Ukulele Workshops

Schedule | 2025

SPRING TOUR 2025

04/26/25 Island Bazaar
Huntington Beach, CA

04/27/25 Anacapa Ukulele
Ventura, CA

05/3/25 Don’s String Shop
Los Osos, CA

05/5/25 Music Studio
Bonny Doon, CA

05/7/25 Ukulele Club Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

05/10/25 The Strum Shop
Roseville, CA

05/11/25 Ukes In The Park
St. Helena, CA

05/24/25 Artichoke Community Music
Portland, OR

05/28/25 Caravan Gogh Reunion
Whidbey Island, WA

05/31/25 Dusty Strings
Seattle, WA

06/07/25 BUGs
Bellingham, WA

Canada Tour June/July

06/19-22/25
Kamloops Summer Ukulele Festival
Sorrento, BC, Canada

07/19/25
Brantford Ukulele Festival
Brantford, ON, Canada

JOIN THE NEW POP UP UKE. IT’S FREE!

NOW EXCEPTING FESTIVALS & RETREATS FOR 2025!

BECOME A POP UP UKE PATRON FOR FREE!!!

Become a Patron!

SUBSCRIBE TO UKULELE MAGAZINE HERE!

 

The Circle #15:
I Got Rhythm!

Posted on: December 11th, 2011 by dville

The-Circle WebWelcome to The Circle, our  voyage into the mysteries of The Circle of 5ths. In previous posts we have been exploring Dominant 7th chord progressions culminating with the popular I-III7-VI7-II7-V7-I (C-E7-A7-D7-G7-C) sequence which is found in any other number of songs written in the first half of the 20th century including Five-Foot Two.

Using the same concept of the resolving 5th chord progression, we can substitute Diatonic (C-Dm-Em-F-G7-Am-Bdim) chords for some of those dominant 7ths. Here’s the result when we apply it to the 1-3-6-2-5-1 progression above. I-iii-vi-ii-V7-I (C-Em-Am-Dm-G7-C). Play this progression on your uke and listen to the difference using the minor chords.

ii-V7--ii-viI-ii-V7

Next, drop the iii chord and you’ve got one of the most over-used chord progressions of all time the I-vi-ii-V7-I (C-Am-Dm-G7-C).

 

Now called the Rhythm Changes, after the Gershwin song I Got Rhythm, you’ll find this progression used in thousands of songs written in the 1950’s and early 60’s. Play it on your uke and no doubt the songs will start popping into your head like…Blue Moon, 26 Miles, Lollipop, Sherry, You’re Gonna Lose That Girl, Mister Sandman, Return To Sender, Teenager In Love, Sh-Boom, Devil or Angel, Earth Angel, Take Good Care of My Baby, Heart & Soul, Come Go With Me, Be True To Your School and many more. In fact, if you find other songs with this progression while you are practicing please list them in the comments section.


Observation: Substitute diatonic minor chords in place of dominant 7th chords and unlock the door to thousands of songs!

2 Responses

  1. Christopher in Manila says:

    How about the first part of Loch Lomond? It is such a great timeless melody.

  2. JD says:

    All My Lovin’ – Beatles

Ukulele Tutorials

Playing By Ear


Play Ukulele By Ear 1
Vol. 1 DVD or Download
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 1.5
Playing By The Numbers
Download Only
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 2
Download Only
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 3 Download Only
more info

 


see all products
& descriptions

read reviews


© 2012-2025 Jim d'Ville play ukulele by ear  |  graphics and layout by lindesign  |  built and maintained by Gray's Web Design