Melody by Schumann for Classical Ukulele

Melody by Schumann for Classical Ukulele

In this video Jeff performs his arrangement of the Melody by Schumann for classical ukulele. Robert Schumann composed his Album für die Jugend (Album for the Young) in 1848. It is a collection of forty-three pieces he wrote for his three young daughters divided into two parts. The first contains 18 pieces for children or beginners. The second section contains the heading “Für Erwachsenere” (for adults) and has more difficult pieces. “Melodie” (or “Melody”) is the first piece in the first section and so the easiest of the collection.

Performance Notes

This melody is a wonderful exercise in expressive playing using alternation of the right hand index and middle fingers while working on getting sustain with the fretted notes with the left hand. Make sure to continue the right hand alternations when crossing strings and practice the transitions from quarter notes to eight notes with a steady rhythm throughout the piece. Watch out for the dotted quarter note rhythms in measures 12 and 20. The dotted quarter note falls on beat 3 followed by an 8th note played on the & of beat 4.

Graded Repertoire for Classical Ukulele: Volume 2

The Melody from Robert Schumann’s Album for the Young comes from our book Graded Repertoire for Classical Ukulele: Volume 2. The book has around 50 pieces of classical masterpieces carefully arranged for low-G ukulele in a progressive order. Starting with simple famous melodies like Bach’s Minuet in C, you progress step-by-step all the way through to classical favorites such as Fauré’s Pavane and Leyenda by Issac Albéniz.

Pick up your copy of Graded Repertoire for Classical Ukulele: Volume 2 here.