Performance Considerations

Tuning

 Don’t forget to tune your ukulele EVERY time you play or record. It can be
the difference between being able to play a piece or not.

 https://ukebuddy.com/ukulele-tuner
 https://tuner-online.com/other-instruments/ukulele-tuning
 https://www.ukulelebuddy.com/free-ukulele-tuner.html
 Make sure to click “Allow” so it will use your microphone!

 If you have a phone, PanoTuner is a great tuning app as well!

Finding Out the Notes

 Be sure you have identified ALL notes correctly and know how to play them on
your instrument. This can be included in your reflections.

http://easymusic.altervista.org/ukulele-notes-fingering-chart/
Key Signature

 A key signature tells us what notes are always sharp or always flat. You can find it after
the Treble Clef with a sign that looks like “b” or “#”

 This tells us that F and C are played sharp, or one fret above where they would
normally be played.

 This tells us that only F is sharp

 This tells us B and E are flat or played one fret lower than normal.

 This tells us that only B is flat.

 *Note, this applies to every flat/sharp note in the piece, no matter how high or low it is
Rhythms

 Some songs have dotted eighth notes:

And sound like this:

 Pro-tip: If you’re ever not sure about how a part of a song, or a rhythm
sounds. Enter into Noteflight so you can hear it!
Metronome

 Record yourself with a metronome. It will help you make sure if the pulse is
correct and you are playing the rhythms at the correct time.

 https://www.metronomeonline.com/
 https://www.musicca.com/metronome
If you have a phone, Soundbrenner is a great app.
Improving your Practice

 Practice slowly with a metronome. Once you can play the piece slowly,
increase the speed by 5bpm. Then again, until you get it at a reasonable
tempo.

 Start with the last measure and work backwards. Then play the last two bars,
then the last three, then the last four, etc.

 Use your microscope! Focus your practice on the small errors you are making
instead of trying to go from the beginning everytime.

 It’s okay to change pieces! Perhaps a piece you’ve selected is too challenging
and you’ll need to pick something more simple.
Don’t Practice Until You Get it Right,
Practice Until You Can’t Get it Wrong!
 Words to live by. Playing it correctly once isn’t enough!

 And make sure to have fun!