Jolly Roger Ukulele Book 1

FoundationsTutuLesson00

Jolly Roger Ukulele Book 1

Book1

Foundations for Instrumental Ukulele and Baritone Ukulele

Stop! Seriously! Don't look down this page for something cool to play. These songs are mostly pretty bad, but they teach you the essential techniques you're gonna need to become a more advanced musician -- and they do it quickly and efficiently. Nobody wants you to play Three Blind Mice, but the skills it teaches are essential for playing better music. So ... Seriously ... don't waste time trying to find the cool stuff, do EVERY LESSON on this page.

Complete Book: Against my better judgment, I'm posting a student edition with everything stitched together from all 30 lessons in one PDF. You probably DON'T want to use it since it's better to print each sheet as you go or download them into your iPad. A teacher's edition isn't quite ready, but will be available by email shortly after I take a break from drinking whiskey, picking fights, and wooing the ladies.

  • Book 1 Complete Student Edition (everything in the first 30 lessons)

    • I'm revising the order of lessons, so gimme a few days to repost.
    • Ukulele Version PDF
    • Baritone Version PDF
  • "Introduction to Ukulele" Basics (abbreviated version for one-day classes)
    • I'm revising the order of lessons, so gimme a few days to repost.
    • Ukulele Version PDF
    • Baritone Version PDF

First Hour in Ukulele:

Note to Teachers: When I'm invited to teach a one-hour face-to-face ukulele class (often at a library or corporate meeting), I always teach Lessons 2, 3, 6, and 7 without exception. In their packet, I also include Lessons 9 and 19 in the hope the class "gets it" faster than expected.

OldJollyRogerLogo

Lesson #1: Introduction to the Program

Lesson #2: Doing Ukulele Right!

Lesson #3: Tuning Your Instrument

ukulelegirl

Lesson #4: Practice Log

progress

Lesson #5: Progress Tracker

The Most Important Song Ever:

ukulelegirl

Lesson #6: Frère Jacques

Introduction to Strumming:

Teachers Guide: Don't be lured into teaching Key of C first just because you were taught that way. I promise doing the Key of A first will have better long-term results.

Lesson #7: Key of A Strummers

Lesson #8: Key of C Strummers

Songs in the Key of C (G for Baritone):

MySpaghettiMonster

Lesson #9: My Spaghetti Monster

ThreeBlindMice

Lesson #10: Three Blind Mice

Lesson #11: Brahms' Lullaby

Lesson #12: Yankee Doodle

Lesson #13: Key of C Arpeggio (G for Baritone)

Advancing Players:

Lesson #14: Chord Charts

Lesson #15: Make a Better Bar Worksheet

Lesson #16: Major Scales

Lesson #17: Getting to Know Your Fretboard

Songs in the Key of G (D for Baritone):

Lesson #18: Amazing Grace

Lesson #19: Happy Birthday

Lesson #20: La Cucaracha

Lesson #21: All Through the Night

Lesson #22: Home on the Range

Lesson #23: Key of G Arpeggio (D for Baritone) 

Songs in the Key of F (C for Baritone):

Lesson #24: Simple Gifts

Lesson #25: Carnival of Venice

Lesson #26: Daisy Bell: Bicycle Built for Two

Lesson #27: Key of F Arpeggio (C for Baritone)

Stretch Pieces (to prepare you for Book 2):

Lesson #28: Aloha 'Oe

Lesson #29: Scarborough Fair

Final Written and Performance Exam

Lesson #30: Final Exam

  • Send me an email when you've completed lesson #29 and I will send you your final exam.

Did you finish everything in Book 1? Time for Book 2.