Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Understand the basics
• Method 2 of 3: Learn chords
• Method 3 of 3: Playing the ukulele
• Tips
• Warnings

The ukulele is a stringed instrument from Hawaii with a carefree and vibrant sound. Due to its small size, it is easy to carry and children can quickly master how to play it. In this article we will teach you the basics of playing a ukulele, with a little practice you will become a great musician!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Understand the basics

1. Choose a ukulele. There are different sizes of ukulele, each with their own sound. it is important that you choose the size that suits you. As a beginner you will probably choose a cheaper option, but of course you can also immediately invest in a better instrument. There are four different types of ukulele.
   • A soprano ukulele is the most common type. You can recognize the instrument by its small size and classic ukulele sound. It is also the cheapest type of ukulele and is often chosen by beginners. Usually the instrument is about 54 cm long, and it has 12-14 frets.
   • The alt-ukulele (also called concert ukulele) is the next measure. The instrument is approximately 58 cm long and it has between 15 and 20 frets. Due to the slightly larger size, people with larger hands find this type easier to play. It also has a slightly fuller sound than a soprano ukulele.
   • The next measure is the tenor ukulele. The tenor ukulele is 66 cm long and has more than 15 frets. It has an even fuller sound than the concert ukulele, and you can play more notes on it due to the longer fretboard.
   • The largest size ukulele is the baritone ukulele, which has a length of over 76 cm and over 19 frets. It is tuned in the same way as the four lowest strings on a guitar, making the instruments somewhat similar. Due to its size, a baritone ukulele doesn't have that classic ukulele sound, but it's a good option if you're looking for a fuller tone.
2. Learn what the different parts of a ukulele are. The anatomy of a ukulele is slightly different from that of a guitar or other stringed instruments. Before you start playing you must first know how the instrument works.
   • The body of a ukulele is the hollow wooden part, which is the main part of the instrument. It has a small hole under the strings that you hit above.
   • The neck of a ukulele is the long wooden part over which the strings run. The neck refers to the rounded lower part, the flat top of the neck we call the fingerboard (or fretboard).
   • The frets are the pieces on the fingerboard that are separated by metal strips. Each fret divides the string into different notes.
   • The head of the ukulele is the top part of the ukulele, where the tuners are located.
   • There are four strings on a ukulele, although that is different with some types. The lowest and thickest string is the first string, the highest and thinnest string is called the fourth string.
3. Tune your ukulele. Before you start playing, you need to tune the instrument properly. This ensures that the strings produce the correct sound, and it prevents frustration. Playing a badly tuned ukulele may make you think you are playing badly, when the instrument is just not in tune. To tune the ukulele you simply turn the tuners on the headstock to loosen or tighten the strings.
   • The tension of the strings decreases a bit, causing the ukulele to become out of tune. That means that you will have to tighten the strings more often than loosen them.
   • If you look at the ukulele, the top left tuning peg is the C string, the bottom left tuning peg is the G string, the top right tuning peg is the E string, and the bottom right tuning peg is the A string. Turning the knobs changes the tone of the string.
   • Use an electric tuner or an online tuner to tune the strings. Pull the string and see what tone the string produces. Then turn the appropriate tuning knob to adjust the tone until it's right.
   • If you have a piano or keyboard, you can also use that instead of a tuner. Play the tone on the piano that corresponds to the string and turn the tuning knob until the tone of the string matches the piano tone you are hearing.
4. Adopt the correct attitude. If you do not hold your ukulele correctly when you play, the instrument will sound less well, it will not play well and you may suffer from your wrists. Always have the correct posture when you start playing ukulele.
   • The way you hold your ukulele is the same standing or sitting.
   • You should press the ukulele slightly between your right forearm and your body, while at the same time the instrument should rest in the bend of your elbow. You can easily remove either hand from the instrument if you hold the ukulele properly. That means you have to hold the ukulele relatively high, at your waist or chest.
   • The neck of the ukulele should rest on the thumb and palm of your left hand, so that your other four fingers can press the strings around the neck.
   • When you strike the strings with your right hand, use the back of your nails to strike down (strum) and the fleshy part of your fingertips to strum up.
   • You strum the strings slightly higher than the hole in the middle. With a guitar you strum exactly above the hole, but with a ukulele you have to strum a little more towards the neck.
   • Keep your back and shoulders straight so that you don't hang over the ukulele. That looks better when you play and your back is less likely to hurt you.

Method 2 of 3: Learn chords

1. Learn the basic chords. Chords are played on several notes at the same time, creating a harmonic sound. To play a chord, use your left hand to simultaneously press strings on different frets. Learning to play chords is very easy; you get the string number, fret number and finger designation to build each chord.
2. Learn the basic chords in major. Major chords consist of three or more notes played simultaneously, with the distance between the first and second notes being two whole tones. Major chords are associated with upbeat music.
   • To play a C major, put your ring finger on the 4th string at the third fret.
   • To play an F major, put your index finger on the 2nd string at the first fret and your ring finger on the first string at the second fret.
   • To play a G major, put your index finger on the 3rd string at the second fret, your middle finger on the fourth string at the second fret, and your ring finger on the 2nd string at the third fret.
   • To play an A major, put your index finger on the 3rd string at the first fret and your middle finger on the first string at the second fret.
   • To play a D major, put your middle finger on the 1st string at the second fret, your ring finger on the second string at the second fret, and your little finger on the 3rd string at the second fret.
   • To play an E major, put your index finger on the 4th string at the first fret, your middle finger on the 1st string at the second fret, and your little finger on the 3rd string at the fourth fret.
3. Learn the basic minor chords. Minor chords also consist of three or more notes played simultaneously, but now the distance between the first and second notes is three semitones. Minor chords sound sad compared to major chords.
   • To play an A minor, put your middle finger on the 1st string at the second fret.
   • To play an E minor, put your index finger on the 4th string at the second fret and your ring finger on the 3rd string at the fourth fret.
   • To play a D minor, put your index finger on the 2nd string at the first fret, your middle finger on the 1st string at the second fret, and your ring finger on the 3rd string at the second fret.
   • To play an F # or Gb minor, put your index finger on the 3rd string at the first fret, your middle finger on the 1st string at the second fret, and your ring finger on the 2nd string at the second fret.
   • To play a B minor, press the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings simultaneously with your index finger at the second fret, and press the 1st string at the fourth fret with your ring finger.

Method 3 of 3: Playing the ukulele

1. Practice your timing. When you have mastered some basic chords, it is time to start combining some chords. That does require some timing. To make your music sound coherent and melodic, you need to maintain a good rhythm.
   • At first, it can be difficult to maintain a tight rhythm with your right hand while switching between notes and chords with your left. But as you gain experience, the pauses between chords will get smaller and smoother.
   • Try to count the beat as you strike to maintain a steady tempo.
   • If you find it difficult to hit at a steady tempo, you can use a metronome. This is a device that indicates a tempo with tapping, on which you can adjust the tempo of striking. You can adjust the pace to a speed that is comfortable for you.
   • Try not to play too fast in the beginning, because then you will make more mistakes. Start with a slow tempo and don't move to a faster tempo until you can play the chord transitions smoothly.
2. Learn songs. Once you have mastered the basic chords you can play almost any simple song. If you can catch on at a steady tempo, you can quickly play songs that are easy to recognize.
   • There are many books for sale with songs for the ukulele that are especially for beginners. Go to a music store or library and start playing songs!
   • If you want to learn to play your favorite songs you can search online for the tablatures of ukulele songs. By means of a tablature you can see exactly what the chords and corresponding finger positions of a song are.
3. Practice every day. The most important thing you can do to improve is to exercise regularly. You really don't have to be very musical to learn to play well, you just have to practice a lot. Practice every day for at least 20 to 30 minutes and you will quickly reach the level you always wanted!

Tips

• New strings that have not been stretched will detune more quickly. To prevent this, you can let the new strings stretch too high on your ukulele overnight.
• If you don't take lessons from an experienced ukulele player, you can develop bad habits that are difficult to break later. You can learn a lot through online courses and books, but if you really want to master the technique, it is advisable to take lessons.
• Go to a music store and inquire about the best songs and get advice about good teachers.

Warnings

• Ukuleles should not be played with guitar picks as the strings will wear out very quickly. Use your fingers or a felt pick.
• Be careful not to drop your ukulele. The instrument is fragile! Always use a good case to transport the ukulele.