The ukulele is a fun, easy-to-learn instrument that can be enjoyed by musicians of all levels. If you're curious about how to start playing the uke, this blog post is for you! In it, we'll outline some tips and tricks for getting started, as well as recommended resources for further learning. So whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced musician looking to add a new skill to your repertoire, keep reading for everything you need to know about starting out on the ukulele. Happy strumming!
One of the great things about the ukulele is that it's relatively inexpensive and easy to get started with. You can find a great uke for under $100, and even a beginner can learn the basics of playing in less than an hour! Check out our online shop for some really great quality and affordable instruments for beginners, we'll be so glad you stopped by!
If you're not sure whether the ukulele is the right instrument for you, we recommend checking out some online tutorials and listening to songs that feature the ukulele for some inspiration. Have you decided that the ukulele is definitely for you? Then, it's time to start learning!
There are plenty of great resources available for those looking to learn how to play the ukulele. Online video lessons are a great option for those who learn best by seeing and hearing instruction, while books and printed materials are ideal for those who prefer a more traditional learning method. Whichever route you choose, make sure to find a resource that is geared specifically towards beginners - you don't want to get overwhelmed with too much information from the start. That's where we come in! We want to help you find the BEST resources for learning this wonderful instrument. This blog post features a great tutorial video for those who are interested in learning the ukulele and need some help as to where to begin, as well as some other options that you may find useful. You'll be playing this incredible little instrument in no time!
Before we talk about resources, let's discuss 3 very important factors in learning not just a new instrument, but learning just about anything. We truly believe that this information will help you find success in your musical journey!
1: Mindset
/ˈmīn(d)set/
noun
the established set of attitudes held by someone.
- "the region seems stuck in a medieval mindset"
A huge part of learning is ATTITUDE. So, when you're learning the ukulele, or anything else, it's important to stay positive, be patient, trust the process and focus on how far you've come on a day-to-day basis. One great way to measure your progress is by some form of journaling. This doesn't have to be a traditional pen and paper style, although that works too. If you're not about writing, try making progress videos on your mobile device or tablet. This is an excellent tool for any sort of learning, but it is especially valuable with any type of performance art. If you're feeling really brave, make a social media account specifically for recording, tracking, and sharing your journey. This can open up a whole new world of friendships through an online community. This way, you can look back on how far you've come with your instrument and use that to motivate yourself to reach even greater heights!
This leads us to our second factor in learning:
2: Motivation
/ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/
noun
the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
"escape can be a strong motivation for travel"
Motivation and Mindset are closely related, yet different enough to stand apart from one another. Mindset, as we mentioned pertains to the attitude you take toward learning, whereas motivation is all about the reason you're choosing to learn in the first place. These two factors work hand in hand in a virtuous cycle. They can feed off of each other if you use them correctly. For example: Think back on the last time you were excited to go on a trip somewhere. How did you feel when you thought about going on the trip? Surely, you felt happy, eager, and, well, excited, of course! That part is your MINDSET. Now think about WHY you felt so excited. Maybe you'd get to see something amazing that you've never seen before, or perhaps you'd get to try a delicious and authentic new food that you've been dreaming of for years. These things are your MOTIVATION. Notice how your mindset and motivation can boost each other? It really is a beautiful relationship!
This concept can be applied to learning anything, including how to play the ukulele. First, get excited about learning to play a new instrument. Listen to inspiring music, and talk about your aspirations with your close friends (mindset). Then choose the songs you want to learn and think about how much fun it will be when you can play them for your friends and family (motivation). This way, your mindset, and motivation will be working together to make your learning fun and you'll find yourself picking up your instrument and playing it more and more!
This brings us to our final and equally vital learning factor:
3. Consistency
con·sist·ent
/kənˈsistənt/
adjective
acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
"the parents are being consistent and firm in their reactions"
unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time.
"he is their most consistent player this season"
You may be thinking: 'Well, if I have a good mindset and proper motivation, won't I be naturally consistent?' And the answer to this question will vary greatly from person to person. Generally speaking, though, many people will also need some kind of structured learning program in order to keep themselves focused. This will help to maintain your consistency in practicing playing the ukulele. Step-by-step courses are so useful for this because they lay out the process of learning in a logical way that is easy to follow, which makes it simple for you to track your progress.
One way to stay consistent, and surely you've heard this, but it can't be stressed enough, is to make learning a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, set a reminder on your mobile device, and remember: a little bit of practice DAILY will go a long way. Even if all you have is 20 minutes that day, as long as you picked up that ukulele and practiced your song or your lesson, whatever it is you happen to be working on, you are being CONSISTENT! Give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it, and keep it up!
Now, what you can do is grab a pen and paper and firstly, write about how excited you are to start learning the ukulele, then write down why you're excited about it. Finally, write down what you plan to learn on your favorite new instrument. This is your first step to mastering your new skills! Don't hesitate, do it right now!!
So, if you've read this article and have come to the decision that you will take the next step on your musical journey, we just want to say thank you! Thank you for letting us be a part of your adventure and experience! We wish you the best and truly hope that you are able to take something from this post. Again, thank you so much and we hope to see you back soon!
If you feel like you've benefitted from the information here, please share this post with anyone you think will appreciate it! Together, we can make the world more musical! Also, feel free to find us on social media and say hello, we'd love to hear from you! You can also leave a comment here if you'd like! We would really appreciate your feedback.
The following video is the first in a series of ukulele tutorial videos by Andy Guitar, one of our favorite YouTubers! He's offering a FREE 10-day course for the ukulele all ready to go right on YouTube! The video we have included will take you to his playlist for the course. It's completely geared toward beginners and there you will learn how to play basic chords, how to play a variety of songs as well as learn some music theory with the uke! Enjoy the free 10-day course and let us know how it's going by leaving a comment here or on our social media accounts.
Thanks again for taking the time to read this article, and without further ado, enjoy the video!