How To Play The Ukulele

Closeup of ukulele

The ukulele is a small, but mighty guitar-like instrument that has gotten quite a bit of acclaim in the guitar world.  It's a treat to see all the accomplished ukulele players play traditional Hawaiian songs and popular covers on video websites like Youtube.  A ukulele is the ideal travel companion for any guitarist as it is about three times smaller than an acoustic guitar too.  I put together a series of ukulele videos that I enjoyed watching and learning from.  Enjoy these videos and maybe they'll inspire your next guitar purchase to be a ukulele.

The first video I came across is a great lesson for anyone interested in learning to play the ukulele.  This video will get right into playing the ukulele.  Check it out here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78nr8QMaUbI.

Jody Kamisato provides us with a second ukulele lesson that will take all the parts learned in the first lesson and puts them together in the song.  Now Jody is singing along with his playing and you can try that if you like, but it may be easier to just play the chords.  Check it out here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMwbDTRFKAE&feature=related.

One of the best young ukulele players I've come across in my search is Jake Shimabukuro.  And he performs an arrangement of George Harrison's song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."  Find one of his performances here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k&feature=related.  There isn't a lesson involved, but his rendition is beautiful and shows the creative uses of the instrument.

The ukulele has a deep tradition in Hawaiian culture and while we have heard from some more contemporary players, I want to feature a traditional ukulele song.  Check it out here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32pQP8UGQdU&feature=related.

This is, of course, just an introduction to the ukulele.  There is a lot of great information out there about ukuleles and I encourage you to check it out as playing this instrument will broaden your skills on guitar. 

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Have fun and stay tuned!

Mike