Ukuleles are very popular right now, and for good reason. They are affordable, easy to play, and just downright fun! Playing the uke follows the same principles as other stringed instruments, so if you're a guitar, mandolin, bass, or banjo player already, this will be a cinch. If you're starting from scratch, no problem! It couldn't be easier. Here's a quick and easy way to get you playing fast:
Tune Your Uke
There are different tunings for different types of ukuleles, but for beginner purposes I'll demonstrate the tuning on the popular Soprano size. From the top string to the bottom, the notes are: G C E A with the G sounding higher than the two strings following it. Should sound like this:
Use a chromatic tuner to get yourself started.
Chords
Now let's learn some chords! Using the fleshy part of the fingers on your left hand, place your ring finger on the highest pitched string, just behind the 3rd fret. Use your thumb on your right hand to gently strum all the strings and voil! You just played a C major chord! Now place your index finder on the 2nd string from the bottom just behind the first fret, and your middle finger on the top string just behind the 2nd fret. Again, use your thumb on your right hand to strum all the strings and you've got an F major chord! Now place your index finder on the 3rd string from the bottom just behind the second fret, and your middle finger on the first string behind the second fret, and your ring finger on the 2nd string just behind the 3rd fret.Again, use your thumb on your right hand to strum all the strings and you've got an G major chord!
So Let's Play a Song
Using just those three chords, play the song "You Are My Sunshine" as follows:
C
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
F
You make me happy
C
when skies are grey
F
You'll never know dear,
C
how much I love you
G - - - - C
Please don't take my sunshine away
That's all there is to it! You've now begun your journey on the road to Uke-ville. Have fun!Ben Blakesley is a ukulele enthusiast and in charge of Marketing and Technology for George's Music Inc.