How to play a ukulele is a common question for beginner music lovers. Are you one of those who has a keen interest in music especially ukulele but doesn’t know how it works?
Don’t worry we have got you covered in this detailed guide on how to play a ukulele which will cover all the points and will help you in playing ukulele peacefully.
Many people may find it difficult to play ukulele but we are happy to tell you that it’s not and you can easily play one on your own.
Here we will assume that you have no prior knowledge about ukulele and we will guide you from the basics of playing ukulele.
Firstly, we would start with the body structure of the ukulele which will help you remember all the things we will say later easily.
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Body structure of a ukulele
Body: the body is the biggest part of the ukulele which is responsible for the sweet and melodious sound it creates. It comes with a big sound hole in between and is made up of wood. The body can be of any shape but most of the ukulele players go for the eight shape body. Other than that you can have a pineapple shape, box shape and many others.
Neck: the neck is the long part of the ukulele which has strings on it. The neck also comprises a fretboard and frets. It’s important to have a good quality of wood for making neck because there are chances of breaking.
Head: The head is the topmost part of the ukulele which has the tuners on it which let you tune the ukulele according to your preferences.
Strings of a ukulele
There are in total 4 strings on a ukulele, be it a soprano or a baritone ukulele. They are named as G, C, E and A. the string named G will be the nearest to you.
On the contrary, the A string will be the last one. However, if you are a left-handed person, you can turn those strings around like A, E, C and G for your convenience.
Chords in a ukulele
Here are some of the easiest chords of ukulele which you can play and also use while singing if you master them.
Major chords
C major: the C major also known as only C is the easiest chord in ukulele as you have to only press the third fret of the A string
F major: you will require two fingers for playing the F major chord, firstly, place your middle finger on the first fret of the E string. Moreover, place your ring or pinky finger on the second fret of the G string.
G major: the G major will be kind of hard for you if you have never played any string instrument before because you have to use three fingers.
Simply place the first and the ring finger on the second fret of the A and C string. Furthermore, place the middle finger on the third fret of the E string.
E major: the E major can be a bit more complex than the other majors previously discussed because it requires all 4 fingers. To play an E major, press the second fret of the A string and the fourth fret of all other three strings
B major: if you learnt to play up to E chord, the B major might get easier for you because it requires only the first middle and third finger. You have to press the second fret of A and E chord together with your first finger. Moreover, place your middle finger on the third fret of the C chord and ring finger on the fourth fret of the G chord.
Minor chords
A minor: As A minor is the easiest of all minors we have kept it first. Place your finger on the second fret of the G string for playing the A minor.
E minor: the E minor is slightly difficult but not much as you have to just press the second fret of the A string using your first finger and fourth fret of your C string using your middle finger.
D minor: for playing the D minor, you have to use three fingers at a time to press the first fret of the E string and the second fret of the C and G string using the other fingers.
C minor: the C minor is kinda tricky as you have to use three fingers at a time on the same fret which is the third fret of the A, C and E chord together.
G minor: for G minor also you have to use three fingers at a time. First of all, press the first finger on the first fret of the A string. Furthermore, place the middle finger on the second fret of the C string. Lastly, place your ring finger on the third fret of the E string.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to play a ukulele for beginners)
Is the ukulele easy to play?
Yes, by reading this article you might have got an idea about how to play a ukulele and found out that it’s damn easy and anyone can easily play ukulele. Moreover, there are many online tutorials available which can help you if you want to learn ukulele.
Which ukulele is the best for beginners?
We would recommend you to get a soprano ukulele if you are a beginner. However, you can also go for a concert ukulele which is slightly bigger than a soprano ukulele. Moreover, you can check out our article on the top 10 best ukulele of beginners of 2022.
Is it better to strum with or without pick?
You should use a pick to strum your ukulele as you can learn without picking anytime you want. Moreover, using a pick will keep your nails and fingers in good condition.
How do I know if my ukulele is of good quality?
You can know if your ukulele is of good quality by simply watching at the wood quality and finishing. Moreover, the strings should be of good material for a better sound.
Conclusion
So that’s our short yet simple tutorial on how to play a ukulele in which we have explained all the basics of ukulele including the body structure and the easiest chords of ukulele. However, if you are a beginner, you should read how to play a ukulele for beginners.
Furthermore, we hope that you have loved our article and would like to check out our other article on the top 10 best ukuleles of 2022 where we have featured the best ukuleles of the year.