5 Reasons Why You Need a Ukulele

• Which Type of Ukulele should I buy?
• 1)    Affordable
• 2)    Small, Lightweight and Portable
• 3)    Relatively Easy
• 4)    The Perfect Gateway
• 5)    Perfect for Being Social
• Conclusion

Thinking about taking the plunge and finally learning how to make music? Or perhaps you have a child or loved one who has been begging to get an instrument of their own to learn on, but you don’t know which one to suggest? Then look no further than the humble ukulele!

First developed around the late 1800s, the ukulele has grown from strength to strength, gracefully weaving itself into popular culture and music in just about every corner of the globe. It’s one of the most instantly recognisable instruments, and in our opinion, it’s one of the best ways to get into playing music. So, in no particular order, here are our 5 reasons why you need a ukulele!

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Which Type of Ukulele should I buy?

Before going into why you should buy a ukulele, it’s probably worth mentioning that ukuleles traditionally come in 4 different sizes – Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone. It’s not too dissimilar to how many family groups in orchestral instruments, such as the strings, have a number of different-sized instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), each covering its own group of notes (octaves).

Fortunately, the Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles are all tuned the same – G C E A, meaning that if you learn 1 then you can actually play all 3. The Baritone ukulele is tuned D G B E, which, although different, the chord shapes and patterns remain the same; they just have a different name, which you’ll have to learn.

• Soprano is the classic ukulele shape. It’s the smallest of the ukulele family and has that traditional sweet sound that put ukuleles on the map.

• Concert ukuleles are pretty much the same as a Soprano, just a couple of inches bigger, resulting in a slightly bigger, fuller and richer sound. The increased size also makes it the perfect option for those with bigger hands.

• Tenor ukuleles are even bigger still. They are tuned the same as the previous 2 however, the 4^th string – G is tuned an octave lower, resulting in an overall even deeper instrument.

• Baritone ukuleles are the largest of the ukulele family and, as mentioned before, they are tuned lower than the Soprano, Concert and Tenor. Its big sound is similar to what you expect from a guitar, making it perfect for those who perhaps want the benefits of a uke but ultimately want something that sounds a bit like a guitar.

It’s also worth mentioning the Bass Ukulele. Although not technically part of the official ukulele family, this modern instrument is a sort of hybrid that blends the typical tuning and low pitch of the bass guitar with the portability and vibe of a ukulele. This makes it perfect for taking care of the low end in ukulele or acoustic instrument ensembles.

1)    Affordable

One of the most enticing aspects of the ukulele is its relatively low start-up cost. With starter instruments, even from reputable brands, often available for under £30, it’s the perfect way to finally take the plunge and start learning how to make music.

And the good news is that the ukulele’s reasonable price point continues to appeal even as you move up the ladder to more intermediate and pro-level instruments. With solid top and electro acoustic models available for as little as £100, it’s one of the few instruments where moving up to the next level doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to majorly bust the bank. Especially considering that an intermediate-level acoustic upright piano could set you back a few thousand!

2)    Small, Lightweight and Portable

Learning any musical instrument can be overwhelming at the start – in many ways it’s comparable to learning a whole new language with the added addition of the necessary hand-eye coordination and dexterity required to navigate the fingerboard.

The ukulele’s small and lightweight size takes away some of the added stress of simply learning how to physically handle the instrument. It comfortably fits between the arms in a reasonably natural position and is light enough that it can effortlessly be held up while standing, even without a strap.

Its small size also makes it perfect for travelling between home, lessons, clubs and gigs.

3)    Relatively Easy

As mentioned above, learning an instrument is challenging. Especially if you’ve never played or tried playing one before. However, in the general scheme of things, the ukulele is one of the easier ones to get something half musical sounding out of. It has a sweet and cheerful sound that leans on the more forgiving side of things, with no scratchy bow scrapes or majorly off-putting noises to worry about.

Its low-tension nylon/synthetic strings feel relatively soft on the fingers, meaning that not as much effort is required when compared to other string instruments such as the guitar. Also, its small scale length, 4 strings and easy-to-manage neck mean that getting your head around chord shapes and moving around the fingerboard is much easier than some larger instruments.

4)    The Perfect Gateway

Although an incredible instrument in its own right, the ukulele is also the perfect gateway to other instruments. Once you’ve got your head around the complexities of your right and left hands doing vastly different things, as well as the hand-eye coordination needed to do so. As well as rhythms, chord shapes, scales and patterns, it’s actually quite easy to transfer those skills and developed musical theory knowledge onto other instruments. Especially other stringed instruments such as the guitar.

5)    Perfect for Being Social

With the ukulele being more popular than ever, it’s not only a great thing to do just for yourself but also a perfect way to open up some extra social doors. Many towns, cities and even villages offer community ukulele clubs where people of all ages get together, learn songs together, and eventually build up a repertoire with the ambition of performing live. It’s a great way to meet new people and really take music back to what it’s for – bringing people together. Many schools also offer ukulele clubs, making it a perfect way for your kids to get the opportunity to meet other children outside their usual class and friendship groups.

Conclusion

Learning to play an instrument can be one of the most life-changing, rewarding and fulfilling things anyone can do at any age. It has so many physical and mental health benefits and is also proven to help with memory and confidence, and can generally be one of the most productive ways of relaxing. We love the ukulele because it’s one of the simplest, most fun and affordable ways for people to take their first step into learning an instrument. And with so many clubs, lessons and online tutorials available for free on YouTube – what’s stopping you?

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