UD#106 Wipe Out!

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UD#106 Wipe Out!
from Ukulele in the Dark with Guido Heistek



I love to teach Wipe Out to my students. One of the great things about it is that the main melody of the song uses melodic patterns that repeat again and again with variations. I like to show my students the notes in the patterns and the shape that these notes make on the fretboard. Then, we learn the melody by ear, a little at a time. If that sounds fun, read on! Or, if you prefer, you can jump to the end of the lesson and grab the tablature there. 

For reference here is the original recording of Wipe Out by the Surfaris.



Here is a uke version of the tune that I recorded for a group class some years ago. Have a listen!


MELODIC PATTERNS

Let’s learn the patterns used in the song!


PATTERN 1

The first pattern uses these four notes: G, Bb, B and C, which can be played here. 

Here are the notes in tablature. Get them under your fingers, and then go on and learn Pattern 1 by ear! 

    G     Bb    B      C
———————————–
———–6—–7—–8———
—-7—————————–
———————————–


Here is a recording of me playing Pattern 1. Can you learn it by ear? Give it a try!

The answer is below in tablature.


PATTERN 2

Pattern 2 uses the notes C, Eb, E and F. Play them here:


Here is a recording of me playing Pattern 2. Try to pick it up by ear. 

Answer below!


PATTERN 3

Pattern three is the same as Pattern 2, just moved 2 frets up the fretboard. It uses D, F, F# and G. Here are the notes on the fretboard. 


Here is a recording of me playing pattern 3. Try to pick it up by ear. 


ANSWERS!

Here are the patterns in tablature so you can check your work!

PATTERN 1

PATTERN 2

PATTERN 3


PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!

Okay, now that we know the three main patterns, we can put it all together and learn the whole thing. Here is a recording of me teaching the melody of the whole song. Have fun learning it by ear and you can check your work with the tab below. Take it slow. Don’t feel like you have to do the whole thing. Jump to the tablature at any time. 


Here’s the tab! Click the image for a printable version!







You can jam along with the recording below or play the arrangement with your friends. There are opportunities for soloing and ukulele percussion that we can get into in future lessons.

THE ENDING!

At the very end you jump to the second ending (bar 14 and 15), instead of playing bar 12 and 13. Have fun. Try the song with your uke group!

All for now, 

I wish you all the best in your playing!

Guido


P.S. I am regularly adding new lessons to Ukulele in the Dark. Please subscribe to my mailing list below to receive every lesson right when it comes out. Be sure not to miss a thing!


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