Preface

Go behind the scenes to understand the purpose and structure of The Ukulele Way.

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Purpose of The Ukulele Way

Appreciation

To appreciate and celebrate the versatility, richness, and potential of the ukulele.

Benefits

To support mental and physical health through the development of musicianship.

Community

To foster community and create meaningful connections between ukulele players worldwide.

The Ukulele Way is a Journey.

The ukulele is your compass, James Hill is your guide and each lesson is a watering hole along the way.

The Ukulele Way teaches the art and science of solo ukulele: how to play melody, harmony and rhythm at the same time. The method includes a wide array of print, audio and video materials so that you can follow the path that suits your needs, interests and learning style. And while there are many paths, they all have one thing in common: they’re paved with melody, harmony and rhythm.

Structure and Sequence

Technique without repertoire is dull. Repertoire without technique is limiting. The Ukulele Way spans six levels, each offering a carefully structured blend of technique and repertoire. The result is a well-rounded, hands-on learning method in which technique is always reinforced through repertoire. You can follow the lessons in sequence or choose a path that aligns with your interests.

Tuning

There are two main ukulele tunings: re-entrant and linear.

The fourth string of your ukulele (the one closest to the ceiling as you play) can be tuned two ways: High 4th (called ‘re-entrant’ tuning) or Low 4th (called ‘linear’ tuning which requires a thicker fourth string).

Each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the repertoire being performed and/or arranged. Furthermore, each opens different doors to musicianship and expression. For this reason, two editions are included in the printed books and each lesson on this website has both a re-entrant and a linear version.

Notation

The Ukulele Way uses a combination of standard notation and tablature.

The word ‘tablature’ is used here in a broad sense to mean any system of notation that indicates fret positions instead of notes, usually in a pictorial way. Tablature has a long history and can be very helpful, especially in more advanced arrangements with complex and specific chord voicings. However, it’s a system to be used in addition to standard notation, not as a replacement for it. While tablature has its merits, being able to read standard notation is a cornerstone of musicianship.

Ukulele History

The history of the ukulele is a fascinating story; getting to know it will place your own ukulele journey in a broader context.

The definitive, scholarly history of the ukulele is The `Ukulele: A History by Jim Tranquada and John King. Published by the University of Hawaii Press, it’s a meticulously-researched account of the ukulele’s evolution. The Ukulele: A Visual History by Jim Beloff is a glossy, full-colour jewel in any ukulele lover’s library. Mighty Uke is an award-winning documentary film that mixes historical footage with modern-day interviews and performances, pulling together many diverse threads to give a bird’s-eye view of the ukulele’s past and present.

Recommended Listening

It’s impossible to say what the definitive ukulele sound is. It’s an instrument of many voices.

I can only recommend immersing yourself in the music of the ukulele masters. My biggest influences have been J. Chalmers Doane, Roy Smeck, John King, Lyle Ritz, Kimo Hussey, Ohta-San and Troy Fernandez. If I were forced to create categories within the world of ukulele music, I’d say the music of Roy Smeck, John King and Lyle Ritz epitomize three main strands of instrumental ukulele music: Smeck the show-stopping virtuoso, King the connoisseur of Hawaiian and classical music, and Ritz the jazz ukulele pioneer. Listen to John King's Ukulele O Hawaii (2007) and Ritz’s classic How About Uke (1957) to hear just how big a shadow the little ukulele can cast!

A Journey of a Thousand Miles...

The Ukulele Way is full of things I wish I’d known sooner. I offer them in hopes that you’ll enjoy music more and that you’ll share what you learn with others through performing and teaching. Uke on!
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