Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome, newcomers! Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
What is Midcoast Ukes?
Midcoast Ukes is an informal organization of ukulele enthusiasts who gather on a regular basis to advance their ukulele skills and provide music for residents and visitors in Belfast and the surrounding areas of Midcoast Maine. The group provides instrumental and vocal music at low or no cost for certain special events, holidays, and private functions.
How do I join Midcoast Ukes?
The organization is open to individuals interested in playing the ukulele in a group. Simply show up at a practice, and we will welcome you. You should have a basic knowledge of how to hold, tune, and strum the ukulele and be able to play simple chords (ex. C, F, and G or G7).
What does it cost to join Midcoast Ukes?
There is no fee for membership. We accept voluntary donations in a cookie jar at our practices. Our expenses include rental of our practice space, salary for our musical director, fees for this web site, and purchase of equipment.
How is Midcoast Ukes organized?
A council consisting of volunteer group members is responsible for organizing the group, managing finances, managing the website, and resolving issues. The musical director, who also serves on the council, provides musical leadership and organizes special performances.
Where and when does the group meet?
Midcoast Ukes meets on most Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Springbrook Hill Clubhouse, 41 Spring Brook Drive, Belfast ME 04915. If a practice is canceled, information will be posted on the Practice page, and members will be notified by email from our coordinator, Jeffrey Weinberger. To get on his email list, go to the Contacts page.
What do I need to bring to practice?
A ukulele, preferably in a case to protect it
A strap, optional but helpful for holding your instrument while you turn pages
A ukulele tuner, either a small electronic device that attaches to the instrument or an app on a smart phone
A music stand: you can use a chair to hold your music if you don’t have one
Song sheets from our website; we have binders of song sheets you may borrow at practice
Midcoast Ukes Song Sheets
What kind of ukulele should I use?
Ukuleles come in many sizes, shapes, materials, and prices. You do not want a plastic toy with simple tuning pegs--you won’t be able to keep it in tune. Look for a uke with gears by the tuning pegs.
Here are the basic classes of ukes:
Soprano: the most familiar kind--think of a “Hawaiian uke.” The smallest size, usually with a bright, ringing sound. Excellent for children, people with smaller hands, and anyone wanting to play a portable, affordable instrument.
Concert: larger than a Soprano, with a more mellow sound
Tenor: generally larger than a Concert, giving more volume and projection
Baritone: the largest ukulele, tuned like a guitar and thus requiring different chord diagrams on our song sheets
Banjolele: has a banjo-like body and a fretted ukulele neck, with a ringing banjo sound and generally more volume than a traditional ukulele
Bass: tuned like a bass guitar, with thick strings and in a lower register than a traditional ukulele; usually the bass uke is amplified
Should I use a guitar pick?
This is a matter of personal preference. The pick gives a louder, zingier sound. Many players strum with their thumb and/or fingers.
What do I need to know to play in a ukulele group?
We highly recommend Phil Doleman’s excellent YouTube video “Keeping Up at Ukulele Club--10 Tips for Stress Free Strumming.”
To have fun making music in a community setting, he recommends: [1] Listen to the people around you. [2] Listen to the songs. [3] Scan the song sheet. [4] Simplify your strum. [5] Make eye contact with the leader and other players. [6] Play with confidence. [7] Look ahead at the music. [8] Don’t stop playing if you’re lost. [9] Write on your song sheets. [10] Relax and have fun!
For a good start if you are new to the uke, watch: Beginner Mistakes on Ukulele (and How to Fix Them)
Since you will be strumming your uke, the tutorial What's The Strumming Pattern? Ukulele lesson will be a big help
There are so many ukulele videos: how do I know which ones to watch?
Our leader, Jeff Weinberger, has added many tutorials to our website. We recommend the following as a good starting place. Be sure to look for his photobombing cat in the background:
Strums and Rhythms
The Back Beat
I-IV-V Chord Progression
Uke Rhythms
Basic Strums
Boom-Chick Strum
Reading a Song Sheet
Folk Strums
8 Levels of Strum
Tempo
Simplifying Strums
Strums and Basics 1
Where do I get song sheets?
Song sheets the Midcoast Ukes play are available on our website - Midcoast Ukes Song Sheets
Other groups offer thousands of songs online. Visit People of Lewisham's Ukulele Club for a list of sites.
Current songs are listed first. Most members print the song sheets and keep them in a 3-ring binder. You can also download them onto a tablet. We have up-to-date song sheet binders you may borrow at practice until you’ve built up your own song book.
To display and print song sheets:
On Windows machines, use the menu icons to change the size, fill the area, change orientation, download, print, or display two pages. Right-click brings up options as well.
On iPads, press and hold on a blank part of the song sheet to bring up options. Other operating systems have similar options.
PROBLEMS: I see thumb nails to the left of the screen -- Click the three parallel lines at the far left of the menu to switch the view and hide the thumb nails.
Nothing works on my iPad -- Click on "Download File" to download the song sheet into your download folder. Move, print, and view the file as a PDF.
Other Problems -- John Elberfeld at [email protected] MIGHT be able to help.
Understanding Song Sheets
Welcome, newcomers! Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
What is Midcoast Ukes?
Midcoast Ukes is an informal organization of ukulele enthusiasts who gather on a regular basis to advance their ukulele skills and provide music for residents and visitors in Belfast and the surrounding areas of Midcoast Maine. The group provides instrumental and vocal music at low or no cost for certain special events, holidays, and private functions.
How do I join Midcoast Ukes?
The organization is open to individuals interested in playing the ukulele in a group. Simply show up at a practice, and we will welcome you. You should have a basic knowledge of how to hold, tune, and strum the ukulele and be able to play simple chords (ex. C, F, and G or G7).
What does it cost to join Midcoast Ukes?
There is no fee for membership. We accept voluntary donations in a cookie jar at our practices. Our expenses include rental of our practice space, salary for our musical director, fees for this web site, and purchase of equipment.
How is Midcoast Ukes organized?
A council consisting of volunteer group members is responsible for organizing the group, managing finances, managing the website, and resolving issues. The musical director, who also serves on the council, provides musical leadership and organizes special performances.
Where and when does the group meet?
Midcoast Ukes meets on most Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Springbrook Hill Clubhouse, 41 Spring Brook Drive, Belfast ME 04915. If a practice is canceled, information will be posted on the Practice page, and members will be notified by email from our coordinator, Jeffrey Weinberger. To get on his email list, go to the Contacts page.
What do I need to bring to practice?
A ukulele, preferably in a case to protect it
A strap, optional but helpful for holding your instrument while you turn pages
A ukulele tuner, either a small electronic device that attaches to the instrument or an app on a smart phone
A music stand: you can use a chair to hold your music if you don’t have one
Song sheets from our website; we have binders of song sheets you may borrow at practice
Midcoast Ukes Song Sheets
What kind of ukulele should I use?
Ukuleles come in many sizes, shapes, materials, and prices. You do not want a plastic toy with simple tuning pegs--you won’t be able to keep it in tune. Look for a uke with gears by the tuning pegs.
Here are the basic classes of ukes:
Soprano: the most familiar kind--think of a “Hawaiian uke.” The smallest size, usually with a bright, ringing sound. Excellent for children, people with smaller hands, and anyone wanting to play a portable, affordable instrument.
Concert: larger than a Soprano, with a more mellow sound
Tenor: generally larger than a Concert, giving more volume and projection
Baritone: the largest ukulele, tuned like a guitar and thus requiring different chord diagrams on our song sheets
Banjolele: has a banjo-like body and a fretted ukulele neck, with a ringing banjo sound and generally more volume than a traditional ukulele
Bass: tuned like a bass guitar, with thick strings and in a lower register than a traditional ukulele; usually the bass uke is amplified
Should I use a guitar pick?
This is a matter of personal preference. The pick gives a louder, zingier sound. Many players strum with their thumb and/or fingers.
What do I need to know to play in a ukulele group?
We highly recommend Phil Doleman’s excellent YouTube video “Keeping Up at Ukulele Club--10 Tips for Stress Free Strumming.”
To have fun making music in a community setting, he recommends: [1] Listen to the people around you. [2] Listen to the songs. [3] Scan the song sheet. [4] Simplify your strum. [5] Make eye contact with the leader and other players. [6] Play with confidence. [7] Look ahead at the music. [8] Don’t stop playing if you’re lost. [9] Write on your song sheets. [10] Relax and have fun!
For a good start if you are new to the uke, watch: Beginner Mistakes on Ukulele (and How to Fix Them)
Since you will be strumming your uke, the tutorial What's The Strumming Pattern? Ukulele lesson will be a big help
There are so many ukulele videos: how do I know which ones to watch?
Our leader, Jeff Weinberger, has added many tutorials to our website. We recommend the following as a good starting place. Be sure to look for his photobombing cat in the background:
Strums and Rhythms
The Back Beat
I-IV-V Chord Progression
Uke Rhythms
Basic Strums
Boom-Chick Strum
Reading a Song Sheet
Folk Strums
8 Levels of Strum
Tempo
Simplifying Strums
Strums and Basics 1
Where do I get song sheets?
Song sheets the Midcoast Ukes play are available on our website - Midcoast Ukes Song Sheets
Other groups offer thousands of songs online. Visit People of Lewisham's Ukulele Club for a list of sites.
Current songs are listed first. Most members print the song sheets and keep them in a 3-ring binder. You can also download them onto a tablet. We have up-to-date song sheet binders you may borrow at practice until you’ve built up your own song book.
To display and print song sheets:
On Windows machines, use the menu icons to change the size, fill the area, change orientation, download, print, or display two pages. Right-click brings up options as well.
On iPads, press and hold on a blank part of the song sheet to bring up options. Other operating systems have similar options.
PROBLEMS: I see thumb nails to the left of the screen -- Click the three parallel lines at the far left of the menu to switch the view and hide the thumb nails.
Nothing works on my iPad -- Click on "Download File" to download the song sheet into your download folder. Move, print, and view the file as a PDF.
Other Problems -- John Elberfeld at [email protected] MIGHT be able to help.
Understanding Song Sheets
Above is the top portion of a typical song sheet. The Midcoast Ukes logo identifies the creator of the song sheet. Chord diagrams (explained below) show how to finger chords used in the song. The title of the song may be followed by the key if several versions are available. The song is in standard 4/4 time (four beats in a measure) unless otherwise noted.
Chord Diagrams
At the top of the song sheet are the suggested fingerings for chords used in the song. Roseville Fair uses only three chords. Below is an explanation of chord diagrams.
Chord Diagrams
At the top of the song sheet are the suggested fingerings for chords used in the song. Roseville Fair uses only three chords. Below is an explanation of chord diagrams.
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Chord diagrams show suggested fingerings for a chord. Other options are acceptable. The dark bar is called the nut, which holds the strings in place. To create a B Flat, use your first finger (pointer) to press down both the first and second strings (A and E) just behind the first fret. (Between the nut and the first fret - as shown.) Use your second finger (middle finger) to press the third string (C) just behind the second fret. Use your third finger (ring) to press the fourth string (G) just behind the third fret. Your first finger is making a bar (indicated by the arch) across two strings.
Some diagrams show fingerings down the fret board from the nut. Those symbols will not have the nut, and will have a number showing the fret. "Ab" chord has a bar across the "C," "E," and "A" strings on the third fret, for example. Your second and third fingers are placed as shown on the diagram. A small "o" is placed above a string that is played open - with no fingers on it. The "C" chord has three open strings, for example.
Chord Symbols
The INTRO (introduction) is an instrumental. Uke players strum the chords shown. A soloist might play during the introduction.
Each measure of the song starts with a vertical line " | " and has four beats. The Intro to this song starts with " |C " which means to play the C chord for four beats. The second measure is more complicated, but still has just 4 beats. " |C / F / " means to play the C chord for two beats, and the F chord for two beats. The measure could have been written |C C F F " but the use of a slash when a chord is repeated is a simpler and standard notation.
Some diagrams show fingerings down the fret board from the nut. Those symbols will not have the nut, and will have a number showing the fret. "Ab" chord has a bar across the "C," "E," and "A" strings on the third fret, for example. Your second and third fingers are placed as shown on the diagram. A small "o" is placed above a string that is played open - with no fingers on it. The "C" chord has three open strings, for example.
Chord Symbols
The INTRO (introduction) is an instrumental. Uke players strum the chords shown. A soloist might play during the introduction.
Each measure of the song starts with a vertical line " | " and has four beats. The Intro to this song starts with " |C " which means to play the C chord for four beats. The second measure is more complicated, but still has just 4 beats. " |C / F / " means to play the C chord for two beats, and the F chord for two beats. The measure could have been written |C C F F " but the use of a slash when a chord is repeated is a simpler and standard notation.
Lyrics
A vertical line is above the start of each measure in the lyrics. In this song, the singing starts on the second beat of the measure, so the first chord symbol " |C " is above a blank space. The next measure starts on the word "clear," so the vertical line is just above the word, and "clear" is separated by an extra space from the previous word. The third measure has two beats of "C" followed by two beats of "F." After 1 beat pause in the lyrics, the word "and" is song on the second beat of "C."
A vertical line is above the start of each measure in the lyrics. In this song, the singing starts on the second beat of the measure, so the first chord symbol " |C " is above a blank space. The next measure starts on the word "clear," so the vertical line is just above the word, and "clear" is separated by an extra space from the previous word. The third measure has two beats of "C" followed by two beats of "F." After 1 beat pause in the lyrics, the word "and" is song on the second beat of "C."
The parts of the song are labeled in boxes, like "Chorus 1" in this example. Arrangement directions, like "All Sing" may appear in bright red. Notice the pick-up words in the second line above, "Their drifting," have no chord symbol over them. The words are sung while the "|G" chord in the line above is played for its four beats.
Listening to the Songs
You may listen to several different versions of a song by going to the song sheet page. Links to YouTube videos of recordings similar to the arrangement on the song sheet are listed at the top of the page. Usually the first song listed is the one closest to the arrangement on the song sheet.
Strumming Diagrams
Some songs have special strum patterns. The typical strum pattern is for one 4-beat measure. The beats you strum down on have a square hat over the tall strum symbol. The beats you strum up on have a "V" over the strum symbol. In this Rock/Beatles Strum, you strum down on every beat. You strum up between beats three and four, and between four and the start of the next measure.
Listening to the Songs
You may listen to several different versions of a song by going to the song sheet page. Links to YouTube videos of recordings similar to the arrangement on the song sheet are listed at the top of the page. Usually the first song listed is the one closest to the arrangement on the song sheet.
Strumming Diagrams
Some songs have special strum patterns. The typical strum pattern is for one 4-beat measure. The beats you strum down on have a square hat over the tall strum symbol. The beats you strum up on have a "V" over the strum symbol. In this Rock/Beatles Strum, you strum down on every beat. You strum up between beats three and four, and between four and the start of the next measure.
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The pattern is "down down down-up down-up. Some diagrams may not include the beat numbers below the strum pattern. In some patterns, you skip playing the down stroke on a beat or two, like in the "Calypso" strum. This strum and many different strum patterns are written out in a file available at Chord and Strum Charts.
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