UD#123 Choir Music for Ukulele!
UD#123 Choir Music for Ukulele!
from Ukulele in the Dark with Guido Heistek
In one of my classes, we’ve made a project of taking music for different types of ensembles and transcribing them for ukulele. We’ve used music for recorder (Thanks Mom), brass and choir.
For four part choir arrangements (see below), we usually use the soprano and alto parts, and leave out the tenor and the bass. The soprano part (green) is the highest part. The alto part (orange) is the second highest in pitch.
In most choral arrangements, the soprano and alto parts can be easily played on ukulele. However, one thing we have found is that a ukulele with a low G string is usually best for the alto part, as this part often has notes below C.
Here are the soprano and alto parts to a public domain choir arrangement of “Away in a Manger” played as a ukulele duet. Please note, the alto part (uke 2) is played on a low G instrument.
Have a listen:
Click the button below to get the tablature:
Ways to practice.
If you have a buddy to practice with, it is ideal.
If you are practicing alone, you can play along with the recording.
My students also like it when I give them audio files of the two uke parts separately. This way, they can play UKE 1 while listening to UKE 2 and vice-versa. Also, when learning the parts, it can be helpful to hear them on their own.
Listen to UKE 1
Listen to UKE 2
Play Both Parts?
Give it a try! It is possible to play the arrangement on your own as a solo piece. This takes some shuffling of notes onto different strings, but it’s doable and sounds lovely. Here is the tablature for the solo version.
All the best in your playing!
Have a great holiday season.
Guido