Published:
2006-07-12
Updated:
2020-01-03

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position. It is a lot easier than you might think with this step-by-step easy to use approach. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).

Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Code: UKEREAD1

Main Category: Reading Main Instrument: Ukulele

Subjects: Reading, Repertoire, Beginner, Methods

24 June 2026

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Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

Product Info

  • Product Code: UKEREAD1
  • Author(s): Curt Sheller
  • Publisher(s):
  • Published: 12 July 2006
  • Updated: 3 January 2020
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-9714044-1-0
  • Size*: ANSI A
  • Pages: 80
  • Hard Copy Price: $15.95
  • PDF Price: $7.00

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Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position. It is a lot easier than you might think with this step-by-step easy to use approach. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).

Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.

Reading music on the ukulele is easier than reading music on guitar or piano. There are only four strings with a smaller range of possible notes.

Music in the key of C with all natural notes, no flats or sharps is pretty easy to play in open position on a ukulele. This would be the same as playing the white keys of a piano.

Standard music notation has been the Lingua Franco of musicians, both professionals and hobbyists for many centuries.

Reading standard music notation opens you up to vast world of published music.

Reading simple melodies in open position is the first step to reading music on the uke.

Ukulele - Reading Music Series: Reading Music in Open Position, Single Note Studies- Primer uses Chuck Anderson's Modular Phonetic Rhythm System.

Future books cover reading accidentals, the signatures, chords charts as well as reading in different positions up and down the ukulele fingerboard. As well as covering reading music in additional popular ukulele tunings: "G", Tuning and "D" Tuning.

Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA).

Table of Contents

Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

  • Introduction
  • Tuning Your Ukulele
  • Reading Rhythm
  • String One
    • Open A
    • B
    • C
    • A B and C
  • String Two
    • Open E
    • F
    • G
    • E F and G
  • String One and Two Review
  • String Three
    • Open C
    • D
    • C and D 40
  • String One, Two & Three Review
  • Alternate Note Locations
  • Ties and Rests
  • Drills & Exercises
  • String Four
  • String Four, High “G”
  • String Four, Low “G”
  • Songs
  • Preview

Errata

Ukulele- Reading Music Series - Primer

  • 9/29/2006 - (20060930.1.3) Updated to reflect the changes to the Modular Phonetic Rhythm system.
Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Alternate Note Locations

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Alternate Note Locations

One of the reasons it is hard to read music on the guitar and the ukulele is, alternate note locations. In the open position there is one alternate note location. The open E, string two can also be played on string three, fret (3). If there is no overwhelming musical reason to play one location vs. the other. Then play the one that is easier to play. Use your ear as the final judge as to which one you prefer.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String One

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String One

From the available natural notes in open position there are three notes on string one. A, B and C. The Open Position is the open strings and frets one, two, three and four.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String Three

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String Three

From the available natural notes in open position there are two notes on string three. C, and D.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String Two

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, String Two

From the available natural notes in open position there are three notes on string two. E, F and G.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Strings One, Two and Three

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Strings One, Two and Three

Open Position Review - All the natural notes covered on string one, two and three comprise the C Major scale. Here is the fingerboard shape on ukulele.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Rest and Ties

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - Rest and Ties

A tie extends the rhythmic value of the first note by the value of the next note. Ties can span multiple notes. Rests are symbols for silence. Each note each has an equivalent symbol for silence.

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - The Basics

Reading Music on Ukulele Series - The Basics

Learning to read begins with recognizing the notes on the staff and knowing where they are located on the fingerboard. Knowing the name is also a essential skill.

Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position

Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position

This series of lessons will allow you finally, to check that Reading item off your music To Do list. Learning to read standard music notation opens a world of music to you. Music notation is the Lingua franca of amateur and professional musicians alike.

Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Introduction

Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position, Introduction

There are a few things in music that students and players avoid. These are things like learning to read and knowing the notes of their own instrument. It is hard on guitar - but not so hard on ukulele. With the right guidance and plan of attack. IT IS EASY. It is really quite easy on a uke. Starting with natural notes in in the open position you can finally check off the Reading Music to do item. Learning to read standard music notation is really, really easy.