Learning the ukulele - how to play the mini instrument

The ukulele is a particularly handy and practical instrument. With only a few chords you can conjure up unique sounds with it. Your first small successes are within reach after only a short time practicing. The ukulele makes a great companion either around the house or on the road. But how exactly can the ukulele be learned and what are the differences to other instruments? Especially for beginners, we have summarized the most important tips and tricks here.

Where does the ukulele come from and what makes it so special?

The ukulele finds its musical origin in Hawaii, where the term translates roughly to "jumping flea." Not without reason, the ukulele stands for pure joie de vivre as well as many songs full of atmosphere. Even if the ukulele at first seems like a small guitar, as a string instrument, it is still played somewhat differently. Thus, the ukulele embodies a certain exoticism that you can bring home yourself with a few simple steps.

Basically, the ukulele is equipped with four strings, while some varieties also have six or eight strings. However, with a length of just about 60 centimeters, there is no room for much more. Few instruments of comparable size offer such variance and allow such beautiful and fluid playing. Since the 1920s, the ukulele has had a firm standing as an instrument, which has been consolidated at the latest with Marilyn Monroe as a ukulele player.

How to find the right starter ukulele

If you want to learn the ukulele yourself, the first thing to do is to choose the right instrument for you. Ukuleles are available on the market in a wide variety of designs. While all common ukuleles are characterized by their natural and catchy sound, the pitch and variety of tones can vary:

Concert ukulele

A slightly longer version of the ukulele awaits you with the concert ukulele. This has 15 to 20 frets, which makes it about five centimeters longer than the classic ukulele. Especially for people with large hands, the concert ukulele is a perfect choice for practicing.

Baritone ukulele

With the baritone ukulele you can expect an instrument that looks quite similar to the guitar. It is the largest type of ukulele and is characterized by its full and intense sound. However, some of the typical Hawaiian flair is lost, so just keep that in mind during your search.

Soprano ukulele

Probably the most famous type of ukulele awaits you with the soprano version. Hardly any instrument embodies the classic Hawaiian sound better than this one, while the price is also appealing for the entry level. Thus, the soprano ukulele is the most affordable variant of ukuleles.

Tenor ukulele

Around the tenor ukulele you can expect an intense and full sound. This is also due to its length, which offers a real top value with 65 centimeters. The number of frets is also somewhat higher, whereby nothing stands in the way of its versatility.

Here's what to look for when holding your ukulele

Most songs on the ukulele can be limited to a few chords. This has the advantage that you can understand the basics with just a few movements and internalize them accordingly. The most important thing is the posture of the hands, whereby a comfortable handling is crucial. Make sure to hold the ukulele loosely (not too cramped) and relax.

As a right-hander, you hold the ukulele with your left hand and right forearm. This way you can reach the strings as best as possible and later play the chords to perfection. In order to be able to learn with the ukulele, the effort required to grasp it should be as low as possible. Especially when starting out, the ukulele often slips away, which is why a secure posture on the body is very important. However, as already mentioned, for the posture of the ukulele cramps are always to be avoided.

Is learning the ukulele hard or easy?

Once you get the hang of it and the posture that comes with it, you certainly won't have to worry about practicing on the ukulele. Compared to many other instruments, the ukulele is a very beginner-friendly instrument. Once you have internalized the common chords, nothing stands in the way of a fluent and holistic way of playing. Of course, a certain amount of practice is still required.

These four chords characterize the playing of the ukulele

The ukulele is all about the right chords. There are basically only four simple basic chords, with which you have the right basis for many pieces. If you are not able to memorize the chords easily at first, you can use a fingering chart. This will make it even easier to learn the ukulele and integrate the four basic chords into your playing:

C Major

The simplest basic chord awaits you with C major. You can play it with just one finger by placing your index finger on the first string in the third fret and then gently strumming all the other strings with your thumb.

A Minor

You can then play A minor with the middle finger. Place it on the fourth string in the second fret from the bottom. Here, too, you can sweep your thumb over the other sides to create the desired sounds on your ukulele.

F Major

It gets a bit more difficult with F major. This chord requires a combination, where you first take the position from A minor. Also, place your index finger on the second string in the first fret. Then let your right thumb roam over the strings again to produce the tone.

G Major

The most difficult chord awaits you with G major. Place your index finger on the third string at the second fret, your middle finger on the first string at the second fret, and your ring finger on the second string at the third fret.

These are the best places to learn ukulele

If you want to learn the ukulele, you have many opportunities to dedicate yourself to playing consistently and always with the necessary motivation. A decisive advantage is the manageable size, which allows you to practice the ukulele basically anywhere. In the beginning, you should always remember to have fingering charts and chord diagrams with you.

Tabs can also be quite helpful, since they represent the concrete sequences of notes. If you don't know how to read music yet, tabs will be a real relief for you at this point. In our article on learning to read music, we are happy to give you the first clues to be able to play without tabs. This will make it much easier for you to learn the ukulele and to understand how to play your many notes.

Is consistent practice possible without outside help?

Basically, you can play the ukulele quite easily with the help of the chords mentioned. Tutorials and help are available on the Internet in large numbers, which means that you can usually get by with an instrument like the ukulele without additional lessons. However, a certain motivation is crucial, which is usually given to you in private lessons or in the music school. If you would like to deal with the ukulele anyway and have a certain motivation, self-taught learning is no problem.

Tips to get better at the ukulele

The most important criterion to be able to play your ukulele in the best possible way is to have fun with the instrument. This will make it easy for you to already understand the basics and internalize the chords C, F, G and Am. The biggest difficulty in learning to play the ukulele will probably not be playing the chords themselves, but the transition of the different hand positions. Therefore, it is best to also use the following tips to expand your successes and to have more fun with the ukulele:

• Learn fluent strumming. This term is a sweeping manipulation to play the strings of your ukulele smoothly and with full tonality.
• Start as slowly as possible at first. The slower you work on the individual chords, the more likely you are to avoid mistakes and focus on practicing the first songs correctly.
• Short fingernails are crucial for practicing the ukulele. This will help you not to get stuck on the strings, but to be able to quickly pluck the many strings with panache.
• Especially for beginners on the ukulele, we recommend that you first record yourself playing. This way you can evaluate and improve possible mistakes later.

Playing the ukulele - exciting and diverse

Are you now interested in this exciting instrument? Want to learn the ukulele? With the right approach and a clear focus on the most important chords, it will be easy for you to get better step by step. If you want to get in touch with other ukulele players, take a look at our personal ads for musicians. We are happy to support you here at mukken to expand your network. For more insights and principles on piano or learning guitar, read on directly to the mukken Blog.