Originally Written 23/4/20 : “KAME Chord task) Building a better skill set… or about putting in the effort for the ukulele”

~ mitchelljamesdavis

After having spent some time studying the chord chart I created for myself, by finding patterns that I could turn into barre chord shapes to transpose to different root notes, it is time to put this all into practical use. Recently I have completed a lesson plan task in which I referred to the twelve bar blues as a great tool for fundamental songwriting and ensemble performance. For this reason I will be challenging myself to learn the twelve bar blues in keys F through to E on the circle of fifths (which all fit in the chords we are asked to learn). Learning to play the 12 bar blues using chords I, IV and V in both major and minor variants, combining in some dominant 7th shapes will make for great practice that relates to playing actual music on the instrument. 

I have also thought about the technique behind the instrument. While learning the chord shapes is important, it will be worthless without good technique. Just as I did as a much younger man, utilising free online content is a great place to start for learning more about instrument technique. This video included advice on strumming, fretting, playing position and practice routines.

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Published by mitchelljamesdavis

Mitchell Davis is currently a music education student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, born in 1997 in Sydney. Following a positive experience with music education in primary and secondary school combined with a personal interest in music as an art form and pastime, the decision to become a secondary school music teacher was naturally made. Complimentary to studying music education, Mitchell also holds ongoing experience working casually in a youth centre in his home town of Liverpool, New South Wales. After studying a Certificate IV in Youth Work, It was here that he initially found his confidence and appreciation for working with young people to achieve positive outcomes, predominately running various sport and recreational youth programs both in local Liverpool school environments and at the youth centre's facilities. Mitchell's specific area of musical expertise is in contemporary popular music. He is a guitarist and songwriter who enjoys genres such as heavy metal, extreme metal, hard rock, blues and pop. He has begun to write, release and perform his original music in order to gain greater experience in the world of contemporary music and give more value to his skills in becoming a music educator.

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