Do You Play Guitar? You Should Try The Ukulele!

If you love playing the guitar, you really owe it to yourself to give the ukulele a go! Some people feel the ukulele is a good starting point, for example for kids, and then eventually graduate to playing the guitar but the ukulele is a great instrument to play for any aspiring guitar player. In fact, some even say they improved their guitar playing once they started incorporating the ukulele in their practice.

As you probably know, the ukulele has only 4 strings. While this may seem a setback to some guitarists, the lack of 2 strings can help you understand chord structure better. You are forced to think of ways to make beautiful sounds on the ukulele through 4-string chord arrangements and this can only help expand your knowledge and understand of how chords work.

Unlike typical guitar chords which are mostly in an up/down, 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 type patter, ukulele playing requires more emphasis on specific techniques like syncopated rhythms. It’s not uncommon for ukulele players to discuss and compare different strokes, rolls, and finger arrangements.

While the ukulele may not get a lot of press, compared to the guitar or bass anyway, many great musicians play or played the ukulele. Guitarists such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, even Jimi Hendrix all played the ukulele! So, you’re in good, if not the best, company.

So, why not pick up the ukulele and see what kinds of creative sounds you can make. As a guitarist, I’m sure you’re going to see the ukulele in a new light once you start playing. Enjoy!