Arpeggiator

Jumping Flea Arpeggiator

Gradus ad Parnassum for the High G Ukulele
Thirty etudes: Every chord, every key, everywhere on the fretboard.

ApterosBig

If you want to MASTER the ukulele, you don't need any other book. These etudes will teach you everything you need to know to control every possible sound from your instrument. You should follow the "suggested order" on the back page if you are tackling these exercises for the first time.

After you've played each piece confidently, smoothly and with a sense of personal artistry, you should go back and start over. As with any instrument, thorough command of the basics is essential to obtaining professional results.

Download the entire book HERE. Print it out double sided and put it in a binder. (Or send the PDF over to Kinko's and have them spiral bind it with some plastic covers.) You can also buy a pre-printed and spiral-bound copy from me in the shop.

Download all the audio files HERE. These are computer generated.

Someday I will be publishing a second edition which will fix a few typos, change a few of the songs, add more detailed chord names (since a few players have lost their minds over the simplifications), and it will have more detailed instructions. I doubt that book will be free, so enjoy this one instead.

This player is arranged in the "suggested order" on the last page of the book.

*****

Arpeggiator Videos

My video project: I am posting videos primarily for students wanting better ideas on how to move left and right hands effectively. I do minimal editing on these videos and leave most of my mistakes because (for me) perfection is not a goal, and it probably shouldn't be your goal either. The videos are not designed to be perfect and inspire you with my playing ability, but rather to give you a helpful view on how to approach each piece of sheet music. I'm also providing links to other people I've found on the web. Let me know if you post a video so I can link to you.

Here are the links I know about; send me an email if you post your own:

  • Key of C: My Version 1, 2. Versions by Others: 1, 2.
  • Key of F: My Version 1
  • Key of G: My Version 1

 

*****

Praise for the Jumping Flea Arpeggiator:

From Jaime of Alberta in Canada: "Good morning! I was fortunate to come across your Jumping Flea Argeggiator - Gradus ad Parnassum for the High G Ukulele whilst scouring the web for all things ukulele. I would like to express my gratitude to you for making this available (gratis) to people who are interested in playing the ukulele.  I cannot praise this enough as a tremendously helpful learning tool and for you to have included all of the sound files - so that I know how it should sound! -- Well - Brilliant, Generous, Thoughtful You!! Thank you Gary once again - I am so very grateful! P.S. I always love learning new phrases in Latin! Here is one for you - Vivat Ukulele!"

From Karen: "I should go to sleep, but I discovered your web page with the Arpeggiator and I agree it will make me genius. So here I am working it. I get vague responses  when I tell people I play ukulele. They presume that means I know nothing about music nor will I ever. I've studied music theory. I've been learning the notes on the ukulele fretboard. I know lots of chords different inversions but my right hand remains strum strum strum. So yes this is perfect for a gal like me wanting to get better and better and better. Thank you so much for your wonderful music and especially for the belief that just because someone plays ukulele doesn't mean they don't want to know more about music and learn about their instrument. Thank you for making it so intelligent and accessible at the same time."

From Sebastian: "Hello I'm Sebastian from Argentina, and I want to say you thank you very very much for your method. I love the ukulele and your method was very important to learn. My English is not good, I know and sorry, but I have to say to you thanks for your contribution. United for the music. Goodbye."

From Ivan Olarte, glassical guitarist: "Wow what a great collection of beautiful Etudes. As a classical guitarist, I can tell you these are right up there with Sor and Giuliani."

Alistair Wood, founder of UkuleleHunt.com: "These are great! Just been playing through a few of them. I'll definitely give it a mention on the blog. Thanks."