Ukulele

How to Remove the Neck Bow From a Ukulele

The ukulele is technically a chordophone classified as a plucked lute. As a subset of the guitar family, it is the Hawaiian adaption of the cavaquinho taken to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants. Since it has a short neck and nylon strings, a tensioned neck truss is generally not used on soprano or concert ukuleles. Neck bow is generally not a problem; however, it does occur and the repair involves removing the fretboard and steaming the neck.

The Evolution of the Ukulele

Learning the history of the ukulele can help you understand where the instrument comes from and how it has evolved through time. The ukulele is a four-stringed guitar-like instrument, which has its strings tuned to G, C, E and A (from top to bottom). Its musical forerunners are called the braguinha and the rajao, both small stringed instruments of Madeira.

Finger Placements on the Ukulele

The ukulele is a string instrument that originated in Hawaii. It has since become popular not only in Hawaiian folk music, but also as part of country, rock, indie and other modern styles of music. The ukulele is similar to the guitar, but it is much smaller and has only four strings. The technique of playing the ukulele is similar to that of the guitar, so guitarists can usually pick up the ukulele quickly.

Soprano Vs. Tenor Ukuleles

Many people think that ukuleles are simply tiny guitars, but they are their own instrument. The ukulele was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in 1879. It is now one of Hawaii's most popular instruments. The ukulele is used in modern rock and folk music, and many players appreciate its size, portability and light sound. The ukulele differs from the guitar in its size and number strings; the ukulele has four string to a guitar's six. There are many varieties of ukuleles, including the soprano and tenor ukuleles.

How to Play an Up Strum on the Ukulele

Next to learning the proper chords for your ukulele, learning proper strumming technique is one of the most important aspects of good playing. While there are many strumming variations and techniques that can be used on the ukulele to add musical interest to a song, most of the variations have to do with different types of down strums or muting, so the basic up strum is still used. Once you have the basic ukulele strumming technique down, you can begin to experiment with more fun variations.

How to Finger Pick a Ukulele

The ukulele is a small, four-stringed instrument that was developed in Hawaii during the late 1800s. It is most commonly used to play chords, which are made by strumming all the strings together with the thumb or a pick. You can play melodies and solos by picking individual strings. To do this you need to know the finger picking technique.

How to Upgrade a Makala Ukulele

A Makala ukulele is a particular brand of ukulele that is largely considered an excellent starter instrument for a beginning ukulele player, giving a good sound for a low price. However, it is still a starter instrument, and if you want to advance in your playing, you will need to get another ukulele to match your increased skill. There are several ways to upgrade from a Makala ukulele, and all have different benefits.

How to Scratch a Ukulele

There are several strumming techniques specific to the ukulele. One of these techniques is called scratching or chunking. The chunking technique essentially provides an atonal and muted scratching sound as you scrape your fingers across the strings. Chunking allows the player to keep good time while strumming chords. While this isn't a very complex technique to master, it is essential for beginning and professional players alike.

Ukulele Basics

Light and portable, the four-stringed ukulele remains one of the most accessible instruments in popular music. Originally associated with Hawaiian music and culture, the ukulele's adoption by rock artists like George Harrison and Eddie Vedder has awakened listeners to its melodic possibilities -- which are made possible by its stripped-down simplicity. As the success of cult performers like the late Tiny Tim shows, the ukulele can be adapted to virtually any voice, no matter how untrained it sounds.

Information on the Lindell Ukulele

The ukulele is a Hawaiian musical instrument similar to a small guitar, probably derived from a combination of a braguinha and a cavaquinho -- two traditional Portuguese instruments. Some older ukuleles are stamped with the brand name "Lindell;" Lindell ukuleles are thought to have been produced by the Regal company.

What Is a Ukulele Cover?

The ukulele is a four-stringed instrument which was originally made in Hawaii. Playing covers on the ukulele can be an enjoyable way to spend your time, and learning other musicians' songs is even useful if you want to write your own songs. Finding out what a ukulele cover is requires an understanding of the term "cover" and some examples of ukulele covers.

Ukulele Activities

The ukulele is a type of guitar that originated in Hawaii. Because it is much smaller than an ordinary guitar, it is more portable. In addition, the ukulele is relatively easy to learn to play. These characteristics, combined with the instrument's warm, unique tone, has made the ukulele a popular instrument in various settings.

Hand Made Soprano Ukuleles

The ukulele comes in four sizes: soprano (also called standard), concert, tenor and baritone. The soprano is the smallest of the four. The smaller size of the soprano ukulele gives it a higher pitched sound and makes it the popular choice of ukulele players. Like most instruments, there are many different brands and qualities of ukulele. Fabricated ukuleles are much less expensive than handmade ukuleles, but the sound quality isn't nearly as good.

How Does a Ukulele Work?

The ukulele has long been associated with Hawaii, though it was likely Portuguese cabinet makers who emigrated to Hawaii that introduced the instrument to the natives in the 1880s. The small four-string Madeiran guitar had been known as a machete. Hawaiians gave the instrument a new name and quickly incorporated it into their own island sound.

What Is a Pineapple Ukulele?

While the idea of having an instrument made of fruit sounds appetizing, the pineapple ukulele is not, in fact, made from a pineapple. This instrument is actually a variation of the standard ukulele with an unique shape and sound that has been popular with ukulele players for decades.

Parts of the Ukulele

The ukulele may not have the same long historical significance of the violin or the guitar. However, during the last century, it has become a much more mainstream instrument. Before he passed away, former Beatle, George Harrison, was playing the ukulele almost exclusively. Even as recently as May 2011, Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder released an album of songs with only the ukulele as accompaniment.

Ukulele Strum Techniques

The ukulele is a clean-sounding, joyful instrument that conjures images of Hawaii, where it originated. The four-stringed instrument can be adapted to a number of musical styles and works well in an ensemble or as a solo instrument. Strumming brings out distinct rhythms in ukulele songs. Knowing a few different techniques will make your playing more versatile.

How to Convert Tabs From a Guitar to a Ukulele

A guitar in standard tuning is tuned E, A, D, G, B and E, from the lowest string (in pitch) to the highest. The intervals expressed, going from the lower note to the higher note, are a perfect fourth, perfect fourth, perfect fourth, major third and perfect fourth. A ukulele is tuned G, C, E, A, with the G tuned a fifth higher than the C. The intervals expressed are a perfect fifth, a major third and a perfect fourth. Looked at another way, a ukulele sounds the same notes, strummed open, as a guitar sounds when you barre the strings at the fifth fret, though the G is an octave higher on the ukulele than the guitar.

How to Tune a Nylon 4-String Ukulele

The ukulele is a simple but expressive stringed instrument that works a bit like a small guitar. If you are interested in playing the guitar, but you are not sure you want to buy a six-string guitar, you can start with the ukulele. Tuning a ukulele is analogous to tuning a guitar, and the chords you learn on the ukulele are abbreviated versions of guitar chords.