The Robin Waltz — Finding Inspiration in a Winter Garden
- Matt Stead
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
🌤️
The Robin Waltz
— Finding Inspiration in a Winter Garden
A 2-Minute Ukulele Fingerstyle Piece You Can Learn Today
This morning, I stepped outside into the chilly but sunny Winter air with my ukulele. Sometimes the best ideas come when you simply start playing — and this time, inspiration flew straight onto a nearby branch. A curious little robin began chirping along, almost as if he wanted to duet!
So I decided to compose a short waltz in his honour — The Robin Waltz — and I’ll teach you to play it in under two minutes.
Let’s look at how it works…
🎶 The Chord Progression
I chose a simple and musical sequence that’s incredibly satisfying to play on ukulele:
G – D – Em – C – G – D – G
This is a I – V – vi – IV progression in the key of G major.
Why does this pattern work so well?
✔ It’s one of the most popular chord progressions of all time
✔ It has a beautifully smooth flow between chords
✔ It supports both gentle melodies and strong rhythms
✔ It’s beginner-friendly but still expressive for intermediate players
The vi chord (Em) adds a touch of emotion… like a little Winter chill ❄️
But the return to G and D keeps everything warm and hopeful — just like our robin’s song.
🪕 The Fingerpicking Pattern
For this waltz, I used a 3-beat pattern (1-2-3, 1-2-3), giving it that signature swaying feel.
Try this:
Thumb picks the C string.
Your index and middle fingers pick the E and A string simultaneously. Twice.
Thumb picks the G string.
Your index and middle fingers pick the E and A string simultaneously. Twice.
🐦 Inspiration Is Everywhere
Music doesn’t always start in a studio or a practice room.
Sometimes…
It’s a bird on a branch.
A moment of sunshine in the cold.
A breath of fresh air and a happy little tune.
The next time you pick up your uke, try noticing the sounds around you. They might spark your next piece!
🎥 Learn It With Me
Watch my quick tutorial video where I’ll teach you The Robin Waltz in under 2 minutes — chords, picking, and all:
And if you enjoy learning pieces like this, you’ll love the full Fingerstyle course on my website:
🎓 Explore all 10 structured ukulele courses:
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