Copyright 2012 FLEA MARKET MUSIC, INC.
9781480323506
Edited by Ronny S. Schiff
Cover and Art Direction by Elizabeth Maihock Beloff
Graphics and Music Typography by Charylu Roberts
Illustrations by Pete McDonnell
Also available : (Songbooks) The Daily Ukulele; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Favorites; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Tips n Tunes; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Gems; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Christmas; Jumpin Jims 60s Uke-In; Jumpin Jims Gone Hawaiian; Jumpin Jims Camp Ukulele; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Beach Party; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Masters: Herb Ohta; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Solos; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Spirit; Jumpin Jims Gone Hollywood; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Island; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Masters: John KingThe Classical Ukulele; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Country; Jumpin Jims The Bari Best; Ukulele Fretboard Roadmaps (with Fred Sokolow); Jumpin Jims Happy Holidays; Jumpin Jims Ukulele Masters: Lyle Lite; Blues Ukulele; Bluegrass Ukulele; From Lute To Uke; The Baroque Ukulele . (Pictorial History) The Ukulele: A Visual History .
Foreword
Encore! After hearing about the joy that individual players and ukulele clubs have had in strumming and singing through The Daily Ukulele songbook, we were inspired to see if we could put together another large collection of songs. Since 2012 is a leap year, we used that as a reason to find an additional 366 great songs for better living, and now here it is: The Daily Ukulele: Leap Year Edition !
In combing through thousands of possible entries for this book, we once again sought out well-known songs that were relatively easy to play and sing and appropriate for one person or a hundred to perform. Another key consideration was whether a particular song adapted well to four strings. While there are few popular songs that havent been attempted on a ukulele, some seem to be especially strum-worthy. Its no surprise then, that the majority of songs in this book have strong melodies and great chord changes. Many of the best-loved standards, movie themes, musical theater showstoppers and pop hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s right up to today continue to resonate because of their durable tunes and clever chording.
Any songbook reflects the personal tastes of the compilers and this one certainly includes many of our favorite songs and songwriters. At the same time, we benefited from hundreds of song suggestions that were sent to us from other players who have developed their own feelings about what makes a great ukulele song. We are grateful for all of those suggestions and happy to report that many are included here.
More than a few people have commented that The Daily Ukulele taught them how to play. Although that wasnt the original intent, it makes sense that if a book is filled with songs you want to learn, it can act as a great inspiration. We are confident that this book is full of many more great songs youll want to learn, and will play an ongoing role in improving your technique. More than that, though, we hope this book brings you the unique pleasure that comes from making music, either on your own or with others, for years to come. Especially on a leap year!
Keep on strummin,
Liz and Jim Beloff
Clinton, Connecticut
2012
www.fleamarketmusic.com
www.thedailyukulele.com
Ukulele 101
The songs in this book are arranged for ukuleles in C tuning. In this tuning, the individual strings from the top (closest to your nose) to bottom (closest to your toes) are tuned GCEA.
Uke C Tuning
One easy way to tune a ukulele is with a pitchpipe or electronic tuner matching the strings with the notes.
This corresponds to that famous melody:
Here are the notes on the piano:
Keeping In Tune
Most ukuleles have friction tuners that include a small screw at the end of the tuner. The secret to staying in tune is to keep these screws tight enough so that the tuners dont slip, but loose enough that the tuners still turn.
Holding The Uke
Press your uke against your body about two-thirds of the way up your forearm. Your strumming hand should naturally fall on top of the upper frets (not over the soundhole). Hold the neck of the uke between your thumb and first finger of your other hand, so that your fingers are free to move about the fretboard.
Note: See Jumpin Jims Ukulele Tips N Tunes if you need a basic ukulele method book.
Making The Chords
You make chords by putting various combinations of fingers on the fretboard. In this songbook, youll find chord diagrams that show where to put your fingers to make the right sound. The vertical lines in the diagrams represent strings and the horizontal lines represent the frets. The numbers at the bottom of the chords shown below indicate what fingers to use.
Remember to:
When pressing down the strings, use the tips of your fingers.
Always press down in the space between the frets, not on them.
Press the strings down to the fretboard. If you hear a buzz it may be because you are not pressing hard enough or are too close to a fret.
Keep your thumb at the back of the neck, parallel to the frets.
Making The Strums
The Common Strum : This is the most basic up/down strum. It can be produced solely with your index finger going down the strings with the fingernail and up with the cushion of your fingertip. You can also try this with the pad of your thumb running down the strings and the tip of your index finger going up. This strum will work fine on many of the songs in this book. Two good examples would be April Showers and Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me.
Waltz Strum : This 3/4 rhythm can be produced simply with your thumb or index finger in sets of three down strums. You can use this on 3/4 songs like Morning Has Broken and Somewhere My Love.
