Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Aloha Patrons!  and happy Sunday!

Here's a new tutorial for a frequently asked question: how do I get better at chord transitions?  


The key to cleaner, faster chord changes is finding the most efficient finger movement between chords.  In this tutorial, I use 2 exercises to highlight the following skills that will help you build strength, flexibility, and control of the fingers.

- practicing finger isolation

- hovering the transition fingers

- stepping one finger at a time to the next chord

- learning to "flip" the fingers


This kind of fine motor control all depends on muscle memory, so go slow and practice 5 minutes a day.  Take the time to break down your finger movements, and your brain will be able to talk to your fingers more efficiently!


Hope this helps, and please let me know how it goes!

Cynthia.

Files

Previews only

How to Practice Changing Chords // Ukulele Tutorial

SEE BELOW FOR ALL 6 LESSONS in Cynthia's Beginner Ukulele series*** aloha uke friends! this was a popular question on my Patreon Q&A so i decided to make a video for it. the key to cleaner, faster chord changes is finding the most efficient finger movement between chords.

Comments

Alyna Waters

As always, excellent, and I love your animals!

Donna Fournier

This was a good practice other I felt my wrist got tight. Any suggestions?

Cynthia Lin

hi donna! shake it out, do wrist circles, and practice relaxing the wrist as you hold the chord. slowly build strength!

Wayne Stiles

Enjoyed tutorial as with all as your presentation is really patient and clear. I have arthritis in left hand Switched to tenor because of hand size..took lesson on Big Island and to my surprise the teacher used his thumb on 4 string chords .. your thoughts . Great job Cynthia.

John Sheardown

Hi Cynthia. I am currently teaching a group of preschool teachers how to play the uke with the children at a Barnardo's playcentre. I feel a great way to improve is to try to teach a skill to others. Strangely, your tutorial appeared on my phone, just when I was struggling to get them to play along with "the Lion Sleeps tonight." which involves just the basic chord transitions you are demonstrating. Initially, I felt your tutorial was a bit too slow, but then I thought about it more and realized that you are so right by breaking the function down. When we play, we see the next chord coming then move into an appropriate hovering position before we play the chord. No-one I have come across ' till now recognizes this hovering position and when I checked it is exactly how I play. By hovering before placing the fingers, one's brain can focus on rhythm and timing before placing the chord. I am sure your method will be most helpful with my group and may help more of them to master basic chords to enhance the musical enjoyment of uke playing at the centre with the preschool children. I felt I needed to comment and thank you for your detailed explanation. I will be using it in the next few weeks before our Matariki celebration concert here in New Zealand.

Judy Hartman

Thank you for this, I always like to work on my technique. I love it when your animals show up also!