Below is the lesson for “Fingerpicking & Strumming” by Rock Class 101.

Helpful Tips

This piece contains 3 melodies that utilize many of the techniques and concepts we have learned throughout this course. Melody A uses the 4 finger approach (learned in module 4 of the Definitive Beginner’s Guide to Ukulele Course) to pick across all 4 strings. Melody B has us strumming interesting chord changes, while melody C involves playing partial barre chords. While each melody is relatively short, the key thing here is playing the form all the way throughout and working on transitions. Let’s break down what these 2 things mean.

1) Playing the complete form – The form is as follows:

Melody A x2
Melody B x4
Melody A x2
Melody B x4
Melody C (repeated w/ variation on 2nd time)
Melody A
Outro

It is important to play the complete song, as it will help you increase your stamina when performing. Most songs are well over a minute in length and continued playing requires finger-strength and dexterity. One of the most fun ways to work on these 2 aspects is to play songs! Instead of just playing: Melody A, B, C, and then the Outro; incorporate the repeats into the performance. This will set you up for success as you move onto more challenging pieces in the future.

2) Transitions – Connecting bars

Working on transitions is key to performing a piece smoothly. For example: Bar 1 to bar 2 is tricky. You have quite a big jump from the middle of the neck to the beginning. Practice by playing these 2 bars slowly and in-time. Think of ways to help you make the transition smoother. Bar 2 begins with an open G string. This buys you time to move your left hand down the neck.

** Alternative Fingerings for the B Melody **

Silly me, I forgot to mention the alternative fingering for the B melody in the lesson video! This is the easier way to play it, but I would highly recommend to work on the way mentioned in the video as it will help to build strength in your pinky finger.

* Bonus Tip: Here is an extra video lesson offering an alternative and easier way to play Melody C.

Part 1 – Performance & Free Lesson

Part 2 – For Premium Members

Tab Play Along