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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
 Posted - 12/23/2008 : 10:16:09 PM
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The chart and lesson are my own creation and
everyone has my full permission to use them for
any/all commercial/non commercial use. Ric
How to play the 12 Bar Blues...
I've found that at large group ukulele kanikapila
classes, the majority want the music broken
down into a graphical presentation. Many will
never learn tab or notation, but still have the ability
to learn when it's broken down to the visual. Print
this chart, for the visual. The lesson follows below
the chart:
In the first row, the middle finger is placed on the
second fret of the G string. The index finger is
placed is placed on the first fret of the C string.
These two fingers remain in place for all four
chords in the first row. The ring finger is the only
moveable finger in all the chords. Strum the chord
twice, in a downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the third fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the first row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 4 times.
-
-
In the second row, the index finger is placed on
the fifth fret of the E and A string, at the same
time. The middle finger is placed is placed on
the sixth fret of the C string. These two fingers
remain in place for all four chords in the second
row. The ring finger is the only moveable finger
in all the chords. Strum the chord twice, in a
downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the seventh fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the eighth fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the seventh fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the second row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 2 times.
-
-
In the third row, the middle finger is placed on the
second fret of the G string. The index finger is
placed is placed on the first fret of the C string.
These two fingers remain in place for all four
chords in the first row. The ring finger is the only
moveable finger in all the chords. Strum the chord
twice, in a downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the third fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the third row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 2 times.
-
-
In the fourth row, the index finger is placed on
the seventh fret of the E and A string, at the
same time. The middle finger is placed is placed
on the eighth fret of the C string. These two fingers
remain in place for all four chords in the second
row. The ring finger is the only moveable finger
in all the chords. Strum the chord twice, in a
downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the ninth fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the tenth fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the ninth fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the fourth row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 1 times.
-
-
In the fifth row, the index finger is placed on
the fifth fret of the E and A string, at the same
time. The middle finger is placed is placed on
the sixth fret of the C string. These two fingers
remain in place for all four chords in the second
row. The ring finger is the only moveable finger
in all the chords. Strum the chord twice, in a
downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the seventh fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the eighth fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the seventh fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the fifth row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 1 time.
-
-
In the sixth row, the middle finger is placed on the
second fret of the G string. The index finger is
placed is placed on the first fret of the C string.
These two fingers remain in place for all four
chords in the first row. The ring finger is the only
moveable finger in all the chords. Strum the chord
twice, in a downward motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the third fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the second fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.
-
This completes the 1ST Bar of the sixth row.
This bar of 4 chords is played 1 time.
-
-
In the seventh row, the index finger is placed on
the seventh fret of the E and A string, at the
same time. The middle finger is placed is placed
on the eighth fret of the C string. Strum the
chord eight times, in a downward motion.
-
-
This completes the 12 bar blues progression. For
more verses, just start at the top and work your
way back down.
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2008 : 11:52:28 PM
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| Honestly, this lesson has much to be desired. |
Stay Tuned... |
Edited by - hikabe on 12/24/2008 11:47:41 AM |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 12:34:28 AM
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Waiting for your reply and willing to
learn. I saw how well Fred Thompson did
using this method to teach Crazy G to a
large group. The uulelelists I've taught
this to so far are now exploring playing
beyond the 4th fret. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 09:28:15 AM
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I see what you are getting at: a basic 12 bar blues pattern in the key of A using yer basic "Blues Riff #1" -- (Think "High Heeled Sneakers" or any bar band trying to play the blues.)
Here's my take:
1) I think you'd be better off to label the chords so your students will know what they are playing. Even better-- note the scale degree and barlines, too. Even peeps that refuse to learn music can absorb this by osmosis. Gawd knows I did when I was a kid.
2) You should add the notes on the G string for both the D and E chord. The full chords are no harder to play (use yer pinky for the added notes to play the riff) and it will sound better.
3) Why not include some lyrics? Here's an example just right for the season (apologies to Charles Brown* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zq7gCJZoA).
Play it slow, with just a hint of a shuffle.
Merry Christmas, baby, you sure did treat me nice....
(sung to the riff on the A chord, first line of yer TAB)
Merry Christmas, baby, you sure did treat me nice....
(sung over the D chord -- 2nd line of yer TAB. Be sure the word "me" ends up back on the A chord.)
You gave me a diamond ring for Christmas, now I'm livin' in paradise..
(sung over the E and D changes-- lines 4 and 5 of yer example. End up back on the A for "...dise")
Happy everything!
Mark
* OK, Elvis sang it, too. But he sang everything....
(Note 2-- if you listen the recorded version (or watch the youtube vid--- which is amazing) , you'll notice that the song uses a more complicated version of the 12 bar blues... I'll let Ric post that later. Happy playing!)
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 09:48:14 AM
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There are easier ways to do this. I know what you're trying to do. You're focusing on using a walking bass in the I-IV-V chord progression using a very rigid chord structure pattern. I think the intention is to be able to move the pattern around. But you need to account for the open g string in the 5th, 7th or any other fret. Making a partial Bb chord structure doesn't work. Making the full Bb chord structure works better, but requires the pinky to do all the walking and allows transposing to any key.
You're attention to mechanics has distracted you from the tonality scheme. These devices are useful but are sometimes void of aesthetic design. Your lesson is similar to power chord blocking in blues/rock music and works better in combo arrangements.
I'll transcribe another way to render the walking bass using open chords in the first position as soon as I have some free time.
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Stay Tuned... |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 11:42:01 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by ricdoug
(Keeping your middle finger and index in place,
place the ring finger on the third fret of the E
string. Strum the chord twice, in a downward
motion.)
You should try to encourage people to use the pinky/little finger instead. |
Stay Tuned... |
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P.M. JR.
Akahai
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 2:35:18 PM
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| I think it's great =D |
Peter W.K. Moon |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 5:42:04 PM
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quote:
You should try to encourage people to use the pinky/little finger instead.
I play that way myself, but found newbie learners (most above the age of 50) are initially intimidated using 3 fingers, let alone 4. It doesn't sound bad, using the G as a drone. I'm looking forward to your lesson, as I'm always willing to learn a new way to walk the dog.
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 5:45:02 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by P.M. JR.
I think it's great =D
Thanks, Peter. After watching Fred Thompson teach Crazy G to a large crowd this way, I applied it to basic blues. They follow along well, kinesthetically. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2008 : 5:52:52 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark
1) I think you'd be better off to label the chords so your students will know what they are playing. Even better-- note the scale degree and barlines, too. Even peeps that refuse to learn music can absorb this by osmosis. Gawd knows I did when I was a kid.
2) You should add the notes on the G string for both the D and E chord. The full chords are no harder to play (use yer pinky for the added notes to play the riff) and it will sound better.
3) Why not include some lyrics? Here's an example just right for the season (apologies to Charles Brown* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zq7gCJZoA).
Play it slow, with just a hint of a shuffle.
I hear ya', Mark. Fred did not label the Chords on Crazy G and it seemed to speed up the crowds learning curve, just learning the shapes. I watched the progression unfold and was surprized. Most of these folks are intimidated using three fingers, let alone four. This lesson is a foundation for beginners and they enjoy it. Especially playing beyond the 4th fret. I decided to do this, as the kanikapila masses play Kansas City like they play Hanalei Moon. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/25/2008 : 2:00:35 PM
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Here's Fred Thompson teaching "Crazy G" to a large
group at the Wind an Sea Ukulele Orchestra
kanikapila in San Diego, California, using the chart
method:
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2008 : 10:22:57 AM
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The open G droning in the 5th and 7th position does not work. The intention and effort you have put in it is great. But it needs fixing.
Also. Teach people to play the way you play. Don't simplify on behalf of newbies or old people. Give it to them straight. They can handle it. Just be patient and spend more time on the material. It's a quicker and more direct way to better music.
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Stay Tuned... |
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sm80808
Lokahi
347 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2008 : 4:32:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ricdoug
I hear ya', Mark. Fred did not label the Chords on Crazy G and it seemed to speed up the crowds learning curve, just learning the shapes. I watched the progression unfold and was surprized. Most of these folks are intimidated using three fingers, let alone four. This lesson is a foundation for beginners and they enjoy it. Especially playing beyond the 4th fret. I decided to do this, as the kanikapila masses play Kansas City like they play Hanalei Moon. Ric
re: the open G string,
you could use the dom. 7th bar chord shapes
5
5
6
5
and,
7
7
8
7
for D7 and E7 respectively and still use only 3 fingers for the moving line on the E string.
D7
5 5 5 5
5 7 8 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
and
E7
7 7 7 7
7 9 10 9
8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
etc...
with index for the bar, middle for the C (3rd) string and the ring finger on the E (2nd) string.
good stuff though. your students are lucky you put forth the effort.
:)
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2008 : 5:15:59 PM
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| I like that, studentaccount1. I'll chart that for a future lesson to introduce them into barre chords. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2153 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2008 : 3:04:18 PM
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| The Blues: Never have so many felt so good about feelin' so bad. |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2008 : 3:06:07 PM
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Do you see how the A Major chord is a part of the Bb chord structure? When you hold Bb, your index finger is like a capo. Move it up to the 5th fret and you get a D chord, to the 7th fret and you get an E major chord. This is the I-IV-V chord relationship common in many different musical styles, especially folk, rock, blues and Hawaiian music. Now apply your bass riff in A major on the 5th and 7th frets as you follow your 12 bar progression. Work the pinky to improve it's dexterity.
Studentaccount1 has the right idea using 7th chords, which is good for blues. |
Stay Tuned... |
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