Ukulele

Sound Explorations

NG
NI
TU
W G STR I N G
LO
OR
F

Meditative arrangements by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 A special thanks
to members of the
Madison Area Ukulele Initiative
www.mauimadison.com

allelon music
© Copyright 2023 by Allelon Music
Madison, Wisconsin
Cover and book design by Elizabeth Ragsdale.
This book is being provided at no cost for personal, noncommercial, and
educational purposes only. No portion of the book may be altered or sold.
 Contents

GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sound Exploration 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sound Exploration 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sound Exploration 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Sound Exploration 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sound Exploration 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Sound Exploration 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sound Exploration 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Sound Exploration 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sound Exploration 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sound Exploration 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sound Exploration 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Sound Exploration 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sound Exploration 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sound Exploration 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sound Exploration 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sound Exploration 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sound Exploration 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Sound Exploration 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sound Exploration 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Sound Exploration 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sound Exploration 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Sound Exploration 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 PICKING PATTERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Sound Exploration 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 CHORD CHARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Sound Exploration 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 3

 &4 w ww ww ww ww ww
ww w ww ww
w w
T 3 2 2 0 0 2
A 0 0 0 1 1 1
B 0 0 0 0 2 2
0 0 2 2 2 0

Getting started

W elcome to Ukulele Sound Explorations for

10

& .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Low G String Tuning. Each of the 24 explorations
in this book introduces one or two less common

. 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 2 0
chords. The chord progressions are written as
10
arpeggios (notes of a chord sounded individually).

.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
A
Less common chords can have intimidating names, E
C
like minor add 9, sus 2, minor 7 flat 5, add sharp 11. G
Many of these chords, however, are easy to play—
a C13 chord is fretted with only one finger. Most
of the chords in this book use only two or three
fingers, and none demand difficult stretches. Tuning
Music theory is beyond the scope of this book. The arpeggios were written for a low G string
I encourage you to explore the science of chords
for a richer understanding of chord progressions.
All Night, All Day
ukulele. Low G string sets are available for soprano,
concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles. The low G African Amer
For a comprehensive index of chords, the website string is ideal for instrumental playing because the

#4 œ œ œ œ
UkeBuddy is a valuable resource. 14 pitch of the open strings ranges from low to high.

Level & œ œ œ œ œ
&written4 forœthe lateœbeginnerœ or œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œœ. œ œœ. œ œ
This book was
early intermediate player. The arpeggios never œ E
œA œ œ œ
1 . 1.
14
extend beyond a C (3rd fret of A string), so your C

32.
G 0 0 2 2 3

0 0.
hand can stay mostly in first position. 0 01
T 1 1 1
A 0 3 2 20 2 0 2 3 0 32
The ability B
to read music2is helpful but not
0 02
2Technique 0 00 0
absolutely necessary. To0play the rhythms 0 0 0 0
Chording hand. Each measure contains only the
correctly, however, you must understand how
notes in a single chord, so your chording hand can
note values are indicated on the staff.

# j
stay in the same position throughout the measure.

j
As shown 4in the following example, tabs are used G as little as

œ.
As you change chords, shift your hand

& œ œ œ.
below the melody line to show you where to place possible. Usually at least one note of a chord is
your fingers on the strings. The four lines represent repeated in the following chord. As you connect
the four ukulele strings. The numbers indicate chords with shared notes, look for opportunities

.
which frets4 to place your fingers on, not which to keep as many fingers in place as possible. In the

..
fingers to use. A zero means the string is played example on the following page, the pointer finger
open. The marks below3 the numbers indicate
3 how stays on the first fret0of the E string throughout all
0
long the notes are held. 2

J
four measures.

J
0 0

# œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ w
5

œ œ œ
G G by Elizabeth Ragsdale
C Copyright © 2023 D G

& ˙ œ
4
 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. w
14

ww
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
2 .
14

.
A 0 0 2 2 3 3 2 3
E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
C 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0
G 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Picking hand. Two common fingering methods arpeggios twice before you play the final measure.
are recommended: (1) thumb on G and C strings, In addition to playing the sequence twice, you may
pointer finger on E string, middle finger on A enjoy playing each measure as many times as feels
string, or (2) thumb on G string, pointer finger on right before moving to the next measure.
C string, middle finger on E string, and ring finger
on A string. Use the pattern that suits you best. It
may be helpful to anchor your hand by placing
TIPS
your pinky on the lower part of the ukulele body. • the
Play the arpeggios slowly, focusing on getting
cleanest sound out of your ukulele.
Picking patterns. Each sound exploration uses a
different picking pattern—the sequence in which • fingers
Keep the picking hand steady, with only the
doing the work. The wrist should remain
the strings are plucked, combined with the rhythm.
The pattern for an exploration is repeated in each as still as possible.
Chord Progression 14
measure. This pattern is a suggestion only. Feel free
to swap out patterns or use your own. For the last
• quickening
Experiment with the pace of the sequence,
(Dm11)
or slackening the music in an
measure, play a rolled chord (notes played in quick expressive way.
succession) or a broken chord (notes played as
distinct notes in time with the music). • Add dynamics, increasing the volume to
& 44 ww
heighten
F ascending
D m passages,
G 7 for example. G 7
ww andw w
C C maj 7 Amadd9 Dm7add11 C
Putting it all together
ww ww• Look forww hidden melodies
www ww the arpeggios, ww ww
ww ww ww highlight
ww these primary ww ww
in
w notes. w w
The chord charts, in alphabetic order at the top
of each page, show you which chords you'll be
playing in the arpeggios. Next, the notation
3 2 2
• the chords connect and resolve.
A
 ppreciate
0
the rich
0
harmonies,
2
noticing
3
how
2 3
and tabs for these chords are
T presented
0 in the
0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
A
sequence you'll be using. Strum
B 0
through
0 this0
0
line of chords to familiarize yourself with them.
0
2 • sequences
0 2 2 2
Acknowledge the power of these repetitive
2 2 0 0
to quiet thought and improve mood.
2
0
0
0

Then study the arpeggios, at first playing the

picking pattern on open strings. Now put the The rewards
chords and the picking pattern together to
Playing instrumental ukulele is a satisfying addition
make music. It's helpful to memorize the picking
to whatever kind of ukulele playing you're already
pattern so you can simply follow the chord charts

& .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10 doing. You'll be demonstrating that the ukulele
above the staff.
is a real musical instrument with a lot more

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
You'll notice the repeat signs, which indicate potential than often recognized. Have fun on
you are to play the first eight measures of the your adventure!

. 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 0 1
10

.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0
Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 5
 Sound Exploration 1
A7 Chord
Bb Progression
Dm Edim7 1 Gm6

Bb

& b 44 www
Dm G m6 A7 Dm G m6 E dim7 A7 Dm

ww w ww ww w w ww ww
w ww www # ww ww www b ww
w # ww ww
T 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
A 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
B 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 2
2 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 2

Dm Bb Gm6 A7

& b .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ
. 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10

.2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1

Dm Gm6 Edim7 A7 Dm

&b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ..
14

www
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ w
.
14

.
0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

6 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 2
A7 Bb Bbm6 C Dm F G7
Chord Progression 2 (House of Gold)

Bb B b m6
4
& 4 www w
C F A7 Dm F G7 C

ww ww ww b ww b ww ww ww
ww # ww ww b ww bw ww w ww
w w w w
T 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 3
A 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
B 0 0 1 2 2 1 0 2 0
0 2 0 2 3 0 2 0 0

ŒÂ = Œ lj Swing
C F A7 Dm

& 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
& .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ
Piano
? 4 ∑ ∑ ∑
10
4.
.0 0
3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 1 1 2 2
2 0 2

∑ ∑ ∑
4

&
Bb Bbm6 F G7 C

? ∑ ∑ ∑
w
bœ œ œ œ œ bœ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. ww
14

&
bœ œ œ œ œœœœœœœ
œ œ œ w
∑
7

& 2 . 3
14

.
1 1 1 1 0 0 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
2 2 1 1 0 0 2 0
3 0 2 0 0

? ∑
Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 7
 Sound Exploration 3
Am7 B7 Em Em6 G
Chord Progression 3 (Summertime)
(Replace any minor chord with a minor 7th)

#6 .
˙˙ ... ˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ... ˙˙ ...
Em B7 Em E m6 G Em A m7 B7 Em

& 8 ˙˙˙ .. # ˙˙˙˙ .... ˙ ˙˙ .. # ˙˙˙˙ ....

˙. ˙. # ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
.
˙
˙. ˙˙ .. ˙
˙.
2.
. 0.
. 2.
. 2.
. 2.
. 2.
. 0.
. 0.
. 2.
.
3. 2. 3. 0. 3. 3. 0. 2. 3.
4. 3. 4. 1. 2. 4. 0. 3. 4.
T
A
B
0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Em B7 Em Em6

# .
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

& . œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ #œ
.
10

.
2 2 0 0 2 2 2 2
3 3 2 2 3 3 0 0
4 3 4 1
0 4 0 0

G Em Am7 B7 Em

# . .
œœœœœ œœœœœ
14

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ œ œ œ . ˙˙˙ ..
œ œ œ ˙.
14
0 . 2.
.
3.
. 4.
2 2 2 2 0 0 0
3 3 3 3 0 0 2 2
2 4 0 3
0 0 0 4 0

8 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 4
Chord Progression 4
Am Bb Dm Dmadd11 F Gm
(madd11 sub for ii or vi)

Bb Bb
3 ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
F Am Dm Gm Gm Dmadd11 F

& b 4 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ ..

˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ . ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
˙˙ ..
˙˙ . ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙. . . .
0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 1.
. 1.
. 1.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
.
1. 0. 1. 3. 1. 3. 1. 1. 1.
0. 0. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 0.
T
A
B
2 2 2 0 3 0 0 3 2

Note: To play two notes simultaneously (double stops), pluck the strings with two fingers.
F Am Dm Gm

& b .. œ
10

œœ œœ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
.
10

.
0 0 0 1
1 0 1 3
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 0

Bb Gm Dmadd11 Bb F

&b œœ œ œœ .. ˙˙ ..
14

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ ˙˙ ..
œ œ
14
. 0.
.
1.
. 0.
1 1 0 1
1 3 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 0 0 3 2

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 9

 Sound Exploration 5
Chord Progression 5
Am C D
(sus4)Em G Gsus4

# 5 .
& 4 ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ ˙. ˙
G sus4

˙˙ .. ˙˙ ... ˙˙ ..
G G D Em Am C D G

˙˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙˙
˙ ˙˙ . ˙˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙ ˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ˙˙ . ˙˙
˙. ˙ ˙. ˙ . ˙. ˙ ˙. ˙ .
.
2. 2 3.
. 2.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
. 3.
. 0.
. 2.
.
3. 3 3. 3. 2. 3. 0. 0. 2. 3.
2. 2 2. 2. 2. 4. 0. 0. 2. 2.
T 3 2 0 2 0 3 0 2
A 3 3 2 3 0 0 2 3
B 2 2 2 4 0 0 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0

Note: This exploration is played in 5/4 time.

G Gsus4 G D

# .
& . œœ œœœ œ œœ œœœ œ œœ œœœ œ œœ œœœ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
. 3
10

. 0 202
2 3 2 0
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0 2 2

Em Am C D G

# œ
œœ œœœœ œ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙
14

& œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œœœ œ œœœ œ œœœ ˙˙ .
.
˙˙
14
. 2.
.
3.
. 2.
2 0 3 0 2
3 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 3
4 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 2
0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0

10 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 6
Chord Progression 6—As Time Goes By
(Iaug—use
A7 Cas passing
Caug chord
Dm betweenF I andG7
Edim7 IV)

4
& 4 www w w
C C aug F A7 Dm A7 E dim7 G7 C

ww ww ww ww bw n ww
ww ww # ww ww # ww b ww nw ww
w #w w w w
T 3 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 3
A 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
B 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 2 0
0 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0

ŒÂ = Œ lj Swing
C Caug F A7

& 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
& .. œ œ
10

œœœœ œ œ œœœœ œ œ #œ œ œ œ
œ #œ œ œ œ œ
Piano
? 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
. 0 0
10

.0 0 0
3 3 0 0
0 0 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 1
1 2 0

∑ ∑ ∑
4

&
Dm A7 Edim7 G7 C

? ∑ ∑ ∑
bœ n œ .. ww
14

& œœœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
bœ œ œ œ
nœ œ
œ œ #œ œ œ œ ww
∑
7

& 2 . 3
14

.
0 0 1
1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 0
2 0 0 0 0

? ∑
Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 11
 Sound Exploration 7
Chord Progression 7—I'll See You in My Dreams
A7 Bb6 (IV6 and IVm6
Bbm6 C7 after
Dm I7) F F7

B b6 B b m6

& b 44 www
F Dm A7 Dm F7 C7 F

ww ww ww b www ww ww w ww
w ww # ww ww w ww bw ww ww
w w
T 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
A 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
B 0 2 1 2 3 2 1 0 0
2 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 2

ŒÂ = Œ lj Swing
F Dm A7 Dm

& 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
& b ..
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Piano
? 4
10 4 ∑ ∑ ∑
.
.20
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1
0 2 2 1 1 2 2
2 2 2 0 0 2 2

∑ ∑ ∑
4

&
F7 Bb6 Bbm6 C7 F

? ∑ ∑ ∑
&b œ œœ œ œœ œ œ ..
14

b œ œœ œœœ œ œ œ œ ww
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ww
∑
7

& 1 .
14

.
0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
3 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

? ∑
12 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale
 Sound Exploration 8
Chord Progression 8—A Kind of Hush
A7 Bb (major 7)
Bbmaj7 C7 Dm F Gm

Bb B b maj 7
3 ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙ ..
F A7 Dm Gm Gm C7 F

& b 4 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ ..

# ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ . ˙˙ . ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙. . . ˙.
0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 1.
. 1.
. 0.
. 1.
. 1.
. 0.
.
1. 0. 1. 1. 3. 1. 3. 0. 1.
0. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 0. 0.
T
A
B
2 0 2 3 0 3 0 0 2

F A7 Dm Bb

& b .. œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
œ #œ œ œ
.
10

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1
0 1 2 2
2 0 2 3

Gm Bbmaj7 Gm C7 F

&b œœœ œœœ œ œ œ .. ˙˙ ..

14

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œœ œ
œ
œœ ˙˙ ..
14
1 . 0.
.
1.
. 0.
1 1 0 0 1 1 1
3 3 1 1 3 3 0 0
2 2 2 0
0 3 0 0 2

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 13

 Sound Exploration 9
A7
Chord
Bb
Progression
Dm E7
9
Em7b5 Gm
(ii minor 7 flat 5—V7—i)

Bb

& b 68 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. n ˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙ ..

Dm Gm E7 A7 Dm Em7b5 A7 Dm

˙. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙. ˙˙ . ˙
#˙ . n # ˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ . # ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
. .
0.
. 1.
. 2.
. 0.
. 0.
. 1.
. 1.
. 0.
. 0.
.
1. 3. 0. 0. 1. 1. 0. 0. 1.
2. 2. 2. 1. 2. 2. 2. 1. 2.
T
A
B
2 0 1 0 2 3 0 0 2

Dm Gm E7 A7

& b .. œœœœ œœœœœ nœ

10

œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ #œ œ œ nœ # œ œ
.
10

.
0 1 2 0
1 1 3 3 0 0 0 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1
2 0 1 0

Dm Bb Em7b5 A7 Dm

&b œ œ .. ˙˙ ..
14

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ #œ œ ˙˙ ..
14
0 . 0.
.
1.
. 2.
0 1 1
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1
2 3 0 0 2

14 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 10
Chord
Am7b5
Progression
Cm D
10
Gm
(m7b5)

b4 w ww ww ww ww
Gm Cm Am7b5 D Gm Cm Am7b5 D Gm

b
& 4 ww w ww # www ww w ww # www ww
w w w ww w w ww
T 1 3 3 0 1 3 3 0 1
A 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3
B 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 2
0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0

Note: To play two notes simultaneously (double stops), pluck the strings with two fingers.

Gm Cm Am7b5 D

b œœ œœ
& b .. œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ # œœ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
.
10

.
1 3 3 0
3 3 3 2
2 2 3 3 3 3 2 2
0 0 2 2

Gm Cm Am7b5 D Gm

b b œ œ œœ .. ww
14

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ
œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ w
w
. 13
14

. 20
1 3 3 0
3 3 3 2
2 2 3 3 3 3 2 2
0 0 2 2

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 15

 Sound Exploration 11
A
Chord
Aadd9
Progression
C#m7b5 D E7
10 F#m G#m7b5
(m7b5)

C #m7b5 F #m G #m7b5
### 6
˙ .. ˙ .. ˙ .. ˙˙ ..
A Aadd9 E7 A D A

& 8 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .

˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ . ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙. . n˙. .
0.
. 2.
. 2.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
.
0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 2. 2. 0.
1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 1.
T
A
B
2 2 1 2 0 2 2 1 2

A Aadd9 E7 A

### .
œ œ
10

& . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
.
10

.
0 2 2 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1
2 2 1 2

C#m7b5 F#m D G#m7b5 A

### .
œ œ
14

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ . ˙˙˙˙ ....

nœ œ
14
. 0.
.
0.
2 . 1.
2 0 0 2
0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 2 2 2
0 2 2 1 2

16 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 12
Am
Chord
Bb
Progression
Dm Em7b5
12
F Gmadd9
(Gmadd9)

Bb Bb
4
F Am Gmadd9 Em7b5 Dm Gmadd9 F

& b 4 www ww
ww www ww
ww
w
www
ww
ww www ww
ww
ww
ww
w w w
T 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
A 1 0 3 1 0 1 3 1 1
B 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 0
2 2 3 3 0 2 3 3 2

F Am Gmadd9 Bb

& b .. œ œ œ œœœœœ
10

œ œ œ œœœœœ œ œœœœœ
œ œ
.1 0 1
10

. 0
0 0 1
0 0 3 3 1 1
0 0 0 2 2 2 2
2 2 3 3

Em7b5 Dm Gmadd9 Bb F

&b œœœœœ œœœœœ .. ww

14

œœœœœ œœœœœ
œ œ œ œ ww
. 01
14

. 02
1 0 0 1
0 0 1 1 3 3 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
0 2 3 3

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 17

 Sound Exploration 13
A7
Chord
Bbmaj7 Dm
Progression
Em7b5 F
13 Gsus2 Gm
(Gsus2)

B b maj 7

& b 68 ˙˙˙ ...

G sus 2

˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙ ..
Dm Em7b5 Gm F Em7b5 A7 Dm

˙˙˙ . ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ .

˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .
˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙. . ˙. . . # ˙˙ ..
0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 0.
.
1. 0. 3. 3. 1. 1. 0. 0. 1.
2. 2. 2. 2. 0. 2. 2. 1. 2.
T
A
B
2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 2

Dm Em7b5 Gsus2 Gm

& b .. œ œ œ œ œ œœœ
10

œ œ œ œœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ
œ œ œ œ
.
10

.
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
1 1 1 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
2 0 0 0

F Bbmaj7 Em7b5 A7 Dm

&b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ # œ œ œ œ œ .. ˙˙˙ ...

14

œ œ œ ˙.
14
. 0.
.
1.
. 2.
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 2 2 1
2 3 0 0 2

18 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 14
Amadd9 C
Chord
Cmaj7
Progression 14
Dm Dm7add11 F G7
(Dm11)

4
& 4 www w w
C C maj 7 Amadd9 F Dm G7 Dm7add11 G7 C

w w ww ww ww ww ww
ww www ww ww ww ww ww
w w w w
T 3 2 2 0 0 2 3 2 3
A 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
B 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 0
0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0

ŒÂ = Œ lj Swing
C Cmaj7 Amadd9 F

& 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
& .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

Piano
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
? 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
. 0
10

.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0
3 3 2 2 2 2 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 1

∑ ∑ ∑
4

&
Dm G7 Dm7add11 G7 C

? ∑ ∑ ∑
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. w
14

œ œ ww
œ œ œ œ œ œ w
2 ∑
7

& 2 .
14

.
0 0 2 3 3 2 3
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

? ∑
Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 19
 Sound Exploration 15
Chord Progression 15
A7 Aadd9 C#dim7 D Em6 F#m
(Aadd9)

F #m C # dim7 F #m
## 3
˙ .. ˙ .. b ˙ .. ˙ ..
D Aadd9 E m6 Aadd9 A7 D

& 4 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ ..

˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙ . ˙˙ . ˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙˙ ..
˙. ˙. ˙.
0.
. 0.
. 2.
. 2.
. 1.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
. 0.
.
2. 2. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0. 0. 2.
2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2.
T
A
B
2 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 2

D F#m Aadd9 Em6

## . 3
œ œ
10

& . œœœ œ œœœ œ

3 3 3

œ œ œœœ œ œ
œ œ
œ
. 2 0 2
10

.2 2
0 2 2
2 2 0 0 0 0
1 1 1
2 2 0

3 3 3 3

C#dim7 F#m Aadd9 A7 D

## .
bœ œ
14

& œœœ œ œ œ œ œ . ˙˙˙˙ ....

3 3 3 3

œœ œ œ œœœ œ
œ œ
14
. 0.
.
2.
. 2.
1 0 2 0
0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1
0 2 2 0 2

3 3 3 3

20 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 16
Chord Progression 16
Amadd9 Bb C13 Dm Em7b5 F Gm
(C13)

Bb
6 ˙˙ .. ˙ .. n ˙ .. ˙˙ ..
F Em7b5 F Amadd9 Dm Gm C 13 F

& b 8 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .

˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙. . . ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
0.
. 1.
. 1.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 0.
.
1. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 3. 0. 1.
0. 2. 2. 0. 0. 2. 2. 0. 0.
T
A
B
2 3 0 2 2 2 0 3 2

F Bb Em7b5 F

& b .. œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
.
10

.
0 1 1 0
1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 2 2 2 2 0 0
2 3 0 2

Amadd9 Dm Gm C13 F

&b nœ œ œœ .. ˙˙ ..
14

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œœ œ œ
œ
œ œœ œ ˙˙ ..
14
. 0.
.
1.
0 . 0.
2 0 1 0
0 0 1 1 3 3 0 0
0 0 2 2 2 2 0
2 2 0 3 2

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 21

 Sound Exploration 17
Chord Progression 17
Am Amadd9 C Cmaj7 D7 Dm E7 G7
(Cmaj7, Amadd9)

& 44 www w w
C maj 7 E7 Am Dm Amadd9 D7 Dm G7 C

w ww ww w # ww n www ww
ww ww ww www w w ww ww
w #w w
T 2 2 0 0 2 3 0 2 3
A 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 0
B 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 0
0 1 2 2 2 2 2 0 0

Note: To play four notes simultaneously, pluck the strings with the thumb and three fingers.
Cmaj7 E7 Am Dm

.. œœ .. jœ œ œœ .. j œ œœœ .. j œ œ
10

& œ œœ .. j œ
œœ .. œ # œœ .. œ œœ .. œ œ œ .. œ
. 20... .
2.
.
0.
.
0.
10

0. 0. 1.
. 00. 2. 0. 2.
2 2 0 0
0 0 0 1
0 2 0 2

J J J J
1 2 2

Amadd9 D7 Dm G7 C

œœ .. j œ # œœ .. j œ œ n œœ .. j œ œ œœ .. j œ œ .. w
14

&
œœ .. œ œ œœ .. œ œœ .. œ œœ . œ
.
ww
w
14
.
2.
.
3.
.
0.
.
2. .
0. 2. 1. 1.
0. 2. 2. 2. .
2 3 0 2 3
0 2 1 1 0
0 2 2 2 0

J J J J
2 2 2 0 0

22 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 18
Chord Progression 18
Am Am7 AmM7 Amadd9 Dm E7
(Am9, AmM7, Am7)

4
Am Amadd9 Dm E7 Am AmM7 A m7 E7 Am

& 4 www w ww w ww ww ww w ww
www ww ww ww ww
w #w # ww n ww #w ww
T 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
A 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
B 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0
2 2 2 1 2 1 0 1 2

ŒÂ = Œ lj Swing
Am Amadd9 Dm E7

& 44 ∑ ∑ ∑
& .. œ œ
10

œ œ œ œœœ œ
œ œ œ œœœœœ œ œ #œ
œœœ
œ
Piano
? 4 ∑ ∑ ∑
10
4.
.2 0 2
0 2 0 2
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
0 2 2
2 2 2 2 1 1

∑ ∑ ∑
4

&
Am AmM7 Am7 E7 Am

? ∑ ∑ ∑
œ .. w
14

& œœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ www

œ œ #œ œ nœ œ #œ œ
∑
7

& 2 . 0
14

.
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 2 0
2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2

? ∑
Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 23
 Sound Exploration 19
Chord Progression 19
Am Amadd9 Bm7 Cmaj7 D D7 G
(Am9, Bm7)

#4 w
G D Am C maj 7 Am Amadd9 D7 B m7 G

& 4 www ww
ww
ww
ww
w
ww ww
ww
w
www ww ww
ww
ww
ww
w w w
T 2 0 0 2 0 2 3 2 2
A 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 3
B 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 2
0 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 0

G D Am Cmaj7

# .
œ œœœœ œ œ
10

& . œ œœœœ œ œ
œœœ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ
.
10

.
2 2 0 0 0 0 2 2
3 3 2 2 0 0 0 0
2 2 0 0
0 2 2 0

Am Amadd9 D7 Bm7 G

#
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. ww
14

& œ œœœ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ ww
2 .
14

.
0 0 2 2 3 3 2 2
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 3
0 0 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 0

24 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 20
Chord Progression 20
Am B7 Dm E5 Emadd11
(Em11, E5)

4
Emadd11 B7 Emadd11 B7 Am Dm Am B7 E5

& 4 www w
w # # wwww www
w # # wwww ww
ww
ww
ww
ww
ww # # wwww www
T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
A 3 2 3 2 0 1 0 2 0
B 4 3 4 3 0 2 0 3 4
4 4 4 4 2 2 2 4 4

Note: To play two notes simultaneously (double stops), pluck the strings with two fingers.
Emadd11 B7 Emadd11 B7

& ..
10

œœ œ œ #œ œ œ œœ œ œ #œ œ œ
œ œ# œ œ œ# œ
.
10

.
0 0 0 0
3 3 2 2 3 3 2 2
4 3 4 3
4 4 4 4

Am Dm Am B7 E5

.. ˙
14

& œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ # # œ
œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
.
14

. 4 4
0 0 0 0 2
0 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 0
0 2 0 3
2 2 2 4

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 25

 Sound Exploration 21
Chord Progression 21
Am Dm Em7b5 F Gm Gmadd9
(Gmadd9, Em7b5)

& b 43 ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. ˙ .. ˙ ..

F Am Dm Gm Gmadd9 Em7b5 Dm Em7b5 F

˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. ˙˙ ..
˙. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ . ˙. ˙˙˙ . ˙˙ .. ˙˙˙ . ˙˙ ..
. . .
0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
. 1.
. 0.
.
1. 0. 1. 3. 3. 0. 1. 0. 1.
0. 0. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 0.
T
A
B
2 2 2 0 3 0 2 0 2

F Am Dm Gm

& b .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
.1 0 1
10

. 0
0 0 1
0 0 1 1 3 3
0 0 0 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 0

Gmadd9 Em7b5 Dm Em7b5 F

& b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. ˙˙ ...
14

œ œ œ œ ˙˙ .
14
. 0.
.
1.
. 0.
0 1 0 1
3 3 0 0 1 1 0 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 0 2 0 2

26 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 22
Chord Progression 22
Am Amadd9 C Dm E7 F G7
(C6)

4
& 4 www w
C Amadd9 Dm E7 Am F Dm G7 C

w ww w ww ww ww ww
www ww ww ww ww ww ww ww
w #w w
T 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 3
A 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
B 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0
0 2 2 1 2 2 2 0 0

C Amadd9 Dm E7

& .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ
. 03 03 0 02 02 0 10 10 1
10

.0
2 2
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
2 2 1

Am F Dm G7 C

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. w
14

œ œ œ ww
œ w
.
14

.
0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3
0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 0
2 2 2 0 0

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 27

 Sound Exploration 23
Am C
Chord
Dm Em
Progression
F
23
Fadd#11 Fm G7
(Fadd#11)

& 68 ˙. ˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙.
C Em Dm Fadd#11 Am F Fm G7 C

˙˙ .. ˙ ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ ..
˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. b ˙˙ .. ˙.
˙. ˙. ˙. ˙.
3.
. 2.
. 0.
. 2.
. 0.
. 0.
. 3.
. 2.
. 3.
.
0. 3. 1. 1. 0. 1. 1. 1. 0.
0. 4. 2. 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 0.
T
A
B
0 0 2 2 2 2 1 0 0

C Em Dm Fadd#11

& .. œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
10

œ œ
œ œ œ
.
10

.
3 3 2 2 0 0 2 2
0 0 3 3 1 1 1 1
0 4 2 0
0 0 2 2

Am F Fm G7 C

œ œ œ œ œ .. ˙˙ ..
14

& œ œœœ œ œœœ œ œ œ œ

œœ œœ bœ œ œ ˙˙ ..
14
2 . 3.
.
0.
. 0.
0 0 0 0 3 3 2
0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 0 0 2
2 2 1 0 0

28 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Sound Exploration 24
Chord Progression 23
Am7b5 Cm D Gsus2 Gm
(Gsus2, Eb9)

b4 w ww ww ww
Gm G sus 2 Cm Am7b5 Gm G sus 2 Cm D Gm

b
& 4 ww www w w ww www w # www ww
w w w w ww w w w ww
T 1 0 3 3 1 0 3 0 1
A 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3
B 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 2
0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0

Gm Gsus2 Cm Am7b5

b œ œ œ œ œ œ
& b .. œ œ œ
10

œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
.
10

.
1 1 0 0 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3
0 0 0 2

Gm Gsus2 Cm D Gm

b b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ .. ww
14

& œ œ œ # œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ww
0 . 1
14

.
1 1 0 0 3 3 0
3 3 3 2 3
2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2
0 0 0 2 0

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 29

 Picking patterns
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

1 2 3
4 4 ∑ 68
&4 œ
œ œ œ
œ
œ œ &∑ 4 œ œ ∑œ œ œ œ ∑œ & œ œ∑ œ œ œ ∑ ∑
œ œ œ
T 0 0 T 0 0 T 0 0
A 0 0 A 0 0 0 A 0 0
B 0 0 B 0 0 B 0
0 0 0 0
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

4 5 6
3 ∑ & 45 4
&4 œ
œœ
œ œ ∑œ œ œ œ ∑ œ &∑4 œ œ ∑œ œ œ ∑ ∑
œ œ œ œ
T 0 T 0 T 0
A 0 A 0 0 0 A 0 0
B 0 0 B 0 0 B 0 0
0 0 0 0
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

7 8 9

& 44 œ œ œ œ &∑ 43 œ∑ œ œ œ ∑ ∑ & 68 ∑œ œ œ ∑ ∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
0 0 T 0 0 T 0
T 0 0 0 0 0 0
A A 0 A 0 0
B 0 0 B B
0 0 0 0
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

10 11 12
4 œœ ∑ & 68 ∑ ∑ ∑ & 44 œ ∑œ œ ∑ ∑
&4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
T 0 T 0 T 0
A 0 A 0 0 A 0 0
B 0 0 B 0 0 B 0 0
0 0 0

30 Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale

 Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

13 14 15
6 ∑ & 44 ∑ 43
&8 œ œ œ œœœ œ œ∑ œ œ œ ∑œ & œ œ ∑œ ∑ ∑
3

œ
œ œ œ œ
T 0 0 T 0 0 T 0
A 0 0 0 A 0 0 A 0 0
B 0 B 0 0 B 0
0 0 0 0
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte
3

16 17 18
6 ∑ & 44 œœ .. ∑j œ ∑ ∑ & 44
&8 œ œ œ œ œ œœ .. œ
œ œ ∑œ œ œ ∑ ∑
œ œ œ
.
0.
T
A 0
0
0
0
0
T
A 0.
0. 0
0
0 T
A 0
0
0
0

J
B B B
0 0 0 0
Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

19 20 21
4
&4 œ œ œ ∑ & 44 œœ ∑ œ œ ∑ ∑ & 43 œ ∑œ œ ∑ ∑
œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ
0 0 0 T 0
T 0 0 T 0 0 0 0
A A A 0 0
B 0 B 0 B
0 0 0

Picking patterns Picking patterns Picking patte

22 23 24
4
&4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ∑ 68
& œ∑ œ œ œ ∑ ∑ & 44 œ ∑ œ œ ∑ ∑
œ œ œ œ œ œ
T 0 0 T 0 0 T 0 0
A 0 0 0 A 0 0 A 0
B 0 0 B 0 B 0 0
0 0 0

Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Ragsdale 31

 Chord charts

A A7 Aadd9 Am Am7 Am7b5 AmM7 Amadd9

B7 Bm7 Bb Bbmaj7 Bb6 Bbm6

C C7 Cmaj7 Caug C13 Cm C#m7b5 C#dim7

D D7 Dm Dmadd11 Dm7add11

E5 E7 Edim7 Em Em7b5 Em6 Emadd11

F F7 Fadd#11 Fm F#m

G G7 Gsus2 Gsus4 Gm Gm6 Gmadd9 G#m7b5

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