Top 10 Reasons Why People QUIT UKULELE!!!

Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why People QUIT UKULELE!!! These are the reasons that my subscribers have expressed to me and/or the reasons that made people WANT to quit.

Sometimes it really does come down to the ukulele you have... in that case, here are some affordable ukes that I have played or that have been recommended to me by fellow music teachers.

SMART Goals Sheet

Affordable ukuleles

Check for strumming patterns at the top of songs...
Example:

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F A C E B O O K

T E A C H E R S P A Y T E A C H E R S

E M A I L

WRITE TO ME HERE
Bernadette Etcheverry
PSC 482 BOX 28
FPO, AP 96362

Hi! My name is Ms. B and I am a happy teacher working in Okinawa, Japan. I love technology, I love learning more about the ukulele, and I love helping beginners.

I hope you found value in my video. Please let me know if there is a video I can make that will help you.

[randomarcade]

another reason is that somepeople love playing the uke but cant sing and get discouraged

[CopperHealer]

I've mentioned a few times to my guy that I want to learn at some point in my life but I couldn't afford the luxury. He bought me a Kala Makala concert uke and I Love it. I've had it since August, have no experience with instruments and gave up for a while because I couldn't strum until I realized I just needed to do what felt natural (I use my pointer, sometimes my middle) and now it feels like my day isn't right if I don't play. I'm still kinda bad but I pick up chords quick, your videos definitely help!!

[danaanthereal]

I have been playing Uke for almost a year, and in no way do I consider myself an expert but here are some things that I have learned through mostly mistakes of my own:
1) Find an instrument that is the right size for you. That will mean holding different sizes and finding out what is comfortable BEFORE you buy. A trip to the music store will probably be in order for this. I have a soprano, concert and tenor. Tenor is my favorite but it is because I like the fret board space and I like the deeper sound. This will come into play for you, think about how much you can pay for one, research the brands and reviews, also-what sounds do you like? Bluesy-jazzy? Tenor has deep rich notes for this, and you may struggle with bluesy-jazzy on a soprano. Do you want more traditional sounds? Then you would be fine with soprano or concert- if that is the size you want. In other words, don't let someone else tell you that you should have this or that, because it is a very personal choice that should include your preference for fretboard size, sound you want, price you want to pay and your comfort level.
2) Ms. Bernadette could not be more right about starting out of the gate with difficult strums and songs. DO NOT set yourself up to fail. It is best to start slow and simple. There are so many really good songs out there that are as simple as can be and sound great with single strums. My suggestions to start like she says with two or three chord songs on single strums. Try the Little Mermaid, for example. Riptide is another. Three Little Birds. All of these songs have a few simple chords and you can start with single strums, and work up to island/calypso strums, chucking, etc. You do you, boo. Don't worry about if someone says oh I can play such and such right away. That is great-for them. But you want to go at your level. It isn't a race and this should be enjoyed! The first song I tried was House of Gold by 21 Pilots and I just about cried because I couldn't do it. Thought I was terrible, but the truth was it was too sophisticated to start with for me.
3) FUNdamentals. Boring? Yuck? Not so, mon ami! By working on the fundamentals first you are making future self so so happy. They are thanking you for it as we speak (or type). Think of this as building knowledge. You have to have a great foundation before you build on it. Get comfortable with holding your friend Uke. Putting your fingers in the right place on the strings. Figuring out how much pressure you have to place on the fret board. Figure out what strum makes your strummin' hand happy. Strum with thumb? Great! Or is it better with your index? Wonderful! Maybe your a pick kinda person. Hecks yeah! Doesn't matter as long as you are having fun with it.But don't think that you have to dwell in fundamentals forever. I bet you a felt pick that you can learn to play "Three Little Birds" on single strums within a day or two. Yep I'm that confident. Perfectly? Probably not but the fun is in the journey boo. Friend Uke is forgiving and mistakes are not as noticeable, unlike fussy instruments, so you will be well on your way in no time. If you find yourself thinking playing is a chore, walk away for a bit. This is all about the fun and not about yet another task that you have to to do.
4) Sing +strum: What madness is this? WHY CAN'T I DO IT? Well not right away for most of us anyway. We are all really good at doing one thing, and most of us have even mastered doing two things at once up to now. Took some time but we got it (typing for example! Two hands doing different things!) But when you are singing and playing, you are doing THREE things at once. Your Lefty is trying hard to get the chords right, Strummy is trying to pluck or strum correctly, and then your brain is trying to coordinate that PLUS sing the words at the right time and with the right notes. Of COURSE it can be overwhelming, boo! Take. Your. Time. Learn the chords/notes first. Pluck them out or single strum it. Do this a while. A good longish while. THEN if you feel up to it, add a little more sophisticated strum. Island strum or the church strut strum. Something showy. Something that will make you feel REALLY GOOD about yourself and the song. Get to know it like a Ukulele Jedi. Learn that song! I have sometimes dreamt about a song because I have immersed myself in it so much. HA! Remember, it's a journey. A process. And when you have finally learned to play and sing you are going to be so proud! Show it off! Bragging rights! Play for your friends, your family, your pet. Make a youtube vid if you are the adventurous type! Walk with a swagger 'cause you did it!
5)Don't forget that sometimes you need to put your right hand on your left shoulder, your left hand on your right shoulder, and give yourself a squeeze when you feel discouraged. You can do this. Promise. (This actually applies for other things in life too boo)
6)Have That is why you wanted to learn Uke anyway-remember?
Sorry this is so LONG! But really, I agree with everything Ms Bernadette is saying. Wish I would have found this vid at the beginning, would have saved me some frustration!
Enjoy learning your instrument, my fellow froody ukesters!

[sadcottonballdog]

And that’s why believing in yourself, and doing what is best for you, is very important when learning something

[jimkummer]

Teriffic teacher..under rated..learned more from your vids than all others

[kcjgihg]

I'm in love with the way you say ukulele!

[l.g]

I will never give up because you are there to guide me Miss B. Thank you.

[Diana-zouv]

wow I think I'm a big exception because I have a "cheap" uke (although I'm soon getting a better quality one), and when I got it I first learnt somewhere over the rainbow and until now all the songs I've learned have been through YouTube in 2-3 days and in my opinion when tutorials go fast it pushes me to do my best and learn fast!

[sbybo]

me, got my ukulele yesterday, already learning cant help falling in love with you

[nai]

I think this video is inspiring to others. It shows how and why some people have a problem playing. I am a violist and many of these apply to viola as well.

[silliaek]

I love how with the ukulele, learning something is difficult the first day but when I come back to it the next day, everything is 30% easier.

[grapplehoeker]

I bought my first ukelele 3 days ago because I wanted to challenge myself and learn to play an instrument properly. I have been struggling with various tutorials and I've been practicing strumming and chords. Strumming is getting easier, but chord transitions are still a work in progress. Especially since my chord fingertips are now very sore and painful...
...and then I found you! Bernadette, you're a life saver. Your teaching style is perfect.
I am not musically gifted but I love to sing while I'm driving, only when I'm alone though because my voice offends the ears of my son when he's riding with me in the back ;) For some reason I cannot duplicate a key with my voice. I did discover later in life that with a keyboard that could record notes, I could painstakingly play music note by note and then play it back. So I don't think I'm tone deaf. I'm just not very musical instinctively and have to be more mathematical and mechanical. I'm more visual than audible and I'm quite gifted as an artist, people tell me. When I listen to music and close my eyes, I see images and 'feel' the music visually.
So, I know it is going to be a long and hard slog for me. I'm determined to get this done no matter how long or painful it will be ;)

[Motion]

Hello Bernadette, ... as all things in life, learning to play the uke take time. Some people are talented and learn it a bit faster and some people need more time. I am playing in a Group and for me it is great to see how many opportunities are there to play together with people on different skill levels. Someone could pick the melody, someone could make only downstrums, someone could make a struming pattern and so on - it all fits together - and singing together is also wonderful. The uke bring people together if they are open for it. And it is a great fun! Thanks for your video!!

[mdgiebel]

Such a nice and inviting woman. She has chosen the correct career, her attitude and personality make me want to succeed and get good ukulele skills. Keep up the good work Ms. B.

[sherylquesnel]

You're an excellent teacher. Always come to you when I don't understand. I purchased my ukelele 5 months ago and I have just started my second set of goals and am doing your lesson challenge but sitting on lesson 1 for awhile.

[rephaelreyes]

That reminds me when I started out last year, it took me 3 months to learn one summer day from Ghibli studios. And since there wasn’t any tutorials on it, I would slow down the video and learn from that. But during that time, I could just mess with my ukulele and play Am, C, F, and have lots of difficulties with G. I would always put my ukulele by my bed or sofa so that whenever I sit down or lay down, it would become a part of my habit to play a bit. Now with hard tutorials from ukulele cheats and built up of practice, I can safely say I’ve improved a lot

Edit: if you bought a $20 ukulele like I did, you probably have high action on your uke. Don’t be afraid to lower the saddle and nut, there are video tutorials that can help you with that. I personally used razor knife and sand paper to deepen the nut and lower the saddle. To make your ukulele sound a lot better, buy a higher quality ukulele strings. I know this comment is kind of late but I hope it helps some viewers out there

[leekooler]

I love learning the ukulele from you Bernadette! In Kona, HI they loan ukuleles at our library. One great idea is to check your local library for one and another is to donate your ukulele to your local library when you move up to another one! Mahalo Bernadette for this great video! Lee Kooler

[MYKroe]

I'm so grateful that you are taking your own time to share your teaching skills of the ukulele. I am 56 years old, don't read music but want to play the ukulele, however as you mentioned, the tutorials are to fast for me. I would like to start your videos from the beginning but there are so many. Where do I begin and what is the law logical progression? Oh yes, I also want to learn how to read music. Thank you.

[candecarro]

I've watched a few of your videos, and generally I find you speak a little too fast for me. But listening to this one gave me an opportunity to listen to your voice, tempo and cadence in a more conversational, less instructional way. I'm new (two months June 1) to the ukulele (and any stringed instrument). I'm 72, and have always wanted to have and know how to play a portable instrument so I could enjoy music wherever I am. I'm NOT thinking of giving it up!
But the reasons some people do, as explained by you, give me some insight into some mistakes that I make as I'm learning.
Very much appreciated,
Thank you for your work.
Cande

[user]

Patience, patience, patience and consistency in practice slow and steady even if it’s 5 to 10 minutes. Totally agree. Printing out chord charts. Learn slowly until you are comfortable before moving on. It’s your journey to make it what you want. And remember to ENJOY watching different teachers to find a video teacher as enjoyable to me as you are. Cynthia Lin is another great teacher for us beginners ❤️❤️❤️