Kimo Hussey Ukulele Video Series: Opening Up the Fretboard

Kimo shows his viewers positions on the fretboard and positions of hands as opposed to just names of chords.

[@halubalu]

Thank you so much for these Mr Hussey. Still very much a beginner and am enjoying and learning so much from your videos from 6-7 years ago. Very grateful! Aloha, from Cebu Philippines.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Thank you, Halubalu! I'm glad you enjoy the videos.

[@christophrehse]

My dear Kimo Hussey, thank you for this insight and for all the other mind-opening videos. How very good of you to share your knowledge and passion with so many people. I just arrived in the Ukulele-world last October. Originally I come from the piano and never before played a stringed instrument before. Learning to play the ukulele was therefore a challenging thing. But thanks to people like you, this path has been so much easier for me. I even found again my songwriting creativity which had been lying dormand for more than a decade! Now you won't get to personally meet the people you help with these tutorials. But please know and remember how happy you made this one German thirty-something year old with sharing your gifted talent.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Vielen Dank, Christoph!!!! Congratulations for coming to the ukulele world. Now that you have arrived, please tell me how I can help you. I would love to continue to dialogue as a way of helping you nurture your interest in music and ukulele. Do you live in Germany? I'm looking into the possibility of making an ukulele trip to Germany in 2015 and it would be wonderful to meet you there.

[@christophrehse]

Kimo Hussey As I am a beginner there is of course heaps of ways you can help me with. I will email you via your website. And yes, it would be wonderful to meet you in Germany.

[@usernamemykel]

Wait 'til Darwin hears that this guy came FROM A PIANO!!! He'll be rolling over in his grave, LOL. Mutation indeed!

[@maximevilleneuve1132]

Absolutely fantastic Mr. Kimo, this video has opened up new ways of thinking music. I'm looking forward to receive your other videos. Thanks a lot from Vancouver BC

[@johnjackson467]

Wow, I've loved these past couple of videos!! Thank you so very much!! I look forward to more chord shape progressions in the future.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Thanks, John. More coming!!!!!

[@chucksanson586]

Aloha Kimo - wish you would do some more lessons. These are terrific!!

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Thanks, Chuck! I'm looking seriously into doing this as some others have made the same request. I am in the process constantly of updating my chosen curriculum and I will find opportunities to share it.

[@iReXx500]

Mr. Kimo Hussey. I hope this comment of mine is seen! I started playing ukulele 4 days ago.. and I must say it is one of the best decisions of my life. It can quickly change from the utmost simplicity to sheer complexity. It is not an instrument to be taken lightly. (Not to mention portability!) I will soon be applying a Low G set of strings to get more range due to the fact that I play solo and am finding myself both never using the top G string (since the E and A string combined is more than enough to make up for that top G) and needing more bass. Within my 4 days I have learned all my major and minor chords for my whole notes. (for those who may view this conversation, that means I don't have any of the semi-tones down yet such as Bbmin and F#maj) I'm still practicing to change them quickly, especially a couple of the minors and G/D/E/B majors, but I know their positions. Excuse the long introduction. Now, my question lies with playing up the fretboard. If I make a G shape on the 7th fret and I only strum the first 3 strings (CEA), I'd get an E-major, right? So then what if I bar the 4th fret and place my pinky on the 7th fret.. then play all 4 strings, I'd get E-major again. But, they sound significantly different. Is there any way to know which shape to use and when? Is it just difference in sound that you must test which fits best by trial and error? I play songs by ear, so this is key information. You can't exactly arrange songs to a beautiful standard without proper finesse, am I right? So, if at all possible, could you share some.. ukulele wisdom, so-to-speak, haha? Thank you!

[@mountfairweather]

Guess he didn't see this novel..😅

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

What an inspiration!

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Great, Matthew, thank you.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Thank you, Joyce Flaugher! We'll keep the videos coming as they are such fun to do!!!!!

[@Zero_Ego]

For those that are curious, here are the chord names of the substations. Note, like most chords, they can have more than one name depending on what 'Root' note you base them on. C substitution = C6 or Am7: F substitution = Dm7 or F6 and the G7 substitution = G9.

[@ukuleleuniverse]

Mahalo for sharing your mana'o with us. I look forward to reviewing all of your videos. Malama pono, Joyce Flaugher

[@MiaHessMusic]

Wow!!!!! Is this something that a pretty new beginning ukulele player can do??? (I'm needing some encouragement, I guess...only been playing a few months....) Thank you Kimo!

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Mia Hess Thank you, Mia, for your note. Absolutely this is information a beginning ukulele player can learn. Tell me about your development as an ukulele player and how you think I may be able to help. I can't promise I'll make a big difference but do promise to try. Enjoy!!!!!

[@MiaHessMusic]

Kimo Hussey Thank you Kimo! You have such a calm, cheerful, supportive demeanor; it's lovely! As a newer (beginner, started in late April) Ukulele player (and with a slightly damaged hand, I found this helpful. I have 2 concert ukuleles, one with low G tuning. I am working on "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" in C for a show I'm doing next month (I'm a singer of standards). Chords are C, B7, Ab, G, to C, B7, Bb7, A7 to F to F minor etc. Bridge is A to B6 to E7. I"m having a hard doing the C substitute, is it just a case of muscle memory? How can I become more relaxed and flexible? Is it just a question of practice? I feel really tense playing the ukulele. I have a really hard time pressing multiple strings with anything other than my first finger. I can't flex my "road rage" finger as you do because of the injury (I completely dislocated that finger and my ring finger out of their sockets) . My biggest challenge is strumming. Strumming freaks me out. I can strum down with my thumb and up with my first finger but it's slow. But holding my hand like many do, as if they had a pick seems to be beyond me right now. Or being able to strum with my first finger as you do is hard. Any suggestions? Thank you for your time. Sorry for the long speech and too many questions. I loved your "La Vie En Rose," by the way.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Mia Hess Hello, Mia! Thanks for your avid interest in ukulele. I've always loved the combination of a woman's voice and a low G ukulele. ALL your concerns and questions are indeed solvable. What I would do is deal with them as best you can for perhaps another month. Then let's go over them again as whatever changes you may or may not experience in that month's time will help me help you best. What would really be best in your situation is to work with a good ukulele teacher in person. It doesn't have to be very long ----- just long enough to get those initial concerns out of the way so you can get well beyond Dream a Little Dream of Me. Where do you live? If it's in Hawaii or anywhere close, I'd be glad to help.

[@MiaHessMusic]

Kimo Hussey Thank you Kimo! I've got a teacher but ukulele is not his primary instrument; I'm his only ukulele student. I've got to try and find one but here in NE Ohio, that's a bit of a challenge. I'll keep looking!

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Mia Hess Thank you, Mia. Let's just stay in touch periodically and I'm sure there will come an opportunity for us to meet in person. I'd be glad then to help you as best I can.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

For Thomas Howarth. One begins to learn these substitutions by first taking a comprehensive chord chart and learn to hold every single chord you know in a different position on the fretboard. Do NOT try to do this in one massive dose as it won't work. Be patient and do it two-three chords at a time.

[@MiaHessMusic]

Kimo, ever since I saw this lesson a while back I have been entrance with that 5 7 5 7 position. I use it in My Funny Valentine, going from 2 4 2 4 to 2 3 2 3. It's really sweet! But I am SO glad I watched this again to understand the other substitutes too! I took a workshop with Kalei Gamiao a few weeks ago and he gave us that exercise of pulling and pushing your fingers too. Question? Is there a substitute chords for the Dreaded E? I have found myself starting to play with guitar players and they very often play in E. Ugh! Thank you for your wonderful videos! They are so helpful and relaxing too. You have a very reassuring way of expressing yourself. Meeting you is on my Bucket List. Thank you again.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Hello, Mia. Thank you for your post.You ask some important questions and I so wish I could answer them in person. It would be the best way. Where do you live? Someday, I'd love to lighten your bucket list as a means of giving you a meaningful answer(s) to your questions plus pursue 5757 a bit more as it seems we've barely scratched the surface on that issue. Regarding playing in E, what kinds of songs/music do you normally play in this key? Are you playing melody along with harmony or are you strumming while singing? Your style of play in this key will help me give you a much more meaningful answer. Until we can get to that, my earnest suggestion would be to take 4 or 5 of the most difficult songs you know in the key of C and play those songs without using your pointer/index finger of your left (chord-forming) hand. When this becomes somewhat manageable, use that index finger that has been getting a meaningful rest to bar the fourth fret and play everything you played in C now in E by using the same relative finger positions. Yes, there will be some adjustments to be made but it's OK to swear when no one is within ear shot. Let me know how it goes. My email is [e-mail] if that is easier for you. I look forward to hearing back. Aloha,

[@ren7ee]

I'm so glad I found this channel. So can this progression be used as a template for any song?

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

The harmonic substitutions indeed can be used for any song.

[@evanstheframe]

Hi Kimo, just starting back on ukulele after playing guitar, which I must say has now put me in a better position for playing/learning ukulele. I know this is an old video but if your still keeping tabs on posts I would like to ask a question. When your visualising your substitutes, are you visualising the position off the A string or the chord? I'm a bit confused, but looking at it when you move to an A chord and move up 2 are you going off A string starting position as the nut? Just wanted to get things sorted and not to practice the wrong things.One final question if I may, I have subscribed to your Chanel, can you tell me if there is a way of learning in sequence through your videos?Thank you so much for what you do to make us better players. It's so nice when a well known player gives back to us beginners.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Hello, Evanstheframe! When I visualize a substitute, I visualize finger position on the correct fret on the fretboard. I call it fretboard geography.

[@thomashowarth7205]

How do I learn all these substitutes?

[@usernamemykel]

Kimo, if I'm not mistaken, the G7 chord you demonstrate contains the notes G#,B,C#,F. That confuses me, because as I understand it, the 7 chord formula is 1-3-5-7b, which means that the G7 chord should contain the notes G,B,D,F. Please advise ; )

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Your formula is correct. No matter what instrument one uses to play G7, it is comprised of G-B-D_F.

[@usernamemykel]

Thank you. I appreciate your response. The question remains then, what chord which you referred to as the G7, and containing G#,B,C#,F were you actually playing in the video? Much appreciated : )

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

OK, watching that video again makes me understand your question much better. The video is about using different chord positions while keeping the intent of the HARMONY constant. What this means is that there can be an additional note or two that is in the intended chord but does NOT detract from its harmonic purpose. You can look at this as harmonic embellishment. For this reason, I recommend people learn these embellished chords by finger position and not name. Because these chords generally hold down four strings simultaneously, they can be played anywhere on the fretboard ----- so I also recommend people don't try to figure out the names of these chords. Harmonic intention is the key to effective usage.

[@usernamemykel]

Thank you. So now we're in agreement that the "G7" chord is not a G7 chord at all, but it is what you refer to as an "embellishment", finger placement on the fretboard which defies resemblance to a G7, but has some harmonal usage. Okay, got it. Thanks

[@Zero_Ego]

You ARE mistaken. Kimo is NOT playing G#,B,C#,F. He is barring off 3 strings with his second finger making the notes B,F,A,D. He is barring off F,A and D with second finger. 1st finger is holding a B note. This chord is called G9 and is a common substitution for G7 especially in Jazz. Your G#,B,C#,F. if used as a substitution for a G7 (which you can) is called a G7b5b9, (Note you could also call G#,B,C#,F a C#7)

[@mordechailevinson8646]

Thank you so much for posting this

[@guitargirlgladys_ukes5475]

Lol the road rage finger! Jajaaaa

[@47sanddollars]

I need to see little closer up to your finger positions. Or a diagram would be helpful. I really like your lessons.

[@KimoHusseyUkulele]

Thank you, 47sanddollars. Yours is a comment I often get and am taking a look at what we may be able to do to improve the situation. In the meantime, I think you can also get a lot out of these videos by listening and using your sense of hearing to reproduce appropriate sounds. You'll be amazed at how accurately we hear.

[@RondelayAOK]

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[@ukuleleuniverse]

Mahalo for sharing your mana'o with us. I look forward to reviewing all of your videos. Malama pono, Joyce Flaugher