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There are many views on the “correct” way to hold a ukulele. Some people say it should be tucked under your arm, others have it resting on their lap whilst some players prefer to use a strap. The important thing is that you must feel comfortable holding it, so after some experimentation you’ll find which way suits you best.

Continue reading ““Quick Start” Guide 2 – holding your ukulele”

For those of you who are beginners to playing the ukulele I’m including some “Quick Start” Guides to help you get started. This first of these Guides deals with how to tune a ukulele and concentrates on the standard gCEA tuning which is common to soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles. Please note that baritone ukuleles, bass ukuleles and guitaleles are tuned differently and this is a topic which I’ll return to in a later post. Continue reading ““Quick Start” Guide 1 – tuning your ukulele”

 

There are several types of ukulele available and from my collection I’ve included a photo showing the three most common types. From left to right, there’s a soprano, a concert and a tenor ukulele. These types of ukulele have the standard gCEA tuning and I’ll explain the features of each model. Continue reading “Different types of ukulele”

 

In the media I’d heard about the revival of the playing the ukulele and I was intrigued to find out what it was going on.  I was a complete novice and although I’d seen ukuleles in music shops I’d never even handled one, that all changed on my visit to a local ukulele group. I was warmly welcomed into the group and the organiser had some spare ukuleles for newcomers to try. After a few minutes of instruction I’d learnt a few easy chords (probably C, F and G7) and I was away strumming and singing along with the rest of the group. The phrase “taking to it like a duck to water comes” to mind. Those first three chords are enough for plenty of songs and I couldn’t possibly comment about Status Quo surviving with just their three chords. Continue reading “My first ukulele”

I started playing the ukulele in January 2014 when I went along to a ukulele group that met in a local village hall. I didn’t know what to expect and was warmly welcomed into the group and was handed a ukulele to try. After a few minutes of instruction I’d learn some basic chords, I was strumming and singing along with the rest of the group. The next day I went and bought my first ukulele and I was completely hooked.

Since those early days I’d like to think that I’ve progressed in my musical abilities and have also gradually built up a collection of different types of ukulele. If you’re interested in playing the ukulele I’d certainly recommend joining a group. They’re composed of really friendly people who would welcome you into their midst and help you to learn to play. I belong to a couple of ukulele groups and have made many new friends. We meet once a week, practice our songs, learn new songs and above all we have fun. We’ve even progressed to performing at social events and music festivals; but that’s another story which I’ll return to later.

Welcome to my blog which contains some hints and tips for those who are learning to play the ukulele. I’m also including some to show the enjoyment that playing the ukulele gives to me.