Harry Reser Ukulele Method
Page:104

Basic self instruction for ukulele - learn by playing and singing 31 popular songs, most used chords, with sheet music, lyrics and ukulele(diagrams), with pdf for printing.

	THE STRINGS (continued) STRING PRESSURE Many persons who purchase inexpensive Ukes are so discouraged with the "sound" and "finger action" or pressure needed to make the strings touch the frets, that they soon give up the attempt to play in disgust. If you have an inexpensive Uke and are troubled about it sounding "out of tune" — even after it has been correctly tuned, check the "nut" for height. You will probably find the strings are too high above the frets. This is the most common fault of the cheaper t\ms:^r;::;r_r:^ \. ::\:.;.',-,..:.-.'■                       ■: THE STRINGS SHOULD NOT BE OVER l/32nd OF AN INCH FROM THE TOP OF THE FIRST FRET. If you are mechanically inclined, you may deepen the string notches on the nut, or better still, have the store where you purchased the instrument make the correct adjust- ments, i.e., if they are equipped for this kind of work. THE RIGHT HAND (Illustrations on Page 5) ........ A knowledge of the correct position df the right forearm in its relation to the hand is necessary when stroking, or picking the strings. Carefully examine all of the illustra- tions on page 5 and adopt the correct position for the forearm and hand at the very begin- ning of your attempt (successful we hope) to master the Ukulele. STROKING THE STRINGS WITH THE FOREFINGER Picture No. 1 illustrates the correct position of the forefinger and thumb to produce a good tone on the Uke. This method of stroking the strings with the bare fingers is to this day the most favored way of playing the Uke. However, a new method of tone produc- tion has come into professional favor due to the increasing popularity of the Uke on phonograph records and TV. Professionals have found that the use of a "pick" produces a louder and clearer tone. Playing the Uke with a pick enables the tone to "cut through" with more definition. Picture No. 2 illustrates the most favored pick which is made of pliable quarter- inch felt. For a stronger tone a "stiff" felt pick can be secured at most music supply stores and when real "punch" is needed for maximum volume a celluloid or tortoise shell guitar pick may be used. The use of the hard guitar pick completely alters the natural tone of the Uke and for that reason should be used sparingly for special effects. Once again, study the illustrations and text on page 5 concerning the right hand, felt pick and the style of strumming with the fingers.
	SLANTED LINES (l I I I) or Chord Names (C7) are used throughout this folio t indicate where the strokes of the pick are to be played. While each slanted line or choi name represents a down stroke, or one beat, it does not mean that the player cannot mat use of different rhythms. In order to encourage you to employ different rhythmic effects I present next the more simple strokes which may be used instead of the single strokt