How to Hold the Ukulele
Sitting
- Sit up straight on the front part of the chair, as shown in the illustration.
- The ukulele should be close to your body in an upright position with the neck pointing slightly upwards.
The main aim is to be comfortable and have easy access to the ukulele fretboard. A music stand will also be helpful.
Standing
Tilt the ukulele up slightly, as shown in the illustration.
Parts of the Ukulele
Using A Pick
The right hand is used to play the strings by plucking them with your index finger or a pick. A ukulele pick is a piece of felt that is shaped like a triangle.
Hold the pick lightly between your thumb and first finger, as shown in the following photo.
Use the tip of the pick to play the string.
Left Hand Position
The left hand fingers are numbered as such:
Left Hand Placement
Your fingers should be on their tips and placed just behind the frets (not on top of them).
Be careful not to allow the thumb to hang too far over the top of the neck (Photo A), or to let it run parallel along the back of the neck (Photo B).
Photo A: INCORRECT
