Lesson #2: Holding Your UkuleleIn the first lesson, you tuned your ukulele and got ready to go. In this lesson, look at different ways of holding the ukulele. Fingerpicking becomes easier when the ukulele is held in a secure playing position.

Additionally, learn about how you can use a ukulele strap to help hold your ukulele in a secure playing position.

In this lesson, learn:

To hold your ukulele securely while sitting or standing How to use a ukulele strap

How to Hold the UkuleleWhile fingerpicking, its important your ukulele is positioned and held in a comfortable, secure playing position. Most people find that fingerpicking is easiest while sitting down, however, some people, especially those who perform, might want to stand and fingerpick the ukulele.

Sitting and Holding the UkuleleWhile sitting, hold the ukulele in a secure position by propping the bottom of the body of the ukulele on the top of your leg.

Relax your picking hand over the 12th to 15th fret. Avoid crooking your wrist in an uncomfortable manner.

Support the neck of the ukulele by resting it in the V of where your thumb and index finger meet in your hand.

Part I: The EssentialsLesson #2

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Standing and Holding the UkuleleWhile standing, hold the ukulele snug to your body by applying pressure to the top of the ukulele with the forearm of your strumming/picking hand. Support and allow the neck of the ukulele by resting it in the V of your hand.

When it comes to strumming, holding the ukulele while standing is much easier. However, its more difficult to the fingerpick the ukulele while standing. If you want to stand and fingerpick the ukulele, consider using a ukulele strap.

Using a Ukulele Strap to Hold the UkuleleBecause the neck of the ukulele is intended to be supported between the V of where your thumb and index finger meets, a common challenge with holding the ukulele in this way is that the neck of the ukulele can take a dive when transitioning between chords or notes in the fretting hand. The last thing you want happening while changing between chords or notes is to have to fumble around and try to keep a hold on the ukulele!

One remedy and solution to this diving ukulele problem is to use a ukulele strap. There are three main kinds of ukulele straps: ukulele thong/sling, button ukulele strap, and Uke Leash. For simplicity and functionality, I prefer using the Uke Leash, which I cover in the video.

A lot of members in the Strumming Tricks course have also offered great reviews of the Uke Leash brand ukulele strap too. The kind folks at Uke Leash are offering Ukulele Tricks students 5% off their purchase at their online store at http://shop.ukeleash.com. Simply use the coupon code ukuleletricks upon checkout.

Part I: The EssentialsLesson #2

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http://shop.ukeleash.comhttp://shop.ukeleash.com