Lyle Ritz didn’t just play the ukulele — he redefined it.

Watch the lesson and download the free PDF here

As one of the true pioneers of jazz ukulele, Lyle had a way of adding color and complexity to even the simplest chords. In this free lesson, I’ll break down his unique approach to playing over major chords, using the exact voicings and techniques that gave his playing such a rich, expressive sound.

I’ll take you step by step in not just how to play the chords but where they come from and how to apply them. In this lesson we’ll:

- Start with a listening and playing exercise to identify the sweet notes over a C major chord
- Build chords from these notes to create classic Ritz voicings like 6th, major9, and 6/9 chords
-Apply these voicings to his iconic arrangement of “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” from the album 50th State Jazz

Want to dive deeper into the world of jazz ukulele? Join us over on the Magic Ukulele Club where we have an archive of over 400 lessons with new ones each and every week.