Daniel Ward

Daniel Ward

As a composer, educator and musician, Daniel Ward skillfully combines musical traditions from around the world into his work. Whether connecting his career as a flamenco guitarist to the ukulele, performing electric jazz, writing string quartets, commercial jingles, or lessons for Ukulele magazine, his work is as approachable and fun as it is mind and heart opening.

Favorite Album: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis

Favorite Song to Play on Ukulele: "Aloha 'Oe" (Lili'uokalani, 1878) and/or "Freedom Jazz Dance" (Eddie Harris 1965)

Favorite Ukulele: I'm lucky enough to be swimming in dream ukes, but my favorite is the one in my hands at any time, even if its a little cheap one—I love them all.

Here is my ridiculous group of fancy ones though:
KoAloha Red Label Tenor, Ken Franklin Tenor, Terry Harris concert and tenor, and the newest one: a one-of-a-kind Mike DaSilva super tenor.

Discography:

After the Storm (2005)
Play (2009)
Cup of Tea (2019)
El Ukulele (2015)
Arpeggio Meditations (2018)
Melodic Meditations (2019)
'Tis the Season for Ukulele (2019)
The Old Man and the Sea: Return to Cuba (Soundtrack) (2020)
Tube Tone (2022)

Articles by Daniel Ward

Daniel Ward playing ukulele with a pick

How (and Why) To Use a Pick on Ukulele

Using a flatpick on ukulele can be useful for playing soft rock arpeggios, strumming funk patterns, picking out melodies over a group of strummers, and more.... Read More...

Daniel Ward holding ukulele for Arpeggio Lesson

Unlock Big Changes in Your Ukulele Playing with Daniel Ward’s Meditative Arpeggio

This ukulele lesson looks at a simple arpeggio that has the power to quickly unlock big changes in your playing, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned musician.... Read More...

Daniel Ward with a Ukulele and an apple

Freshen Up Old Standards on Ukulele with Chord Substitutions

Because you know the melody so well in this popular old tune, you’ll be able to feel and hear the effects of the new chords quite dramatically in this ukulele lesson.... Read More...

building blocks of ukulele with daniel ward lesson beginner

A Beginner’s Guide to Good Ukulele Technique

Here are some beginner technique tips for ukulele to avoid learning some bad habits that make things more difficult later.... Read More...

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ukulele player Daniel Ward

Learn to Play the Flamenco Rumba Strum on Ukulele

There are hundreds of ways to play the rumba strum on ukulele, and lesson focuses on a basic way to play it that can easily be added to or modified as you gain more knowledge. ... Read More...

daniel ward teaches chord melody for ukulele

Learn to Play Chord Melody Style on Ukulele

Learning to play chord melody style on ukulele means that you can play a complete instrumental song all by itself with no extra accompaniment or singing.... Read More...

daniel ward ukulele lesson harmonics

Daniel Ward Teaches You How to Play Harmonics on Ukulele

Daniel Ward offers a lesson on how to achieve high-pitched harmonics effects on the ukulele with only fingertips.... Read More...

Flamenco Ukulele Lesson Daniel Ward Malaguenas

Daniel Ward Teaches Flamenco Techniques for Ukulele

This Malagueñas lesson is a great way to delve into the flamenco sound and pick up a few tricks that seem flashy but are really not very difficult once you understand how they work.... Read More...

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daniel ward ukulele chord shapes lesson

Daniel Ward Uke Lesson: Get a Handle on Standard and Baritone Chord Shapes

If you look at the way chord shapes work on guitar, baritone ukulele, and the standard C–tuned uke, you can unwind some big mysteries in a short amount of time.... Read More...

daniel ward ukulele player

A Fun Way to Learn Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs on Ukulele

The payoff with hammer-ons and pull-offs on ukulele is that they sound great. Here's a fun way to learn these sometimes difficult techniques.... Read More...