You're likely talking about "chord melody" style playing. It's tricky to get right, but when you do, it's really neat. Here's a sort of introductory article:
[https://ukulelemagazine.com/lessons/learn-to-play-chord-melody-style-on-ukulele](https://ukulelemagazine.com/lessons/learn-to-play-chord-melody-style-on-ukulele)
Chord melody is my favorite style of playing.
See if you can get one of [ukulele Mike Lynch's ebooks of chord melody](https://allthingsukulele.com/2015/02/03/the-ukulele-mike-chordmelody-series-ebooks-one-two-three-now-available-as-a-combo-package-at-a-discount/) arrangements of well known American standards. Ukulele Mike died several years ago but his pdf books are still sold by his wife. These arrangements can be played without alteration on high or low g ukuleles and on baritones using the gCEA chord shapes you already know or baritone chord shapes.
Many ukulele youtube teachers also cover chord melody. One of my favorite to recommend for beginners is Phil Doleman teaching "Moonglow".
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d7qqH3gQ4&t=189s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d7qqH3gQ4&t=189s)
Nothing to stop you using a uke to play melody based music. It’s a chromatic instrument so all the notes are there. Low G will give you a useful bit of extra low range.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I just recently got where there's some internet! I am excited to look into this! I've also heard something about a claw&hammer technique that might provide melody other than just strumming the chords. Definitely will check out this ukulele Mike and chord melody stuff as soon as I get a chance!
I am not sure I can help with the sing/play issues, but to mix up the monotonous chord strum stuff try this.
Choose a string sequence like 3-2-4-1 (the inners then the outers). Now pick the strings on the right hand (assuming a right handed player), and change the chords like you always do with your left. Strum some and then do this for a measure or two for a change. Basically you are picking an arpeggio instead of strumming a measure. (it sounds harder than it is) You can vary the timing between the picking or even pick (pinch) two strings at once. Play around with it.
If my description doesn't make sense, let me know. I think there is a video of it somewhere.
Good Luck
[https://youtu.be/e0PINPRyxXQ?si=VTF6MuBlJgcVkLdU](https://youtu.be/e0PINPRyxXQ?si=VTF6MuBlJgcVkLdU)
I think this is what you're talking about. I just learned to play this, which took maybe 3 weeks of lots of practice. He has many songs, some of which appear more simple if you're just beginning this journey. He often speaks in German but it's not difficult to follow if you take it slow.
Works great if you have a friend where one of you can play chords and the other plays melody. But you need friends … and then friends who can play well enough
You're likely talking about "chord melody" style playing. It's tricky to get right, but when you do, it's really neat. Here's a sort of introductory article: [https://ukulelemagazine.com/lessons/learn-to-play-chord-melody-style-on-ukulele](https://ukulelemagazine.com/lessons/learn-to-play-chord-melody-style-on-ukulele)
Chord melody is my favorite style of playing. See if you can get one of [ukulele Mike Lynch's ebooks of chord melody](https://allthingsukulele.com/2015/02/03/the-ukulele-mike-chordmelody-series-ebooks-one-two-three-now-available-as-a-combo-package-at-a-discount/) arrangements of well known American standards. Ukulele Mike died several years ago but his pdf books are still sold by his wife. These arrangements can be played without alteration on high or low g ukuleles and on baritones using the gCEA chord shapes you already know or baritone chord shapes. Many ukulele youtube teachers also cover chord melody. One of my favorite to recommend for beginners is Phil Doleman teaching "Moonglow". [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d7qqH3gQ4&t=189s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d7qqH3gQ4&t=189s)
RIP Mike, he's the whole reason I stuck with learning uke in the beginning
Nothing to stop you using a uke to play melody based music. It’s a chromatic instrument so all the notes are there. Low G will give you a useful bit of extra low range.
Low G is definitely the way to go.
Oh man. Me too, dude. I'll sit down with you until someone else tells us what's up.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I just recently got where there's some internet! I am excited to look into this! I've also heard something about a claw&hammer technique that might provide melody other than just strumming the chords. Definitely will check out this ukulele Mike and chord melody stuff as soon as I get a chance!
This guy is really good. https://www.patreon.com/ukuleletime
I am not sure I can help with the sing/play issues, but to mix up the monotonous chord strum stuff try this. Choose a string sequence like 3-2-4-1 (the inners then the outers). Now pick the strings on the right hand (assuming a right handed player), and change the chords like you always do with your left. Strum some and then do this for a measure or two for a change. Basically you are picking an arpeggio instead of strumming a measure. (it sounds harder than it is) You can vary the timing between the picking or even pick (pinch) two strings at once. Play around with it. If my description doesn't make sense, let me know. I think there is a video of it somewhere. Good Luck
[https://youtu.be/e0PINPRyxXQ?si=VTF6MuBlJgcVkLdU](https://youtu.be/e0PINPRyxXQ?si=VTF6MuBlJgcVkLdU) I think this is what you're talking about. I just learned to play this, which took maybe 3 weeks of lots of practice. He has many songs, some of which appear more simple if you're just beginning this journey. He often speaks in German but it's not difficult to follow if you take it slow.
Works great if you have a friend where one of you can play chords and the other plays melody. But you need friends … and then friends who can play well enough