Your First Ukulele
So, you've become the owner of your first ukulele!
The soft sound of the ukulele is something that is bound to keep your happy for many years to come.
Now you can get into a tropical mood anytime you like, just by holding the ukulele in your hand.
But, first things first. The ukulele is sitting in the room, looking at you... How do you practice?
These kinds of questions are very common with beginning players of the ukulele. Since the ukulele has a simple sound, it is quite satisfying to simply strum basic chords on it, but the time will come when you want to get better.
By learning several chords, you can play literally thousands of songs. But, it is the techniques, the polished way in which you play these chords, which make music the deep experience that it can be.
We hope that the following information can be of help to you in your adventures with the ukulele.
The soft sound of the ukulele is something that is bound to keep your happy for many years to come.
Now you can get into a tropical mood anytime you like, just by holding the ukulele in your hand.
But, first things first. The ukulele is sitting in the room, looking at you... How do you practice?
These kinds of questions are very common with beginning players of the ukulele. Since the ukulele has a simple sound, it is quite satisfying to simply strum basic chords on it, but the time will come when you want to get better.
By learning several chords, you can play literally thousands of songs. But, it is the techniques, the polished way in which you play these chords, which make music the deep experience that it can be.
We hope that the following information can be of help to you in your adventures with the ukulele.
Books are the best way to practice.
Many people think it is difficult to find practice books for ukulele, but it is as simple as going to Amazon.com, Mel Bay Online, or buying them directly from us. Also, guitar songbooks work just fine too(we all know where to find those).When using a guitar book, only the chords will be useful.
Trying books that come with a tape are good for those who are still apprehensive about making their own noise(Music is noise, make noise!).
Whichever way you choose to go, be sure to find a book that includes music that you like.
Playing what you want to play will ensure that you enjoy practicing. If you bought an ukulele for recreation, there's no reason why you should dread practicing.
Many people think it is difficult to find practice books for ukulele, but it is as simple as going to Amazon.com, Mel Bay Online, or buying them directly from us. Also, guitar songbooks work just fine too(we all know where to find those).When using a guitar book, only the chords will be useful.
Trying books that come with a tape are good for those who are still apprehensive about making their own noise(Music is noise, make noise!).
Whichever way you choose to go, be sure to find a book that includes music that you like.
Playing what you want to play will ensure that you enjoy practicing. If you bought an ukulele for recreation, there's no reason why you should dread practicing.
Now on sale
Hawaiian Style vol.1 & vol.2
For many local players, self-taught is the way to go.
As the ukulele is a part of Hawaiian culture, Hawaiians generally learn from someone in their family.
But for people who do not have the opportunity to jam with someone in the family, we recommend formal lessons.
Lessons can be hard to come by on the mainland.
The best way to find someone to teach you how to play is to find a local Hawaiian culture club (there are hundreds of them in the continental US). Another option is to find an open-minded guitar teacher to teach you the ukulele.
Find an ukulele chord sheet and bring it to the teacher.
He will soon notice that: The ukulele is just a simplified version of the guitar. All chord structure is the same, minus the 5th and 6th string. Strings 1-4 have the same fingering positions and the chord names only move up 4 letter names from the comparable guitar chord.
It's that easy.
Soloing is more complicated because the ukulele only plays the mid to high-register of the guitar.
But chords, a truly good guitar teach can teach you that, no problem.
If you have any problems with finding a teacher, please refer to us for future advice on this subject at mahalo@pua2.com.
As the ukulele is a part of Hawaiian culture, Hawaiians generally learn from someone in their family.
But for people who do not have the opportunity to jam with someone in the family, we recommend formal lessons.
Lessons can be hard to come by on the mainland.
The best way to find someone to teach you how to play is to find a local Hawaiian culture club (there are hundreds of them in the continental US). Another option is to find an open-minded guitar teacher to teach you the ukulele.
Find an ukulele chord sheet and bring it to the teacher.
He will soon notice that: The ukulele is just a simplified version of the guitar. All chord structure is the same, minus the 5th and 6th string. Strings 1-4 have the same fingering positions and the chord names only move up 4 letter names from the comparable guitar chord.
It's that easy.
Soloing is more complicated because the ukulele only plays the mid to high-register of the guitar.
But chords, a truly good guitar teach can teach you that, no problem.
If you have any problems with finding a teacher, please refer to us for future advice on this subject at mahalo@pua2.com.
When holding the ukulele, like you are playing it, the tuning of the strings is G/C/E/A starting with the closest string to you.
People from the US remember this melody as "My dog has fleas".
But it is hard to remember what "my dog has fleas" sounds like unless you have a pitch pipe or electric tuner to help with remembering the tune in the first place.
You can also tune an ukulele with a piano, guitar, organ, or just about any instrument that has a wide range of sounds. It takes some practice at first, but after a month or two of full tuning practice, you can easily remember this melody and start tuning by ear.
You can practice tuning simply by humming the sound of the string when tuned, every time you tune.
Then hum all four strings, individually.
Test yourself by periodically de-tuning your instrument, tune it back by ear, and then test it against a tuning device.
You win some, you lose some. That's the name of this game.
People from the US remember this melody as "My dog has fleas".
But it is hard to remember what "my dog has fleas" sounds like unless you have a pitch pipe or electric tuner to help with remembering the tune in the first place.
You can also tune an ukulele with a piano, guitar, organ, or just about any instrument that has a wide range of sounds. It takes some practice at first, but after a month or two of full tuning practice, you can easily remember this melody and start tuning by ear.
You can practice tuning simply by humming the sound of the string when tuned, every time you tune.
Then hum all four strings, individually.
Test yourself by periodically de-tuning your instrument, tune it back by ear, and then test it against a tuning device.
You win some, you lose some. That's the name of this game.
Depending on how far you want to take your music, this can be for you(or not).
Music is about people, it's about the sharing of ideas through art.
The best way for you to polish your playing is to find people that fit your personality and play some kind of instrument.
This way you can share ideas or collaborate on a single idea. Be open to criticism, and don't be harsh to others' ideas.
This way, you can form lasting bonds with people who are genuinely interested in music. Form a band, sit and jam, invite someone over for a songwriting session, anyway to play, it's all up to you. Being involved in music(playing daily) is the best way for you to gain confidence in sharing your music with others, creating your own ideas, and being proud of "how far you've come".
Now get out there and break a leg, but don't break your uke, they're expensive.
Music is about people, it's about the sharing of ideas through art.
The best way for you to polish your playing is to find people that fit your personality and play some kind of instrument.
This way you can share ideas or collaborate on a single idea. Be open to criticism, and don't be harsh to others' ideas.
This way, you can form lasting bonds with people who are genuinely interested in music. Form a band, sit and jam, invite someone over for a songwriting session, anyway to play, it's all up to you. Being involved in music(playing daily) is the best way for you to gain confidence in sharing your music with others, creating your own ideas, and being proud of "how far you've come".
Now get out there and break a leg, but don't break your uke, they're expensive.
