Music is endearing to most people’s hearts. That’s why when you learn to play an instrument; you’ll always have a unique skill-set. When you are looking to learn an instrument, you should look at the ukulele as an instrument of choice.
When you start playing this instrument, it’s not only a unique instrument but also a great one to sing along to. That’s why you need to know a few things before you take up the class. Here are a few crucial things you may need to know when playing the ukulele.
Ukuleles Aren’t Tiny Guitars
The first thing you need to know when starting with the ukulele isn’t a little guitar. This is one assumption that many people usually have because they look alike, but it isn’t true. That means playing the ukulele isn’t the same as playing the guitar.
The difference is that the ukulele strings produce only three notes, while the guitar produces six notes. The guitar has six strings, and each one of them gives a different note. A guitar can fit in all sorts of music, while the ukulele can only fit for a limited scope.
When you want to buy a ukulele, you need to ensure you invest in a quality one. Did you know that the instrument specialists at acousticrealm.com can get you the quality you want? And will be well within your budget parameters too.
Learn The 5 Popular Ukulele Chords
As a beginner, there are few chords that you need to learn; this is to look at least not so green while you play your instrument. And the top five chords that you should learn as soon as possible are:
- C Chord
- G Chord
- F Chord
- D Chord
- A Chord
The more you get into it, the more you’ll learn about the other chords. But in truth, most songs only use these five popular chords. When you have grasped these five, you’ll be okay to perform in most events you want to. You can then choose the popular chords for beginners here.”
Tune Your Ukulele Before Playing
A frustrating aspect about the ukulele is when you try to play it without tuning it first. You will not find it easy to learn or play a new song when your instrument isn’t adjusted. You may know where to place your fingers and all, but it won’t still come in.
It would help if you made it a habit of tuning your ukulele before playing it. That should always be the first thing you do as soon as you sit down with your instrument. You can always use an electronic tuner to help you tune your ukulele.
Most of the electronic tuners are great because they accurately detect the tuning for each string. It would help if you also found ways to take care of your tuner to last longer.
Take Breaks And Repeat
You can’t play your instrument throughout the day without stopping. That’s unhealthy, and you’re unlikely to learn a lot. You need to take several breaks between playing and go back to it with a fresh head again.
And it would help if you also took breaks for the different chords to be integrated into your mind. When you stop for a while and play a specific chord, it will easily remain in your head. That will make it easy to play the next time without conscious effort.
Few Strings Mean Harder
The fewer the strings on the ukulele, the harder it will be to play the instrument. When you have fewer strings, it means that you’ll have to remember fewer chord shapes. It may, though, be more comfortable to switch between the chords when they are rarer.
The fewer strings are, the harder it is for you to fit different sets of music. You’ll be limited to the idea of only a few types of music. You’ll feel the difficulty when you switch it up from an easy song to a complicated one.
Find A Ukulele Group
If you plan on ever-improving, you need to find a group that plays the ukulele. This will show you how far you are. You’ll likely meet people who have been doing it for a while and can help you grow in it too. A group is also an excellent way to make connections.
Practice Regularly
The only way you can improve in anything is by regular practice. And the ukulele isn’t any different. You need to make it a habit to practice the instrument regularly if you’re to get better. Set a time per week for when you will play the instrument.
There are some crucial things that you need to know when you start playing the ukulele. These are just a few that you should know about.
