The How-To Repository for the Cigar Box Guitar Movement!
How to Build and Play Cigar Box Guitars and other Homemade Instruments
In this video lesson, Dan shows you how to play the song “Freight Train”.
This one has a little more advanced chord progression, but it’s a great song to add to your toolbag.
Continue reading ““Freight Train” – Cigar Box Ukulele Lesson from One-hand Dan Russell”
In this video lesson, Dan Russell shows you how to play the classic Johnny Cash song “I Still Miss Someone” on the cigar box ukulele.
A number of other big-name performers have also recorded the tune, including Emmy Lou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Don King, Flatt & Scruggs and even Jimmy Buffett.
In this video lesson, Dan Russell shows you how to play the old folk/country song “If I Needed You” on the cigar box ukulele. This one was written by Townes Van Zandt and has been recorded by Emmy Lou Harris and other well-known performers.
Continue reading ““If I Needed You” – Cigar Box Ukulele Lesson by One-hand Dan Russell”
In this video lesson, Dan shows you how to play the song “In the Pines”.
This is a great old folk/bluegrass/mountain song, a plaintive tale of longing and regret. Believed to have originated in the 1870’s, it has been recorded many times over the years, by artists such as Lead Belly, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Dave Van Ronk, Joan Baez, The Oakridge Boys, Dolly Parton and even Nirvana did a version.
Continue reading ““In the Pines” – Cigar Box Ukulele Lesson from One-hand Dan Russell”
In this video lesson, Dan shows you how to play the song “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”, a fairly recent release by Willie Nelson.
Willie released this on his “Heroes” album in 2012, and it kind of sums up his long, often “smoky” career.
In this video lesson, Dan Russell shows you how to play the old song “Stagger Lee” (also known as Stack-o-Lee, Stag-o-Lee and other titles) on the cigar box ukulele This classic number is part blues, part cajun and part history, and has been performed Mississippi John Hurt, Dr. John and many more musicians. Five basic uke chords are used in this lesson, and while the progression is not what would be considered “standard”, it is still a nice easy one to play.
Continue reading ““Stack-o-Lee” – Cigar Box Ukulele Lesson by One-hand Dan Russell”
In this video lesson, Dan shows you how to play the song “Take ’em Away” by the Old Crow Medicine Show on the cigar box ukulele.
Like many popular songs, this one is a “three-chorder” – just C, F and G being needed to play it.
This old American blues/folk song was recorded by Alan Lomax and first published in 1934. It has been recorded and released by a number of folk singers over the years, including The Byrds, Old Crow Medicine Show, Woodie Guthrie, Jerry Garcia and even the Flying Burrito Brothers!
In this video lesson, Dan shows you how to play the old blues song “The Midnight Special”. This was a traditional folk song first popularized by Lead Belly, and has been recorded by many other artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, The Beatles, Burl Ives, Van Morrison, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney.
Continue reading ““The Midnight Special” – Cigar Box Ukulele Lesson from One-hand Dan Russell”
In this video lesson, Dan Russell shows you how to play his take on the classic blues song “Cocaine Blues”, as performed by Townes Van Zandt on the cigar box ukulele. Five basic uke chords are used, making this a nice easy one for both beginners and more seasoned players alike!
Continue reading “Cocaine Blues in the style of Townes Van Zandt – Cigar Box Ukulele lesson #4 from One Hand Dan”
This printable sheet shows you all of the easiest and most commonly used chords for standard 4-string ukuleles tuned gCEA. These chord forms can be used with cigar box ukuleles, regular ukuleles and any other instrument tuned in this way. Continue reading “Easy Chord Forms for Ukulele”
In this video lesson, Dan Russell shows you how to play his take on the popular song “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers on the cigar box ukulele. Four simple uke chords are used, making this a nice easy one for both beginners and more seasoned players alike! Continue reading “Ho Hey by the Lumineers – Cigar Box Ukulele lesson #3 from One Hand Dan”
This is the second in a series of videos from “One Hand” Dan Russell on how to play the cigar box ukulele. In this vid, Dan shows you how to play the chords for the song “Hanging Tree” from the Hunger Games: Mockingjay film. Use the ukulele chord forms below to help figure out the chords Dan is playing in the video. These chords are for a standard soprano, concert or tenor ukulele tuned gCEA.
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Here is a lesson on playing the cigar box ukulele from “One-hand Dan” Russell. In it he shows you how to play the song “Hold On” By the Alabama Shakes. Use the ukulele chord forms below to help figure out the chords Dan is playing in the video. These chords are for a standard soprano, concert or tenor ukulele tuned gCEA.
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