Bass Ukulele Lesson 2 - Beginner U Bass Tutorial - Learn Your Bass Uke Notes

Bass Ukulele Tutorials For Beginners
Bass Ukulele Lesson #2 - Your second bass uke lesson using both an electro acoustic u-bass and a solid body bass ukulele.
Bass Ukulele Lesson 2 - Learning where the notes are on the E and A strings on your bass ukuleles the easy way - then practicing them using ukulele play along videos. We start to learn where the notes are on our bass fretboards and I even give you a little test!
A different way of learning your bass fretboard! Different to learning bass guitar tabs - great for playing your bass ukes in a ukulele group or uke club.
U-basses featured:
Kala - Nik West Signature Model California U Bass
Gear4Music Bass Ukulele - UK400NTE
This is roughly the second bass lesson that I teach our students in school. It is aimed at absolute beginners and keeps things VERY simple and straight forward.
Objectives:
What's in this lesson - 1:03
Introduction to notes - 1:43
Fretboard and open strings - 2:54
Left hand technique for bass ukulele - 3:20
Notes on the E string - 4:41
Notes on the E string practice - 6:48
Notes on the E string test - 7:44
Notes on the A string - 8:23
Notes on the A string practice - 10:16
Notes on the A string test - 11:04
Bass string patterns - 11:46
E & A strings practice - 12:28
E & A strings test - 14:14
Keeping the rhythm simple - 15:41
Chord charts into bass notes - 18:20
Rockin All Over The World short play along - 22:03
See You Later Alligator short play along - 23:49
Practice bass ukulele using play alongs - 25:07
Lesson objectives covered - 25:41
Links to videos that are mentioned:
Bass Ukulele Lesson #1 - • Bass Ukulele Lesson 1 ...
Bass Ukulele Basics - • Bass Ukulele Basics - ...
Rockin All Over The World Play Along - • Rockin All Over The Wo...
See You Later Alligator Play Along - • See You Later Alligato...
Ukulaliens Play Along Channel: / ukulaliensukuleleclub
Website: ukulele.wales/
T-Shirts & Merch: www.redbubble....
This video is meant for educational purposes.

[@ohiaqueen]

Aloha from Hawai’i. I found your channel when I was working on my tenor and soprano ukulele, but now I have a bass. Your simple approach makes this very uncomplicated and demystified the bass. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 🩶🩶🩶

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You for such a lovely comment. Mahalo 😊

[@Rwjudy48]

Rachel, I’ve been playing u-bass for over a year. I’ve completed the first Hal Leonard bass book and Bert Casey’s Bass Primer, but have had some difficulty transferring that learning to playing with a 4-5 person uke group. I came to your lessons in order to simplify and go back to basics. Lessons 1 and 2 both had a tip or two that were helpful. Thank you for your well-designed and presented teachings.

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad to be helping Robert. I agree, it is very different learning / playing at the start and then joining in with other players. It does get easier the more you play with other musicians though and as you gain confidence, others will follow you more rather than the other way around.

[@randomestadam]

My wife's got a lovely alto voice and fingerpicky folk/rock guitar style; I've got a performance degree on one of the blowy instruments but no experience at all with anything strung. We got a u-bass just today and these lessons have been excellent at helping me understand a whole new technique for playing from the ground up. Thanks so much!

[@UkuleleWales]

"blowy instruments" LOL, love it!! Thanks for the lovely comment and so glad you are finding the lessons useful. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

[@pshames]

Finally got my first bass ukulele. I really appreciate your lessons. They are fantastic!

[@UkuleleWales]

Great to hear Phil and so glad to be helping. Enjoy your bass!

[@MikeBrown-dk7or]

A super lesson Thank you

[@kaboutermiep1]

Your explanations are so clear thanks! Hope to learn a lot from you. I'm enjoying your lessons

[@UkuleleWales]

You're very welcome, I'm very glad to be helping. Please feel free to ask any questions.

[@peggymcampbell]

Just got a bass uke this afternoon!!! Your lessons are perfect. Thank you so much for posting these! Makes me very happy. ❤

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like them, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

[@badmonks]

Play alongs are great for getting down the first few notes, like you said. I just play the root note of each chord and try to keep time as best I can through the chord changes. Thank you!

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad you are enjoying them, yes exactly the right way to use them and improve your bass skills.

[@dianakrystofiak8615]

Excellent. I really learned a lot and I will go to some play alongs and practice!

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad to be helping Diana, please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

[@discdonkey5]

Excellent teaching

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks :-)

[@hilarywilliams880]

You are brilliant at teaching Rachel, I am trying to learn the bass now to show my son 😇😉

[@UkuleleWales]

Fantastic news that you're learning bass now too Hilary! Good on you!!!

[@peterdixon5713]

Thank you soooo much. I’ve been playing ukulele for about 3 years but have yet to play my bass.... first time today... plus with an added bonus of learning notes up and down the fret board. You have made it so simple for this old man (75) thank you!

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad to have helped Peter, good luck and please ask away if you have any questions.

[@drumamum]

WOW Thankyou so much I brought a ukelele Bass on Monday and hear I am playing along with you! Why I never tired a Bass before I will never Know! Your Sister From Down Under!

[@UkuleleWales]

That is FANTASTIC to hear!! Well done you. Welsh wishes Down Under. 😊

[@YaYaBroadcast]

Love your lesson

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You :-)

[@audreyzikmund415]

you are the greatest. thank you....

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Audrey, so glad to be helping.

[@user-gm8ox9wj3y]

Just starting out, these tutorials are awesome!

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like them, Thank You. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! 👍

[@deborahtullos1378]

I just got my U bass. I have been playing the ukulele and the mandolin which I taught myself to play this past year. These are fabulous lessons for beginner U Bass players. Love her 🥰 She explains everything thoroughly and puts it in terms that anyone can understand

[@UkuleleWales]

Great to hear! Thank You for the lovely comment.

[@pshames]

Thanks for the lesson. As a new UBass player I am really enjoying them and learning a lot.

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like them and very happy to be helping.

[@davidpickett]

Thanks for an excellent lesson. Have been playing concert Uke for a year and thought I would add a bass Uke to my repertoire! Really useful tips for playing along with Uke chord players.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks David, that's the aim to start with as I know like yourself, a lot of folks want to play their u basses along with other uke players.

[@jennystencil7480]

Thank you again so much !!

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure Jenny. 😊

[@gailthomas6818]

What a wonderful and skillful teacher! Thank you.

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks 😊

[@seabreeze4790]

Just got my u-bass and are the most helpful thank you very much you are the best keep going I appreciate you so much.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You for a lovely comment, much appreciated and glad the lessons are helping. More to come.

[@tobiasware]

Thank you for these highly informative videos. I've been playing ukes for many years, I have full blown Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome (UAS) and have played guitar since I was 13 - I'm now 59. I've always wanted to play bass, I have had an electric bass and a u-bass for ages but I have never found any instructions that inspired me in the way yours do. I love your excellent use of the GLOSS OFF technique in your teaching (at least that's what we call it in Queensland, Australia - I'm a trainer too). I'm now going on to video 3 then 4. I hope there are many more.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You Tobias, I was so pleased to read your lovely comment and I very much appreciate the teaching compliments. So glad that you are learning the ubass now that you are inspired, I'm sure you will be great with your experience.

[@bonniemadsen1241]

You are a fantastic teacher!!! I recommended your site to a friend and she loves it for learning Ukulele, now I am a fan learning Bass Ukulele. Thank you

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Bonnie, all feedback appreciated but when I read such lovely comments as yours, it really makes it all the more special. Thank You

[@jlan621]

My husband (a bass player) justb gave me a U Bass for Christmas (couple days early, lol) and I just found your channel - so excited to learn from you!

[@UkuleleWales]

Awesome! Thank you Jessica, please feel free to ask any questions.

[@grandmommyg1]

Thank you so much!!!

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure, glad to be helping.

[@suzipurcell3692]

You are a great teacher! Thanks so much for my first Uke Bass lesson. I am hooked!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Susi, you're very welcome!

[@veroniqueroux-compang6585]

Hello and Thank you so much ! Your videos made me buy a UBass. ! You share your passion and knowledge in a way that makes everything pleasant and easy ! It’s precious! To watch your videos and practice with you is my daily treat !

[@UkuleleWales]

My pleasure veronique, Thank You for the lovely comment and keep up the good bass work.

[@jenniferrodin1454]

I don’t have thick strings like yours…should I change mine out? Inherited this handmade fretless bass uke from my soulmate who died 10 years ago. Finally giving it a go and this makes me so happy! Thank you again!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Jennifer, good to hear you are going to have a go of the bass, especially as it is from a special part of your life. What strings are on it? Metal? Nylon? Maybe I can help if I know a little more.

[@peg3170]

You are awesome❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You Peg.

[@cvrp968]

super, thank you

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank you too

[@johnsatchwell5170]

Sweet Rachel,you have inspired my grey cell,and I now have my interest in u-bass back.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You John, lovely to hear! :-)

[@julesV1223]

You are a talented, gifted teacher, and it's a joy to watch these videos! Now I'm even more obsessed with my new U-bass. 8^D I play guitar and clawhammer style banjo, so I know some of the content of the lesson, but I really appreciate that you offer technique specifically for the bass uke. It's very helpful. Following your advice, I subscribed to the Ukulaliens channel, tried playing with a couple songs, and had so much fun. Thank you!

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You Jules, absolutely loved reading your comment. So glad you are enjoying them and also that you had fun with the play alongs. More bass videos very soon and again, Thank You for the support.

[@griffinweber803]

I love these videos! I’m a professional trumpet player and always wanted to learn the bass :) thanks for these lessons

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad you like them Griffin, Thanks for the nice comment.

[@juanmanuelsosarodrigue7053]

Desde Canarias, muchas Gracias

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You, sending greetings from Wales.

[@mikeclarke9281]

Thanks for getting back to me, that's a great resource, so glad I found you. I run a ukulele club in Lampeter and we need a bass player, looks like its me, lol 😆

[@UkuleleWales]

Your comment made me laugh Mike! Cool to hear of another Welsh group, have you been going to the Welsh uke festival?

[@mikeclarke9281]

@@UkuleleWales no, I've never been. My wife got me a banjolele for Xmas four years ago, I started playing with Rob and Pat in Carmarthen, but always felt like an outsider. I was approached in a gig and asked to start a group in lampeter so two years ago I started lampeter ukulele club. So I'm quite new in the world of ukuleles. I also have a banjo, and I'm getting a anglo concertina for Xmas, I'm 67, so I better get cracking, lol

[@tofowa7056]

[@gblan]

You're such a good teacher.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank you! 😃

[@kathyjolowicz6744]

I got my ubass in zebrawood yesterday and I have to pinch myself that after listening to your first two bass videos, I'm actually p[aying it - not well, yet - but playing it. Thank you, you are a truly excellent teacher. I thin your ukulaliens site is fantastic for practicing, and I have played enough instruments to know that practice is they key. So, again, thanks.

[@UkuleleWales]

Brilliant to hear Kathy, well done you. I'm just very glad to be helping so if you do ever have any questions or get stuck just give me a shout. Thanks for your lovely comment, made me smile.

[@acterene1]

Really clear, patient instruction.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Mark, glad to be of help.

[@kimberlydietz5595]

I so happy to have stumbled upon your site! My KALA Bass arrived today and I'm anxious to get up and running with my Seattle band. Love how quickly you introduced all the notes in this session. Looking forward to learning more.

[@UkuleleWales]

Welcome aboard Kimberly, very glad to be helping.

[@audrey6277]

Awesome

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks

[@janncarvill6874]

So helpful..thank you😂❤

[@UkuleleWales]

You're welcome 😊

[@marcydoyle9279]

Okay…okay haha, you’re a pleasure to learn from.

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad to be helping, Thanks. :-)

[@leenuke777]

Thank you so much, your explanations are clear and the tempo is super for a beginner!!

[@UkuleleWales]

Very glad to be helping. Please feel free to ask any questions.

[@jenniferrodin1454]

Thank you! This is so wonderful!!!💃🏽

[@UkuleleWales]

You're so welcome Jennifer, very glad to be helping.

[@marvelousmaker]

playing a bass is kind of like drums. You are the rhythm

[@UkuleleWales]

100% agree, keep it simple to keep in time - the golden rule.

[@sandirogers3063]

Great teacher and all flows well

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Sandi, much appreciated.

[@karebehrhoff]

GOT IT!!! I love your teaching style! It is quite effective and entertaining. 🤩😁🤩

[@UkuleleWales]

Yay! Thank you Karen, glad it helped.

[@Sirloinman]

The 2nd video is just as informative as the 1st one. I'm going to be on this one for a bit before I get on the 3rd video.

[@UkuleleWales]

Good to hear, take your time and you'll get there.

[@jlo272]

I love your teaching...thank you

[@UkuleleWales]

So nice of you and Thank You for all you lovely comments.

[@user-rw5cn2lj8u]

I'm just learning to play ukulele s baritone, Soprano, Tenor, next bass uku

[@UkuleleWales]

Good to hear! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. 👍

[@nyang1377]

Excellent lesson thanks! Is there a lesson 3?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. Yes, this series has 5 lessons in it, there is a playlist with them all in. 👍

[@rowzee.]

This was a bit trickier than lesson 1 but I quite enjoyed it and though I'm slow, I'm getting it... thanks so much for the lessons!

[@UkuleleWales]

You're very welcome Rosary and well done you. It will take time and practice but you will get there.

[@anapaolaizquierdo]

Thanks a lot. I`m just beginning and your lessons are so clear and easy to follow. Very glad I found you. By the way, I love you Ukulaliens channel as well!! Greetings from Mexico.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank you Paola, sending warm wishes back to Mexico! 😃

[@uknavynige]

Wow lightbulb moment, been practicing some bass lines and enjoying them but this lesson is in valuable for showing me how I’m gonna back up my uke group.so many thanks xoxo

[@UkuleleWales]

Cool, glad to have helped and yes, really trying to help players wishing to accompany their uke groups.

[@ricardoguerreiro9146]

Cool❤

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks 😊

[@cherylgregory4263]

Thanks. Just got a Ubass this week. Your video has been so helpful.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Cheryl, glad you enjoyed and the video helped.

[@ElveyGooch]

Fantastic. I am actually doing this on my standard six string guitar, but of course, the 3rd to 6th strings match the bass uke, except for being in a higher octave. Will see if I like doing bass lines, and then maybe move to a bass uke. Cheers!

[@UkuleleWales]

So glad you are enjoying and a great idea to try them out on your guitar too. Hopefully you'll enjoy the bass line enough to have a go with a bass one day.

[@lunadivine23]

Hi Rachel - love the detailed tutorials! After years of playing guitar and ukulele, I thought I'd give the mini bass a try. Question: In the sample songs in this video, could you use the G string rather than fretting the G note on the E string? Do you mention octaves in future bass lessons?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi, yes you can use the G string if you want to, I’m just trying to teach the notes on each string and yes, I do talk about octaves in a few different lessons. 👍

[@musicalfamilyschool]

Hi Rachel, thank you for your beautiful presentation. I am wondering is it better to get bass ukulele the metal strings?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. I think it is personal preference regarding strings. if possible I would try both, maybe at a music shop and see what you prefer. Do you already ukulele or bass?

[@derekwoolley9800]

Another great video

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Derek

[@GameOfDepth]

Thank you so much.

[@UkuleleWales]

You're welcome!

[@jlo272]

Fantastic thank you

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank you too!

[@abagatelle]

Excellent lesson 👍😷

[@UkuleleWales]

Thank You :-)

[@YaYaBroadcast]

Lesson 3 PLEASE.

[@UkuleleWales]

Here you go, glad you are enjoying them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIO7qmdmaK6sg9k

[@theeverydayordinaryguy718]

You are such a dear! Now I feel like it is possible to pick up a new instrument!😂

[@UkuleleWales]

I hope so, glad you enjoyed.

[@lindayorke8108]

Do you have a recommendation for a bass uke for a beginner. Really enjoy your lessons.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Linda, I've been enjoying reading your comments today. Any bass ukulele by Kala tends to be pretty good but if you are looking for something much cheaper, check out my video on the Horse bass ukulele, it is very cheap and not as good as a Kala but it is playable and so far I've been quite impressed by mine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6u6loR5gryBqs0

[@CavaquinhosdaConcertina-vf8ji]

Rachel, I play Portuguese cavaquinho and I really wanted to play UKULELE BASS I saw your videos of the lessons I liked it. I have some difficulty with English. Why don't you have anything in Portuguese? Thanks

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi and lovely to see you are from Portugal. Apologies I don’t know any Portuguese language and have only learnt a little info on three cavaquinho. I am glad you are enjoying the lessons. If you do have any questions, please feel free to ask any questions and then we can use a translator. 👍

[@CavaquinhosdaConcertina-vf8ji]

OK thank you

[@angelaclements5503]

Sit mai Rachael from Australia. Built my own ubass from a half size classical guitar as per instructables & having the best time playing along with Ukulaliens. Struggling to alternate fingers on right hand - who’d have guessed something so simple could be so hard for a piano player of 60+ years?! Using a headphone amp (yes, I even fitted a piezo) at the mo , but really looking forward to hearing your ideas about proper amps. Diolch yn fawr iawn - hwyl’wan!

[@UkuleleWales]

Shw mae Angela, lovely to hear from a taffy down under. If you are struggling using 2 fingers, just use 1 if it's easier. Fab that you've built your own bass, that's impressive and very glad to hear you are using the Ukulaliens, all feedback appreciated. Keep plucking and thanks for the support. Diolch yn fawr, nos da.

[@orthodon2011]

If wishes were horses mine would be after Covid to gallop across the ocean to take your bass ukulele lessons one on one.

[@UkuleleWales]

A lovely comment, Thank You. :-)

[@roquesoprano913]

👍

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks

[@g.pmoore4293]

Thanks , really enjoyed that and hopefully will be buying a bass uke soon 😀 P.S Rocking all over the world was originally a Credence Clearwater Revival song and its way better than the Quo cover !

[@UkuleleWales]

I did not know that so Thank You kindly. Will certainly have a listen to their version.

[@kayeandglenhall9064]

Thanks so much... lovely clear lesson. I have played ukes for a number of years, but never a bass... always wanted to have a go. Now that I am 75... it’s time...it’s never too late is it?

[@UkuleleWales]

No Glen, definitely never too late. Glad to hear you are enjoying your music making.

[@kayeandglenhall9064]

And I should have added... I am in New Zealand, so you see what a wonderful medium this. U tube is... clear across the world.

[@jarrodsplace]

I see you alternating finger but you start with your middle finger. is this normal or should "1" be played with index finger? Great tutorials thank you.

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Jarrod, personally I don't think it really matters. I do *try* to use index finger to start on a main beat but I know I often don't.

[@BLACKJACK499]

Thanks for these lessons, I like your style, I'm having trouble getting a clear note playing "F", it sounds a bit rattled, other notes so far are ok... I'm NOT playing through an amp. Still waiting for amp to get here.

[@UkuleleWales]

Glad the lessons are helping and hope your amp arrives soon. If it is the bottom F you having issues with, try plucking the sting a little less but still pressing your left hand finger down firmly. Hope it solves the problem but please feel free to ask any more questions.

[@BLACKJACK499]

@@UkuleleWales Thanks, it's the "F" on first fret "E" string. I've tried moving my finger in the fret, also using different pressures, but seems to be the same, Just not as clear a sound like the other notes. I'm using a Kala Spalted Maple Ubass with Thunderguts.

[@Ron9554]

Now I become interested to learn bass ukulele,next step is to buy bass ukulele

[@UkuleleWales]

Great to hear you are falling for the bass ukulele Ron, it's a great way to learn bass as it's so much easier to handle.

[@Falsetto2002]

Aloha, Good lesson for new bass players. However, in Hawaiian it's pronoinced ukulele Ooo-KOO-lay-lay. What I keep hearing is you-KOO-lay-LEE. Hope this improves your pronunciation with Hawaiian words.

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks. Yes, I have explained before why I pronounce like I do, but it is basically the UK generally accepted way of saying it and I try not to mix and match when I'm making a video. You should hear the way it is often pronounced in Wales - uwwwkuleleeeee

[@Falsetto2002]

Gotcha. But as a teacher, (which you are doing here on KZbin), it is your job to ensure the listeners pronunciate and enunciate ukulele correctly. Regardless if that person is from Wales. Out of respect, we Hawaiians do not go to other countries and butcher their language. We listen (Hoʻolohe) and learn the correct pronunciation to include inflections. Therefore, we expect others to do the same in return. Plus, itʻs uku (Flee or hair lice), then lele (jumping). This name was given by our King, King Kalākaua, to Edward Purvis because of his energetic movements and movements while he played the Machete, also known as Cavaquiho or Braguinha.

[@annwells7913]

where are the play along videos

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Ann, they are on my Ukulaliens Channel - kzbin.info/door/ZjDV_1UEbVsAQA_q9tyTWw

[@Uke_Pinaki]

EADG is which scale this ukulele bass stander tuning?

[@UkuleleWales]

Yes, this is exactly the same tuning as a bass guitar and double bass, even the same octave / pitch.

[@mikelelestunesforyou9265]

Hi - great video - already playing along with my Ukulele videos on my Channel. As you're aware some Ukulele Songs have chords such as Am7 and C6 which are played with all 4 strings open - what Bass note would you recommend to play with these chords? Thanks

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks, so glad you are found it useful. Regarding bass note with C6 or Am7 it really would depend on the chords around that one, to be safe I would probably go C as it is in and Am chord anyway.

[@evanweston948]

I am learning the Double Bass. Do you teach that as beautifully as you do the Bass UK?

[@UkuleleWales]

Thanks Evan, a lovely comment. I used to be a full time double bassist / double bass teacher but unfortunately due to a medical reason I had to retire. I do still teach a little double bass in school but mainly classroom and ukulele these days.

[@CateEales]

Immensely helpful, now that I actually have my UBass! And now that I'm playing along, I have a question. When I play across the strings with my right hand, I'm using my index and ring fingers. Should I go index-ring, or ring-index, or does that matter? Many thanks!

[@UkuleleWales]

Great to hear you are loving your new u-bass Cate. I tend to lead with my index finger but I don't think it really matters and I know sometimes I'll "be out of sync" if that makes sense.

[@CateEales]

@@UkuleleWales Thank you. It does make sense, and that's good to know because I've been playing for exactly one day. Everything feels like a challenge to sync. ;-) Loving this approach. Playing along with a group is how I want to start, assuming we can ever do that again.

[@carolsingh2287]

What companies in the UK ship uKEs to the US?

[@UkuleleWales]

Hi Carol, I know @SouthernUkuleleStore does and I'm pretty sure The Uke room also does but I would check with them first beofer ordering something. Both are highly recommended specialist uke shops.