Got questions about this lesson? Join the discussion - HERE!
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Download the TABS for "Breakdown":
Print the Lyrics and Chords for "Breakdown" (link)
Download the Picking TAB (pdf)

It's the first of the month and you know what that means - a brand-spankin'-new episode of UKE LESSONS! This time, Aldrine takes it slow, walking you through the chords, strumming, and picking for the song "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson (for more info on Jack, his musical abilities, and his amazing powers of charity and compassion, check out his site HERE).

For a more detailed explanation on how to "Chunk," be sure to check out Uke Minutes 154 - How to Chunk on The Ukulele!

As always, if you have any questions about this or any other lesson, hit up the fine people over at the UU Forum, or shoot a e-message to Aldrine at aldrinemusic(at)gmail.com ! Big MAHALOS for watching and being a part of the revolution. Stay tuned for more ...

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Techniques Used in Lesson:
First Beat C-String Bass
How to Chunk
Singing and Playing

Comments

  5. great video 🙂 i still dont exactly understand the chunking….when i do it it doesnt sond like how its suppose to.
    can youposa play along?

    Reply

  9. Mathieu you’re very right. but if you notice that fingerpicking of the chords in JJ’s album version of Breakdown happens behind the chords. This is how to play a solo version of the song. Since obviously you cant pick and strum a chord at the same time. With two ukes this song has AMAZING potential for a very impressive duo. accompanied of course with some vocal harmonies.

    Reply

  10. dude, aldrine. thanks for posting all of your videos. i have already learned out of my league and this song as well. are you still on kauai? my friend keola and jamal said that they knew you. i had never met you though. which sucks.
    but maybe in the future i will show you.

    Reply

  11. THANKS ALDRINE THESE LESSONS HELP OUT A LOT.I AM NEW TO THE UKULELE AND HAVE NO OTHER EXPERIANCE WITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND I DON’T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE HERE IN PUERTO RICO THAT PLAYS THE UKE.YOUR LESSONS ARE MADE FOR GUYS LIKE ME, THANK YOU,DIOS TE BENDIGA,KURT

    Reply

  14. wow, i never thought i could play this song. now i know: YES I CAN! 😉
    Thx so much! Keep on producing lessons please!
    Aloha from overseas! I come along when I’m back in Hawai’i again! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Hey Aldrine, thanks alot, your a great teacher and that finger picking is dead on.

    Although, I notice a few things different in your version of breakdown from jj’s version: I think the chords are C, Em, Am, G (not Gsus2). Also, the strumming you use is what Iz uses in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. JJ simply does D,D, pause, U, D, U with variations.

    At the beginning there is some finger picking. Here’s how i think JJ does it: simply play the chords but pick 3rd, 2nd, 4th, then 1st string, and most of the time (but not always) quickly add 2nd & 3rd before jumping to the next chord.

    In the bridge, he also does similar picking but with higher notes…do you know what they are? I can’t seem to figure it out. If you’d let me know it’d be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  18. Yes Aldrine, thank you and well taught!..I reckon its not all too hard…just lots of practice practice practice. There’s a lot of skills I dont have in this song…so its a really good alround project for us uke beginners…WITHOUT it being a boring tooooo simple song. We dont want any ‘3 blind mice’ or ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ type songs do we??

    Reply

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