Ukulele

So, you just got your hands on your first ukulele and chances are, unless you’ve ever tuned another stringed instrument before, you’re feeling pretty lost!

The awesome thing about the internet is that you’re just a click away from a wealth of information.

The not so awesome thing about the internet is that, well, now you have to sort through all of that information, deciphering between a bunch of different websites and piecing together what tidbits of knowledge work for you and what doesn’t.

Here, we’ve put together the most commonly asked questions about how to tune a ukulele so that you can stop digging for answers and finally start strumming your (tuned) uke!

In this article, I will cover:

Ukulele Tuning Basics
Using a Digital Tuner
Tuning with a Tuning App
Using an Online Tuner
Tuning the Ukulele by Ear or to Itself
Tuning by ear with a Piano

Ukulele Tuning Basics

The first thing to know about tuning ukuleles is that not all ukuleles are tuned the same way. If you have a soprano, concert or tenor ukulele, you’ll be using the same tuning method called GCEA tuning. However, if your ukulele is a baritone, you’ll be using another style of tuning called DGBE tuning. [Read more…] about Ukulele Tuning Guide: How to Tune a Ukulele

Learning how to play ukulele chords is perhaps one of the most exciting things. The reason for this is that every song you hear is composed of chords, and you’ll often hear the same ones played over and over. These most common ukulele chords is covered here.

So as you learn a handful of these basic ukulele chords you will be on your way to playing hundreds of songs and even thousands if you wanted to.

How do you play basic chords on the ukulele? You can play basic chords on the ukulele by using your fingers to hold down from one to four notes on the fretboard which make up a chord. There are different chords which are made up of different notes. Each chord will have a different positioning for your fingers on the fret board. The most common chords typically uses two to three fingers.

This article will help you learn how to play ukulele chords easily. I’ve put together clear step by step instructions to help you. I hope to make your journey easier while you learn how to play ukulele chords.

These basic ukulele chords I will show you in great detail really are the most popular and the most common. There are many ukulele chords you can learn, but the reality is that there are a small amount of them that are most significant. [Read more…] about 12 Basic Ukulele Chords for Beginners

What’s the first instrument that pops into your head when you think of Hawaii?

You probably think of the humble ukulele thanks to the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Although the song was originally recorded for The Wizard of Oz, Hawaiian ukulele player Israel Kamakawiwo’ole released his cover that has earned over 500 million views on YouTube.

There’s a reason why it’s nearly impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard his song. His beautiful voice complemented by the simplicity of his melodies touches everyone.

You may not think of the ukulele as glamorous, but this tiny instrument has wormed its way into the hearts of millions of people.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument but felt too intimidated, the ukulele can be your perfect match. Besides being undeniably charming, the ukulele has so much more to offer.

In this article we’ll go over 25 reasons why I think everyone should play the ukulele. I really believe the ukulele to be an instrument for everyone. And this would be regardless of age or whether or not you are musically inclined. So you could totally be 3 years old or 83 years old with or without musical knowledge or experience – and you’d still be a great candidate for the ukulele.

As I’ve stated before on my blog, If you want to learn how to play an instrument, the easiest one to get started with is the ukulele. There are so many types of instruments you can choose from, but there is something about the ukulele that makes it unique for those that want to start playing their first instrument. Even if its your second or third, it’s quite a cool instrument to pick up. It has become common, for example, for guitar players to pick up the uke. Many of them get so caught up with the ukulele that they end up spending more time playing it over their other instruments.

Here are 25 reasons why you should learn to play the ukulele. [Read more…] about 25 Reasons to Play the Ukulele (#8 is backed by Science)

Ever wondered how to sing and play ukulele at the same time?

Learning to sing and play ukulele at the same time takes some practice, but you’ll find that once you learn, it’s very rewarding and fulfilling!

Singing while playing is a whole other experience to express yourself.

Did you know that the ukulele descended from an instrument called the machete brought to Hawaii from the Portuguese sailors. The last queen of Hawaii, “Liliuokalani,” translated ukulele as, “Gift from afar”.

This gift is fun to play, but singing while playing it makes it an even more fun and exciting experience!

So we will go over 5 steps you can take to start singing and playing the ukulele at the same time.

But first things first… [Read more…] about 5 Steps to Sing and Play Ukulele At The Same Time

Do you play the ukulele?

If so, chances are you love your instrument more than you can describe. People who have been playing for years often consider their uke part of them!

But not everyone can know everything about this tiny instrument. In fact, there are plenty of fun ukulele facts you may have never even heard.

As a lover of the instrument, you have to make sure you know all that you can. Otherwise, you may never reach your full potential as an artist. Lucky for you, we’re experts on this topic and have combined some of the best fun facts out there. Read on for 11 facts every ukulele player should know. [Read more…] about 11 Interesting Ukulele Facts You Should Know

Flying with an instrument is one of the most stressful parts of being a musician. It is truly daunting to have to wave goodbye to a beloved ukulele as they take it away to the conveyor belt. And despite the concern and complaining by musicians, the airlines are not making it any easier for us.

So here are 15 hands-on tips I learned for flying with a ukulele and keeping it safe!

1. Get a Hard Case

Let’s begin with what should be obvious. If your instrument is valuable, your first step is to protect it in a hard shell case. Yes it is heavier, but that is what keeps it safe from the outside. A couple of bumps here and there are inevitable during travel.

When choosing a hard case make sure it is exactly the right size so that your ukulele fits snuggly. It should not have any space to wobble inside the case as this can damage it. If it does, even slightly, I suggest wrapping a couple of old T-shirts or socks around it so that it is tighter during travel. [Read more…] about 15 Helpful Tips for Flying with a Ukulele