Lots of people are looking into picking up an instrument these days; given the amount of free time that has suddenly been thrust upon us in light of the global pandemic, this shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. Learning to play music with your preferred instrument is a fun way to pass the time, and it also gives you the opportunity to exercise your brain in an entirely new and exciting way.

The ukulele in particular has seen a resurgence of sorts. It’s small, easy to carry around, and much less difficult to master than the guitar. Also, its particular sound is calming and helps to create an atmosphere of serenity. If you’re interested in learning how to play the ukulele, but not entirely clear on how to start, then the following notes should help get you started.

Finding the Right One

Ukuleles tend to be cheaper than other instruments. As a beginner, you may be tempted to pick up the cheapest model there is. However, it’s worth searching around on the market and finding something that is more mid-ranged and offers a better sound. The thing is, if you buy a cheap ukulele, it will invariably be of lower quality, which will make it harder for you to learn and enjoy playing. The sound will be subpar, and you’re bound to feel frustrated as you learn. A good ukulele should have some resonance, which will encourage you to play around more and keep you inspired since the chords – even as a beginner – will sound clearer and more musical. So, it is worth making a bit of an investment, in the beginning, to help you stick to the practice and get used to playing the ukulele as much as possible.

Keep Your Instrument in Tune

After you have purchased your ukulele, the next step to master is understanding how to keep it sounding great by tuning the strings. As the music lovers over at https://acousticbridge.com mention, the process may vary slightly depending on whether you choose a soprano, concert, or tenor model. These days, investing in a good tuner that works well with the particular model of ukulele you have purchased will provide the perfect, no-brainer solution. You simply clip the tuner to the top of the instrument, on the strings, and strum different chords until the sensor lets you know that you’ve reached the perfect sound. There are also different kinds of apps you can download on your phone to help you understand if your instrument has been tuned properly, which are equally helpful, especially if you’re on the go and don’t have access to your tuner.

Changing the Strings

After you’ve practiced the ukulele for a while, you will notice that you need to change the strings every so often. Yes, you can probably take it to your local music shop to help get it done by a professional, but since it’s a fairly easy fix, it makes sense to try to do this on your own. Beginners should excerpt changing their strings every five or six months, depending upon how much you play. This is a good practice to keep up for ukulele enthusiasts, if only because it helps to ensure that your strings are in perfect shape while giving you a chance to train your ears on how the instrument should sound. Over time, you will notice the slightest change in the sounds of your strings and will understand when they are becoming slightly dull or out of tune since your ears will be attuned to the way it should sound.

Start by Learning Three to Five Chords

The chords C, F, and G7 are the foundation for many songs that you can play on the ukulele, so it would be great to help master those first. They will also give you the necessary confidence to move on to learning five chords and more to get the hang of the instrument.

Soon enough you will find yourself able to not just play the most beloved songs, but also get a handle on how to improvise and come up with your own material. But, just make sure that you pick out a simple strumming pattern to help you get started and build the required muscle to play music better.

The ukulele is a wonderfully compact and cute instrument that packs a punch in terms of sound. It’s easy to play and you will eventually be able to get a handle on some of your favorite songs. There are fewer things more satisfying than learning to make music on your own and playing a simple song for your kids and friends. Luckily, the ukulele is fairly easy to master, so you will be able to do just that in no time at all.