Ukulele George Formby Style Lesson 1

[DJCJ999]

... Is the uke standard tuned?

[summitjazzy]

@DJCJ999 The tuning on the videos is A D F# B which is two semi-tones higher than the “perhaps” more common tuning of G C E A. Either way though, the chord formations are the same. Have fun! Peter

[gmonkey808]

Very clear. thanks.

[summitjazzy]

@gmonkey808 Let’s here you then! Post your own video on YouTube!

[apostrophes100]

This is by far the best video for a beginner when it comes to the split stroke.

[summitjazzy]

@apostrophes100 Thanks for that. Please let the world know!!

[david1952ish]

at last i'm beginning to get somwhere with the split stroke thanks a million.

[summitjazzy]

@david1952ish Let everyone know how easy it is! Happy Christmas!

[spongebo13]

Thank you so much, I have finally mastered this stroke! You sir, are a tutorial god.

[summitjazzy]

@spongebo13 Thanks for that. It’s really easy - when you know how! Keep strumming!

[summitjazzy]

Thanks for that. I do use the fingers / fans etc as well but although I have seen a lot of the video tutorials on the advanced methods, I felt it was perhaps best to keep the tuition as simple as possible so that everyone could see exactly what was happening. I received MANY words of thanks! Keep strumming!

[tombland10]

George did not play with a plectrum so using one would stop you playing formby style use your nail for formby style!

[cwtchcloser]

really helpful lessons. many thanks

[summitjazzy]

@cwtchcloser Thanks for that. Let me know when you upload your own videos!  Keep strumming!!

[summitjazzy]

Hi. Thanks for your enquiry. George Formby tended to use the banjo-uke more but it has the same tuning as the soprano ukulele - which I feel has a better tone. So I would suggest going for any ukulele at a cost of around £25 - £28 but, although you can buy them from Amazon or e-bay, I would suggest you go to a music shop where you can ensure that the strings are not too high off the fret board.  Let me know if I can help you any further with your quest e.g. free instruction sheets etc.

[CLASSICMONSTERGUY95]

What type of uke is used here, a soprano, concert, tenor or baritone? I am wanting to buy a uke and am a very big Formby fan and I want to learn to play his songs, I have no experience with any string instruments at all. I am looking for a reasonably cheap uke, is this one good for Formby songs, Makala Soprano MK-SN Ukulele (12 frets)?

Help would be appreciated, thanks :)

[bingcro]

great lesson ive nearly got it but cant get in with you i use gcea

[summitjazzy]

@bingcro Thanks for that. My tuning was a tone higher - A D F# B although I am now using C-tuning as it makes singing easier! Good luck! Peter

[harrychef]

he never used a pick

[summitjazzy]

@harrychef Thanks for that. I do use the fingers / fans etc as well but although I have seen a lot of the video tutorials on the advanced methods, I felt it was perhaps best to keep the tuition as simple as possible so that everyone could see exactly what was happening.

[summitjazzy]

Hope you will carry on to view my other lessons! Have fun!

[Gavinthomson2007]

Very useful, thanks for posting! :o)

[santschopantscho]

Hi brother. Played your tutorial and made a video. Posted it as video response. Thanks for the tutorial! Bye the way... I play with A D F# B tuning since 1985. never had the common G-Tuning.

[josephmmcg]

Delighted to have found this - thanks very much for sharing it

[blindboybutler]

It's bad form to teach the ukulele with a pick.

[summitjazzy]

Hi. Thanks for that. George Formby probably did just use his fingers - well never know!! I just felt that a plectrum was easier for teaching purposes. Most beginners do use a plectrum. Keep Strumming. Peter

[snorrewim]

Dear Peter, in the first place, thank you for your nice comment on our "Gee Baby". Looking around on your account I found all those interesting lessons about 4-string guitars and ukelele. My first "guitar" was a ukelele, I was 12 then and I'll never forget that funny A,D,F#,B-sound.

[summitjazzy]

Thanks for that. Keep strumming  - and smiling!

[Talaayn]

Hey, I just got my first uke yesterday and I absoloutley love it, one of my fave instruments to date! This tutorials been perfect as I find strumming quite hard, and with me being a visual learner I need to watch someone else do it first. My Uke is meant to be tuned in D rather than the GCEA but mine seems to be lower than yours. Is it meant to sound lower or do I need to retune it? Thanks again for the video

[summitjazzy]

Pleased to hear your news. My tuning is A,D,F#,B - so basically you are a tone lower than me. The higher tuning gives a more crisp sound. When you play the chord of C, it will be D for me. When I play the ukulele with my jazz band, I usually tune it higher by a semi-tone so that when I play in D, it is actually Eb for the other instruments - which is an easier key for trumpets and woodwind instruments. Keep going!! - Peter

[LochNessMonster01]

very good, ! my grandad had a banjo which i asked if i could have and i was thinking about learning how to play it

[summitjazzy]

Thanks for that. Banjos have many different tunings. I hope that you are trying the banjo-ukulele which has the same tuning as the ukulele. Good luck. Peter

[LochNessMonster01]

Thank you. Im not sure if its a banjo-ukulele, i will have to ask my grandad thanks again, i will let you know how im getting on soon

[MrCharlieukenz]

Thanks very much Peter! I can now play (a slow!) version of the split stroke. I love it!! Fantastic lesson.

[summitjazzy]

Well done! So pleased that I have been able to do SOME good along the way. Have you watched Lessons 2 and 3 yet? I hope to bring out Lesson 4 shortly - but we are in the process of moving house right now, so it might take a while yet.

[MrCharlieukenz]

I have gone through 2 and 3. I am looking forward to you having moved so that you can give us Lesson 4!! I hope the move goes well.

[summitjazzy]

No takers for the house yet but Ive managed to clear out the garage and the loft - so I might have time on my hands shortly to start on Lesson 4. Thanks again for your words of encouragement!

[GUGUG]

great. Ive learned a new strum, thanks

[summitjazzy]

Thanks for that. How did you get a name like GUGUG?? Pleased to hear you are perfecting the stroke. I tried to show it as slowly as possible. Let me know how you get on. Keep strumming. Where are you from??

[GUGUG]

I'm from Glasgow. I can play it moderate speed but I cant see how I will be able to build up the speed to the Formby pace

[RoccoWOUTERS]

Wow, VERY usefull! Thank you very much!

[summitjazzy]

Thanks for that. I tried to show it as slowly as possible. Let me know if you manage to build up speed in time -  and then you can try it without the plectrum. Keep strumming. Where are you from??

[RoccoWOUTERS]

I never play with plectrum. It just doesn't feel right on the uke :) I`m from The Netherlands. I found some other vids explaining this technique, but none of them really indicated how mister George Formby managed to let his strums sound so alive.

[berekderek]

This might be the clearest lesson on the split stroke that I've seen.

How many strums are you making in one bar? If I wanted to count the strokes would I be counting like: 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e ... with a stroke on every semi quaver?

[summitjazzy]

Hi. Difficult to put in writing: 1&2, 1&2, 1&2, 1 - (where the & is the up-stroke - then a pause at the end of the bar). Let me know if this is helpful. Peter

[frederickmcaneney]

very good lesson. well paced. i will pactice then seek you out again. thank you

[summitjazzy]

Hi again. My tuning is A D F# B - for easier vocal reasons! As you will see from the Introduction Lesson, I do have a genuine imitation!!! George Formby banjo-ukulele. However, I prefer the old wooden ukulele for a softer more melodic sound but there is nothing to beat the banjo-uke for rousing sing-songs. Have fun! Sorry for the delay in my response but my original reply didn't get printed 'cos I showed my e-mail address! Oooop! Cheers Peter