Playing songs on your ukulele is an incredible way to learn new keys, techniques, and music theory. A common problem for novices wanting to play songs on the ukulele is that they do not know where to start. The following steps include a simple guide to play it!
1. Find a starter song
Many different websites include large lists of beginner ukulele songs. The most common sites are those that allow users to upload their own tabs, or easy versions of other people’s tabs, which you can then view for free. The benefit of this site is that almost all songs will come with tab and/or sheet music. However, if you find a song with just the lyrics, that may not mean it is easy – some songwriters come up with clever lyrics so that while they appear easy at first glance, they are not. You can search for songs easily by typing “ukulele songs for beginners” into your search engine of choice. It’s an incredible way to find songs both novices can play and simplified for those new to the instrument.
2. Learn chords
Once you have chosen a song, the next step is to learn the chords used in it. This can be done by searching online for chords for the song, or by finding a chord chart that fits into the key of the song. Chord charts normally display the name of every chord, in addition to its location on the fretboard. It’s important to remember that not all songs use the same chords, so you may need to learn new chords for each song you want to play. In time, you will start to learn which chords are usually used in certain songs and genres.
3. Practice
Once you know the chords used in the song, it is time to get started train. It’s best to start with a strumming pattern, which can be found online or handwritten. If you are not sure how it works, you can search for videos of individuals playing it, so you get a better idea of what to do. In general, most novices will only use down-strums when playing the ukulele. However, some more advanced players also use other picking techniques. Practicing with a metronome can help ensure your strums are consistent and on time.
4. Watch other people play
One of the best ways to improve your own game is to watch other people play. Not only will you get tips on how they hold the instrument and play it, but you can even learn new chords or techniques by watching other people play them. There are tons of videos of individuals playing the ukulele on YouTube and other video sharing sites, so take advantage of this resource and watch as many various performers as you can. This way, you will be capable to slowly incorporate new techniques into your own playing style, and everybody knows that it is better to learn from others than reinvent the wheel.
5. Play with other people
Playing with other people is an incredible way to learn new songs and chords, in addition to practice your timing and picking skills. You can find people to play online, in your local community, or even at a music store. Playing with other people can be plenty of fun too, so do not be afraid to ask questions and see if anyone is interested in playing together. This will help you improve your skills faster and make the learning process more enjoyable, which will make you successful as a beginner.
6. Have fun
Most importantly, remember to have fun while learning how to play the ukulele. This is a hobby, not a job, so do not get too busy and forget to have fun. There will be times when you struggle with a particular song or technique, but it is important to keep going and not give up. If you find that you aren’t any longer enjoying playing the ukulele, take a brief break and then come back to it later. The most significant thing is that you make music because you enjoy it, not because you feel you must or because other people expect you to do it.
Is playing the ukulele popular right now?
Ukulele is enough popular today, the year 2010 is known as the ukulele decade. Not only do pop stars like Meghan Trainor and Jason Mraz use the ukulele in their songs, they’ve also been seen in TV shows and films released during this time. For example, YouTuber Lily Singh used the ukulele in her music video “Drum” for Bollywood Boys season 1, while Walt Disney Pictures featured a group of dolphins playing the instrument in the animated film “Finding Dory”. This increased popularity has led to an increasing number of individuals wanting to find out how to play the ukulele, making now an incredible time to get started.
Now that you know the basics, it is time to start practicing! There are many resources available online and in your local community, so take advantage and begin learning how to play the ukulele today. And most significantly, have fun while you do it. After all, that is what playing music is all about.
