Smoke On The Water (Ukulele)

Here's how to play Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple, a hugely popular riff, on Ukulele!

Here we will learn the notes on one string, which is similar and transferable to the guitar version. The video includes a full song demo - so be sure to play along!

Here we can tune the Ukulele before starting! Tuner notes:

• String 4 - G

• String 3 - C

• String 2 - E

• String 1 - A

Chords - Fretboard finger positions

We can use just our first finger to play this riff or use the other fingers assigned to a different fret.

The fretboard diagram shows the first section of this riff and we use our first finger of our picking hand to pluck these notes:

• Open string 3

• First finger - 3rd fret

• Third finger - 5th fret

Second section

• Open string 3

• First finger - 3rd fret

• Third finger - 6th fret and then 5th fret (quicker jump between these notes)

The final section walks up and back down the notes in the order as shown below:

• Open string 3

• First finger - 3rd fret

• Third finger - 5th fret

• First finger - 3rd fret

• Open string 3 to finish

Playing tips

• Secure the Ukulele against your body on the inside of the elbow

• Use the side of the fretting hand to support the neck of the Ukulele for chord and note changes

• Position our fingers on the side of the fret closest to us, near to the fret wire

• Use our finger tips to fret the notes in chords, with slightly bent fingers to help all notes sound out

Need more help than this video provides? Check out Andy's comprehensive online Ukulele Course here!