Play Ukulele By Ear

3 Chord Club: The Steve Miller Band

2012-01-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club as we'll learn three tunes by ear from rock hit-maker Steve Miller.

Each Friday we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we'll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less (with the exception of Bonus Chord songs)! You'll find links to the lyrics but not the chords. That's where your ears come in. Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear while watching the YouTube video. Here's a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that's C-F-G or G7.

Remember, the sound examples may be in various keys. As an added bonus, try to figure out the key of the recording. If you can't figure out the original key of a song or songs refer to the Extra Credit Hints at the bottom of the post.

The Joker (lyrics in video)

(Hint: Verse I-IV-V-IV-I)

Jet Airliner (lyrics in video)

(Hint: Chorus bVII-IV-I)

Abracadabra (lyrics in video)
(Hint: i-iv-V-i)

Extra Credit Hints:

The Joker: Key F (Chords F-Bb-C)
Jet Airliner: Key C (Chords C-F-Bb)

Abracadabra: Key A minor (Chords A minor-D minor-E)

Caravan Gogh Reunion Concert

2012-01-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

My old band in Portland, Oregon, Caravan Gogh, is reuniting for one final show this coming Saturday night. If you are in the Portland area and would like tickets you can click here:
Brown Paper Tickets
And here's a short video of our first rehearsal on Tuesday night.

Connect The Chords: American Pie

2012-01-25T00:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Connect The Chords! In this episode we'll disect Don McLean's 1971 masterpiece American Pie. This song has a whooping 13 chords. But, if we break the chord progression down into logical segments you'll see it really isn't that difficult of a chord progression to internalize.

First, listen to the song in the video making mental notes of where in the lyrics you hear the chord changes. The song is in the key of G. You'll notice the basic chord progression in the verse is I-V-vi-ii-IV-vi-V. Play this progression over and over until you have it in your ears and under your fingers. As you work your way through the verses you'll see minor variations of the main progression. (Don't worry about those suspended chords now, they are just garnish) The chorus is a basic I-IV-I-V followed by a vi-II7-vi-V7 tag.

Once you are familiar with the basic chord progression hum the melody and play through the song slowly listening to the changes. After you've done this you'll be ready to play along with the video at tempo by ear. Good luck and have fun!

Key: G: I-G ii-a iii-b IV-C V-D vi-e vii*-f#

Intro:

I-V-vi-ii-IV-vi-V

A long, long time ago,

I can still remember how the music used to make me smile. And...

I-V-vi-ii-IV-vi-IV-V (Vsus4-V-Vsus2-V)

I knew if I had the chance that I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while.

vi-ii-vi-ii

But February made me shiver, with every paper I delivered

IV-I-ii-IV-V

Bad news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step. I...

I-V-vi-ii-V

can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride

I-V-vi-IV-V7-I (IV-I)

Something touched me deep inside,

The day, the music died.

Chorus:

I-IV-I-V-I 3x

So bye-bye Miss American Pie,

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry.

Them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye sayin'

vi-II7-vi-V7

This'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.

Verse:

I-ii-IV-ii-vi-V

Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above,

If the bible tells you so. Now do

I-V-vi-ii-IV-vi-II7-V-V7

you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul,

And can you teach me how to dance real slow? Well I

vi-V7-vi-V7-

know that you're in love with him cause I saw you dancin' in the gym. You

IV-II7-IV-V7

both kicked off your shoes and I dig those rhythm and blues. I was a l

I-V-vi-ii-IV-I

lonely teenage bronkin' buck with a pink carnation and a pick-up truck, But

I-V-vi-IV-V7-I-IV-I (I-V7 to chorus)

I knew I was out of luck the day the music died.

I started singing...

Chorus

Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
But, that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
A quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

We were singin'
Chorus

Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
We started singin'

Chorus

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil's only friend
And as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singin'

Chorus

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most-
the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost-
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singing

Chorus

3 Questions with Ed Mayo

2012-01-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

Longtime ukulele player Ed Mayo talks about his collection of ukuleles built by luthiers in San Luis Obispo county, California in this weeks 3 Questions Interview.

3 Chord Club Sings Janis Joplin

2012-01-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we learn three songs from rockin' blues icon Janis Joplin.

Me & Bobby McGee (lyrics)

(Hint: Chorus IV-I-V7-I)

Mercedes Benz (lyrics)

(Hint: I-IV-I-V7-I)

Turtle Blues (lyrics)

(Hint: I-IV-I-IV-I-V-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

Me & Bobby McGee: Key G (Chords G-C-D )

Mercedes Benz: A Capella

Turtle Blues: Key D (Chords: D-E-A)

2012 Winter NAMM Show

2012-01-18T00:06:00.000-08:00

I'll be making my first trip to the Winter NAMM Show this week. The National Association of Music Merchants convention in Anaheim, California is a virtual Who's Who of the music industry. I'll be ensconced in the Kala Ukulele booth for the show, Thursday, January 19 through Sunday, January 22. Grammy award winner Daniel Ho will also be on hand in the Kala booth during the entire show.

On Sunday morning, I'll be leading a panel discussion with music retailers on creating in-store ukulele circles, and later that afternoon I'll be leading a ukulele jam session on the front steps of the Anaheim Convention Center. If you're attending this year's show, do stop by the Kala booth in Hall E/1330.

3 Questions with Mike Pereira

2012-01-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

This week's 3 Questions Interview is with central California coast luthier Mike Pereira.

3 Chord Club Sings Dr. Hook

2012-01-13T00:08:00.000-08:00

Remember these guys? One of my sister's favorite bands from the early 1970's, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show is our featured group this week here at the 3 Chord Club.

Cover Of The Rolling Stone (lyrics in video)

(Hint: I-V-I--V-IV-I Chorus)

Sylvia's Mother (lyrics in video)

(Hint: IV-I-V-I Chorus)

Carry Me Carrie (lyrics)

(Hint: Bonus Chord II Major Verse & Chorus)

Extra Credit Hints:

Cover Of The Rolling Stone: Key A (Chords A-D-E)

Syliva's Mother: Key A (Chords A-D-E)

Carry Me Carrie: Key D (Chords D-E-G-A)

Take The Poll!

2012-01-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

My crack IT team is currently working on a brand new Play Ukulele By Ear website. It could be up as early as late February/early March. I could use your help in putting the new site together. If you are a regular visitor to the blog, please take a few seconds to take the poll I've posted in the right column and let me know what features you would like to see on the new site. I would appreciate your input.

Ukulele Yes!

2012-01-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

I penned the cover story for this quarter's issue of

James Hill's Ukulele Yes! eZine on the finer points

of leading a ukulele jam.

Click Here

Connect The Chords: The Dock Of The Bay

2012-01-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Connect The Chords! In this episode we'll break down Otis Redding's only number one hit Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay, written with Stax session guitarist Steve Cropper in 1967. First, listen to the song making mental notes of where in the lyrics you hear the chord changes. You'll notice from the chord progression the verse starts at the I, moves to the III then the IV and then walks right back down to the II. The chorus is a simple I-II-I-VI7 and the bridge is a basic I-V-IV-I for three times and finishes with a bVII-V. Once you have the chords under your fingers hum the melody and play through the song slowly listening to the changes. After you've done this you'll be ready to play along with the video at tempo by ear. Good luck and have fun!

Key: Bb: I-Bb II-C III-D IV-Eb V-F VI-G VII-A

Verse 1:

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)

Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again

Chorus:

I-II-I-VI7

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I-II-I-VI7

I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Verse 2:

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And looks like nothin's gonna come my way

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

I-V-IV-I 3X bVII-V

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same

Verse 3:

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone

I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Repeat Chorus

3 Chord Club Rocks With Bo Diddley

2012-01-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

Put on your rock and roll shoes for this week's 3 Chord Club as we learn three tunes from the late, great Bo Diddley by ear on the uke!

Hey, Bo Diddley (lyrics)

(Hint: I-bVII)

Who Do You Love (lyrics)

(Hint: I)

Crackin' Up (lyrics)
(Hint: I-IV-V-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

Hey, Bo Diddley: Key Eb (Chords Eb-Db)
Who Do You Love: Key Ab (Chords Ab)

Crackin' Up: Key E (Chords E-A-B)

Camp Oo Koo Lay Lay

2012-01-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

What could be more fun than going to summer camp? Ukulele summer camp! You won't want to miss out on the first annual Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay, August 18-24, 2012, in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

Reserve your space now for Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay at Pinecrest in the central Sierra Nevada, with your hosts Elaine de Man & Jim D'Ville. Two tent circles at the Cal Berkeley Alumni's Lair of Golden Bear have been reserved especially for us, for a full week of ukulele instruction and merriment in the context of a regular summer camp for families. All attendees at Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay will have full access to all of the activities and programs open to every other camper at the Lair of Golden Bear with the added benefit of specific ukulele instruction, workshops, jam sessions, and ukulele camp fires each night, and our own time on the Camp Oski Stage. Basically it's a summer camp for adults of the ukulele persuasion, especially those who'd like their non-uke-centric family members to join them. Activities include arts and crafts, high country hikes, nature games, swimming, a variety of sporting activities, boating, story-telling, dances and movies.

Early bird registration ends January 31st. Please visit the website for more information on Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay.

NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL

2012-01-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

Beginning today, January 2, 2012, save 50% on a download of Play Ukulele By Ear Vol. I for one entire week. Normally, $20 USD, for the first week of the year get it for a mere $10! No shipping, no handling, just a direct download from my site to your computer. Great for those who have just received their first uke, folks who want to improve their knowledge of how music works and for those yearning to hear and identify basic chord changes. A must for any beginner. Click on the HERE to order.

3 Chord Club: Happy New Year 2012!

2011-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks as though we have run out of time on yet another year. I'd like to thank all of you who frequent the 3 Chord Club, as well as, the other features here on the blog. I've got some exciting things in store for 2012 including a brand new website. I look forward to another wonderful year of learning and playing ukulele with you all. This week at the 3 Chord Club we'll put a wrap on 2011 with three versions of the only three-chord song you'll need this week, Auld Lang Syne.

Each Friday we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we'll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less (with the exception of Bonus Chord songs)! You'll find links to the lyrics but not the chords. That's where your ears come in. Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear while watching the YouTube video. Here's a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that's C-F-G or G7.

Auld Lang Syne-Woodshed

(Hint: I-V-I-IV-I)

Auld Lang Syne-Bill Keith

(Hint: Forget about those fancy intro chords)

Auld Lang Syne-Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians

(Hint: 25 cents per play)

Extra Credit Hints:

Woodshed: Key F (Chords F-Bb-C)

Bill Keith: Key G (Chords G-C-D)

Guy Lombardo: Key F (Chords F-Bb-C)

The Redcliffe Rag Revisited

2011-12-28T00:03:00.000-08:00

Last year at this time my wife Linda and I were in Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia visiting Sammy Lovejoy, founder of the BUMS (Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society). It was the fourth week of summer, but for the first time in a decade it was raining to beat the band. For the better part of a week we stayed indoors most of the time. The good thing is we wrote a song during that time which explores some of the history behind the city of Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane, where Sammy lives. Once the weather broke, we rushed to the beach a few blocks away and shot this video. The lead is played on a National Reso-phonic NRP metal body ukulele.

To all my friends down under, have a great summer and Happy 2012!

3 Questions With Gordon Velasco

2011-12-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Gordon Velasco of the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble talks about his approach to teaching ukulele in this week's 3 Questions Interview.

3 Chord Club: The Dave Clark Five

2011-12-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we head across the pond to learn three big hits from the second most popular band of the 1960's British Invasion, The Dave Clark Five.

Over & Over (lyrics)

(Hint: Two Chords)

Glad All Over (lyrics)

(Hint: Bonus Chord VI in the Bridge)

I Like It Like That (lyrics)

(Hint: Two Chords)

Extra Credit Hints:

Over & Over: Key Bb (Chords Bb-F7)

Glad All Over: Key D (Chords D-G-A-Bb)

I Like It Like That: Key A (Chords A-E7)

Weekly Interval #3: Ascending minor 3rd

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Have you been practicing your intervals? Well, with a new year almost upon us we can renew our commitment to interval ear training with a reposting of the Weekly Interval series. Just to whet your whistle, here's a sneak preview of one of our old favorites to get you through the holidays!

This week's guest on the Weekly Interval is the ascending minor 3rd. The minor 3rd is a rockin' and bluesy interval but at the same time has all the sensitivity of a melancholy minor interval. Remember to spend a week with this interval, play it in different keys, and listen for the melodies of familiar songs to jump out as you practice listening to the the ascending minor 3rd. If you do hear the melody to a song that starts with this interval post it in the comments section.

Key of C: C to Eb

Solfege Syllables: Do-Ri (pronounced Doe-Ree)

First two notes of:

Blues Scale

Smoke On The Water

Greensleeves

Iron Man

Theme From Rocky

3 Questions With Anacapa Ukulele

2011-12-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

This week the 3 Questions Interview visits Brad Ranola and Cary Hitsman of Anacapa Ukulele in Ventura, California. Anacapa is named for one of the Channel Islands just off shore. The video was shot during their recent grand opening.

3 Chord Club Sings Simon & Garfunkel

2011-12-16T00:06:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we'll learn three classic folk songs from THE folk duet of all time, Simon & Garfunkel.

Each Friday we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we'll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less (with the exception of Bonus Chord songs)! You'll find links to the lyrics but not the chords. That's where your ears come in. Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear while watching the YouTube video. Here's a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that's C-F-G or G7.

59th Street Bridge Song (lyrics)

(Hint: I-V-vi-V-I)

Cecilia (lyrics)

(Hint: Verse I-IV-I-IV-I-V-I)

El Condor Pasa (lyrics in video)

(Hint: Verse I-iii-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

59th St. Bridge Song: Key Eb (Chords Eb-Bb-Cm)

Cecilia: Key B (Chords B-E-F#)

El Condor Pasa: Key G (Chords G-Em-C))

Connect The Chords: Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit

2011-12-14T00:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Connect The Chords! In this episode we'll examine the chord progression to the Dan Hicks Christmas Jug Band classic Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit. If you know how Somebody Stole My Gal goes, you'll have a leg up on learning this song. I'll post the chords to each section of the song, your job is to listen to the recording and find where the changes in the song take place. Happy Holidays!

Key of G:

I-G Major ii-A minor iii-B minor IV-C Major V-D Major (D7) vi-E minor vii-F# dim

I-V7-I

Somebody stole my Santa Claus suit
Somebody ripped off my beard, hat and boots

VI7-II7-V7

Some little fatso is all dressed in red
He even had the gall to swipe the pillow off my bed

I-V7-I

Now what my kids going to think?

If Santa’s a no-show, well boy, they’ll raise a stink

I-I7-IV-iv
But Deck the Halls and “What the Hell!”
I still got my Jingle Be-ll-s
I-VI7-II7-V7-I

So sucker, you can keep the suit!
Cause frankly I don’t give a HOOT!

I-V7-I

But where, oh where’s my Santa Claus suit?
That git-up set me back a bundle of loot!
VI7-II7-V7

The beard alone was four-ninety-eight
The box it came in was an antique orange crate!

I-V7-I

Somebody took the whole she-bang.
If I find that roly-poly mother he’s going to hang!
I-I7-IV-iv

But, gee, I guess that’s no way to be
He might do some good with it and all thanks to me!
I-VI7-II7-V7-I

So sucker, you can keep the suit!
Frankly I don’t give a HOOT!

The chords and lyrics to this song are posted for educational purposes only.

Uke Spotlight: West Coast Ukulele Retreat

2011-12-13T09:55:00.001-08:00

Early bird registration for the 2012 West Coast Ukulele Retreat ends on Friday, December 16. The date for this year's retreat is May 16-20, 2012. The retreat is held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove (Monterey), California. Join top-notch instructors for five days of ukulele bliss in one of California's most magical places. This year's instructors include Gerald Ross, Fred Sokokow, Fred Fallin, Joel Echaus, Jim D'Ville, Andy Andrews, Mike DaSilva, Dave Egan and others to be announced.

If you've ever wanted to take a ukulele vacation this is the retreat you should treat yourself (and your spouse, partner etc.) to. So save yourself some dough, and recieve a special thank you gift for signing up early. Oh, and the food is great!

3 Questions with Moses Kamai

2011-12-12T11:25:00.001-08:00

Moses Kamai of the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble talks about the structure of his successful ukulele club in this week's 3 Questions Interview. Note: Practice soloing in the key of C using the song at the end of the video.

3 Chord Club: American Play Party Songs

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we'll travel back to a simpler time in America to learn three Play Party Songs. Songs at play parties in the 19th century usually were sung without musical accompaniment, but today we'll make an exception.

Jenny Jenkins-David Grisman & Jerry Garcia (lyrics)

(Hint: I-IV-I-V-I)

Go In And Out The Window-Lew Dite (lyrics)

(Hint: I-V-I)

Skip To My Lou-Pete Seeger (lyrics)

(Hint: Verse I-V7-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

Jenny Jenkins: Key D (Chords D-G-A)

Go In And Out The Window: Key G (Chords G-D)

Skip To My Lou: Key D (Chords D-A7))

Connect The Chords: White Christmas

2011-12-07T00:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Connect The Chords! In this episode we'll break down Irving Berlin's 1942 classic White Christmas. The great thing about White Christmas is you can start out playing it with just three chords.

Key of C:

I-C Major ii-D minor iii-E minor IV-F Major V-G Major (G7) vi-A minor vii-B di

C MAJOR

F MAJOR

I I'm dreaming of a IV white V7 Christmas

IV Just like the ones I V7 used to I know

Where the treetops glisten, and IV children listen

To I hear IV sleigh I bells IV in the V7 snow.

I I'm dreaming of a IV white V7 Christmas

IV With every Christmas V7 card I I write

May your days be merry and IV bright

And may I all your IV Christmas-V7-es be I white.

Now let's spice the arrangement up by adding in some other chords.

To sweeten the song, let's use the ii minor (D minor). Since D minor is the relative minor of F Major we can use it as a substitute it for F.

D MINOR

I I'm dreaming of a ii white V7 Christmas

IV Just like the ones I V7 used to I know

Where the treetops glisten, and IV children listen

To I hear IV sleigh I bells ii in the V7 snow.

I I'm dreaming of a ii white V7 Christmas

IV With every Christmas V7 card I I write

May your days be merry and IV bright

And may I all your ii Christmas-V7-es be I white.

Now let's add the I7 and iv minor chords to the arrangement.

F MINOR

I I'm dreaming of a ii white V7 Christmas

IV Just like the ones I V7 used to I know

ii Where V7 the I treetops I7 glisten, and IV children iv listen

To I hear IV sleigh I bells ii in the V7 snow.

I I'm dreaming of a ii white V7 Christmas

IV With every Christmas V7 card I I write

ii May V7 your I days be I7 merry and IV bright iv

And may I all your ii Christmas-V7-es be I white.

Finally, let's add in a few other chords not found in the in the C Major Scale, B Major (VII), F#7 (#IV7), and G Diminished (Vdim). The reason for adding these other chords is to help flesh out the melody in the song and create interest.

B MAJOR

F#7

G DIM

I I'm ii dream-I-ing VII of I a ii white #IV7 Christ-V7-mas

IV Just like the ones I V7 used to I know

ii Where V7 the I treetops I7 glisten, and IV children iv listen

To I hear IV sleigh I bells ii in the V7 snow.

I I'm ii dream-I-ing VII of I a ii white #IV7 Christ-V7-mas

IV With every Christmas V7 card I I write

ii May V7 your I days be I7 merry and IV bright iv

And may I all Vdim your ii Christmas-V7-es be I white.

Look how quickly we ramped up from a three-chord song to a nine-chord song! Here is a finger-picking arrangement using most, if not all of these chords. Happy holidays!

The chords lyrics to this song are posted for educational purposes only. Arrangement from Irving Berlin Songs Arranged for Ukulele by Roy Smeck. Hal Leonard Publishing

3 Questions with U-Bassist Ron Saul

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Master luthier and U-Bass player Ron Saul with a 3 Questions primer on playing the popular ukulele bass by Kala Ukulele.

3 Chord Club Sings Lead Belly

2011-12-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we'll learn three numbers from the "The King of the 12-String Guitar" Huddie William Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly.

The Midnight Special (lyrics)

(Hint: Verse I-IV-I-V-I)

Rock Island Line (lyrics)

(Hint: I-V7-I-IV-I-V7-I)

Cotton Fields (lyrics)

(Hint: Verse I-IV-I-V7-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

The Midnight Special: Key A (Chords A-D-E)

Rock Island Line: Key A (Chords A-D-E)

Cotton Fields: Key A (Chords A-D-E7))

The World's Cat Soundtrack

2011-11-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Fabulous Fiddlesticks!

Little did I know that when I wrote the song Feline Fur Coat Ball for my cat Fiddlesticks it would become the default soundtrack to YouTube cat videos worldwide.

Let's start with the original performed by Caravan Gogh in 2007. Other videos are listed in order of entertainment value.

United Kingdom: Cat Wearing Box On Head

United States: Big Cats On Scratchers

Germany: Amazing Leaping Cat

Portugal: Cat Using Toilet

France: Cat Wrestling With Dog

Belgium: Hyper Kitten

Canada: Spastic Kitten

Russia: Cat & Laser

Australia: Animated Cat

Romania: Large Cat Rolling On Grass

Sweden: Cat With Pen

Spain: Blonde Cow Races (I couldn't resist)

Uke Spotlight: Kala Ukulele Artists Video

2011-11-28T00:09:00.000-08:00

Kala Ukulele recently put together a compilation video featuring some of the artists who endorse their ukuleles. As you can image, it was quite a thrill for me to be included in a video with such ukulele royalty as James Hill, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Lil' Rev and many more. You can find my :15 of fame at 5:53.

3 Chord Club Sings Peter, Paul & Mary

2011-11-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

This week at the 3 Chord Club we learn three songs from the greatest folk trio of all time Peter, Paul & Mary.

Blowin' In The Wind (lyrics)

(Hint: Verse I-IV-I-V-I)

Leaving On A Jet Plane (lyrics)

(Hint: I-IV-I etc.)

This Land Is Your Land (lyrics)

(Hint: I-IV-I-V-I)

Extra Credit Hints:

Blowin' In The Wind: Key F (Chords F-Bb-C)
Leaving On A Jet Plane: Key A (Chords A-D-E)

This Land Is Your Land: Key A (Chords A-D-E)