I have always wanted to play the banjolele like George since I was a boy when George Formby was doing his wonderful playing but I never knew how! I'll be 82 in July, and, stone the crows! watching your videos, I'm beginning to get it! This old dog is learning new tricks! Thank you so much - I'm like a dog - old dog perhaps, but a dog with two tails! Cheers!
Matthew, such a pity you didn't continue what could have been a “play like Formby” set of videos. This one is great, really well explained and clear. Thanks.
That was great ! Just found this and by the end of the video I was strumming the pattern after never even trying it before ! You have a born teaching talent, thanks for posting this.
Very, very cool. I am really happy to come across other music scholars. Often times I get upset that our society might lose touch with, if not lose completely our musical history. When I come across people like you that not only know who the major players were but you understand the history and significance of their contributions it makes me feel better.
Hey. Sorry for the delay, havent' been able to get internet properly for a few weeks. I've got a stevenson uke. I don't think there is many of them around. I think Fred made a good job when making them. They are built very nicely and give a great sound, I'm playing a Stevenson on the Old-time Medley and the Leaning on the Lampost video. I've had the vellum tightened after then, and it rings alot more! Please say hi at the next convention. Be great to speak to you.
In reality the strum does change, but for this tutorial the pattern is what you said above, excluding the last down (i.e down up down down up down down up) - this cycle can be repeated over and over. There are many other rhythms that can be added. This is just a foundation. George Formby's recordings hold a fascinating treasure trove of Rhythms to discover.
Hi Matt, Thanks for brilliant tuition videos, Im an old retired guy, who recently bought a wooden ukulele, having played a bit on guitar for years, but this right hand strumming is very difficult. and thanks to you and a few others on u tube im getting there. I have realised that to really play the George Formby style strums, i really needed a banjo ukulele, so I just got a Down South, vintage metal backed one, so hoping to improve thanks again, Dave.
I am struggling with the fan stroke. any words of wisdom would be most welcome. I enjoyed the split stroke, easy and slow, plenty of explanation. Excellent, Phil
That demo was great! I loved the way you slowed it down and explained as much as possible. Thanks so much for that wealth of information in the video, now firmly set in my favourites. Best wishes, Phil
I have learned a lot from you Matt. I can do all, those strokes easily, but now I want to know how to put it all together in a solo, say the window cleaner? Very much needed! Phil
Yes, thanks Matthew, that was great. Like John below, I've wanted to try to play like George for a long time. I'll be 67 in November but you're never too old (or young!) to learn. It's tricky but I'm slowly getting it too. I've also been watching Ukelele Zen's videos on the triplet and syncopation strokes, another of George's styles so my ultimate aim first is to try to get those in my head then I'll try to find some videos on the fan and hopefully then it's just practice and more practice. :)
I use a form of nylon 'monopole', and have them at different gauges for each of the four strings, so that they will produce a correct tone for that note.
one of the best lessons now if you have a fan stum I need to get that one this one was very good because you took a lot of time to explain everything loved it thanx
Great teacher, can we see the other techniques which you demonstrated with the split stroke, i noticed the fan stroke and triplet type of stroke and how the combined with each other.
I think I’ve found at least three different split stroke lesson videos that teach it totally differently. Perhaps because Formby was not nearly as consistent in his technique- or rather he did a lot of stuff and rarely stuck to one type of stroke. What exactly the split stroke is seems to be up for dispute.
@catweasle1000 Hey there! Left Handed people put the strings on in reverse order. For example on a right handed uke The strings are tuned 'G C E A', but for left handed you would tune the Uke to 'A E C G'. I would recommend getting in touch with Peter Nixon, who is a great Uke player (who is also left handed) Do a search for him on youtube, i'm sure he wil help you further. Regards Matt
Hi Matt, your split stroke vid is a great help,I wonder if you could give a bit more info, on what each of the stokes are equal to in terms of beats. for all the stokes. split stoke, the tripple the shake and fan stroke. I think that would help in how to mix them up like all you good players seem to do. just as a comment I've noticed a few guys in there 40s saying are they to old to start,well I'm just starting at 70 dont put youselfs down you yougun's
Hi Matt: ffaaaann strooookke, ffaaan strooke, fann strook,Were all fans of yours and hopeing for a demo on the fan stroke. Thanks for all you do we love you... : 0 ) Patrick
I've been playing uke a few years and I've learned the split stroke, triple, and fan. In isolation I can do each one, but I gave trouble working them into a song. I can't figure out how to blend them all together. I would love to see a tutorial that slows it down and shows transitioning between the various strokes. Maybe a sort of intermediate level tutorial.
Matthew There are a few split stroke videos on TH-cam but yours is head and shoulders above them all. On Madame Moscovitch is there a G7 chord as well? And I second the suggestion of you doing a fan stroke video. How about a triplet stroke video as well? Keep up the great work, and have a Happy New Year! Philip
Matthew, I have a long way to go, but thank you for your informative videos. I've loved George Formby's music for years, but my ear just isn't good enough to separate the different techniques to make any sense of them. thank you for a starter.
Hi Matt! Aren't you done with school yet? The whole world is waiting for you to teach us the fan stroke! Thanks for the great video; hope there are more coming.
I have always been a fan of george formbys style ,i am new to the pc so i was surprised when i came by your site on youtube..i think you are great at his style,,,,my question is can a uke be strung for a left hander,,if it can i will start learning..and where would i go to get one converted ?.
Hello Matt. Great tutorial. I travelled from CT USA to my first GFS convention this month and enjoyed it a lot. I have been playing for just 2 yrs left handed with the Uke turned over. Should I try to play right handed or re string it in order to get the GF sound. Thanks ......Rod
hi rod. there are a few left handed Formby players. basics the uke is tuned opposite. fit example instead if g C e a. it is tuned a e C g, and the uke is flipped over and strummed with your left hand. glad you made it to the convention. regards Matthew
Hello Matt. Thanks for the advice. I will retune. I am going to attend the March 17 convention and would like to play along in the Thrash. What tuning will they play in? Will I be able to find out in advance what they will play? Rod Bradley
Hey thanks for this video! Could you possibly do one to show us how to do the solo from "I Told My Baby With The Ukulele"? That would be brilliant if you could!
Mathew please tell me where i can buy a lightweight banjolele like yours as mine is too heavy to play without a strap. Thank you. Great video by the way . i know its an old one but its helping me.
Hi Matt. Learnt this a while ago from your vid but I keep going back to practise with this vid ;) Just a question. I got a Dallas B for £40 about a week back. However, the tuning pegs aren't to good to say the least. I can't even get the C string in tune because... Well its just to tight for the tuners. They just detune their selves lower. I don't want to tighten them because the screw has started to fray, almost to the point where they are flat. Any suggestions Matt? Thank you
Hi Matt great video. I have a question, after the last down stroke in the cycle do you start the cycle again with 2 down strokes without an upstroke. Hope this makes sense Many thanks Graham
Having listened to the original whole solo for Madame Moskovitch, are there some more chords/sections other than the C/Am and G7 sections you have demonstrated?. Could you post if so.... many thanks
Hi Matt, very good instruction but there is something I just can't grasp. Is it continuous down up down down up down down up down or is there a point where the strum changes? Cheers, Ian
Your name is Matthew Richards? That's my name, too :D Seriously. I wonder if having the last name makes us related (since I know the first one doesn't). Interesting to find people that have the same name as you...in this case the full name (except middle initial) :D
Thanks Matthew for posting this all those years ago. It's a great tutorial.
I have always wanted to play the banjolele like George since I was a boy when George Formby was doing his wonderful playing but I never knew how! I'll be 82 in July, and, stone the crows! watching your videos, I'm beginning to get it! This old dog is learning new tricks! Thank you so much - I'm like a dog - old dog perhaps, but a dog with two tails! Cheers!
How did it go?
Matthew, such a pity you didn't continue what could have been a “play like Formby” set of videos. This one is great, really well explained and clear. Thanks.
That was great ! Just found this and by the end of the video I was strumming the pattern after never even trying it before ! You have a born teaching talent, thanks for posting this.
Very, very cool. I am really happy to come across other music scholars. Often times I get upset that our society might lose touch with, if not lose completely our musical history. When I come across people like you that not only know who the major players were but you understand the history and significance of their contributions it makes me feel better.
Hey. Sorry for the delay, havent' been able to get internet properly for a few weeks. I've got a stevenson uke. I don't think there is many of them around. I think Fred made a good job when making them. They are built very nicely and give a great sound, I'm playing a Stevenson on the Old-time Medley and the Leaning on the Lampost video. I've had the vellum tightened after then, and it rings alot more! Please say hi at the next convention. Be great to speak to you.
In reality the strum does change, but for this tutorial the pattern is what you said above, excluding the last down (i.e down up down down up down down up) - this cycle can be repeated over and over. There are many other rhythms that can be added. This is just a foundation. George Formby's recordings hold a fascinating treasure trove of Rhythms to discover.
Hi Matt, Thanks for brilliant tuition videos, Im an old retired guy, who recently bought a wooden ukulele, having played a bit on guitar for years, but this right hand strumming is very difficult. and thanks to you and a few others on u tube im getting there. I have realised that to really play the George Formby style strums, i really needed a banjo ukulele, so I just got a Down South, vintage metal backed one, so hoping to improve thanks again, Dave.
I am struggling with the fan stroke. any words of wisdom would be most welcome.
I enjoyed the split stroke, easy and slow, plenty of explanation. Excellent,
Phil
This is still one of the best Formby tutorials out there.
Its a Ludwig Uke. A Wendellhall model. They are truly great instruments, and when they are set up and regulated correctly, it is jst like a dream! :)
That demo was great! I loved the way you slowed it down and explained as much as possible. Thanks so much for that wealth of information in the video, now firmly set in my favourites.
Best wishes,
Phil
I have learned a lot from you Matt. I can do all, those strokes easily, but now I want to know how to put it all together in a solo, say the window cleaner? Very much needed!
Phil
Ive been practiceing, "By George I think I've got it". Now Ive got to put it all together. Thank you Matt Thank you very much.
Patrick
Thoroughly enjoyed your performance in Worrell Hill Sports Club last night and now I'm totally inspired to learn the split stroke.
I think I love these because they kind of sound like old upright piano recordings.
good clear instruction at a perfect pace for a beginner like myself, you have given me much to practise, thank you.
Matt - I am your number one fan - learning the split stroke taking awhile but I am getting there cheers Adele
The "Ring" on that uke is fabulous!!!!
Thanks Matthew - excellent stuff - really enjoyed watching it - i'll be practising my split stroke tomorrow
Mathew thanks for that you have made the split stroke a lot easier for the likes of me. Once again thanks.
Been through a few split stroke tutorials, I was kinda getting it but struggling. You made it so easy! Thanks :)
Yes, thanks Matthew, that was great. Like John below, I've wanted to try to play like George for a long time. I'll be 67 in November but you're never too old (or young!) to learn. It's tricky but I'm slowly getting it too. I've also been watching Ukelele Zen's videos on the triplet and syncopation strokes, another of George's styles so my ultimate aim first is to try to get those in my head then I'll try to find some videos on the fan and hopefully then it's just practice and more practice. :)
I use a form of nylon 'monopole', and have them at different gauges for each of the four strings, so that they will produce a correct tone for that note.
one of the best lessons now if you have a fan stum I need to get that one this one was very good because you took a lot of time to explain everything loved it thanx
What a great find! I got a uk. Banjo for my 40th birthday! You have inspired me! Ta Star! :-)
I've found this a great help, many thanks Matthew!
Thanks for posting this I just recently got a banjo uke and will be spending some time with this video for sure! Fantastic!
Great teacher, can we see the other techniques which you demonstrated with the split stroke, i noticed the fan stroke and triplet type of stroke and how the combined with each other.
Fantastic uke' playing and a lovely wee tutorial...cheers!
Brilliant lesson Matthew, thank you.
I think I’ve found at least three different split stroke lesson videos that teach it totally differently. Perhaps because Formby was not nearly as consistent in his technique- or rather he did a lot of stuff and rarely stuck to one type of stroke. What exactly the split stroke is seems to be up for dispute.
george was a lovely man....glad that's rubbed off on you matthew..
and that's what it's all about 'turned out nice again!!'
@catweasle1000 Hey there! Left Handed people put the strings on in reverse order. For example on a right handed uke The strings are tuned 'G C E A', but for left handed you would tune the
Uke to 'A E C G'. I would recommend getting in touch with Peter Nixon, who is a great Uke player (who is also left handed) Do a search for him on youtube, i'm sure he wil help you further.
Regards Matt
Hi Matt, your split stroke vid is a great help,I wonder if you could give a bit more info, on what each of the stokes are equal to in terms of beats. for all the stokes.
split stoke,
the tripple
the shake
and fan stroke.
I think that would help in how to mix them up like all you good players seem to do.
just as a comment I've noticed a few guys in there 40s saying are they to old to start,well I'm just starting at 70 dont put youselfs down you yougun's
Bostin' video Matthew!
You really explain it well. Thanks,
well explained matthew.
Thanks for that am doing the split but at moment find difficult to get speed up
Meticulous teaching! Thank you
excellent lesson learned a lot tks very much keep it up
Hi Matt: ffaaaann strooookke, ffaaan strooke, fann strook,Were all fans of yours and hopeing for a demo on the fan stroke. Thanks for all you do we love you... : 0 )
Patrick
very nice demo, it's helping me a lot... love these GF strokes...... and now i'm desperate to get a banjo uke!
oh well, its my birthday soon ;)
You make it look so easy. Its soooo difficult
Very helpful Mathew, Thanks Carl
really good playing, thanks for the tips...i'll practice more!!
Hi Matthew,
Will you be doing a video to demonstrate the fan stoke? I think the way you do it is fantastic, excuse the pun
regards
Tom
Hey! I'll be at Blackpool in September. Yes there are Ukes for sale at the convention. If you see me, please say hi :).
Fantastic video
I've been playing uke a few years and I've learned the split stroke, triple, and fan. In isolation I can do each one, but I gave trouble working them into a song. I can't figure out how to blend them all together. I would love to see a tutorial that slows it down and shows transitioning between the various strokes. Maybe a sort of intermediate level tutorial.
Matthew
There are a few split stroke videos on TH-cam but yours is head and shoulders above them all.
On Madame Moscovitch is there a G7 chord as well?
And I second the suggestion of you doing a fan stroke video. How about a triplet stroke video as well?
Keep up the great work, and have a Happy New Year!
Philip
Hey Matthew that is amazing playing there ;)
Great video!
Matthew, I have a long way to go, but thank you for your informative videos. I've loved George Formby's music for years, but my ear just isn't good enough to separate the different techniques to make any sense of them. thank you for a starter.
Excellent Tutorial! Thanks for posting it :)
Hi Matt!
Aren't you done with school yet? The whole world is waiting for you to teach us the fan stroke!
Thanks for the great video; hope there are more coming.
Great Lesson Matthew
My dream is that you do a integral solo of a song in a relatively slow motion...
Thank you for the video!
Excellent 👍
I have always been a fan of george formbys style ,i am new to the pc so i was surprised when i came by your site on youtube..i think you are great at his style,,,,my question is can a uke be strung for a left hander,,if it can i will start learning..and where would i go to get one converted ?.
Great tutorial thank you so much, you are a great player also. wonderful
Great teaching style there.
Thanks Matt,, i will do that,,good luck to you..
Nice lesson Mathew
Hello Matt. Great tutorial. I travelled from CT USA to my first GFS convention this month and enjoyed it a lot. I have been playing for just 2 yrs left handed with the Uke turned over. Should I try to play right handed or re string it in order to get the GF sound. Thanks ......Rod
hi rod. there are a few left handed Formby players. basics the uke is tuned opposite. fit example instead if g C e a. it is tuned a e C g, and the uke is flipped over and strummed with your left hand. glad you made it to the convention. regards Matthew
Hi Matthew,
Great demo, I was wondering what model Uke banjo you were playing in this video.
More please.
Regards
Griff
matt great playing could you please demo the fantan? stroke for us and do u know were i can buy a good uke for live playing thanks 4 your help
Wonderful tutorial, thank you!
there was Christopher Napier who won the competition on Stars in their eyes? hope this helps
matt willyou be at the convention this sept is it poss to buy a ukulele there im in liverpool for a few days so would drive up to blackpool
Hello Matt. Thanks for the advice. I will retune. I am going to attend the March 17 convention and would like to play along in the Thrash. What tuning will they play in? Will I be able to find out in advance what they will play? Rod Bradley
Roderick Bradley hey rod the thrash at blackpool is in D tuning (a d F# b) regards
Great tutorial vid, thank you so much, Matt! :D
Hey thanks for this video! Could you possibly do one to show us how to do the solo from "I Told My Baby With The Ukulele"? That would be brilliant if you could!
Very good. Do you know how to play the Practice Piece?
Hi Matt: Thanks for the tips on the Forby style. I love it. Where can I purchace his Song books?
I'm in Utah USA.
Patrick
Mathew please tell me where i can buy a lightweight banjolele like yours as mine is too heavy to play without a strap. Thank you. Great video by the way . i know its an old one but its helping me.
What you've lost in hair since this video you've gained back in skill! If only I could say the same!
Lol this is what the split stroke can do to you! :)
hi matt i seen u at the formby con but didnt want to hassel u i bougth a steveson is that a reasonable make thanks for your help
great lesson. thanks
Hi Matt. Learnt this a while ago from your vid but I keep going back to practise with this vid ;)
Just a question. I got a Dallas B for £40 about a week back. However, the tuning pegs aren't to good to say the least. I can't even get the C string in tune because... Well its just to tight for the tuners. They just detune their selves lower. I don't want to tighten them because the screw has started to fray, almost to the point where they are flat.
Any suggestions Matt?
Thank you
Well explained!
Hi Matt great video. I have a question, after the last down stroke in the cycle do you start the cycle again with 2 down strokes without an upstroke. Hope this makes sense Many thanks Graham
great stuff.....thanks...
Thanks Matt. What song(s) will be played? I would like to be prepared. Rod
Having listened to the original whole solo for Madame Moskovitch, are there some more chords/sections other than the C/Am and G7 sections you have demonstrated?. Could you post if so....
many thanks
Matt - what would you advise the correct length of finger nails on right hand?
Hi from CMatt, Thanks for putting this together. I got my first banjo uke today. been learning on an old soprano. What tuning are you using?
Hi Matt, very good instruction but there is something I just can't grasp. Is it continuous down up down down up down down up down or is there a point where the strum changes? Cheers, Ian
Hi Matthew. I wonder if you could tell me the strumming pattern for this as I am having difficultly getting it right. Is it DudDudDuD
It's DUD DUD DU.
Great - thanks
Nevermind that - It's all sorted!
Is that a Birmingham accent i detect? I am not from UK which is why i ask.
Hi Matt what tuning is your Uke in? Asking because you it isn't really a C chord its an E flat thanks
Your name is Matthew Richards? That's my name, too :D Seriously. I wonder if having the last name makes us related (since I know the first one doesn't). Interesting to find people that have the same name as you...in this case the full name (except middle initial) :D
you re cool. thats not gcea is it?? or my tuners knackered!!
Matt, Do you do lessons online? If so can you email me or message me please.
I would use the thumb to plick the top string
that is me
im playing a soprano uke is that what it is?.... oh yes you cant hear me. sozxx good stuff anyhoo man thumbs up
My name is matthew Richards
thats me that is ??