Doxology for Classical Ukulele

Doxology for Classical Ukulele

In this video Jeff performs his arrangement of The Doxology for classical ukulele. The Doxology is a brief Christian hymn set to the tune “Old Hundredth,” composed by the French musician Louis Bourgeois, with lyrics by the English Bishop Thomas Ken. While originally the tune attached to Psalm 134 and then later Scottish clergyman William Kethe, the most popular form of the hymn is that of Ken. Another name for the Doxology is the first line of Ken’s hymn: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Bringing the hymn back to the ukulele, the hymn also has a history in Hawaiʻi. In Hawaiian the name is “Hoʻonani i ka Makua mau,” translated by Hiram Bingham I. Bingham was among the first American Protestant leaders to introduce American Christianity to the Hawaiian islands.

Performance Notes

This piece alternates between 4/4 and 2/4 time signatures. Most measures contain steady quarter notes that will guide you through the changing meters. For instance, in the first three full measures, count 1-2-3-4, then 1-2, and again 1-2-3-4. The piece begins with an anacrusis and includes both 1st and 2nd endings.

The hymn builds on the block-chord technique we practiced with the Beethoven hymn. Here we focus on the PIM technique, where the thumb, index, and middle fingers are used. As you become more comfortable with this technique, you can start adding rolls to your chords. Begin the roll just before the beat, starting with the thumb on the lowest pitch and landing on the beat with the middle finger. This technique adds a layer of expression to your playing. Be sure to plant your fingers on the strings before rolling each chord. In the final measure, the term ritardando (indicated by “rit.”) instructs you to gradually slow down until the piece concludes.