Tag Archives: Ukulele

Posted on

Ukulele Songs With Just Two Chords

Find out why everyone should play Ukulele songs with just two chords

by

You might think you need a whole host of chords to be able to start playing your first ukulele song, but in fact there are plenty of Ukulele songs with just two chords that are great for beginners and more advance players too.

Ukulele songs with just two chords Uke University

If you’ve ever looked at a song book of progressive rock or complicated jazz fusion then you’ve probably seen a sea of chords, many of whom only appear in a couple of songs, some of which can’t even be found on online chord dictionaries and a skattering of regular chords thrown in just for good luck. It might almost make you want to give up from the sheer obvious knowledge kassam between where you are now and where you’d need to be to play the song but fear not. Not every song requires diminished chords, in fact there are plenty which you can play on your ukulele with just two common chords (though not jazz fusion pieces unfortunately).

 

Take the classic “London Bridge is falling down”, there is a version of this song which only requires two chords to play [C and G7], similarly Mary had a little lamb can be played with only two chords as well. [A word of warning, some songs can be simplified to be only two chords, this misses out some chord changes which lead to a change in the quality of the song.]

Obviously learning a song with only two chords is great for a beginner as it means you can focus on getting the limited number of chords right and not have to remember a whole range of chords. It also lets you focus on other aspects of your playing such as strumming, rhythm, muting, and even singing.

Similarly, two chord songs can actually be great for more advanced players. Many masters return to focusing on the very basics and fundermentals of a skill and by using a two chord song it drives you to make the absolute most out of those two chords. Perhaps you want to work out a solo to play over the top? Or change the rhythm at different parts to signal a change.

So two chord songs are brilliant for everyone, beginner and advance players alike.

If you’d like some two chord songs to learn to play, become a member and download 22 ukulele songs for kids FOR FREE today. You’ll get 6 songs which have just 2 chords (as well as many more which just have three chords).

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required


Posted on

14 Ukulele Quotes to Inspire and Encourage

by

Unsurprisingly the wonderful Ukulele has inspired many wise words and quite a few less wise words too. Some of these ukulele quotes will make you see your instrument in a whole new light, while others will make you want to pick it up and strum away.

Quotes

a ukulele quote by jake shimabukuro bring out the child in us

There’s something about the ukulele that just makes you smile. It makes you let your guard down. It brings out the child in all of us. – Jake Shimabukuro

zooey deschanel quote on guitars being overwhelming but ukuleles are great

There’s something about guitars, they’re just so big, you know what I mean? You’re just like, ‘Ugh!’ It just seems so overwhelming. And the ukulele is, like, the opposite of overwhelming. – Zooey Deschanel

 a quote from carol burnett sit around a table playing ukulele and sing
On the good days, my mother would haul out the ukulele and we’d sit around the kitchen table – it was a cardboard table with a linoleum top – and sing. – Carol Burnett
 quote by max schnieder I bring my ukulele everywhere I go
I bring my ukulele everywhere I go, play a little music in the park, always have it with me. – Max Schneider
 ukulele quote from jake shimabukuro there's no ego when you're a ukulele player
There’s no ego when you’re a ukulele player. – Jake Shimabukuro
 A ukulele quote from Don henley the first instrument they gave me
I think my first instrument was a ukulele that they gave me. I used to know how to play that pretty well. – Don Henley
ukulele quote from tift merritt Sometimes when you're writing on a ukulele, you're in a totally new land, rhythmically or melodically.
Sometimes when you’re writing on a ukulele, you’re in a totally new land, rhythmically or melodically. – Tift Merritt
 Ukulele Quote George formby stare at me with my little ukulele in my hand
Now everybody’s got a crazy notion of their own. Some like to mix up with a crowd, some like to be alone. It’s no one elses’ business as far as I can see, but every time that I go out the people stare at me, with me little ukulele in me hand. – George Formby
 a dwayne johnson (the rock) quote on growing up in Hawaii
I grew up in a musical family; the majority of my growing up was done in Hawaii. It’s what we do. You sing, you dance, you play ukulele and you drink.- Dwayne Johnson
 ukulele quote from jake shumabukuro the ukulele is like a yoga session in one strum
Sometimes I can’t think of a better way to end my day than coming home and just strumming my ukulele for a few minutes. I mean, I joke around and tell people that it’s an entire yoga session in one strum, you know? – Jake Shimabukuro
Ukuleles will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times with no ukulele quote
Ukuleles will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through time with no ukulele – anonymous
 ukulele quote from Jared Kintz trying to learn to be a gangsta
I’m trying to be a better gangsta, so I’m learning how to play the ukulele. I’m also trying to figure out how to rap a romance novel, like The Notebook.” ― Jarod Kintz
 George harrison quote everyone i know who is into the ukulele is crackers so get yourself a few and enjoy yourself
“Everyone I know who is into ukulele is crackers, so get yourself a few and enjoy yourselves” – George Harrison

And finally

ukulele quote uke cant always get what uke want
Uke can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find uke get what you need! – The Rolling stones (what? that is what they say honest)
Do you know any other Ukulele quotes?
Posted on

Is playing with a plectrum heresy?

by

If you are a guitar player then the chances are that you’ve played with a plectrum. A little piece of triangular shaped material, usually plastic, nylon or similar which is used to vibrate the strings of a guitar. However, you’ve probably noticed that plectrums are pretty rare for Ukulele players. But is it heretical to play the Ukulele with a plectrum? Let’s have a little discussion.

plectrum for ukulele

Cons of plectrums

A plectrum is a single point to play with unlike your five fingers. It is true that you can use some of your fingers along with a plectrum but you remove the thumb and pointer finger and instead gain only a plectrum.

Plectrums can also damage your strings and the body of your instrument as well. It’s why guitars usually have a “pick guard” which sits atop of the guitar body and is more resistant to the plectrum and so protects the body. However, the majority of Ukuleles don’t feature this protection.

Plectrums also damage the strings more than strumming with your finger or plucking with your hand. This means you may have to replace your strings more frequently.

Standard plectrums aren’t designed for Nylon strings, this reinforces the previous point, it will damage your strings more, but also makes them sounds harsher.

Finally, traditional sounds and playing styles have all revolved around using fingers and so if you want to get a “classic” ukulele sound, you’ll have to use your fingers.

But…

Having said all those points, strings still wear out even if you don’t use a plectrum. Plus, it’s okay to create new styles of music and not have a “traditional sound”. So while these are downsides…they aren’t deal breakers in my opinion.

Pros of Plectrums

After thinking about those downsides, it’s importent to think about the advantages of plectrums as they often get neglected with it comes to Ukuleles.

Plectrums can be easier to play with. The firmness of a plectrum can be easier to get used to playing with when you start out playing. It also won’t hurt your finger as much as you strum.

Plectrums can be louder. This is not a firm truth, you can gently and quiet play with a plectrum and loudly with your fingers, but with the firmness of a plectrum you can create a louder sound.

Plectrums can help you play faster. When you look at the fasters guitar players, they don’t use their fingers, they tend to use a plectrum as their firmness returns to it’s place quicker. This can help you play a series of notes quicker. This is not a complete truth as you can also roll strum which can help you play very quickly with your fingers.

Conclusion

Well, it’s really up to you and what you prefer. In general I don’t play with a plectrum as I prefer playing with my finger and the variety of options it opens up but I have and do sometimes play with a plectrum. What about you?

Do you ever play your Ukulele with a plectrum? Why/Why not?

Posted on

Ukulele haters gonna hate

by

Recently, on my journeys across the interwebs I came across someone with a strong opinion (how unusual!) His main point/complaint was that the Ukulele was the instrument for talentless non musicians who sound terrible. He went on to say that people should stop playing the ukulele (language, grammar and stream of consciousness have all been cleaned up here).

I thought he was being a bit pathetic but this ukulele hater touches upon a real perception, the Ukulele is a joke instrument and “non musicians” play it. This is a big pile of bull poop for a few good reasons.

ignore the ukulele haters play your uke

Posted on

The 10 Commandments for Ukulele Players

by

Many centuries ago, before the time of YouTube, Twitter and Tumblr, ukulele players were enslaved. Guitarists and other musicians accused them of playing a baby or toy instrument. They said it wasn’t for real music and that ukulele players were inferior.

IMG_0355.JPG

This lasted for many generations until finally a group of ukulele players helped free the others from their bondage by showing the power of the humble ukulele. Once they were led out of captivity 10 ukulele commandments came from Heaven for every ukulele player.
These 10 commandments for ukulele players were to help ukulele players live a full life and protect them from the evil and deadly path of becoming a condescending musician.

They were… (taken from the first book of Uke)

  1. Thou shalt hold no instrument above the Ukulele, for the Ukulele is a jealous instrument.
  2. Thou shalt not take the uke’s name in vain (and call it a mini guitar or not a real instrument).
  3. Thou shalt keep the National Ukulele Day holy (2nd of May).
  4. Thou shalt tune thy uke (no one likes an out of tune ear scratcher).
  5. Thou shalt share the joy caused by the Ukulele (play songs for others and teach others how to play too).
  6. Thou shalt not committee adultery and love another instrument more than the uke.
  7. Thou shalt not steal, credit for other people’s work (when you play a cover, let people know who did the original).
  8. Honour thy Ukulele fathers and mothers, listen and respect the work of Ukulele artists who have gone before you.
  9. Thou shalt play thy Ukulele regularly. Do not neglect thy instrument.
  10. Thou shalt not get too obsessed with list and commandments on the Internet.

And all the ukulele layers saw that the laws were good and there was much rejoicing and strumming.
If you’d like to pin or share a copy of the commandments, look below.

Ukulele players commandments

 

What are your ukulele player commandments?