Many people believe it's too late to start learning an instrument - and they couldn't be more wrong! Whatever your age, learning to play the ukulele is always possible even without any knowledge of music theory.
Some folks are only interested in having a good time and picking up a few new kinds of music they like. Others want to learn how to play the ukulele so they can sing a specific song. As a result, learning music theory as a freshman is a waste of time for most of them.
To get started playing songs straight away, learn the most basic chords and strumming patterns first. As a result, you'll be able to keep learning new things while still having a good time. Solfeg.io will be the best option for you if you don't have time to attend classes or have a tight budget.
How To Learn To Play Ukulele At Home
Technology has made it much more straightforward than ever before to master new skills. Look for "how to teach yourself ukulele " on YouTube or Google - you'll get millions of results, from videos to articles to comics. So, here's our guide on where to start, step by step.
1. Get The Ukulele
Of course, the most critical step is to purchase a ukulele. It's okay if it's not a brand-new ukulele - you can always ask to borrow a ukulele from your friends. Just make sure it's in a good shape and has new strings before you borrow it. An inferior-sounding first ukulele will doom your musical career. Here, we have compiled everything you need to know before purchasing your first ukulele.
Ukuleles are among the world's tiniest instruments, which should excite you if you're seeking a musical instrument that's easy to play, carry around, and keep. Additionally, ukuleles are much easier to grasp than guitars for youngsters and adults because they are smaller in size. Small and lightweight, the ukulele is an easy instrument to take up even for kids and people who have trouble holding a standard-sized guitar.
Ukuleles are more robust and less expensive than other tiny instruments like violins, so there is no worry about them being damaged or broken when you take them camping or road trips. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!
2. Learn The Way To Hold Ukulele
You may feel a bit unusual when holding the ukulele for the first time. It's not like a guitar which just rests on your lap - you have to hold the ukulele with both hands. Here are some tips:
- Tilt it upwards: With the ukulele snug in your hands, you can raise the head a smidge. Making this change will make it more convenient for you to perform;
- Place it against your chest: Pick up the ukulele by the neck and hold it close to your body;
- Hold it tight: When playing the ukulele, your grasp on the instrument must be firm enough to keep it in place.
- Bend your elbow: Make a 90-degree bend in your elbow while holding the ukulele close to your chest. Once you start playing, this angle relaxes to reduce the amount of tension on your arm and back.
3. Learn The Basics Of Ukulele
Get to know your instrument - first, just try to strum all the strings with your right thumb. It does not have to sound good as you are just starting to learn. Experiment with the strums - what makes you play louder? What makes you play quieter?
Next, you should decide what song you want to learn to play first. We recommend choosing a song with 2 or 3 chords, no more - you can find some examples right here. Most importantly, choose a song that you like - it will keep your motivation going and you will want to sing along with it.
Finally, you have to learn all the chords in the song. The internet has some amazing resources - chord tabs, pictures, videos, apps - choose whichever suits best for you and start playing! Solfeg.io app is designed for those just beginning to learn ukulele and has video tutorials for easy chords, instant feedback through sound recognition and a library of 150+ popular songs to choose from. It will help you to learn ukulele fast!
4. Have Fun While Playing The Ukulele
Ukuleles are great for having a good time and learning new songs. Even though some consider the ukulele as a toy, so what? Playing with toys is a lot of fun! It is an actual instrument that can perform amazing things, and it's not just some kid's toy. Have fun with it, and you'll be making fantastic progress in no time.
5. Practice What You Have Learned
Practicing pieces at maximum speed may persuade you to believe that the mistakes would go away if you play them enough times. Nevertheless, this is not how the human body learns to play a musical instrument.
Muscle memory develops through practice. Once your fingers get proficient at a movement, they'll be able to do it more quickly in the future. Avoid making the same mistakes twice: take your time to ensure you get the chords. Gradually raise the tempo after you've developed muscle memory.
Things To Consider When You Are Learning Ukulele At Home
1. Posture
The fun of playing the ukulele or any other instrument will ruin you if you develop the bad habit of not adopting the appropriate posture while you play. Several body components will be put at risk if poor playing posture is allowed to persist.
The discomfort would be tolerable for a while, but playing would come to mean suffering over time. When playing the ukulele against your chest while sitting or standing, keep your back straight.
2. Tuning Of Ukulele
Always tune your ukulele before starting to play. The first string is A, the second is E, the third is C, and the fourth string is G. You can buy a clip-on tuner, use an online tuning program or download a tuner app to tune the strings. Solfeg.io app includes both - the ukulele tuner and ukulele classes for beginners. It takes time to understand tuning, so have some patience! Over time, you'll gain speed. Mastering this crucial talent is a must-have for all ukulele players.
Practical Tips To Learn Ukulele Fas
1. Learn The Terminology Of Ukulele
If you are unaware of the names and positions of each of the strings, you can use this opportunity to become acquainted with them as you tune your instrument. They each symbolize a distinct note, and each produces a different sound due to the changes in thickness and tautness of the lines between them.
The ukulele has four strings, which are as follows:
- G string: The G string is the lowest string on your Ukulele in terms of position on the instrument. This is a high G rather than a low G, which is unusual.
- C string: Despite being the third-lowest string in position, the C string has the lowest overall tone.
- E string: This is the second-lowest string in terms of location, following the E string.
- A string: The A string is the most important string to know in terms of both position and tone.
2. Record And Listen
First, pick your favorite song and learn the chords. Once you're comfortable changing chords, you may start singing along while you play. Next, you should evaluate your performance. Being a self-taught ukulele player, the best way to evaluate is to record yourself.
To find out if you're making a mistake on the ukulele, record your performance. Watch the video on your smartphone several times to identify the areas where you make mistakes. Afterwards, practice these parts separately.
3. Practice The Basic Chords
In most cases, the same chords will repeat in different songs (C, Am, G, F, D and Dm are very common). You'll be able to perform any theme with ease once you've mastered these skills. To improve your playing, pick two chords and work on them for a while.
To change chords, keep your hand on the fretboard and devise a quick and straightforward method for your fingers to locate the next chord and return to the previous one. Begin slowly and meticulously to avoid making mistakes. If you are worried about how to self-teach ukulele chords or to practice them at home; don’t stress. Solfeg.io app offers many lessons to practice the basic chords.
5. Take Care Of Your Instrument
Once you've mastered the ukulele's basic technique, be sure to take good care of it. When you're not playing, store your ukulele in a case to keep dust off it. Get a breathable case if you don't already have one. This bag will absorb any additional moisture that accumulates from being stored for an extended period.
Changing the strings of your instrument is something you should do regularly. Your ukulele will sound brand new again, and the sound it produces will be enhanced. A ukulele with new strings will also be easier to tune.
Finally, polishing your ukulele after you've finished playing, is critical to its long-term preservation. It will help keep your instrument clean by removing any dirt accumulated on the strings or the body. Taking proper care of your ukulele will help the instrument last for many years and sound like new even after extensive use.