Ukulele -Easiest Instrument To Learn To Play ??

[JohnnySmash]

I was reading on google tonight and read that the ukulele is the easiest musical instrument of all to learn and play. I am not so sure about that. I was wondering what do others on this forum think about that.

[fazool]

That's the stupidest thing I ever heard.

That's why I hate the Internet. Anyone can publish anything and the innocent population can't tell whether it's true or not.

If uke was easiest to learn then I think that's what all the schools would use.

I am guessing bells/xylophone or recorder or triangle or about a "million" other choices

[RedJoker]

Originally Posted by fazool

That's why I hate the Internet. Anyone can publish anything and the innocent population can't tell whether it's true or not.

I don't think that's true.

[Kalani]

Try it for yourself and see. I doubt you'll come to that conclusion. I think a hand drum is much easier.

[BoneDigger]

It's easy to make some basic chords and it's easy to make it sound "okay", but just like with bass guitar, it's only easy to figure out the basics. To become a GOOD player it takes dedication and practice.

[PHJim]

It is much easier to play a guitar or a violin badly than to play a ukulele well.

Someone who really puts in the effort to learn the ukulele for X number of years will be able to play the ukulele as well as someone who puts the same amount of effort for the same a number of years can play the bagpipes, saxophone or guitar.

I guess it depends on how you define "play".

[wcguitar]

and am working on classical finger style on my baritone and tenor ukes...no
not that easy, but great fun...

[Steve DeRosa]

I don't know - ask Jake Shimabukuro, Cynthia Lin, or Kimo Hussey...

[Neal]

It IS, as was said previously, perhaps the easiest instrument (aside from hand drum ) to attain some semblance of musicality from in a short time with little practice. But even hand drum needs an understanding of timing, coordination, PRACTICE, etc., to be outstanding.

It’s the perfect instrument to introduce actual music to those otherwise inclined, and the payoff for them is pretty near immediate. And this is all just opinion, so I think it’s also a great instrument, for those with decent guitar skills, to learn so as to push them out of the many ruts fallen into on the journey. And(opinion ahead), it works best if you don’t go low g, simply to twist yer mind in different avenues and possibilities.

...unless, of course, you’re using low a because you’re playing old skool adf#b...

Oh my, I could go on and on...

[Br1ck]

You can learn three chords, a basic strum, and be playing campfire classics in no time. Maybe having four strings makes it easier than guitar, but implying it is easier to achieve advanced status is wrong.

[grasser]

Originally Posted by fazool

If uke was easiest to learn then I think that's what all the schools would use.

A lot of schools and afterschool programs do use ukes now. I think they weren't used in the past so much because they weren't being made in large numbers or with good quality. The first uke I bought, in the 1990s, was like one of the things sold to tourists from a hut. Now almost every music store I go into has some nice Kalas, etc.

[Woodstock School Of Music]

One thing to keep in mind about the ukulele is that the chord fingerings are identical to guitar minus the last two strings. D guitar chord formation on the Uke will be a G chord. Just count up 4 from whatever guitar chord formation your using. Hope that made sense

[MikeBmusic]

'easiest to learn and play' - not easiest to get GOOD at.
Nylon strings - easy on fingers.
Only 4 strings, many chords can be done within only 3 strings being pressed down (1 open) or fewer.
Small, doesn't stretch arm or fingers.
No pick to hold (or drop).
Easy to transport.
Inexpensive.