Beautiful Spanish Chord Progression on Ukulele

Hi Julian. Thanks for the comment. I am glad you and your son enjoy this Spanish music hehe. Are you referring to the chord progression? Because you should have the chords on top of the notation. Let me know.

This tune is just lovely. My 10 year old son, who is much better than I, has learnt it really well and it's beautiful to behold. I'd like to accompany him on the guitar as per your backing in the video and would love it, and be most grateful, if you could supply those simple tabs too.

Oh sorry. I didn't realize you left another comment. Yes. There is a mistake in the tab. The open string should actually be a slap/damping with the right hand (x). Thanks for letting me know. I will fix that later. :) Do you have more questions? Enjoy the lesson.

Yes. Can you please let me know where in the video. I just want to make sure I understand the technique you are referring to.

Hello again I hit the darn send button before I had finished my questions. So to continue. From Bars 8-11 your tabs use a "X" to indicate a "SLAP" and you video shows this. However on Bars 12-17 the "X" is not indicated, but in the video you still seem to be using the "Slap" technique. For example: Bar 16 the "SLAP' is not indicated but a "A","D" & "C" notes are indicated. Where as in the video you play them as a "SLAP" Can you help me to better understand what it si you are doing please. I am enjoying this exercise as well as your newly released song title "Spain"

Hola Marco: I have a a couple of question.(1) You mention the technique of damping the strings using a "SLAP" is this also refered to as a"Apadado"?

Good question. Yes, the V degree of a minor scale generates a minor chord. However, we can change the Dm into a D major or D7 chord. This change creates more tension between the V and I chord (D to Gm). We borrow the D major chord from the harmonic minor scale. In G minor, the harmonic minor scale is G A Bb C D Eb F# G. If we harmonize the chord V now, we have the notes D F# A, which is a D major chord. I hope this helps. Regarding the Spanish guitar lessons, I don't mix tabs from both Patreon pages. That would be quite confusing. Sorry :(

I have a question? The Gm chord progression scale, as I understand it to be is Gm Adim Bb |Cm Dm Eb F. Your file indicated D not Dm. How did you come to chose to use the D chord rather than the Dm chord? I am enjoying this exercise and hope you could transfer your Spanish Guitar to your Ukulele site, even if it is only the notational PDF file.

I know, Tati. I think I recorded this one a little bit too fast, to be honest. The most important thing is fluidity and consistency. Focus on making the chords and melody sound nice and melodic. Speed will come with time. Good luck and keep me posted :)

Still working on this one, the speed at which you play it makes the progression even more beautiful, but it's taking me time to get there, but it's such good practice. Thank you!

It is definitely the progression of chords along with the scale used.

Lovely! I will learn this. May I know what makes the music sound distinctly spanish? Is it the chords?

Damien

I am not sure. I've never tried the low G. I think any ukulele can have a low G ... I am not sure though.

This is a very nice song. Any advice for a low G uke? Maybe a wee bit slower for the chord changes in the tutorial?

Patrick Whitaker

I know. The uke is such a small instrument that sometimes, some chords can be challenging. If you have trouble with that, remove one finger. For this chord, I would practice by playing the 4th, 3rd, and 1st string only. Then you try to add the 2nd string (probably the finger blocking the 1st string). Also, keep the thumb a little lower behind the neck when you play this chord. Let me know how it goes.

Hi Marco, I'm struggling with fretting the Eb chord as you do in the video to clearly finger pick each note. Can't seem to fit three fingers on the 3rd fret GCE and still get a clear A# on the A. Flattening the index finger just doesn't do it. Any suggestions?

Wonderful, thank you so much, Marco. This is good news.

Thanks a lot for suggesting that, Birgit. I will definitely work on more Spanish music on the ukulele. Enjoy the lesson.

This is absolutely fantastic. I've seen that you've got a whole section on Spanish Guitar on your YT account - may I suggest some more Spanish pieces for ukulele as well?

Well done, Timmy!

This is going to be my 3rd melody I learn from you, this one is absolutely beautiful but it sounds difficult. Time for some patience.

Enjoy!

Good luck, Nicolas :)

Thanks Marco

Thanks Marco, it is helpful but I have to admit that a need to keep practicing it, but it sounds great when you play it, I will succeed one day ;)

Hi Nicolas. The slap is achieved by strumming muted strings. So, the strumming moving remains the same. It would help if you focused on finding a comfortable way to mute the strings with the left hand. Also, try to isolate the strumming section. Practice the first three strums (two strums and one slap) before adding more. Let me know if this helps.

Hello Marco, thanks for your lovely melodies ! i am a beginner for 3 months now, i love the fingerpicking of that song, but i have a lot difficulties for the strumming part. do you have a tip for the slap please ? thank you in advance :)

Thanks a lot, Simon. Enjoy the lesson!

Loving learning this progression. You have a great technique for breaking up the sections. Really works for me. Cheers