Musetta by Puccini for Classical Ukulele

In this video Jeff Peterson plays his arrangement of Musetta by Puccini for Classical Ukulele from Puccini’s La Bohème. Puccini’s La Boheme is one of the greatest operas, based on the lives of four struggling bohemians in 1830s Paris. The Musetta theme, a waltz arranged in D, represents Mimi and Rodolfo.

Performance Notes

Before playing, study the chord shapes. In the opening measures, emphasize the 1st and 3rd beats, and play the 2nd beat softly, following the vocal line. Listening to vocal recordings will help you highlight the melody in your solo arrangement.

In measure 4, the grace notes on beat 3 use a hammer-on and pull-off. Measures 5 and 7 feature soft accompaniment. Begin measure 8 softly, building into the theme repeat at measure 9. Use rubato between measures 12 and 13, playing the chord at the end of measure 12 softly.

Measures 15 and 16 include Artificial Harmonics: hold the D chord shape, lightly touch the fret wire at the 14th fret with your right-hand index finger, and pluck with your thumb. Do the same for the note on the 3rd string. Use rubato phrasing to give a vocal quality to the 2nd theme at measure 17, then follow the D.C. al Fine to repeat from the beginning through measure 16.

Classical Music for Ukulele Volume 2

Graded Repertoire for Classical Ukulele: Volume 2

Musetta by Puccini 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.