Five Ukulele Scales You Should Be Practicing Right Now!

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🎸IN THIS VIDEO
Hey guys, I want to show you the five ukulele scales you should be practicing right now in this video.
We love the ukulele! This tiny instrument is great for playing songs and lovely chords.
However, playing just chords doesn't help you develop more aspects of your left hand.
Let me explain.
Playing chords on the ukulele is great. However, once you have memorized them, your fingers go through the same movement over and over.
It's important, then, to introduce scale into your practice routine to break the chord habit and create new patterns and movements in your playing.
Practice the ukulele scales using the alternate fingering technique. This fingerstyle approach allows you to develop your plucking technique and plucking volume easily.
The five scales are:
-C major
-F major
-D major
-A minor
D minor
Good luck and enjoy this lesson.
🎸UKULELE I AM USING:
Makai LT80.vv

[@gouravpaul3278]

Very greatful to you man. 1) It helped me know how to assign fingers to each fret 2) Memorize and visualise the location of each note 3) Improve speed 4) Last but not least, obviously improved finger picking

[@raysnvc]

Ik, this man is the goat!

[@Reksrat]

It's crazy how I absolutely HATED memorizing and practicing scales in school band but now that I'm an adult and learning a new instrument on my own terms I've been looking for and practicing scales like mad 😂

[@kumozumo]

this is so relatable lol

[@Dave1507]

the diference between must and want...

[@markgmitch]

Glad I’m not the only one that hated scales! But they’re fun on the uke!

[@southerngirlsociety]

I'd sure love for you teach us how to finger pick and play these... and in this order too. LOL! 1. Ellens GesangIIIin F MajorGounod by (Michele Nobler) 2. Ballerina (Yehezkel Raz) 3. Falling Asleep (Michele Nobler) 4. Joking Together (Michele Nobler) 5. Midnight Sun (Beneaththe Mountain) 6. Nocturne Eb (Ohad Ben Ari) 7. The Path (Patrick Ussher) 8. Summerin Paris (Lance Conrad) 9. Wonderland (Midtro) 10. BrokenVals (Biba Dupont) 11. Venice (GAEL)

[@janna1878]

Clearly one of the best ukulele (and guitar) instructors I have found! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lot Janna!

[@DennisHicks78749]

Teaching scales using an open string as the tonic makes more memorization. Teaching them as relations between each string that can start anywhere multiplies results, like learning movable chord shapes.

[@lburg3780]

Just what I wanted! Played violin as a kid and scales were mandatory. It feels wrong not to do the same on ukulele.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

I agree 100%

[@5688gamble]

I play F major starting on the 5th fret, C string (most of the time) G-major is good to know as well, the pattern is different ( at least on my low G because the third between C and E strings is in a different part of the scale) but those 2 patterns allow you to play any major scale and their relatives, I think of playing A-minor for example as playing the A and B on the G string and then playing a C major scale up to the open A , if I play G A B C to G in the same way, I get a mixolydian scale, theory really helps! Scales are movable in the same way as chords and further, When I play a chord progression I see the scales in the shapes I am making so i know what chords and embellishments will be consonant and which should be used very sparingly, if at all.

[@shirleybags3737]

I feel like a proper player/musician... not just plodding through the same songs over and over aain! Using the same old strums Don't get me wrong LOVED Learning over the rainbow/wonderful world... But its good to stretched 😊 I just make sure I watch your videos on as big a screen as I can, and keep rewinding each scale or tutorial until I get it, and I write EVERYTHING down in a notebook... then move on to the next one. So after a week of doing that everyday, I can get to anticipating chords, and even play some phrases off by heart 👍🏻😆 Thank you 😊

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks for sharing your process Shirley 🎸☀️

[@angelatorres4038]

Your lessons are incredibly helpful, thank you so much for all the effort you put in your videos!

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lot Angela 🎸☀️

[@anthonylau8577]

This is great video, thank you! It will be even better if it comes with a graphically tab on the side showing which note and finger to play on. Many thanks

[@Ukulelelovers]

Great lesson! It's so important to work on left hand technique too!

[@tbedgood]

It helped me to look at a scale chart and practice the right hand by itself, to get used to the picking pattern. Thanks for a great video!

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lo Tim!

[@moniruzzamanmahadi3384]

Man you are the best. Gonna buy an ukulele in january after my exam.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Hehe good luck 😉

[@loeez6432]

Did u buy

[@moniruzzamanmahadi3384]

@@loeez6432 bought a guitar instead :'(

[@loeez6432]

@@moniruzzamanmahadi3384 play and record it, den use the snap filter which makes things fast. Your guitar will sound like uke :)))

[@moniruzzamanmahadi3384]

@@loeez6432 thnx dude

[@cindy25681]

Thanks so much! I’m a beginner and looking to expand my knowledge and skills so I really appreciate your videos!

[@TheAnonimooser]

Marco. Good lesson as usual, but what are your thoughts on some universal major and minor patterns that can be slid up and down frets to change key. I would rather gain muscle memory on fewer shapes, versus having unique shapes for every key. For example, my Am pentatonic, adapts to a lot of keys.

[@DennisHicks78749]

Right you are. That is the smarter way to learn scales, and chords as well, with movable chord shapes.

[@marxh.7675]

This is so great! I'm a beginner and I've been looking for a video like this! Thanks so much man!

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliasmaistrla4407]

One can pause the video and i took notes.. this is a wonderful lesson. Love it

[@valeriechoiseul3579]

I've just signed up for your tabs- have been inspired by your style of playing and your musicality. I'm a Ukulele beginner (and a very basic guitarist) and appreciate your clear guidance. It's taking work, but I can feel myself improving. Enjoying your videos very much - keep it up:)

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lot Valerie. A ukulele course will be available soon.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

You really have a gift for conveying your love of playing in your lessons.

[@benchean]

SLOOOOOWWWW down....

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Sorry Ben! I’ll definitely do that next time ☀️🎸

[@KeizerHedorah]

KZbin includes an option for the viewer themself to speed and/or slow the video down.

[@IzabellaEjzler]

Indeed! 😊

[@greenmanatee6462]

​@@KeizerHedorah thanks for this reminder it is easier than tapping back to catch what he is doing

[@mickaelmonrose1539]

​@@MarcoCirilloUkulele⁴⁴qwqwq4w4qw

[@sheilasanders9986]

Thank you so much. I have been playing for 8 month. Today because of you I now have learned my fret board and 5 scales. I first played your Silent Night finger picking special at Christmas. What is the Ukelele you are playing today? Looking for a excellent sound.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Great to hear Sheila. Well done learning the fretboard and the songs. My favorite uke is the Makai LT80!

[@kavin1384]

First minute of the video - I can do this. Yes I can. After C major. OHH 😨 But in all seriousness,Such a fun excersize. I'm gonna tackle one scale at a time. 😃✌🏽

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Yes of course! Keep practicing scales! They are super helpful. Challenging at first but super fun after.

[@hirockstune8135]

Really I like your teaching ...you are a good teacher...love you sir...from Bangladesh

[@robcam6576]

It's awesome The two of us on opposite sides of the world each watching the same teacher to improve our playing

[@glennhart4267]

Great lesson Marco! Thank you. I have now moved onto playing the major scales with different note patterns. I also discovered that if you play the D Major scale in the 2nd position without any open strings you have a moveable scale pattern. It can also be done with the minor scale, but I am preferring to move positions when moving from the 3rd string. I would love to learn more about scales for high g tuned ukulele from you. Thanks a lot. I feel like my fret board and musical knowledge has taken a major (intended pun) leap.

[@april7643]

You are a standout teacher. I cant wait to see what kind of new uke you buy. (Referencing your recent post asking for input) I have not graduated to the Big K Hawaiian made ukes (Kanilea, Koaloha, Kamaka, Koala) but they would be grateful to have one of their ukes in your hands! Pepe Romero’s production line of ukes are pretty amazing with different tonewood choices. Love the recommended tempo for scales. Thank you Marco.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks for suggesting these ukes. I’ll check them out right now! ☀️🎸

[@Jordan-ns6es]

Thanks I needed a refresher on the scales it's been a while since I've played the uke.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Great. Give it a try. Scales are great!

[@a_sea_oasis]

@@MarcoCirilloUkulele Anything you play on the uke sounds so good including the scales 🎵🎶👏

[@sarasmothers1]

I want & aim to learn this thoroughly.I understand some of it. Thanks for a Well put together video. Sincerely Sara

[@marlo5239]

Awesome Video. Thank You Marco. I am So happy I found Your channel. You are a Great teacher . Again Thank You, learning the scales is very important. God Bless You !

[@singh3577]

Best teacher ever

[@annieblu2048]

Very nice and helpful! Thank you so much! Do you also have a video for the pentatonic scales?

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Not (yet)

[@klaramiller-fuhren3369]

Thank you so much Marco, It's wonderful, the way you teach. For me the scales were always boring, but with your method it's fun. They make me happy now.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lot Klara

[@sophinerokovinuo9199]

Your lessons are so helpful...thank you so much for providing us with very useful techniques to improve our skills....

[@sylvietherien8621]

Hello, it is hard for me to know which Finder plays wich note. I don’t see well wich wich finger you use. Is it possible to specify for each scale ? I appreciate. Thanks from Canada

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

You can slow down the KZbin video. I am sure it will help. Click the settings at the bottom right of the video to change the speed. Good luck.

[@dancewithkimberley]

Exactly… I am thinking the same. It’s too fast.

[@UNTRAINEDBEAK]

Sir u are the best to learn from

[@bijoybairagi2435]

U the rock🤟🤘 Love from Bangladesh🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@delmarlemming]

Good intro lesson. Did you also record a pentatonic scale lesson? Thank you. Grazie

[@mikejohnson3619]

A question about technique: I see you anchoring your thumb on the adjacent string and picking notes only with fingers. Why not pick with the thumb? A classical technique? Thanks!

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

I always had it since I started playing guitar. It's a way to prevent the strings from resonating. I don't even notice I do it :) But yeah, I do anchor the thumb on the adjacent string.

[@mikejohnson3619]

@@MarcoCirilloUkulele Hi Marco - your lessons are inspiring. I'm going over my guitar songs I know (eg Old Home Place, Only You, Besame Mucho) and figuring out how to fingerpick and strum them on the uke. Great fun - thanks again for your help.

[@ferretlady187]

Thank you so much for such detail!

[@ashivoice]

Brilliant video Marco, any advice on right hand finger picking as you alternate between index finger and longest finger really well. It’s harder to do than it looks. Many thanks

[@electromusicandresfonseca8487]

genial thanks you are the best!

[@stefanformalyna3066]

"To give a finger to each fret..." Now, that's what I'm talking about m8! 👌👌👌

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Yessss!

[@rond227]

This was a great lesson. Thank you

[@essian]

Hi Marco 👋Thanks for the lesson. Just wondered if you have a lesson on your right hand technique at all? Are you resting your thumb on the string above the string you’re playing? Thanks 🙌

[@odettepross2435]

love the way you say ukulele

[@kiobo2953]

i'm a beginner, i've recieved my uk 2 weeks ago and let me assure you that you are an amazing teacher ! thanks for your time !

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Oh wow welcome to the ukulele family. You’ll love this instrument 😁

[@kiobo2953]

@@MarcoCirilloUkulele i do love it ! i've bought it to play it for my small boy who loves music ! i'm really not much of a musician myself so i for now i can only learn beautifull stuff for youtube, and for sure he enjoy the uk too ^^ congratulation for your newborn by the way !

[@karlakaay]

Hi!, thank you for your videos, I really enjoy them. Greetings fron Mexico City

[@lynnjansky4020]

F-scale is the one I am practicing right now!!!I Thank your so much, Marco, for this wonderful lesson. Its not only inspiring, but very instructive. I wanted to follow your recommendation on learning these so I started out just going through the entire lesson once a day for about 15 minutes, maybe 5 days a week. But my progress was fumbling, awkward and sloooow. I realized I needed to simplify and streamline my practice to maximize mastering the scales and do it in a paced manner. I had previously mastered the C-scale using either my thumb or my first finger for picking. The other scales are all completely new to me. The concept of alternating fingers was also completely new. As an older adult with no experience on a stringed instrument the dexterity needed to play with each hand doing completely different things and in time is surprisingly challenging. I want to get familiar with the fret board. It is so different than a clarinet or a piano. Focus on hands, fingers, rhythm and sound. I decided to take a more rhythmic approach for practice. Starting with the F-Scale I practice for 5 minutes, three times a day for 5 days a week. I’m alternating right hand fingers 1 and 3 on each note to a count of 4 (X2), then moving to the next note. My primary goal is to isolate the alternating fingering method to master that specific skill. Then I will start reducing the count to 4, 2 and then 1 to follow your recommended timing. It’s working very nicely. I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for providing the TAB on Patreon because that really helps me learn to read music and the TAB and associate the notes on the page with where my fingers are on the fretboard.

[@lynnjansky4020]

Posting my progress right here will help me stay on track and measure the continuous incremental progress I'm aiming for. Thanks, Marco, for suggesting this. F-Scale progress report: I'm continuing to practice the F-Scale for 5 minutes/day, 5 days a week. Resting my thumb on the G-string and alternating index and middle fingers to a count of 4 on each note of the scale. Extra attention and emphasis on smooth transition from C to D note. I transcribed the scale and the tab onto staff paper which is a little larger than pdf. Aiming to be able to read the notes while playing or the TAB while playing and not looking at my hands. Being completely relaxed while I practice is a challenge because I unconsciously clench my teeth, hunch my shoulders or sometimes even curl my toes when I'm trying too hard. I realize that "practice makes permanent" so the result of practice needs to be, as you say--------"a flow".

[@Muddlelin]

This is very helpful. Thank you so much!

[@bennetjoseph1956]

Really I like your method and explanation ❣️❣️❣️ Very good teacher

[@tipmo1806]

You are the best 👏

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thanks a lot for watching ☀️

[@xinwilson]

Left hand is very clear to see. But I'm still confused about which finger plays which on right hand (after slowing down)... Is it alternating 232323/242424 or depending on which fret left hand is playing?

[@rhondahutton9000]

Thanks for this lesson

[@manueloverhoff3493]

do you know how to play the middle eastern scale on uke???

[@georgefrench1907]

Very useful and clearly presented.👍

[@lowercentenary]

Whats a good basic beginner scale for rock and metal that can go up and down the neck!?

[@jessicapsalmist8205]

Can you do all other scales please both major and minor? Thsnks

[@GaiaCarney]

Thank you, Marco Cirillo ☘️ I’m going to enjoy practicing these scales! ☮️

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Enjoy!

[@sheilasanders9986]

Thank you this is Awesome!

[@bluoasis4]

Good lesson! I gave thumbs up, even tho you broke your left hand rule at the beginning with your left hand-you used finger 2 in the 3rd fret (oopsies)

[@ianstobie]

5:09 D Major versus 8:46 D minor

[@christinebacon9606]

Love your videos!

[@naveenkumarhr3864]

Thank you for the lessons sir❣️

[@jubilynjamesaus453]

Love this vedio.I love uke and try to practice fingerpickinh

[@melissabailey789]

Hi Marco, I love your tutorials! I'm curious about why you're teaching a natural minor scale rather than a harmonic minor scale?

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

The natural minor scale is way easier. I’ll make a dedicated video for the harmonic minor scale :)

[@melissabailey789]

@@MarcoCirilloUkulele thank you Marco. I am a piano teacher and we typically teach harmonic first. I have learned harmonic on ukulele to satisfy my ear 😂. I'm working my way through your tutorials from your first until today. Thank you for answering a comment on one of your older videos 🙏

[@kennywaynerimez2537]

Hey Marco, What is the brand of your ukulele

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Makai LT80

[@amitmusicclassespune2410]

Great 👍 sir 👏

[@josephtroupe5487]

Thank you

[@marcfarron6358]

Excellent! TX U so much

[@ricateano1994]

(im a beginner) Aside from learning the ukelele chords , may i know why we need to learn the scales? what is the application ? how to incorporate it into the song?

[@ronsorrell7789]

Its the nomenclature and arrangement of semitones (notes) structure / form required in how western music and melody are written and sound pleasing to the ear in relation to one another. If you ever want to write your own melody or just improvise when playing, it will sound terrible or random and chaotic if you don't employ scales. It also helps to know in order to practice muscle memory with hand positioning and your finger fretting positions and moving efficiently and reliably between notes. Plenty more reasons. You will hold yourself back over the months and years if you don't take the time to learn and practice

[@karenkirwan1280]

I appreciate the lesson 🙏

[@toradoraa]

Okay I need to invest in a concert ukelele 😩

[@BeeBait]

Mine cost $60 but it's worth it, just started playing last Saturday!

[@congerscott6064]

Great video, just subscribed 👍🏆.

[@banjo1800]

Thanks for the lesson. Couple quick questions. Why these scales? What advantage is there to learning these particular scales first? I do like the idea of learning Am as it helps me to learn notes on that 1st string.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

They are the easiest I guess ☀️🎸

[@MrPondDuck]

Does this apply to baritone the same way?

[@mikelitherland7607]

Hi Marco, what strings do you have on your ukulele? Mine don't sound anything like yours.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

High G on the Makai. I am not sure which brand. I still have the first strings …

[@DennisHicks78749]

Or, just learn one major scale and one minor scale starting on each string, then you know them all, depending on which fret you start off with as the tonic.

[@sheilasanders9986]

You are great! Thanks

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

You are!

[@EarthbendR]

Start at 1:50

[@JoseLima-pt9hu]

Great lesson Marco. I have a Low G ukulele. Is there a way to convert these scales to Low G? Thank you.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

I m not sure I never used a low G 😐

[@mcstabba]

Only the string tuned in G is diffrent in low-G and that is the string that is at the top (closest to your face) of the uke when you are playing it and that string isn't used in these scales... thus no converting needed, play these scales as they are.

[@southerngirlsociety]

Marco - are you playing on a concert or a tenor?

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Tenor ukulele

[@thisisthelukas]

Thanks for the tips! Also your accent is super cool. Where are you from? :)

[@BiGHiP109]

Great video!! Curious about the chords you played at the 25 second mark of this video. What was the name of the that song? It sounded familiar and I can’t figure out what it is. Anyhow, thanks for the amazing content and have a good one!

[@givethemasmile]

Sounds like "Those Magic Changes" from Grease

[@gregpitts8820]

Thank you.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Thank you for watching Greg 🎸☀️

[@mekerlangkharpran4895]

What mics or recording system you use...the sound you play is very smooth

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Audio technica 4040 and Universal Audio Twin :)

[@kashyap242]

why is Am chord 4th string 2nd fred and Am scale only on 1st string?

[@pabloandresmoreno]

thanks!!!

[@ettoliram8116]

This and the fingerpicking patterns are terrific lessons! New YT subscriber. :) I considered your Patreon as well, but $5 as the lowest tier is a bit much for me (I usually don't go over 2 or 3 dollar for new subscriptions). Have you considered adding a cheaper 'entry' tier? From what I have seen on Patreon, it works better to get a large number of subscribers - from which a part will then take the more expensive tier.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Hi Etto. I totally understand your point. I also know that many ukulele teachers have a lower price. Pricing the tier with a couple of extra $$$ allows me to make this a full time job which means I have the time to create unique videos, 4K quality, with interactive screen. It’s a lot of work and it is only possible if you do it full time, hence the $5.

[@juliasmaistrla4407]

If too hard go to Marcos more basic videos..hes a,great teacher..

[@tejvassan5367]

Why do you start playing d major scale from string c and not any other string.?😢

[@dragon768]

On the D scale why not go to the E on the 3rd string

[@lynda2250]

Please explain what you mean with "thumb down" thx

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

I am probably referring to the left hand position.

[@snoopaka]

Same fingerings but different Keys and notes for baritone ukulele.

[@shelbybarnett3298]

Your lessons are super helpful, but seriously slow down on some of your explanation, for slightly more beginners here lol hi.

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

I will! Thanks for your feedback :)

[@piyushdatta2816]

On what notes have to tuned your ukulele??

[@sheilasanders9986]

What Uke are you playing on this video?

[@pswapnavaruna7353]

nice

[@hathanfelix2059]

what about G

[@seanfoley9494]

What UKE is that please?

[@MarcoCirilloUkulele]

Makai LT80

[@seanfoley9494]

@@MarcoCirilloUkulele thank you!

[@EvolveDrumNBass]

Why do you choose not to show us a movable major scale pattern? Are they not used on uke like on guitar?

[@tejvassan5367]

Why do all the scales on c (3rd) string?🤔😢