How To Play A Ukulele ?

UKELELE

        

        If you have been fortunate enough to get a ukulele, either as a gift for yourself or from someone else, you will want to learn how to play the instrument. There are some things that you should know before learning how to play the ukulele. The first thing you need to do is understand that pluck a ukulele instead of strumming it, like a guitar. You can use a felt pick. You normally use your thumb to pluck the instrument.
        A ukulele has four strings, six strings or eight strings, depending on the style. There are many different styles of this instrument as well as shapes. Most of them play the same notes, such as the soprano ukulele which is the original instrument that was introduced in the United States. The baritone ukulele, which was introduced in the 1940s, is slightly different and plays lower notes.
        You can learn to play the ukulele as soon as you learn the notes. You are probably better off to start with a four stringed instrument as it will be easier to learn the four notes instead of six. A ukulele is similar to a guitar, but a bit easier to play. You pluck the strings and learn chords, but because the instrument is smaller, there are less chords and fewer strings. This means you can easily start playing once you have learned the notes.
        Learning the different notes is not difficult. You can do this online or through a video tutorial. Before you begin, however, make sure that the instrument has been tuned. This can be accomplished by someone who is familiar with tuning a ukulele and who has an ear for music or through the use of an electronic tuner. If you know someone with an electronic tuner, you can borrow it to tune your instrument.
        You can use your thumb to pluck the instrument, although it will most likely get calloused after a while. This is why so many people decide to use a pick. Unlike the picks for guitars, ukulele picks are made of felt and are softer.
Once the instrument is tuned, play around with it a bit. Learn how the different notes sound and get what they call an "ear" for music. Some people have this as a natural gift, others can learn this. You can also take a look at some tutorials on the proper way to pluck the instrument, using your thumb and in some cases, your thumb and forefinger.
       All of the different types of ukuleles that are on the market are placed the same way, by plucking. If you have been used to strumming a guitar, this may be a bit different for you. But once you have gotten used to the motion, it will be second nature.
Once you are comfortable with holding the instrument, high in your arms, and plucking the strings with your thumb or felt pick, you are able to take lessons and learn how to really play the instrument and make some good music.

Types Of Ukuleles

       There are many different types of ukuleles available on the market today and are played in a variety of different venues as well as for different types of music. Many of them are shaped like guitars and some are shaped round and called banjo ukuleles.
Ukuleles were introduced in the United States in 1915 and since then have become a popular form of musical entertainment. They were predominant in Vaudeville acts as well as in the Jazz Age. They have even found a way to modern music.
The types of ukuleles range in sizes as well as shapes. The standard ukulele is the soprano ukulele that is also the smallest. It measures 13 inches long, has four strings that play notes g, c, e, and a.
       The second oldest of the ukuleles is also a bit larger. The concert ukulele measures 15 inches and also plays the same notes.
In the 1920s, a tenor ukulele was created. This was even larger at 17 inches and also played the same notes. The Baritone ukulele is the newest of the instruments and measures 19 inches long. Unlike the others, the baritone has four different notes, d, g, b, and e. The baritone ukulele is a bit different than the rest as it is tuned like a guitar from low to high.
An oval ukulele is often called a "pineapple ukulele." This comes from the Hawaiian roots. There are also those that are shaped like boat paddles and even some made out of cigar boxes.
       There is also the Tahitian ukulele. This is a different type of instrument in that it does not include a sound box. The neck and head is made from one piece of wood and there is a hole in the middle. This can also be carved out of three pieces of wood. The Tahitian ukulele also has a very distinct sound.
Not all ukuleles have only four strings. There are some that have double strings, giving them a wider variety of notes. There are also ukuleles with only three strings and, when doubled, have six strings. Because of the variety of the instruments, it is possible to have quite a variety from which to choose when picking a ukulele.
Ukuleles are made out of wood and are produced in a variety of different places. Many people like these instruments because they are smaller than a guitar and easier to learn to play as they have less strings. Because they are light weight, they are a lot of fun to work with.
       Anyone thinking about purchasing a ukulele should take a look at the variety of the instruments online. This way you can discover the type of ukulele that best suits you. You can find all types of ukuleles either in music stores or online. You can generally get a better price online as there is no overhead.

Famous Ukulele Players

        

    Did you know that Beatle George Harrison played the Ukulele proficiently? He is among the most famous of ukulele players. Others include Tessie O'Shea, Cliff Edwards, Bill 'Uke" Scott, Roy Smeck, and George Fornby.
The Ukulele is often associated with Hawaii as it is often used to play that type of music. A ukulele looks like a small guitar and comes in many different styles. There is he tenor ukulele, the pono ukulele, the baratone ukulele, banjo ukulele and a baritone and soprano ukulele. Although the sound is similar to that of Hawaiian music, it is believed that the ukulele dates back hundreds of years and has roots in Portugal.
         The Ukulele was first brought to the United States in 1915. Famous ukulele players began using this instrument to play early forms of folk music. It has always been the favorite of folk musicians. In the United States, it really picked up with Vaudeville acts which featured Roy Smeck and Cliff Edwards. It was also very instrumental, no pun intended, in the jazz age.
         Legendary ex-Beatle George Harrison had a great fondness for the ukulele and his last album, that was published after his death, featured him playing the banjo ukulele. Many of the songs on this album featured the Banjo Uke, which make many ukulele fans very happy.
George Formby was another famous ukulele player who played the banjo ukulele. He was the son of a famous musician who took over the act after his father died in 1925. When he incorporated the ukulele into his act, he became a raging success and entertained in the United Kingdom through WWII. He was awarded and OBE in 1946 and continued performing with the ukulele until his death in 1961.
         Tessie O'Shea was another famous ukulele player who also preferred the ukulele-banjo. Originally from England, she moved to the United States where she performed in films as well as on stage. She starred in musicals as well as a variety of television shows. She was one of the few female famous ukulele players who is considered famous. Tessie O'Shea lived in Florida until her death in 1995.

How To Tune Your Ukulele ?

           Once you purchase your new ukulele, you will have to tune it. This is the most important thing that you need to do. Tuning a ukulele is similar to tuning a guitar or a piano. Something essential that must be done in order for the instrument to play properly.
If you do not take the time to tune the ukulele, you will not have a good sound on your instrument. There are two different ways to tune your ukulele. You can do it the old fashioned way, which is by ear. Or you can use a tuner which will allow you to get a more accurate tuning.
           If you are not sure how the strings should sound, you are better off to use an electronic tuner to tune your ukulele. This way you can be sure that the instrument is properly in tune. Once you have been playing the instrument for a while, you will then know how to tune by ear. There are many different electronic tuners available on the market today. They are normally called chromatic tuners and they are not very expensive.
This instrument will teach you the right tone the string should have when plucked. Remember when tuning your ukulele that your 4th string must be tuned higher than the 3rd string which is tuned to middle C. The 4th string should be tuned to G. You have to make sure that the lowest note on the ukulele is the 3rd string. This is a bit different than tuning a guitar, but once you have gotten the hang of it, you can do it properly.
          In addition to using an electronic tuner, you can also have the instrument tuned by someone who is teaching you how to play the instrument. If you received a new ukulele either as a gift or purchased the instrument because you want to learn, you will most likely want to take lessons. You can learn how to play through tutorial tapes online or with another person. If you decide to seek a teacher, he or she will most likely be able to tune the instrument for you and may be able to teach you how to do this.
          There are also tutorials online that can teach you how to tune your ukulele. The important thing is that before you begin playing the instrument, you learn how to properly tune it. If you need to purchase an electronic tuner, do so. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time trying to play an instrument that is not tuned.
As long as you understand the concept of the notes and how they run on the strings, you can learn to tune your ukulele. Remember that the third string is the middle C and take it from there. Once your instrument is completely tuned, you can then start learning to play the instrument. And once you learn to play the ukulele, it will open up an entire new world for you. A world of music that dates back centuries

Getting Ukulele Lessons

     Where do you learn to play a ukulele? There are many different options when it comes to learning how to play this fun instrument. Here are three of them:
Self Taught. Those with an ear for music and who are familiar with reading music as well as the concept of guitar playing can teach themselves how to play the ukulele. Unlike the guitar, which involves strumming and plucking, the ukulele is only plucked. The concept of the notes, however, once learned in any type of music is easy to pick up when learning how to play the ukulele. Those who are musically inclined can learn how to pick up this instrument and play it.
       The late George Harrison, the former lead guitarist for the Beatles, featured several ukulele songs on his last album that was released after his death in 2001. Harrison never knew how to read music or had any formal training. He just had an ear for playing.
While few people are as gifted as George Harrison, if you have an ear for music, you can learn how to play this instrument on your own.

Video Tutorials
       There are several video tutorials that can help you get started learning how to play the ukulele. The nice thing about these type of lessons are that you can learn at your own pace, in your own home and on your own schedule. The negative aspect to video tutorials is that there is no live person to whom you can ask questions. However, in the long run, you can learn how to play if you are persistent enough.
You can also go on websites devoted to ukulele playing and ask others to share their expertise with you. Chances are that they will be glad to do so.

Live Lessons
        You can get live lessons on how to play a ukulele or most other musical instruments from a music store. If the store sells these instruments, they will most likely have someone who is well versed in teaching the ukulele. Most people who know how to play one musical instrument, especially the string instruments, can easily learn how to play another and teach.
The good thing about having a life lesson is that you can have interaction with the teacher. The negative aspect is that it is on his time and not yours and it can turn out to be a costly endeavor.

Group Lessons
       Instead of private lessons, you can join a ukulele club that offers group lessons. This can be a lot cheaper than private lessons in a music shop and you can also meet a lot of other ukulele enthusiasts. This can be a lot of fun. The down side is that you will most likely have to travel to get to these group lessons since there is unlikely to be a ukulele club in your town. Although you can always start one.
No matter how you decide to take lessons, once you have learned the basics of this charming instrument, you will continue to want to learn more.

Playing the Ukulele Music Can change your life

        Ukulele is a musical instrument not played by many; although, it has been noted that there has been an increasing number of people who play it these days. This musical instrument looks like a guitar but it only has 4 strings and it originated from Portugal. However, it was popularized in Hawaii. You can buy this musical instrument in any musical stores. You can even find it sold at the lowest price possible in flea markets.
        Actually, there are many reasons why a person should choose to learn how to play ukulele music. It is cheap, portable because of its size, the sound is mellow, and you can play it as a solo instrument or an ensemble instrument. You can even use the ukulele for ear training because it can teach you to learn harmony and theory. Just like a guitar, you can play ukulele music from all over the globe and you can play and sing with at the same time. The best part of playing it is it could be fun!
        Since the ukulele only has 4 strings, it is easy to learn how to use it. There are teachers who prefer to teach this musical instrument to their students. In fact, students who were taught learn to love it and never stopped playing ever since. They say that learning to play the ukulele is incomparable to other musical instruments. The ukulele is a great way to learn and love music. So why not be inspired and learn to play the ukulele because the music that comes from it will change your life.

The Elusive Guitar

       You may love to hear the guitar played but not wish to become a musician. Even so, you can still become hypnotized by the mix of soothing and savage sounds that flow from six dynamic strings. In this article we will look at three ways to a richer and more informed guitar experience, for the non-player. The first two paths are very straight-forward...The third will require time travel and a little imagination.
       As basic as it sounds, the first key to guitar knowledge is through sound. One must hear the mellow tones of the acoustic and the thunderous crash of the electric. So get out your music collection. Go through it carefully, just listening for how the guitar fills in or sometimes takes centre-stage. If I could recommend just one song for you to experience, it would be "Sunlight on Water" by Carlos Santana. Pay attention to the emotion it raises in you. What rhythms capture your spirit, what sounds stay with you for days? Do they comfort, disturb, delight?
       You can also have a guitarist friend play for you, (I can almost guarantee they would love to be asked) or go hear a concert or listen to a busker on the street. The guitar is always there to be heard. This is the guitar - elusive yet dynamically present, just as Les Paul claimed.
       Secondly, besides sound, the guitar has a visual presence with its many beautiful styles featuring various woods and woodgrains. Some electrics have eccentric art painted on the face and headstock, or even on the sides and back! Mark St. John of KISS has his own creation, a huge mouth with teeth painted across the guitar body. It is interesting what we humans have done with this string creation. Many visual messages emerge to combine with the sound. Some of them are quite dark, some are funny, some are romantic. Online you can find photo contests for guitars, with large galleries of stunning images. The guitar we 'see' has gained its own immense power to inspire awe.
The third key involves time-travel. If you enjoy retracing history, this won't be difficult. A fast trip through 400 years of time, from 1610 to 2010 can be exciting, like a magic carpet ride. Hang on and speed back to the 1600's!
       Around 1610, when the Renaissance was in full swing, Italian cities hosted many street musicians playing lutes, theorbos, vihuelas and chitarrones. The composer Monteverdi often wrote madrigals, or secular songs (as opposed to the religious songs of the day), specifically for their type of audience. The classical guitar evolved from three main sources: lute, vihuele and lyre. It could also have been influenced by the Greek kithara. The words 'guitarra morisca' and 'guitarra latina' actually appear in 13th century literature, in a Juan Ruiz poem that describes two stringed instruments. The vihuela players were possibly similar to today's street buskers, entertaining shoppers passing by in the main square of many towns in Italy in the early 1600's. In fact, a pre-1510 engraving shows a player plucking a vihuela by the roadside. Who knows? Perhaps the first busker!
       Next came the baroque guitar, so-named by Anton Birula. It was small, about the size of the modern baritone ukelele, and had nine, sometimes ten gut strings. A painting c.1672 by Johannes Vermeer depicts a young woman holding one of them. Notable makers of these new instruments were Alexandre Verboam II and Dominico Sellas. History records at least one famous player of the baroque guitar, one David Ryckaert III, who lived from 1612 until 1661, in Antwerp.