Just 2 weeks now into playing the uku. At 70+ the fingers just do not want to work like I hoped they should, but hey.. Love it. Thanks James, hope to see you when you get to the UK, Mike
Don't give up brother! I have tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and a cyst in my left wrist and God gave me the strength I needed. If you keep persevering even if it means just 5 mins a day, then you will get better and you will feel it coming naturally to you. Just don't give up and try to be consistent with it :) (ps. I am 27)
Thanks James. Wow 80 year old here. Just started learning the Uke. Fingers don't work as well as they use to, but I love it. I've been looking for a way to play around with chords. Great first lesson. Thanks Again.
Excellent and enlightening, especially with the idea that the 'highest' note and/or the 'last' note played most typically grabs your ear and attention. That basic idea that is so helpful. I'm also struck that -- for as advanced and excellent of a Ukulele player that I know you are-- it's fun to see that such expertise doesn't limit your enjoyment and enthusiasm when playing the full "Frere Jacques" version later in the video at 8:20. You can just see and feel your sweet , little lilting enjoyment in playing that simple little ditty, even though your skills are far beyond such a song. It's very generous of you to provide such insights, and to provide such simplicity so sincerely and with such nice enthusiasm, without 'talking down' to us basic beginners on the instrument. Thank you.
+guitarmandoguy Wow, those are very kind words. Thank you. The only thing I like to play more than "Frere Jacques" is "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Catchy AND existential: "...life is but a dream." :)
Could we get some tabs for the remainder of the song starting at 8:20? I actually purchased the book, but was disappointed it only has the fist two measures. Thanks!
COMING SOON!?!? Wow i discovered you through your billie jean video, i'm so glad there's someone out there teaching the ukulele on the internet and not just teaching people how to play songs.
What a blessing u are...no one to teach on my side of the world...so following utube...n you make a difference for people like me...God bless u for the hope I have...
It's really great to have a good and experienced teacher on UA-cam - James Hill ... It would be very helpful if you could put a tutorial on how to play the melody which you played in the intro ....
sublime. I am glad to find you here - been loving your performance of billie jean for a very long time. this tutorial/course is even better than just watching you play. a thousand times better!
Congratulations, James Hill. I teach Music Education and Ukulele here in Brazil and i am very impressed by your way of teaching. Hope someday watch you live. Aloha!
this is great! I'm a super beginner and have trouble with multiple-finger chords which was discouraging, but with this I feel like I might actually be able to play a song within the next few days! You broke it down so well I was able to understand each step. Subscribed!
I love the concept of your website! I'm constantly looking for resources to improve my skills on a ukulele and it seems like so many resources are geared toward beginners. Thanks.
Hello I loved it... I will love to learn from you because I used to play piano but left behind and many years ago I had a push inside my heart to play and sing too. So here I am with my instrument to start from 0. And jazz is my passion maybe I can use my ears t play this cute instrument which I can take anywhere...I am glad I found you! 🙏
Hi James. Greetings from Argentina. I ´ve been a Long time practicing your arrengements and cheri picking. It motivates me every day to grab the ukulele and play. I hope some day to have the honor of taking a class with you. Cheers.nico
A brilliant video, thanks to James. Of course there's more in it than you first think, which I found out by slowing video to 0.5 speed (sorry to change your voice, James!) - like when to strum or pick on those eighth notes, and the last two strums only play the GCE strings - a technique mentioned by James early on in the video.
James, would you consider doing a chord-melody video with the A, D, F#, B tuning? I had a difficult time trying to replicate this onto my ukulele. I am a music teacher in the Langley School District and this is the tuning that we use with our students. Thanks so much! :)
+586Rexford Great question. I personally still use the A, D, F#, B (i.e. D6) tuning for my own performing and, overall, prefer it. That's why ALL of the video lessons on The Ukulele Way are available in both C6 and D6 tuning. Not only that, we shot separate lessons for low-4th string (linear) and high-4th string (re-entrant) tunings. So head over there and sign up for a free account (which gives you 11 free lessons); that should give you something to work with! Uke on!
I bought his book last year and still trying to master the Frere Jacques song. Wish the complete song was in the book. Only the first 4 measures are there. Anyone know where to get James's complete Chord-Melody for this song?
At this point, I think we have all heard you do Billie Jean so many times that while we absolutely love it - literally every time... we are DYING for you to do something new. By new, I mean... I'd give the world to see you do "Devil Went Down To Georgia" by Charlie Daniels!! If anyone can do it all on one ukulele without accompanying instruments, it's you!! AND, you know we're going to want a tutorial too so just go ahead and do that as well. LOL! I'm paying for your online lessons right now and probably will be for a while since my hope and dream is to get the teacher certification as well so consider this my paid subscription request. LOL! No joke.
I am trying to learn chord melody and in your rendition of "Are You Sleeping"I can follow the strum and melody playing until 8:33 into the lesson. At that point I lose where your fingers are going on the C chord. Help. Bob
I watched the video and figured it out. all on the A string: 10, 12, 10, 8, 7, 3 (repeat) 3, 0 C chord, 3, 0, C chord. It might be a little off, but it sounded ok.
let me just pause and thank God for the internet for making it possible for James Hill to teach us ukulele
Hopefully, you aren't thanking Al Gore.
@@usernamemykel Oh stop, Fool.
@@lesterliberalmann4212 Oh, stop, Idiot.
Amen!
I’m thanking Mr Kern for the internet!
Just 2 weeks now into playing the uku. At 70+ the fingers just do not want to work like I hoped they should, but hey.. Love it. Thanks James, hope to see you when you get to the UK, Mike
Don't give up brother! I have tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and a cyst in my left wrist and God gave me the strength I needed. If you keep persevering even if it means just 5 mins a day, then you will get better and you will feel it coming naturally to you. Just don't give up and try to be consistent with it :) (ps. I am 27)
I was given my ukulele on my 80th birthday!!
Me too...70...want to progress faster than I am. Taking a video of self is a good reminder of progress!
Thanks James. Wow 80 year old here. Just started learning the Uke. Fingers don't work as well as they use to, but I love it. I've been looking for a way to play around with chords. Great first lesson. Thanks Again.
Excellent and enlightening, especially with the idea that the 'highest' note and/or the 'last' note played most typically grabs your ear and attention. That basic idea that is so helpful. I'm also struck that -- for as advanced and excellent of a Ukulele player that I know you are-- it's fun to see that such expertise doesn't limit your enjoyment and enthusiasm when playing the full "Frere Jacques" version later in the video at 8:20. You can just see and feel your sweet , little lilting enjoyment in playing that simple little ditty, even though your skills are far beyond such a song. It's very generous of you to provide such insights, and to provide such simplicity so sincerely and with such nice enthusiasm, without 'talking down' to us basic beginners on the instrument. Thank you.
+guitarmandoguy Wow, those are very kind words. Thank you. The only thing I like to play more than "Frere Jacques" is "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Catchy AND existential: "...life is but a dream." :)
Could we get some tabs for the remainder of the song starting at 8:20? I actually purchased the book, but was disappointed it only has the fist two measures. Thanks!
COMING SOON!?!? Wow i discovered you through your billie jean video, i'm so glad there's someone out there teaching the ukulele on the internet and not just teaching people how to play songs.
What a blessing u are...no one to teach on my side of the world...so following utube...n you make a difference for people like me...God bless u for the hope I have...
Purchased your book from Amazon, it arrived today 4/26/2020. Hoping to learn a new song in my uke during this lockdown/quarantine 😊
It's really great to have a good and experienced teacher on UA-cam - James Hill ... It would be very helpful if you could put a tutorial on how to play the melody which you played in the intro ....
Thanks. Great job. Informative, well organized, enjoyable. Kudos.
YOU are the best James Hill. Shout out from Central Coast of Cali
This guy deserves 10 million subscribers AT LEAST!
sublime. I am glad to find you here - been loving your performance of billie jean for a very long time. this tutorial/course is even better than just watching you play. a thousand times better!
+Rang Klos A thousand thanks!
Congratulations, James Hill. I teach Music Education and Ukulele here in Brazil and i am very impressed by your way of teaching. Hope someday watch you live. Aloha!
+Vinícius Vivas Thanks, Vinicius; I hope to make it back to Brazil someday soon!
+James Hill Please come to Brazil. I became a great fan of yours and I hope to see you someday.
Thankyou for your clarity and ones ability to see your fingers clearly. Yvonne Northern Ireland
Brilliant explanations! Just started learning and glad I came across your excellent tutorials!
this is great! I'm a super beginner and have trouble with multiple-finger chords which was discouraging, but with this I feel like I might actually be able to play a song within the next few days! You broke it down so well I was able to understand each step.
Subscribed!
洪詩峻Keoni hung u Chinese?
Useful information and superb instruction. Thank you!
Thank you James. Great tutorial.
Thanks! You’re a very good teacher.
Doing this gave me an unrealistically large amount if joy. Thank you.
I loved when you played "samba de uma nota só". Thanks for that.
Great and clear explanations! Thank you so much. A truly wonderful introduction to chord melodies.
So glad to have found out about your lessons on the facebook group Ukulele Lessons and Tutorials.
Very impressed,most happy to join and learn.
Excellent explanation.
This is what I was actually looking for. Very nice. Thank you!
Clear and very useful!!!!
Hi James Hill
Your teaching is World best! I can play like pro because of you!
Thanks James, you are awesome!
Thanks James! Great lesson. Your really open my eyes to new possibilities on the ukulele
Best tutorial ever! Live saver thank you.
I love the concept of your website! I'm constantly looking for resources to improve my skills on a ukulele and it seems like so many resources are geared toward beginners. Thanks.
Hello I loved it... I will love to learn from you because I used to play piano but left behind and many years ago I had a push inside my heart to play and sing too. So here I am with my instrument to start from 0. And jazz is my passion maybe I can use my ears t play this cute instrument which I can take anywhere...I am glad I found you! 🙏
I have learnt heaps in just one lesson...thank you so much...so easy to follow...Thanks
So articulate. So awesome!!! I use this as inspiration and mentorship as a ukulele teacher, and as personal inspiration as a ukulele player!!
Great lesson James. I promise to practice and get this idea going.
Hi, James! Excellent video! I love how you make it so simple!
Greetings from Argentina!
+Matias Baldanza Thanks Matias; I hope to make it to Argentina one of these days!
I seriously so glad to have you on UA-cam sir... How beautiful this instrument is.. you really present it well on this site sir... Love from india 😊
Thank you so much! This is very helpful.
Nice, I can apply this to all the polyphonic instruments I play, thanks.
thanks for sharing these tutorials! i need to work on my strumming and chord melody :)
Awesome lesson!
Hi James. Greetings from Argentina. I ´ve been a Long time practicing your arrengements and cheri picking. It motivates me every day to grab the ukulele and play. I hope some day to have the honor of taking a class with you. Cheers.nico
+Nicolas Monti Cheri picking is pretty hard to learn but it's so useful once you get it! I'm glad you've taken the challenge... uke on!
You are an amazing musician and performer. Heads up from a fellow musician
A brilliant video, thanks to James. Of course there's more in it than you first think, which I found out by slowing video to 0.5 speed (sorry to change your voice, James!) - like when to strum or pick on those eighth notes, and the last two strums only play the GCE strings - a technique mentioned by James early on in the video.
Amazing course，A big thank from China❤️
Excellent information and presentation. Thank you!
Just mesmerized by his perspective of the music... Such amazing musician.. ❤️
Thanks James. Keep doing what you do :)
Love it, thanks James, have all six books also a must have!
+ukulele15 Thanks, ukulele15... glad you're enjoying The Ukulele Way!
Dude ur such a good teacher 🙋♂️
Thanks for this amazing lesson!
I am so glad I found your website James! gonna sign up for your course!!
Right on... see you there!
Great Lesson
As usual, a great sharing of info. Mahalo.
Thank you so much for your lesson. I learnt something new.
More vids please, you Rock!
This is really helpful. Thank you James Hill!
Nice one, James, thank you!
Please post the chords to your arrangement of English Country Garden at the beginning of this video! Pretty plea~~~~~~~~~~se!
Germain Mesureur please do!!!
I wish I could!
yeah how much would that cost? After bookends I want to learn that! Bookends should only take me about 2 years or so. So, don't feel rushed! :P
Ive been looking at it for a while and, i guess that he’s using Barre chords, Fm7, A, and B.
Superb. Thanks!
Thank you for this. Could you post the Chords to English Country Garden please?
Спасибо, Джеймс!
Very cool. It seems like you can swing a little more picking on 1&3, strumming on 2&4.
Fabulous !!
J'aime beaucoup Thank
Great. Thanks.
Thank you for this, i just come a cross you i just brought a ukulele. Great video
Fantastic!
Wauw.. those upcoming vids... Someone is getting really really really exited here in Holland!
+Maurien Den Engelsman Thanks, Maurien; lots to look forward to!
+James Hill When will you come perform in Holland? ;-)
+Maurien Den Engelsman I was there last year touring with my wife Anne Janelle. We both loved it and hope to be back sometime soon!
+James Hill .... serously? Last year? You've got to be kiddin' me ;-)... what can I do to speed up the process of you guys coming again? :)
my heart this is soo good
Can you please give the instruction of very last part , love that sound ❤️❤️❤️
wowww ! u are great !!!!
Just picked up the uke. Really enjoyed the clip. What are the chords used at the introduction ? Thanks.
Love the Uke !!!
These videos are great
Thank u lots for this. Can you by any chance send the paper for the song you started this video with.
Plus my grand father used to sing to me the”Frere Jacques”
Love this . 😊
James, would you consider doing a chord-melody video with the A, D, F#, B tuning? I had a difficult time trying to replicate this onto my ukulele. I am a music teacher in the Langley School District and this is the tuning that we use with our students. Thanks so much! :)
+586Rexford Great question. I personally still use the A, D, F#, B (i.e. D6) tuning for my own performing and, overall, prefer it. That's why ALL of the video lessons on The Ukulele Way are available in both C6 and D6 tuning. Not only that, we shot separate lessons for low-4th string (linear) and high-4th string (re-entrant) tunings. So head over there and sign up for a free account (which gives you 11 free lessons); that should give you something to work with! Uke on!
Thanks James! The chord-melody skill is the only thing I'm interested in. I will check out your other videos now.
+586Rexford Perfect... that's the main focus of The Ukulele Way: the art and science of solo ukulele. Enjoy!
Parabéns! Muito lindo ukulele
Thanks!
very helpful
Thank you.
WHAT ARE THE REST OF THE FRETS AT 8:31
Can you do a turotial on how to play after you've gone on the ukulele. I watched a video of you doing it before and I want to know how
+Ammon Sagala Thanks for the request, Ammon! We'll see...
Very cool
will you ever come to Singapore to perform ?
Coolio !! Greetings from San Francisco Bay area.
+elbowsanchez SF... it's been too long!
I bought his book last year and still trying to master the Frere Jacques song. Wish the complete song was in the book. Only the first 4 measures are there. Anyone know where to get James's complete Chord-Melody for this song?
Brilliant
wow, flipped the switch! Mucha gracias
I like it very much
Thank you!!!
At this point, I think we have all heard you do Billie Jean so many times that while we absolutely love it - literally every time... we are DYING for you to do something new. By new, I mean... I'd give the world to see you do "Devil Went Down To Georgia" by Charlie Daniels!! If anyone can do it all on one ukulele without accompanying instruments, it's you!! AND, you know we're going to want a tutorial too so just go ahead and do that as well. LOL! I'm paying for your online lessons right now and probably will be for a while since my hope and dream is to get the teacher certification as well so consider this my paid subscription request. LOL! No joke.
Did you ever do the English Country Garden lesson?
please give me a clues to strum note smoothly and how to practice, tks so much
i want a tutorial on how to play the start part lmao
I am trying to learn chord melody and in your rendition of "Are You Sleeping"I can follow the strum and melody playing until 8:33 into the lesson. At that point I lose where your fingers are going on the C chord. Help. Bob
I watched the video and figured it out. all on the A string: 10, 12, 10, 8, 7, 3 (repeat) 3, 0 C chord, 3, 0, C chord. It might be a little off, but it sounded ok.
Oh JH...that was a great session...if only I had half of your musical brain! My synapses were crackling! Good Stuff! JW
+Jim Wiggins Uke on, Jim!