Siciliano by Carcassi for Baritone Ukulele: Performance and Lesson

Learn to play Siciliano by Carcassi for baritone ukulele in this performance and lesson from Jeff Peterson. This lesson comes from our full course on baritone ukulele. Learn more below.

Matteo Carcassi’s Siciliano for Classical Guitar

The Italian composer Matteo Carcassi is one of the most influential guitarists and pedagogues from the nineteenth century. He’s most well known for his set of 25 “melodious” etudes. However, he also wrote a method and many other important works for guitar. This “Siciliano” comes from his Method, Op.59.

A “siciliano” is a musical form that comes from the South of Italy and features dotted rhythms in a triple meter. It was really popular during the Baroque era. Here we’re in the key of Am and 3/4 time.  The music follows a simple progression you’re probably familiar with: i-iv-V (Am, Dm, E).

Playing this piece on your baritone uke

The real key to playing this piece well is getting familiar with the dotted rhythms in the melody. Use eighth-note subdivision so you’re always on time: 1-and, 2-and, 3-and. This will help you get the feel that is repeated in each phrase: One, Two-and, Three.

Another important element is alternation of right-hand fingers while playing the bass note with the thumb. Practice playing the notes with just the right hand on open strings to start. The more comfortable you become with the right hand, the more the dotted rhythms will flow.

Baritone Ukulele Course at Ukulele Corner Academy

This Siciliano by Carcassi comes from our full baritone ukulele course at Ukulele Corner Academy.

The course starts with the Fundamentals, introducing you to all of the basic elements of technique you need to get started playing baritone uke. Next, there are three units of progressive lessons introducing you to how to read music on the baritone. While all of the music at Ukulele Corner Academy provides you with both the score and TAB, there is a lot of benefit to learning to read music.

But the bulk of the course is focused on a progressive, structured pathway to learning techniques and repertoire on the baritone ukulele.

Get started with this free lesson on Carcassi’s Siciliano, but join Ukulele Corner Academy today to get access to all of the rest!