Ukulele Utopia

A Virtual Learning Experience

Van Halen – Jump

Jump

This is one of those songs that I have always avoided as I just thought it would be so simple and naff on the ukulele. I was wrong. The harmonies on the opening lick are just so tasty and it works perfectly on the uke IMO. We have an open C note and if you are able to let it ring out by knocking it, it sounds wonderful. Let’s learn to play the 80s power hit Jump on the uke.

What Are We Learning To Play?

Below is a video of what you will be able to play by the end of this post. 

Ukulele Tabs

In the video, I am using a low G, but it still sounds equally good on a high G too. Use your first finger on the 3rd fret of the E string and your ring finger on the 5th fret of the A. Then stretch your pinky over to hit the 7th fret. You can keep the same shape for the rest of these “power chords”.

The notes in blue are not necessary but they do beef up the riff a little bit.

A |----5---7---3---3--5--5---7-------------|
E |----3---3---1---1--3--3---3---8---5-3-3-|
C |-0----------------------------5---5-4-2-|
G |----------------------------------5-5-5-|

A |----13--13--13--13---10----------------|
E |----11--11--11--11---8----8---5-5-3-3--|
C |-0------------------------5---5-5-4-2--|
G |------------------------------5-5-5-5--|

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The Basics

In this section, we will cover everything you need to know about starting to play the ukulele.