If you were a musician in the year 2000 and someone had told you that in 2012 ukulele sales would be at an all-time high, you’d have laughed. But it’s true. People are buying ukuleles again.
If you were a musician in the year 2000 and someone had told you that in 2012 ukulele sales would be at an all-time high, you’d have laughed. But it’s true. People are buying ukuleles again.
What’s behind this trend?
The internet, of course!
With the internet, music has become more accessible than ever before. Nowadays, if there’s a style of music you like, chances are there’s a blog or forum dedicated to it. With a few clicks of the mouse (or taps on your smartphone), you can get the latest news and learn about bands making some of your favorite music. And if you’re lucky enough to have an instrument lying around, there are tons of resources available online to help you make some music too. That includes 101 Ukulele Tips!
Welcome to the 101 Tips for Playing the Ukulele series. Over the next few months, we’ll be giving you 101 lessons on how to play the ukulele. These lessons will range from easy ukulele chords to advanced finger-picking techniques.
The idea is to give you a varied list of tips that will help along your ukulele journey. From simple advice like “bring a tuner” to more complex wisdom like “use your ears and listen to other musicians,” our hope is that these tips will push new players forward and give experienced players a helpful refresher. We can’t promise that all of these tips will work for everyone, but we’re confident that at least one or two will make an impact on anyone who reads them.
Tips for playing the ukulele
Tips for playing the ukulele
When you first start learning to play the ukulele, it’s easy to get lost in all of the new information. But there is a way to help make sure you are on track for making progress. Here are some tips that will help you along the way.
1. Tune your instrument
2. Learn some chords
3. Learn to strum properly
4. Learn to read music (if you want)
5. Use a metronome as much as possible
6. Practice every day or at least 5 days per week for 20 minutes each session if possible
7. Keep your hands clean and fingers dry before practicing so that nothing gets in between them (sweat, dirt etc…) This will prevent any injuries such as blisters or cuts which could hinder your progress!
I’ve been playing the ukulele for almost 2 years now, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that I took up the instrument. It’s a great little instrument with a surprisingly big sound (and an even bigger heart).
There are a lot of people out there who have never played an instrument before, but have always wanted to pick one up. Maybe they had some experience in high school band, but never really got very far with their chosen instrument. Maybe they tried learning piano as a kid, but gave it up after only a few lessons. Or maybe they just have no musical experience at all – nada, zip, zero – and think it might be too late for them to learn an instrument.
If any of this sounds like you, I hope you keep reading (and finally pick up that uke!).
1. The ukulele is a simple instrument to play. It is four strings, tuned to the same pitches as a guitar in standard tuning, only an octave higher.
2. The ukulele is also capable of producing a wide variety of tones and sounds. Because it is tuned in fourths, it produces a very sweet sound when strummed without any additional chords or notes.
3. The ukulele has four strings that are made of nylon or gut instead of the steel strings used on acoustic and electric guitars.
4. The ukulele is a small instrument compared to most other stringed instruments, making it easier for children and beginner adults to learn how to play the instrument.
5. For those who want to play an instrument but don’t feel like taking piano lessons or learning how to play guitar, the ukulele can be a great alternative!
6. The ukulele is a type of guitar with four strings that are usually tuned G-C-E-A (also known as C6 tuning). The word “ukulele” means “jumping flea” in Hawaiian culture; this name came from how fast your fingers need to move when playing this instrument rapidly!
1. You can’t get a good ukulele for under $300.
2. If you want to play with other people, buy a baritone ukulele.
3. If you want to play by yourself, buy a soprano ukulele.
4. There are no other size choices for the ukulele (sorry).
5. Don’t buy an electric ukulele unless you plan on playing through an amp all of the time (otherwise it just sounds like a regular uke).
6. The best string choice is Aquila Nylgut strings (for all sizes of ukuleles). They’re synthetic, they last forever and they sound amazing (especially if you’re used to metal strings).
7. Learn to tune your ukulele by ear as soon as possible and tune it every time before playing it (even if others tell you it’s still in tune).
8. Carry a pitch pipe or chromatic tuner with you so that you can be sure your instrument is in tune with others when playing in groups (if someone else tunes their instrument to yours, they’ll be out of tune with everyone else).
