Published:
2005-03-15
Updated:
2025-02-12
Learning Ukulele with Curt
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. 26 blues progressions in C and G tuning, progressing from basic to advanced jazz progressions, with chord grids and substitutions explained.
Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: AGCPB1UKE
Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Ukulele
Subjects: Chords, Progressions, Repertoire, Jazz, Blues, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
24 June 2026
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Product Info
- Product Code: AGCPB1UKE
- Author(s): Curt Sheller
- Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
- Published: 15 March 2005
- Updated: 12 February 2025
- ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-195-6
- Size*: Book ANSI A (8.5 x 11 in), PDF A4 (210 x 297 mm)
- Pages: 78
- Hard Copy Price: $17.95
- PDF Price: $9.00
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The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. 26 blues progressions in C and G tuning, progressing from basic to advanced jazz progressions, with chord grids and substitutions explained.
Studying the blues chord progressions presented in this book will open a wealth of creative possibilities for exploring chord progressions in all styles of music, not just blues.
This volume covers the keys of C major and C minor. Each example includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and its chord substitutions.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z starts with a basic three chord, 12 bar blues and progresses through 26 blues progression in C and G tuning up to a sophisticated jazz blues with multiple chord substitutions.
All examples are shown in C and G tuning. Suitable for Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone ukuleles. Get through this book and you'll have a solid jazz chord foundation to build on.
More A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
content below, continue exploring...
More info: A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
NEW Individual books for C and G tunings — Low or high string four variations.
NEW 2nd Edition, C Tuning
New & Updated 2nd Edition for C Tuning – High or Low G. • A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z – C Tuning, 2nd Edition • Minor tweaks and new format for the Example chord progressions.
NEW 2nd Edition, G Tuning
New & Updated 2nd Edition for G Tuning – High or Low G. • A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z – C Tuning, 2nd Edition • Minor tweaks and new format for the Example chord progressions.
- Contents
- Introduction 5
- Chord Substitution Principles
- Passive Chords
- Active Chords
- Direct Substitution
- Replacement
- Expansion
- Superimposable
- Non-superimposable
- Note Substitution
- The Minor Third Substitution Principle
- bVII7
- bII7
- III7
- Blues Progressions
- Basic “Major” I IV V Progression - Example A
- Basic “Major” I IV V Progression - Example B
- Major “Quick Four” Progression - Example D
- Minor “Quick Four” Progression - Example E
- Linking Substitution - Example G
- Linking Substitution - Example H
- Linking Substitution - Example I
- Diminished Seventh Passing Chord - Example J
- Measure Seven and Eight Linking - Example K
- Diatonic Linking Substitution - Example L
- Chromatic Linking Substitution - Example M
- Mixed Chromatic and Diatonic Substitution - Example N
- “Backdoor” Substitution - Example O
- Confirmation Changes - Example P
- Lewis Changes - Example Q
- Coltrane Blues - Example R
- The Tri-Tone Substitution - Example S
- The Tri-Tone Substitution - Example T
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example U
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example V
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example W
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example X
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example Y
- The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example Z
- Rhythm Changes
- Rhythm Changes - Basic
- Rhythm Changes - Jazz Variation
- How to Practice Chord Progressions
- Conclusion
- 5/1/2024 – NEW UPDATED 2nd Edition for ANY tuning.
- 6/2/2006 – Updated ISBN number to new ISBN-13 number.
- 4/18/2006 – 200605211.6 - Example K and L had a chord each in the tenor (baritone) examples that where indicated as triads but chord shown is a seventh.
-
4/18/2006 - 200604181.5 - page 7: "feeling" not Felling and
Typo on page 7, third paragraph under "Active chords" sub heading. Should read Cm no C (see below)
Active Chords
In the key of C minor the active chords are the V, II, VII and IV chords. As triads they are G, Dm, Bdim and F. As 4-part chords they are G7, Dm7b5, Bm7b5 and Fm7.
-
1/15/2006 - 200601151.4 - Typo on page 7, third paragraph under
"Passive chords" sub heading. Should read Cm no C (see below)
Passive Chords
In the key of C minor the passive chords are the I, III and VI chords. As triads they are Cm, Eb and Ab and as 4-part chords they are Cm7, Ebmaj7 and Abmaj7.
- 10/10/2005 - 200510101.3 - A little clear and further clarification of the text.
- 7/26/2005 - 200507261.2 - Clarified the tunings to reflect the most common naming conventions.
- 1/13/2005 - 200501131.1 - Fixing a typo to "princples" on the cover and a few pages inside.
- 1/1/2005 - 200501011.0 - Book Released
- 11/8/2004 - 20041108 Errata File Created
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Blues
The Blues or Minor Pentatonic is one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Blues scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Pentatonic
The Pentatonic or Major Pentatonic is one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions covering strings four and three using any finger. Pentatonic (Major Pentatonic) scale chords are covered in all keys.
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Dorian Scale
The Dorian is one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Aeolian scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included.
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Ionian Scale
The Ionian scale is a major scale more commonly known by its traditional name - Major and one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Mixolydian scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA). This book includes access to four studio recorded backing tracks for exploring the scale and improvisation in a variety of settings. Tracks are also great for practicing your chords against.
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Mixolydian
The Mixolydian or Dominant is one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Mixolydian scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA). This book includes access to four studio recorded backing tracks for exploring the scale and improvisation in a variety of settings. Tracks are also great for practicing your chords against.
QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Aeolian
The Aeolian or Natural Minor is one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Aeolian scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included.
Learning The Blues Scale on `Ukulele
Learn the Blues ( Minor Pentatonic ) and Pentatonic ( Major Pentatonic ) scales on ukulele. A practical approach to learning theses two essential scales using the Blues. These five note scales, the Major Pentatonic and the Blues or Minor Pentatonic scales are two of the most common scales used in contemporary music.
Funky Frets
Family run music store in Boyertown, PA specializing in ukulele, retro styles guitars, lessons, workshops, accessories and more... The area’s LARGEST selection of ukuleles and the most knowledegable on all things ukulele. Boyertown, Pennslyvania’s premiere music location for lessons, workshops, instruments and music goodies. Open Monday to Saturday and Sunday by Appointment. Funky Frets is Curt and Bernadette Sheller with their daughter Kelly Thompson Our goal is to provide the Boyertown and surrounding communities a first class music store and professional one-on-one private lessons with a weekly selection of workshops and group instruction options.
All Blues
All Blues is a jazz composition by Miles Davis first appearing on the influential 1959 album Kind of Blue. It is a twelve-bar blues in; the chord sequence is that of a basic blues and made up entirely of seventh chords, with a VI in the turnaround instead of just the usual V chord. In the song's original key of G this chord is an E7. "All Blues" is a modal blues in G mixolydian.
QuickStart Blues Playalong Tracks
St. James Infirmary Blues
West Coast Blues
A jazz classic by the late jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Wes is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Howe, Russell Malone, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Randy Napoleon, and Emily Remler.