How to play Ukulele

                       

    How to play Ukulele

The ukulele from Hawaiian: ʻukulele [ˈʔukuˈlɛlɛ] (oo-koo-leh-leh); variant: ukelele) is a member of the lute family of instruments. It generally employs four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings. Some strings may be paired in courses, giving the instrument a total of six or eight strings.

The ukulele originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian adaptation of the Portuguese machete, a small guitar-like instrument, which was introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, mainly from Madeira and the Azores. It gained great popularity elsewhere in the United States during the early 20th century and from there spread internationally.

The tone and volume of the instrument vary with size and construction. Ukuleles commonly come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.

Five Easy Chords to Learn

1. C

Ring finger on the third fret of the A string.

2. F

Middle finger on the G string at the second fret. Index, E string first fret.

3. G7

Middle finger: C string, second fret. Index (pointer) finger: E string, first fret. Ring finger: A string, second fret.

4. Am (A minor)

Middle finger: G string, second fret.

5. Em (E minor)

Ring finger: C string, fourth fret. Middle finger: E string, third fret. Index finger: A string, second fret.

Once you’ve learned these chords you can use them to play these songs

Five Songs to Play:

1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow When Israel Kamakawiwo'ole covered this song it became an instant ukulele classic. 

This version is the more beginner-friendly one played by Jason Castro on American Idol. Over the Rainbow 

2. Ring of Fire The ultimate Johnny Cash song. Ring of Fire 

3. Hallelujah Originally by Leonard Cohen but the definitive version was recorded by Jeff Buckley. Beirut regularly play this live on the ukulele. Hallelujah 

4. Blitzkrieg Bop Three chord classic from the Ramones. Make sure you start by shouting, "1,2,3,4" at an entirely unrelated tempo. Blitzkrieg Bop 

5. I Wanna Be Like You From the Jungle Book. I Wanna Be Like You

Five Videos to Watch To Learn How To Play Ukulele

1. Jake Shimabukuro - While My Guitar Gently Weeps The most popular ukulele video on YouTube. It's a masterclass in arranging a song for instrumental ukulele. 

2. James Hill - Billie Jean James Hill is absolutely the best ukulele in the world right now. 

3. Roy Smeck - His Pastimes The Wizard of the strings. A legend on the ukulele and many other stringed instruments. 

4. Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - Shaft The original ukulele orchestra and still the best.

5. Eddie Vedder - Can’t Keep The Pearl Jam frontman reworks one of his songs for the ukulele. 

For more information just visit this site:

https://ukuguides.com/tips/basic-ukulele-chords-for-beginning-players/

https://liveukulele.com/easy-beginner-ukulele-songs/