Ukulele

Ukulele

For those of you in Ruby Class with a ukulele at home, I thought you may like to practise a few chords. Everything you need to get started is below. You can let me know how you are getting on or send photographs of your practising by emailing admin@cherhill.wilts.sch.uk. I would love to hear from you. Happy Ukulele playing.

Getting Started

Tuning your Ukulele

Tuners are available online for around £5. Once set to Ukulele, and as long as the ukulele is not too out of tune, this should be easy as the tuner will identify the string. Simply pluck one string at a time, and twist/turn the tuning keys - remember that the tighter the string the higher the pitch. The top string or fourth string of the ukulele is tuned to a G. The third string is tuned to a C. The second string is tuned to an E. The bottom, or first string, is tuned to an A.
If you do not have a ukulele tuner, there are several tuners available online that you can match the sound with such as the one found here https://ukutuner.com/

Holding your Ukulele

Your ukulele should be held flat against your stomach with your right hand holding the body, and the left holding the neck.

Strumming

Make your right hand in to a loose fist. Strum with the index finger of your strumming hand, fingernail side down. When you strum down, you should be hiting the strings with your nail. When you’re strumming up, with the fleshly tip of your finger. Or you can use a guitar or felt ukulele pick. Remember to strum with your wrist not your arm. If any notes buzz or sound deadened, you may have to press harder with the left hand fingers and make sure that your fingers are just behind the fret.

Practising

Try to practise for ten minutes each day. Practise your chord changes first as we do in class and then play a song or two.