How To Play The Ukulele
Most of the time, beginners get too excited. They start strumming without knowing the right way to play the ukulele. And we don’t want you to do the same thing. That’s why in this next video lesson, we’ve decided to show you a few tips and tricks to improve your ukulele skill.
Understanding The Ukulele Structure
We know you want to understand how the ukulele works. Knowing the whole anatomy of this cute little fella is a great way to start your journey.
The good news is, we've partnered with our friends at Bondi Ukuleles to create video lessons to get you started. On this first video, watch Anna as she tells you more about the overall structure of your uke.
How Much Does A Ukulele Cost?
Ukuleles, like most instruments, can run the gamut for price ranges. The same brands that make $120 ukuleles will often make $1k ukuleles. And of course everything in between. If you’re just starting out you’ll more than likely want to get by with the least expensive option. If this is you, a quality ukulele will start around $120 or so and this varies by brand.
Difference Between Kalimba And Mbira
The term Thumb Piano is also a generalization. It’s a nickname more than anything, but does group these instruments together. So no matter if you’re playing a Kalimba or an Mbira, you’re playing a thumb piano. Just like all cars are automobiles, but not all automobiles are cars. There are way too many to cover in a single article, so we're going to focus on just the few that are most important.
Diatonic Harmony Modes and Triads on Ukulele
If you’re not familiar with Diatonic Harmony, then pay attention. Diatonic Harmony is how the note within a key relate to one another. For example, the key of C Major has the seven notes of the C major scale. They are the following: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. If the melody is considered to be diatonic, that means it only uses the 7 notes of the C major scale.
How To Play Bill Withers' Lean On Me On Ukulele
“Lean on Me’ was written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers. Released in 1972, the song went to the list of Billboard Hot 100 and is ranked number 208 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Jeffrey Thomas made a version that followed the signature piano intro. If you’re into old classic music, then this song should be included in your playlist. Enjoy!
How To Play Johnny Cash's I Walk The Line On Ukulele
“I Walk The Line” is a song recorded and written by Johnny Cash in 1956. It’s one of his most famous songs ever written and we find it perfect to play with your ukulele. The song became so popular and made Johnny Cash a star. Jeff did his version of the song on the ukulele and changed the key to C to keep it simple. He notated the intro and verse with proper repeats.
How To Play James Taylor's Fire And Rain On Ukulele
“Fire and Rain” was written in 1968. The song reflects many difficult stages that James Taylor has gone through his life. Jeff created a ukulele version with a really solid sing-along style version. He had to put the song in the key of A to fit the ukulele better. All the signature guitar-style licks are in the intro and just the strumming style for the verses and chorus. Enjoy!
Learn To Play Basic Arpeggios On Ukulele
Today, you’re going to learn how to play a basic arpeggio. An arpeggio is simply playing in a broken chord. What that means is, instead of playing the notes of a particular chord in just a single strum, you play them sequentially like a scale. Jeff will teach you how to play basic C, F, and G7 arpeggios.
Cheap vs Expensive Ukuleles: What’s The Difference?
Are you wondering what the differences are between a cheap ukulele and a moderately priced ukulele (we’ll skip the uber-expensive ones for now)? Is it worth the increase in price, or should you start with something cheap? That’s exactly what I want to talk about today. How to find the best ukulele for you at the best value. Emphasis on value. More on that in a bit.
How To Play "You Are My Sunshine" On Ukulele
One of the classics that is quite popular is the song, “You Are My Sunshine”. It’s a happy song that we think has a great melody to play on the ukulele. Popularized by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1939, this song has been declared as one of the state songs of Louisiana, USA because of its association with Davis.
When Should You Change Ukulele Strings?
Pop quiz: When was the last time you changed the strings on your ukulele? Do they need to be changed now? If not, when do they need to be changed? Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer! That’s exactly why we’re here today. For beginner and even intermediate ukulele players, this is a big question. After all, unlike batteries that just stop working, strings can last a really long time.