Ukulele Scales – the next level!
Are you ready to take your ukulele playing to the next level? If so, you’ll need to learn some ukulele scales. Scales are sequences of notes that form the basis of music. They help you understand chords, melodies, and keys. They also allow you to create your own music and improvise.
However, if you just want to spice up your ukulele songs with single notes, you will need to know where they are on the fretboard.
Therefore, you might want to use a “map”/chart/diagram/tab of the notes/scales, or learn how the strings, frets and scales work on stringed instruments, as the ukulele.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about ukulele scales.
The scales
Scales are like the backbone of music, they help us create melodies and chords, which are groups of notes that we play together.
Now, let’s talk about one of the most common scales on the ukulele, the major scale. This scale is made up of seven different notes. It’s often used in a lot of music because it has a happy and bright sound.
But the world of ukulele scales doesn’t stop at the major scale. There are also minor scales, which have a more sad or melancholic sound. And then there are different modes, which are like different types of scales, each with its own unique sound.
Learning scales on the ukulele might seem like a big task at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. As you get to know different scales, you’ll start to see patterns and understand how notes relate to each other. This makes it easier to find your way around the ukulele and play music.
So, why not take a musical adventure and explore the world of ukulele scales?
Most important scales for Ukulele
The most important scales for ukulele typically include the major scales, as they form the foundation for many songs and melodies. Here are a few key ones:
C Major Scale: This is the most common open-position major scale. The notes in the key of C are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
C#/Db Major Scale: This is the same as the C major scale, but shifted up one fret. The notes in the key of C# are: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# or in the key of Db: Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db.
Enharmonic keys are scales that use the same pitches and fret locations, but can be identified two different ways with two different sets of note names. For example, C# major and Db major are enharmonic keys.
A Major Scale: This is another important scale for the ukulele.
G Mixolydian Scale: This scale is similar to the major scale but with a flattened seventh note, making it popular in many genres of music.
Remember, these are just a few examples. There are many other major scales that you can explore on the ukulele. Each scale has its own unique sound and can be used to play different types of music.
Why learning the scales?
Learning the scales means you are not a beginner anymore. You want to take your Ukulele playing to a higher level.
Playing the scales can also help you if you play in a band and want to solo or play the melody while the others play the chords.
Moreover, it’s really nice to add some notes to your songs, not just the chords. For instance, you can play the notes at the beginning of the song to make it recognizable, and then switch to the chords and sing along.
Or you can take a break from the chords and play some notes in the middle of the song.
The diagrams/tabs for scales
Playing scales on the Ukulele also depends on the key you choose.
Each key has a different diagram, chart or map, if you want to use that expresion.
Diagrams are a system that shows all of the possible locations of notes in a given scale on the fretboard. They are useful for showing scales across the strings in different positions. This is a common way to visualize scales and chords.
For example, this is the diagram of the Cmaj scale. (To play a note on the chart, press your finger on it and pluck the corresponding string.)
Here you have one from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk. Go to their web site and dowload it, or any other scale.
Tabs
Tabs are another notation system that shows which string and fret to play on the ukulele. They are useful for showing scales from bottom to top in one location.
(You will find all the major chords at the link under the picture.)
You can find a lot of books about scales and chords on Amazon, also in Kindle format. (#Ad)
Where to find all the Ukulele scales
In addition to www.traditionalmusic.co.uk you can find the scales at ukuscales, where scales in all keys are available.
This site is also good: Uke Buddy
Some blues 🙂
Picture a musical scale that’s a bit different from the rest. It’s a six-note scale known as the blues scale. This scale is crafted by adding a chromatic flat 5th note to the minor pentatonic scale. This extra note infuses the blues scale with its signature bluesy sound, melancholic and soulful. The blues scale finds its home across various genres of music, including blues, soul, jazz, funk, and rock.
Learning the blues scale on the ukulele opens up a new avenue for improvisation. It gives you the freedom to experiment with different sounds and rhythms, adding a touch to your playing.
Once you’ve grasped the pattern of the blues scale, you can move it around your fretboard to play the blues scale in any key. For instance, if you slide the entire C blues scale up 2 frets, you’ll find yourself playing a D blues scale.
Remember, the secret to mastering the blues scale, like any other scale, lies in practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with the scale, and the more seamlessly you’ll be able to weave it into your playing. So, pick up your ukulele and start exploring the blues scale.
You will find the blues scale here: A Blues Scale on Ukulele – UkeBuddy
At this link you will find a lesson: Ukulele Blues Scale | Ukulele Go
Left-Handed Ukulele
For left-handed ukulele it will be the opposite. The A sting is therefore in the bottom of the picture. Read our post about left-handed Ukulele and learn about it.
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Finally, Basic Ukulele was founded in 2015 with the aim of making it easier for anyone who wants to learn or find out more about this wonderful instrument.