Learning to play an instrument is a rewarding adventure. Do you want to embark on this journey? The ukulele is a good place to start. It’s not just simple to learn but also easy to get the hang of! Many people are often curious about how long it takes to learn the uke. If you’re one of them, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll get you through everything you need to know about learning the ukulele. Also, we’ll take a look at some of the important factors to consider before buying one!
Before we consider how long it takes to learn the uke, let’s take a look at the best way to go about learning the instrument.
What is the Best Way to Learn the Ukulele?
From the standpoint of a musician, it is always best to learn as much music theory as possible before attempting to strum any instrument. However, for the average person, this process could be time-consuming and excruciatingly painful.
Some people simply want to have fun and learn a few songs they enjoy. Others want to play the uke to sing a specific song. As a result, for the majority of students, learning music theory right away makes little sense.
This is why we recommend learning the most basic chords and strumming patterns first, so you can begin playing songs right away. You’ll be able to keep having fun while learning new things this way.
How Long Does it Take to Learn the Ukulele?
Now that you know the best way to go about learning the uke, let’s take a look at how long it takes to learn the instrument. The ukulele, as you are probably aware, is similar in shape to and comparable to a guitar in many ways. However, unlike a traditional guitar, the uke is smaller, lighter, has fewer strings, and requires less pressure to strike different notes. All of this implies that the uke is easier to learn than the guitar and piano.
Some people claim that you can learn to play the ukulele in as little as two minutes! If that has piqued your interest, you are not alone. The truth is that you can learn to play enjoyable ukulele music in a very short time. Mastering the uke takes years of practice.
The good news is that because learning to play the ukulele is so much easier than learning to play most other instruments; practice becomes more rewarding much faster.
Generally, there are three types of students, and the time it takes to learn to master the instrument depends on the qualities of each group. The three types of uke students are:
1. The Musician
This type of student is eager to learn. They want to study the subject thoroughly and will devote many hours per day to learning the instrument. Students in this category will learn to play the ukulele in about 2 to 4 weeks at most.
2. The Aficionado
With enough time to devote to practicing a few songs, this type of uke student prefers to learn more than just the basics and spends time watching videos on how to correctly strum the strings. An hour per day feels more than adequate, or for as long as the task is enjoyable.
This type of student typically masters the fundamentals and learns to play a few songs in about a month to three months.
3. The Singer
With a single goal in mind to sing her/his favorite songs, this type of uke student dives right into learning how to strum that particular song and how to position the fingers to play the chords. Little time is dedicated to learning the chord names or more details than necessary, and about a half-hour of practice per day is sufficient.
This type of uke student takes about 3 months to master the basics and play a few rap songs, but after that, they can beautifully strum these strings while singing their favorite songs.
So, you can tell how long it will take you to learn the uke based on the category of students you belong to.
Learning the Ukulele Basics in 5 Minutes
You probably may have heard that you can learn the basics of the uke in 5 minutes. Well, this is true! However, playing a song comfortably with the uke will take more than that. This is what sets the ukulele apart from other instruments; you will know right away whether you want to take the next step and devote more time to learning it or put it down for good.
Nonetheless, do not overspend on your first ukulele. You can always upgrade in the future. There are affordable starter ukulele kits available for beginners, but make sure you get a good one. Don’t miss out on the basics. Here’s what you’ll need to know to start playing the ukulele:
Chord Formation
There are seven major chords, which translate to DO, RE, MI, FA, SOL, LA, and TI, as well as A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. All of them, are important, but you don’t need to pay attention to the B chord because it’s rarely used and difficult to play. The E chord is more challenging than the remaining five chords. However, these five chords are simple to learn.
Concentrate on two chords at a time until you’ve mastered them all. It is best if you can find a chord chart to help you remember each chord. For beginners, switching between chords may be difficult, but consistent practice will help ensure that your hand stays on the fretboard while moving to the next chord.
Strumming
Do not attempt to strum fancy chords without first learning how to strum the basics. Strumming down can be achieved by loosening your fist and using the index finger of your right hand with the fingernail side down. Besides, strum with the flesh tip of your finger on the way up.
This is where you should practice moving your wrist up and down rather than your entire hand or arm. Some players will use their thumb to help keep the strumming finger steady. Keep on practicing until you get the hang of it.
As a beginner, start with two of the most commonly used ukulele patterns. The first is a strumming pattern that goes down, down, down, down.
The second strumming pattern is down up, down up, down up, down up. To keep your strumming rhythm consistent, count aloud in four counts. After you’ve mastered these two strumming patterns, you can move on to the rest.
Factors to Consider when Learning the Ukulele
Now that you understand chord formation and strumming, let’s take a look at the following tried-and-true techniques used by seasoned ukulele players.
1. Holding the Ukelele Correctly
Some may think this is ridiculous, but your success in playing the instrument lies with holding it correctly. It will benefit the player in the long run because playing habits are formed early on. While holding the instrument, choose a sitting or standing position that is most comfortable for you.
When deciding on a sitting position, it is best to place the ukulele in one of the legs and place the strumming arm on top of the ukulele. Meanwhile, in a standing position, it is best to hold the ukulele against your chest and keep it there with the help of your strumming arm.
2. Fingering/Chord Changing Speed
It is normal for beginners to place their fingers one at a time, but this can be improved by doing fingering exercises. For example, try placing both fingers on the fretboard at the same time. Continue doing so, and when it comes to chord switching, everything will be done in an instant.
You are not expected to master it all at once but to keep doing it from the beginning until it becomes second nature to you.
3. Tuning the Uke
As with any string instrument, beginners are not expected to accurately tune the ukulele if it does not sound right. Besides, you can hear an out-of-tune instrument. There are online apps that can assist you in repairing your instrument. Alternatively, you can purchase an accurate clip-on chromatic tuner.
Remember that playing an untuned ukulele will not improve your skills and may impair your ability to hear the right tunes.
4. Correct Posture When Playing the Ukulele
If you develop the habit of playing the ukulele or any other instrument without proper posture, it will take the fun out of it in the end. If poor playing posture persists, certain body parts will suffer.
The pain would be bearable at first, but playing would become synonymous with pain in the long run. When sitting or standing up with the ukulele against your chest, keep your back straight.
The Ukulele: Advanced Playing Tips
Now that you know the basics of playing the uke, this is not enough. You can take it a step further by practicing these advanced tips:
1. Play the Ukulele Slowly with the Help of a Metronome
Playing along with a metronome will help you improve your sense of rhythm and timing when playing the ukulele. A metronome is a device that produces a consistent click of sound to assist the player’s tempo. Instead of purchasing a physical device, one can find an online app using a mobile phone.
2. Practice Your Favorite Song
Choose a favorite song to help motivate you each day in practice to make learning more fun and interesting. Look for chords and strumming techniques online or with your teacher.
3. Record and Listen
Recording yourself while playing the ukulele is the best way to find out if you’re making a mistake. Use your phone and watch it several times to identify where you usually make the mistake and figure out why. When you’re ready to take this instrument seriously, try recording with a microphone to get the sounds you need to fix the problem quickly.
4. Keep Practicing
The only way to master it, as with any other musical instrument, is to always practice. Practice, like everything else in life, makes perfect. The more you apply the exercises, the better you’ll get at it. The more you practice remembering the chords and mastering the proper strumming technique, the more you’ll be able to adjust to the exact rhythm of any song you want to play.
The Ukulele: Buyer’s Guide
Before buying a ukulele, there are a few things you must consider. These factors would either make or break your musical experience with the instrument.
Size
The size of the uke you’re buying has a part to play in your overall experience with the instrument. Essentially, there are four main types of the ukelele: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone uke. Most beginners start with the soprano type. It’s the smallest of all four types. If you have smaller hands and stubbier fingers, then the soprano uke best suits you.
However, if your hands are bigger and thicker, you should consider buying the concert uke or other bigger sizes of the uke. The playability and tone of the uke depend on its size.
Budget
Your budget will ultimately determine what uke you can buy it. If you’re a beginner, you shouldn’t spend too much on the ukulele till you’re very sure of your sound. Besides, you should spend between $50 and $100 on a beginner ukulele.
Material of Construction
Most ukuleles are made of either solid wood or laminate. While laminate is cheaper than solid wood, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are an inferior material. However, it’s important to consider your playing style and genre of music in your choice of material for the uke.
Brand
While there are many brands into making ukuleles, you must be careful while selecting one. It’s better to check out the reviews of the products online before buying them. However, here are the top brands that make quality ukes; Cordoba, Luna, and Aklot.
How Quickly Can I Learn the Ukulele?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, you can learn to play the ukulele in 5 minutes. Although the time duration is for learning the basics like strumming and chord formation. So, if you want to master playing the uke, it could take from six months and above.
Can I Learn the Ukulele in a Week?
Technically, you can learn the basics in a week. It takes months of hardwork to learn the chords of a simple ukulele song on the guitar, but only a few weeks of practice can get you there. Furthermore, to learn all of the chords, you must play hundreds of songs on the ukulele.
How Long Should You Practice the Ukulele in a Day?
When a student is first starting out, they may only need 15 to 20 minutes per day. If you are in elementary school, middle school, or higher, 30 to 45 minutes per day is usually sufficient. Teenagers and adults, particularly those who are more advanced, should devote an hour per day to learning the instrument.
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Conclusion
So, how long does it take to learn the ukulele? Well, this depends on you. There is no fixed timeframe for learning the uke. Your dedication and talent go a long way in determining how long you’ll need to learn the instrument. However, the ukulele is a simple instrument to learn, and with regular practice, you can master it in no time. Remember, when buying a ukulele, ensure you get the right size and it suits your music style. Cheers!
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