Ukulele · Chapter 3 of 24
Holding the Ukulele
A ukulele is held lightly, not gripped. Here’s where each hand goes and how to press a string so it rings.
Most of the trouble beginners have with buzzing strings and tired hands comes from holding the ukulele too tightly. Hold it gently and let each hand do one job.
The two hands
The strumming hand
It strums and plucks. Most right-handed players strum with the right hand. Rest that forearm on the front edge of the body; it holds the ukulele against you, and the hand hangs over the strings.
Strum where the neck meets the body, a little up from the sound hole. The strings are softer there and the sound is sweeter.
The fretting hand
It presses the strings on the frets. Let the neck sit lightly between the thumb and the base of the index finger. Keep the thumb behind the neck, roughly behind your middle finger, and curve the fingers so that the tips come down on the strings.
This hand does not hold the instrument up. If you take it away, the ukulele should stay where it is.
Sitting, rest the body on your right thigh (for right-handed players) with the neck pointing a little up. Standing, the forearm holds the body against your chest; a strap helps if you play standing for long.
Pressing a string
Press with the very tip of the finger, just behind the fret, on the side toward the headstock. Not on top of the fret, and not in the middle of the space. Close to the fret, it takes very little pressure to get a clear note.
The fingers are numbered: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger. Chord charts and tab use these numbers. The thumb usually stays behind the neck.
Press each dot to hear its note. A note that buzzes usually means the finger is too far from the fret or not pressing quite enough; a note that sounds dull means another finger is touching that string.
Pick up your ukulele and check each one.
- My strumming forearm rests on the edge of the body, holding the ukulele against me.
- The neck points a little up, and my fretting hand isn’t holding the ukulele’s weight.
- My fretting thumb is behind the neck, and my fingers are curved.
- I press with fingertips, just behind the fret, and the note rings clearly.
- My shoulders are down and loose.
Looking after your hands
Warm up for a minute before you play: a few slow strums and some gentle single notes. Practice in short sessions and take breaks. If anything hurts, stop and rest. Your fingertips may feel tender for the first few weeks of pressing strings; short, regular practice is kinder to them than one long session.
Remember
- The strumming forearm holds the ukulele; the fretting hand stays light.
- Press with fingertips, just behind the fret.
- Fingers 1 to 4: index, middle, ring, little finger.
- Warm up, take breaks, and stop if it hurts.