Did you know that learning to play a musical instrument comes with a wide variety of benefits past being a fun way to spend your time? It’s true!
Through learning to play an instrument, you’ll improve your communication skills and emotional release while soothing anxiety.
With that in mind, there’s no better time to pick up this new hobby than now. When it comes to how to learn to play the ukulele, you might feel a little overwhelmed. But it’s easier than you think!
Read on to learn everything you need to know before picking up a ukulele for the first time.
Choose Your Ukulele
There are many styles and sizes of ukulele to choose from, and your decision truly will make a difference! Let’s talk about size first, as each size produces a specific tone. There are four types of ukuleles: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.
The soprano ukulele is the smallest and creates the highest tone. It has small, closely-spaced frets, making it ideal for small children or those with smaller hands.
The next size up is the concert ukulele. This option creates a warmer, deeper tone than the soprano and has larger, wider frets.
Tenor ukuleles are the largest traditional ukulele. These have a wider, heavier neck that helps to create the bass sound associated with this type.
Last is the baritone ukulele. These are much larger than the traditional varieties and are tuned differently.
Typing baritone ukulele for sale (or your preferred size) will bring up thousands of results. From there, simply choose one that suits your style and budget.
How to Play the Ukulele
Once you have your ukulele, hold the heck with your left hand and rest your right on the body. The ukulele is traditionally played in a standing position, but there’s nothing wrong with sitting down until you get more comfortable.
Unlike a guitar, the ukulele is played without a pick. In addition, instead of strumming over the hole in the body, you strum at the base of the neck when you’re playing chords. Only when you’re finger-picking should you move your hand down to the body.
There are many ukulele strumming techniques, but when you’re first starting, all you need to remember is to strum down for four beats.
Start Slow and Build Over Time
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long does it take to learn ukulele. It will vary depending on your musical experience and the amount of time you’re able to devote to learning.
The best thing you can do is to start slow and build. Once you get comfortable holding the ukulele and strumming the strings, try to learn a chord or two. When you get that down, string a few chords together.
Take baby steps until you’re playing a simple song. With the basics under your belt, you’ll be able to move on to more challenging chords and songs in no time.
Enrich Your Life Through Discovering How to Learn to Play the Ukulele
Few hobbies are more beneficial to your mental and emotional health than learning a musical instrument. And the ukulele is among the most fun!
Now that you know how to learn to play the ukulele, there’s nothing left but to pick out your instrument and get started. With a little dedication, you’ll be strumming along to your favorite songs before you know it.
To learn more about excelling in your hobbies and interests, take a look at our blog!