Dec 16, 2021

How to play the Ukulele for beginners – here’s what you need to know

Updated: Aug 15, 2022

Did you always want to learn how to play the ukulele, but never really took the time to do so? Would you like to rock the house at the next Christmas party by impressing your loved ones with your performance? In that case, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, you’ll read the most important facts about the ukulele!

The ukulele gets smiled at due to being dismissed as a small guitar. But is that true?

Yes, I think this is true. But that’s not all. I think the ukulele has a lot to offer. In fact, it’s a wonderful instrument for beginners as well as professionals. Due to its size, it’s also a great instrument for children, for example. However, the ukulele is also a great instrument for adults. A wide range of songs can be played on it, from Bach to Ed Sheeran. In addition, the instrument is very practical, seeing as it’s easy to transport it anywhere. It easily fits into a backpack :)

What are the differences between the ukulele and the guitar?

Their main differences lie in their size, tuning, and the number of strings. But the history of both guitar and ukulele is still somewhat of a work in progress. Around the 16th century, instrument makers were already exploring different possibilities. For instance, the lute can feature 6 double strings or as many as 14. Similarly, the guitar as we know it today came in a variety of sizes and shapes. Throughout history smaller, more practical instruments have been used for accompaniment, such as the baroque guitar or the machête. The latter came from Portugal and arrived in Hawaii, where it was transformed into the ukulele as we know it today.

What types of ukuleles exist?

Ukuleles come in different types: the sopranino or piccolo, which is very small and sounds very high, as well as the soprano, concert, tenor, baritone, and so on. The most traditional one is the soprano ukulele and, thus, is the easiest to find. The concert ukulele is also very popular. It is a bit larger than the soprano ukulele, but other than that works the same.

Which ukulele should I buy if I’m a beginner?

When buying a ukulele, it is necessary to make sure that the instrument is well made, that the wood used for its construction is good, and that it is in tune.

How much should I pay for a ukulele?

You can find ukuleles for as little as 25 CHF! It’s a really cheap instrument. Needless to say, the cheapest ones are not the best ones to recommend, but from 70 CHF, one can get a good instrument.

What do I need to start playing?

A ukulele, the desire to learn, and your first free trial lesson :-)

Is it possible to apply one’s guitar skills to the ukulele?

Definitely! The ukulele differs in tuning from the guitar, however, plucked instruments function in a similar manner, and furthermore, by playing an instrument, we learn its musical language, which allows us to communicate. I consider that the most important and rewarding aspect when learning how to play music.

Is it possible to learn the ukulele by using YouTube?

Yes! Technology is a great way to learn. But nothing can replace the social aspect when it comes to making music together. YouTube is a great tool, however, having a teacher who not only guides their students in understanding the technical aspects, but also helps them correct their specific problems is still the most efficient way to learn an instrument.

What is taught during the first three ukulele lessons?

That depends on the student’s goals. My lessons are always specifically tailored to each student. However, in the first 3 lessons we usually start learning how to tune the instrument, a few melodies, understanding what a chord is, and how to play the backing.