

“C” Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

27

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “D” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

4

3

2

1

open

A

D

Fs

B

1

As

Ds

G

C

2

B

E

Gs

Cs

3

C

F

A

D

4

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

5

D

G

B

E

6

Ds

Gs

C

F

7

E

A

Cs

Fs

8

F

As

D

G

9

Fs

B

Ds

Gs

10

G

C

E

A

11

Gs

Cs

F

As

Frets

STRING

12 28

same as open strings one octave higher

Fingerboard Charts - “D” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “D” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

4

3

2

1

open

A

D

Gf

B

1

Bf

Ef

G

C

2

B

E

Af

Df

3

C

F

A

D

4

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

5

D

G

B

E

6

Ef

Af

C

F

7

E

A

Df

Gf

8

F

Bf

D

G

9

Gf

B

Ef

Af

10

G

C

E

A

11

Af

Df

F

Bf

Frets

STRING

12

same as open strings one octave higher

“D” Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

29

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard “G” Tuning Sharps and Natural Notes

4

3

2

1

open

D

G

B

E

1

Ds

Gs

C

F

2

E

A

Cs

Fs

3

F

As

D

G

4

Fs

B

Ds

Gs

5

G

C

E

A

6

Gs

Cs

F

As

7

A

D

Fs

B

8

As

Ds

G

C

9

B

E

Gs

Cs

10

C

F

A

D

11

Cs

Fs

As

Ds

Frets

STRING

12 30

same as open strings one octave higher

Fingerboard Charts - “G” Tuning

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

STRING

4

3

2

1

open

D

G

B

E

Frets

“G” Tuning Flats and Natural Notes

1

Ef

Af

C

F

2

E

A

Df

Gf

3

F

Bf

D

G

4

Gf

B

Ef

Af

5

G

C

E

A

6

Af

Df

F

Bf

7

A

D

Gf

B

8

Bf

Ef

G

C

9

B

E

Af

Df

10

C

F

A

D

11

Df

Gf

Bf

Ef

12

same as open strings one octave higher

“G” Tuning - Fingerboard Charts

31

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Fingerboard Word Search Turns out there are a few words throughout the ukulele fingerboard that can aide in remembering the frets. Here are the fingerboard charts, without the frets. Sharps & Natural Notes G C E Gs Cs F A D Fs As Ds G B E Gs C F A Cs Fs As D G B Ds Gs C E A Cs F As D Fs B Ds Flats & Natural Notes G C E Af Df F A D Gf Bf Ef G B E Af C F A Df Gf Bf D G B Ef Af C E A Df F Bf D Gf B Ef

32

Fingerboard Charts

A As B C Cs D Ds E F Fs G Gs A Gf B C Df D Ef E F Gf G Af 20050627.1.2