How to Play the Ukulele: Tips for Practicing

I know, I know, I wrote a whole post about why you shouldn't "practice" the ukulele, but that said, there is something nice about having some sort of structure on days when I sit down to play and just feel scattered. Having a plan for what I'm going to play helps give me something to focus on and sometimes gives me a feeling of accomplishment when I finally master an exercise, study, or song.

Have A List Of Exercises or Studies Handy

One of my favorite ukulele books is called Ukulele Aerobics, by Chad Johnson. It offers 280 different short exercises in pull-offs and hammer ons, scales, fingerpicking, chords progressions, and more. Whenever I feel stuck and need something just to get my fingers moving, I reach for this book. The exercises are laid out from easiest to most challenging, so you can either work through the book in order, or jump around and pick out a few from each week. Either way, this is one book that every aspiring ukulele player needs to have in their library.

Another couple of books that I love to use are the progressive and easy fingerstyle exercises by artist Rob Mackillop. Just like the Ukulele Aerobics book, these are laid out progressively from easiest to most difficult, and are great to have around when you just want something to play.

You can also rotate through any other exercises you find. Scales are always a good way to get my fingers warmed up and my mind calmed down.

Keep A Notebook of Songs

Or you can keep a catalog of songs on your tablet, but personally, I'm old-fashioned - I love paper sheet music. My Virgo rising means I love to pretend that I'm organized, so I usually keep a few binders going at once - one with a set of songs that I've mastered, one with songs that I'm working on, and one with songs that I want to learn or work on at some point in the future. 

Take Shorter Practice Breaks Instead of Long Sessions

Call me crazy, but I have three ukuleles on stands surrounding my desk every day. When I feel the need to take a break, I grab one and play a few scales or exercises or songs for ten minutes or so just to release some tension. There's actually science behind this approach, too - short bursts of practice are found to be just as or more effective than longer stretches of playing time. AND they're easier to manage.

So, find a strategy that works for you. Whether you're taking little ukulele breaks at lunch or during your workday, or committing to spending your evenings with your instrument, it doesn't really matter what you play, as long as you're playing!