How To Play A Ukulele

If you have been fortunate enough to get a ukulele, either as a gift for yourself or from someone else, you will want to learn how to play the instrument. There are some things that you should know before learning how to play the ukulele.

The first thing you need to do is understand that pluck a ukulele instead of strumming it, like a guitar. You can use a felt pick. You normally use your thumb to pluck the instrument.

A ukulele has four strings, six strings or eight strings, depending on the style. There are many different styles of this instrument as well as shapes. Most of them play the same notes, such as the soprano ukulele which is the original instrument that was introduced in the United States. The baritone ukulele, which was introduced in the 1940s, is slightly different and plays lower notes.

You can learn to play the ukulele as soon as you learn the notes. You are probably better off to start with a four stringed instrument as it will be easier to learn the four notes instead of six. A ukulele is similar to a guitar, but a bit easier to play. You pluck the strings and learn chords, but because the instrument is smaller, there are less chords and fewer strings. This means you can easily start playing once you have learned the notes.

Learning the different notes is not difficult. You can do this online or through a video tutorial. Before you begin, however, make sure that the instrument has been tuned. This can be accomplished by someone who is familiar with tuning a ukulele and who has an ear for music or through the use of an electronic tuner. If you know someone with an electronic tuner, you can borrow it to tune your instrument.

You can use your thumb to pluck the instrument, although it will most likely get calloused after a while. This is why so many people decide to use a pick. Unlike the picks for guitars, ukulele picks are made of felt and are softer.

Once the instrument is tuned, play around with it a bit. Learn how the different notes sound and get what they call an "ear" for music. Some people have this as a natural gift, others can learn this. You can also take a look at some tutorials on the proper way to pluck the instrument, using your thumb and in some cases, your thumb and forefinger.

All of the different types of ukuleles that are on the market are placed the same way, by plucking. If you have been used to strumming a guitar, this may be a bit different for you. But once you have gotten used to the motion, it will be second nature.

Once you are comfortable with holding the instrument, high in your arms, and plucking the strings with your thumb or felt pick, you are able to take lessons and learn how to really play the instrument and make some good music.