Why Is It Worth Learning to Play the Ukulele?

This is a very interesting question, and the answer is not limited to the ukulele. In my view, musical instruments are among the most wonderful creations of humankind. They complement and accompany the singing voice, and playing them — producing sound in a controlled way — can connect people of any nationality, language or culture. Music is a common language (sorry for the cliché...) that is understood everywhere in the world. Both making music and listening to it are fundamental parts of being human...

Returning to the ukulele: as the first post explains, it is a simple four-stringed instrument, and I am convinced that it is one of those instruments on which someone with little or no musical background can experience success relatively quickly. I think this is important to emphasise because many people give up learning music — or never even begin — because they consider it too demanding or complicated. Initial difficulties and stumbling blocks may make them think they have no talent for it, which is already the wrong starting point, and they quit. Naturally every learning process is difficult. Nobody sits down at a piano for the first time and immediately plays even a simple piece in a genuinely listenable way. How quickly someone learns to play an instrument well enough for both themselves and others to enjoy it obviously depends on the time and work they invest.

Many people say that talent is decisive from the outset and determines a person's “ability to play the ukulele”, but I do not think it works quite like that. I agree with those who say talent may count for something — perhaps 10% at most — but skill, including ukulele playing, is developed through persistent and diligent practice. I can confidently say that the ukulele is an instrument on which success can come quickly. If someone practises for at least 15–20 minutes every day (or more if they have the time), after only a month or two they can reach a level where they begin to enjoy being able to play a few tunes and reliably know the most important chords, at least in their head.

So I encourage everyone, regardless of age, to start learning music without fear. It is not black magic! And if you want to learn the ukulele, follow this blog!