About the ukulele and tuning I use on my YouTube lessons.

For my YouTube videos I’m playing a baritone ukulele, but one strung with extra-long concert tuned strings. (GCEA) This allows me to play along with smaller ukes. If you want to string your bari this way it’s important to get extra-long strings to accommodate the size of the longer instrument. You can order these special length strings online from various sources. One source I’ve used is, www.elderly.com. I like my baritone because there’s more room for my fingers to play smoothly as I move up the neck. Also the large body resonates with a bigger sound. That’s nice for playing jazz chords. Riptide Ukulele is my sponsor. I chose them because I like the precision craftsmanship and smooth playability of their instruments. (www.bouldercreekguitars.com)

Playing with a low G string on your ukulele

I like to use a low G string* on my ukulele when I’m playing jazz standards or blues. Playing with the typical high G is cool but I prefer a low G string myself because it brings out a more true sound for the jazz chords. There are various ways to put a low G on your ukulele. You might want to try it out yourself sometime. If you’re interested click here and get an info sheet you can print out explaining how I go about it.

 I prefer Aquila strings, Click Here for Aqulia Ukulele Strings!

Why learn jazz patterns?

When you study jazz patterns you aren't just memorizing songs. You learn how jazz chords are played together in combinations. Then, when you are learning standards, you can put these combinations to use over and over, making things much easier. There’s also a lot of creative satisfaction in just playing the patterns by themselves, even when they aren't part of a song. You can also write your own jazzy songs with them.

Mel Torme plays jazz patterns on the ukulele!                                   In this wonderful video below (which I borrowed from www.humblebaritonics.blogspot.com) the multi talented Mel Torme, one of America's greatest crooners, is playing Quiet Nights using the same chords that you learn when you study the Jazzy Ukulele method. I'll do an analysis of the chords he's using soon and post it in the Video Library.