Week 5 of 24
Goal: You fret F with two fingers and play “Bruder Jakob” in its usual key.
Review
Four times C, four times Am. How many changes did you get in the chord game?
Step by step
- F uses two fingers: middle finger on the G string at fret 2 (just like Am!), index finger on the E string at fret 1. Chart: F.
- You already know the F note on the E string from the blues. Now you just add the middle finger.
- Check each string: pluck G, C, E, A one after another. Do all four ring? Then strum the whole chord.
- Changing C ↔ F: Am and F share the middle finger. From Am to F you only add your index finger – try it!
- “Bruder Jakob” is really in F. The backing waits at every chord until you’re ready.
Time to make music: your piece
“Bruder Jakob” now in F – down on every beat. Then the chord game with C and F.
Start the chord game Choose: C · F
Homework for next time
Five days, about ten minutes each:
- Tune, fret F and check each string.
- Am – F – Am – F: just put down and lift your index finger.
- Four times C, four times F – slowly round and round.
- Fun: play “Bruder Jakob” in F with the backing.
Done when …
- all four strings ring with F
- you play “Bruder Jakob” in F to the end
If you get stuck
- The E string doesn’t ring? Your index finger has to press with its tip, just behind the fret wire.
- The A string sounds muffled? A finger is touching it from above. Curve your fingers as if over a small ball.
For teachers: lesson plan
- ≈ 10 min Warm-up: everyone frets Am, then just adds the index finger – “Magic, that’s F!”
- ≈ 15 min Practice: string check in pairs – one person frets F, the other listens whether all four strings ring.
- ≈ 20 min Song together: “Bruder Jakob” in F, first in unison, then as a round in two groups.
Differentiation: those who are confident play the piece with down-up or help a partner; those who need more time strum only on beat one of each bar.
For the board: openstring.de/ukulele/en/lesson/5/