So, you want to play the Ukulele?. Ok. First lets take a look at the Uke and learn the parts so that we will both be talking about the same things. Here is a Picture that names all the parts and pieces of your new Uke.

There are several different types of Ukuleles, and for the ease of this lesson we will only be dealing with the Soprano, but here is a list of the most common types and there specifics:

Soprano.
(also called standard) Approx 21" over all length, with a nut to saddle length of Approx 13 3/4" Generally 12 frets, and usually tuned in G C E A, (also called "C" Tuning) or A D F# B (also called "D" Tuning)
Strings: std. tunings G C E A and A D F# B : All Nylon

Concert.
Approx 23" over all length, with a nut to saddle length of Approx 15" Generally 15 frets. Usually tuned in G C E A, ("C" Tuning) or A D F# B (" D" Tuning)
Strings: std. tuning G C E A but with the right strings, can be tuned A D F# B : All Nylon GCEA "Low G" tuning: Nylon G, Wound C , Nylon E, Nylon A

Tenor.
Approx 26" over all length, with a nut to saddle length of Approx 17" Generally 18 frets. Usually tuned in D G B E, ("G" Tuning) but can be tuned G C E A ("C" Tuning) in both high and low G
Strings: Nylon G, Wound C , Nylon E, Nylon A

Baritone.
Approx 30" over all length, with a nut to saddle length of Approx 19" to 20" Generally 20 frets. Tuned the same as the first four strings of a guitar, D G B E. ("G" Tuning)
Strings: Wound D, Wound, G, Nylon B, Nylon E.

Tiple.(pronounced Tip- Lay or Tee-Play)
A Ukulele type instrument with 10 strings. 2 A's, 3 D's, 3 F's, and 2 B's, with the 2nd A, D, and F tuned an octave down.

Taro patch
An eight stringed Ukulele with four sets of two strings, tuned like a soprano Ukulele.

So. The first thing is to tune up. Will will be dealing only in G C E A.
So. Holding the Uke with the neck in your left hand, the top skinny string is G. the next fat string is C, the next is E and the bottom string is A. However, they are numbered starting from the bottom. A is #1, E is #2 C is #3 and G is #4. As shown here.

These correspond with the fingers of your left hand. Your index finger is #1, your middle finger is #2, your ring finger is #3 and your "pinky" is #4.


So, now, with the help of a piano, or tuner, Tune the strings accordingly. One Note. The C string is the "lowest" string. When you are done, if you pluck the stings from the top down, you will get a little melody that sounds (roughly) like "My Dog Has Fleas".
But what if you do not have an electronic tuner or a piano?
well, you are still in luck! you can use the 2-9-5 method. If you know someone with a guitar, they can probably provide you with an "A" note or tuning fork. What you do is tune the 1st or A string to A. Then fret the 4th or G string at the 2nd fret and tune it to match the A. Then fret the 2nd or C string at the 9th fret and tune it to the A, then the 3rd or E string at the 5th fret, and tune it to the A. Sounds hard but it is really easy.
But what if you don't know anyone with a guitar, don't have an electronic tuner or a piano or a tuning fork? what if you are on a deserted Island. Just you, your Uke, and some Coconuts? Do not despair! Have a nice drink of Coconut milk, and then in your best singing voice, sing "Do Re Me Fa So La Ti Do!"
Tune the A string to "La" or somewhere close. Then use the 2-9-5 method as described above.
If you did all this and it still sounds out of tune, check out the "Details" section. So now that you are tuned up, you hold the neck in your left hand, and cradling the body of the Uke in your right elbow, lightly press the body of the Uke against your chest with your right forearm.
Most people find this to be enough support, but I like to use a strap.

Some people will tell you this is wrong, or this is cheating, but hey, we're rebels anyway, right? wild-eyed, crazy Ukulele playing Anarchists! No rules man! We are on a one way bus ride to Ukulele Valhalla! we're gonna sing and fight and feast and play Uke and....
and...
ok, so I got carried away, but what I was getting at is, strap, no strap. It's up to you.
Um Ok, so where were we? ah yes.
So there you are holding your Uke, all stiff and tight, with white knuckles and sweat on your lip. Your eyes are beginning to shake, bulging from their sockets. Veins are swelling on your forehead... STOP! Relax, loosen up. This is fun, trust me. You have to relax to really play the Uke. Otherwise you look one of those robot guys you see on the street corners, or worse, like a Mime.
So now you are loose and relaxed. make sure that you are holding it in such a way that you can strum freely, and move your hand around on the fretboard, all the while looking cool and confident to anyone who might be watching.
If there are people watching, and it makes you nervous, then try look mischievous. That way, if you make a mistake, people will assume you are being "avante guard"
Now, just holding a Uke may make you pretty popular, but at some point, you will more than likely be asked to play it, so you will need to know how to make some chords.
First we will learn a "C" chord, because it is probably the easiest.
Place you 3rd, or ring finger, on the first, or "A" string, just behind the 3rd fret, as shown here

Then strum all four strings with the index finger of your right hand. Congratulations! you just made a C!. On most Ukulele sheet music, it will look like this

If it sounds all buzzy and clunky, loosen up, reposition your fingers, and try again.

Next We will make a "G7" chord. This one is a little more tricky. Place your fingers like this:

Now strum. There you go! you just made a G7!

Here is a familiar song you can play using only these two "C" and "G" chords. It's called "Clemintine"



And now, just cause your so nice and all, I am gonna throw in a nice big F chord for free. It looks like this:

Using this additional chord, you can play hundreds of songs! Seriously!
Now, rock out!

After a while, you may find yourself thinking, "my rhythm lacks a certain Je ne sais quois.Each strum produces only a cacophony of ennui"
Or, perhaps,
"My strumming kinda sucks"
The difficulty arises because we are trying to train both the right and left hemispheres of the brain at the same time. Not only that but we are dealing with rhythm, which is a mechanical function, and melody, which is an artistic function. so what to do?
Well, for now, if they can't play nice together, separate them.
Yeah, I saw that...the raised eye brow, the slight nod, the squeenky eye
your thinking , "Riiiiiight..."
But it is easy. Just put on a good album, cd, tape, radio station or whatever. then cover all the strings high on the neck with your fingers so they are muted, and "Play", concentrating only on the rhythm of your strumming.
Once you have the rhythm down, make a chord.
then another, and another.
Cool, huh!

No, in fact my Ukulele sounds terrible! what could possibly be wrong? Click here if you dare...

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