The Got A Ukulele top 10 tips for ukulele beginners.
My best ideas for new musical instrument players! (remember - you will find many more ukulele beginners tips here!)
1. Tune before every session.
This seems obvious, but you would be amazed at how many videos you see where people have not tuned their uke before playing. Before ANY play session you should check your tuning - and often check it through a session too. Uke strings do stretch, even older ones, but especially new ones and the tuning can go out with play. Playing anything on a ukulele that is not in tune is a pointless disaster that is going to sound bad.
2. Keep it simple to start with
When you get home with your first ukulele you will probably find the urge to print off a song sheet for your favourite song is hard to resist. The fact that song may have many chords and some complex ones at that is really not going to help you on your way. Keep it simple with some two or three chord songs that you already know well (Nursery Rhymes, simple well known tunes like 'Happy Birthday') and get to grips with them. Learn the basic chord forms and focus some of your practice on repetitive moving from one chord to another. That action will build muscle memory of the most common chord shapes and will pay dividends down the line.
3. Be comfortable.
Work out how you like to hold the ukulele the best. Whether that is sitting or standing is up to you. If you are not comfortable with it, it is going to work against your development as a player. If you really struggle, ignore those who say a strap is the work of the devil - if you play better using a strap, then use a strap! This may help you too.
4. Start to take care of those nails
Fingertips are what it's all about with the ukulele whether strumming or fretting. On the fretting hand, keep the nails short and neat to allow clean fretting on the strings. For the strumming or picking hand don't be afraid to let the nails grow out if you can - they make a great sound. You really only need to grow nails a little on the thumb, first, middle and ring fingers. Don't be shocked that as you practice the nails may wear or get sore. It's normal, and they do improve. If you do have really weak nails, try a false nail that can be fitted at a nail bar for very little money.
5. Learn how the ukulele works
The ukulele is a tool to make music and certain parts of it are designed to be adjusted. The main one that surprises me people don't learn from the start is how to change strings. Changing strings is part of ukulele ownership and you shouldn't be afraid to do it. I hear horror stories of people who have had their strings on for 18 months! NO!
6. Play with other people
One of the great things about the ukulele is how sociable it is. The advantage to playing with others is not just the fun that can be had but that it REALLY will help you develop your playing skills. Find a local club nearby and get over to them. No local clubs? Think about starting one!
7. Be careful with strumming patterns. Rhythm is key
Some people seem unable to even contemplate learning even the most simple songs without a strumming pattern telling them exactly how to strum up and down and when. That really isn't making music. Worse still, if you focus your efforts on that without learning basic rhythm patterns, timing and the ability to change chords in line with those timings, you are not going to progress particularly well. Again, keep it simple, and worry about complex patterns when you are sure you can keep a beat and change between most chords at ease and in time with the beat.
8. A light touch
One of the most common complaints from beginners is the sore fingers they develop on the fretting hand. To a point this is perfectly natural and is a pain you have to go through as you build strength and callouses. But some of the strain comes from a natural tendency when learning to grip the neck of the ukulele like your life depends on it. It really isn't needed. All you need is enough pressure on the strings to engage them cleanly to the frets and nothing more. A lighter touch is hard to get your head around at first, but DO be conscious of it. Playing with a lighter fretting touch is not only easier on finger strain, but allows for faster chord and note changes too.
9. Don't be afraid to record yourself
I know that it's one of those things that may people hate. I mean, some people hate the sound of their own recorded voice, but recording yourself in practice is a great way to review what you did, spot mistakes and give you something to 'better' next time. You don't need a full on TV studio to do it, most laptops have webcams now, or even your mobile phone. Try it, its fun!
10. Fun
The best way to end. The ukulele is supposed to be enjoyable. Make sure you do. If it doesn't move you in some way positive then you are doing it wrong. If you are enjoying it then that will show through in your practice.
Enjoy! What are your favourite tips?
© Barry Maz
I always suggest nursery rhymes for a very logical reason. If you think about it most people know the lyrics, the melody and the tempo with their eyes closed. That leaves you totally free to concentrate on the ukulele playing! But any well known simple songs will do.
ReplyDeleteBarry, regarding changing strings. Any recommendations as to how often? Is it based on a time schedule, usage, sound, ?
ReplyDeleteDepends on the player and how much play. If I'm playing a particular uke regularly I can change mine every 2-3 months. When they feel or sound worn basically.
ReplyDeleteGood article Barry. Checking your tuning and checking your tuning before you start a tune - a simple (My Dog has Fleas often suffices), is something all musicians should do regardless of instrument or skill experience level. In Choosing songs to learn as a beginner I would amplify your suggestions to include songs you learned from your grand parents or at camp. These are songs most everybody know. One final suggestion: If you sing and play together, (and you should), keep the uke accompaniment simple. Simplify the chords if you must. If you wish to play a "fancy" melody line, take an instrumental break and do so. trying to sing and play melody at the same time is very very difficult.
ReplyDeleteRecording sucks but it's very helpful. Recordings don't lie.
ReplyDeleteFor basic but high quality sound I really do recomment getting a samson go mic. I bought one of these some years back for a skype mic but testing it against other mics it really does hold its own for low end studio work.