No other instrument sounds, or looks, quite like the ukulele. This tiny member of the lute family has made a big impact on music worldwide, enchanting players and listeners alike.
As you might expect from such a unique instrument, the history of the ukulele is a one-of-a-kind, globe-spanning tale with a note of mystery. Let’s take a closer look at how the instrument we love so much came to be.
The ukulele is a vast and exciting world to explore. As you continue to develop as a ukulele player, chances are you’re going to come across concepts, techniques, and terms that don’t make much sense upon your first brush up against them. One such term is “low G.” What does …
Playing the ukulele is a blast. It’s one of those special instruments that can make you instantly happy. The baritone ukulele is really no exception. It might be tuned a little differently than a soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele, but fundamentally it’s still a mini guitar with a smaller, high-pitched …
Some instruments require tuning. Some don’t.
The concert ukulele is one of those instruments that requires regular tuning. As such, tuning is a great skill to learn, and it’s an important steppingstone onto developing a better ear (i.e., ear training).
In this guide, we’ll answer common questions, and show you step-by-step how to get your concert ukulele in tune.
There’s something about learning to play an instrument that impresses people. Whether it’s the trombone, piano, or something more simple like the recorder, being able to play music is impressive.
If you’ve wanted to learn a new instrument or maybe it’s your first time, choosing one is the first step. The guitar and ukulele are incredibly popular instruments because they’re easy to transport, and they allow you to play hundreds of songs.
Learning a new instrument isn’t the easiest thing to do. It takes patience and a lot of practice. That being said, some are easier to pick up than others. If you’ve been dying to learn a string instrument but aren’t sure where to start, ukulele and guitar are the two most popular.
After doing some research and still unable to decide, going with the easier one to learn may be the better bet. But, out of the two instruments, which one is easier to learn?
Fact: Your soprano ukulele will require frequent tuning. That really goes for any kind of ukulele you have, mind you. So, learning to tune your instrument is foundational to all other activities. Whether you’re just starting to figure out how to tune your uke or looking for different processes and …
Is a ukulele a guitar? No, although they’re similar instruments and share their status as part of the broader lute family. Here is the difference between ukulele and guitar instruments, as well as what characteristics they share as lutes.
Knowing this will help you decide which you want to play if you’re considering getting a ukulele vs guitar.
Want to get your ukulele set up or repaired?
Interested in getting a custom, handmade uke?
Your local luthier offers a variety of services and products that can benefit you on your ukulele journey.
And whether you’re a singer-songwriter, performer, or session musician, there’s something special about owning a custom built uke (which is probably why you’re looking in the first place)>
In this guide, we look at the best ukulele luthiers.
Whether you just can’t get enough ukulele, you want to continue to develop as a player, or you want to be surrounded by a community of ukulele lovers, festivals represent an excellent opportunity to explore your passion in greater depth, become a better player, and get connected with other players.
There are a lot of great festivals all over the world, and in this guide, we’ll be looking at a bunch of them.
Everything is better in a community.
Sure, you can lone wolf it for a while, and you almost need to. But everyone comes to a point in their musical journey where they need a little support, help, or guidance. Perhaps some people to bounce ideas off.
These days, online and offline communities are available in abundance, regardless of what your interest might be. That includes ukulele.
And in this guide, we’ll be looking at several ukulele clubs where you can meet and interact with other uke fans, become a better ukulele player, and even find performance opportunities. Let’s get into it.