Chord-Melody Lesson: Make Every Note Last

BY DANIEL WARD | FROM THE SPRING 2025 ISSUE OF UKULELE MAGAZINE

Sustained, ringing, reverberating, chiming, resonant. These are not words typically used to describe the sound of the ukulele. Perhaps ploinky, strummy, and choppy more accurately capture what we often hear from this friendly instrument in the wild. With its short string length and small body, the ukulele doesn’t naturally resonate like a large steel-string guitar. However, learning to draw the fullest sound from each note and nurturing the sustain it does have is an essential skill for any player.

This lesson is designed to make it easy for the melody and chords to ring out as every note is held down as long as possible. We’ll explore how to maintain those ringing tones while playing a simple melody woven through chords. The difference in sound can be breathtaking—there’s magic in suspending a melody within chords and letting it all resonate.

Getting Started

“Yia Yia’s Lullaby” is a short, slow piece from my book Melodic Meditations for
Ukulele. The chords are simple, and the melody mostly stays within the first few frets. It sounds much more complicated than it really is to learn, as the chords are all straightforward and the melody winds easily between them. But as with all music, putting in the work will really allow you to hear and feel the results.

Start by learning the chords on their own to get a sense of the piece before layering in the melody. In this arrangement, each chord is strummed with the thumb in a gentle arpeggio, and the last note of the strum becomes the starting point of the melody. The squiggly line in bar 1 indicates this thumb strum; apply the same technique to each chord throughout. 

The last note is often on the first string (sometimes the second), transitioning seamlessly into the melody.

The A and B Sections

The chords in the A sections (bars 1–14 and 23–24) outline the key of E minor. Most are first-position voicings with occasional added notes, such as the A minor with a C note on the first string, the Cmaj7 in bar 10, and the F chord with an added C note in the second ending. For the B7 chords, strum only to the second string, as the melody begins there before continuing to the first string. Take note of the C5 chord, where the strum also stops at the second string, avoiding the first string entirely.

To play just to the second string, roll your thumb down the chord and rest it on the first string. This whole piece can be played with just the thumb, or you can strum the chords with the thumb and play the melody notes with index and middle fingers.

After the second ending, the song shifts to the key of G, the relative major of E minor. The chords in the B section (bars 15–22) are straightforward, but again, ensure you strum only to the second string for the D7 chord. The Cadd9 chord is simple but begins with the fourth finger on fret five as the melody descends. The return to the minor section comes quickly after the final B7 in this section. As indicated by
the coda notation, the reprise mirrors the beginning of the piece, except for the last two bars, which resolve on a G major chord.

Combining Melody and Chords

Now let’s combine the melody and chords. This piece is written for high-G tuning but will sound just as lovely in low-G. As you strum each chord with your thumb, the last note transitions directly into the melody, leading to the next chord. Hold down any chord fingers that are not involved in the melody to sustain open strings and avoid cutting notes short. This takes practice, so play slowly and keep your fingertips close to the frets to prevent buzzing.

Another helpful approach is playing the melody line by itself to internalize its timing and phrasing. Once you’re comfortable, add the chords, ensuring the rhythm remains steady. Focus on connecting the melody to each chord seamlessly. Start the chord strum slightly before the next beat to keep the melody in time, with the final note of the chord landing precisely on the beat. Slow, deliberate practice will help you master this technique.

Musical Expression

While the chords and melody are straightforward, attention to phrasing can really bring the music to life. As the piece comes together, experiment with dynamics. Let the melody build and grow louder toward a resolution, then slow slightly and soften for a gentle finish. This approach works beautifully in both the first and second endings, where long notes conclude the phrases.

The minor sections have a melancholic quality—play these softly, with subtle dynamic shifts. By contrast, the second ending transitions to F major, leading into the more animated G major section. Here, play with more energy, highlighting the high notes descending from fret five on the Cadd9 chord.

By dedicating time and effort, you’ll not only master this solo ukulele piece but also gain valuable tools for music making. Go forth and practice—and let it ring!