TIME STAMPS (Skip ahead or go back) 0:00 Video Intro 0:30 Slipping during chord switches 1:42 Wrong size 2:51 Using a strap 4:25 The Green Snail straps 4:48 Ukulele placement confusion 6:19 Video Outro
Hi Lou, thanks again for these 🕒📝 Your timestamps reminds me of the first time we ever chatted on Ms.B's diy command hook video. Feels like yesterday, time flies when we are having fun.
You're so full of great information; it's no wonder your channel has reached 10,000! Congratulations!!! I hold the ukulele higher, as well, whether using a strap or not. I have installed a strap using your Command Strip tip but am a bit anxious to do this to my uke that has a high lacquer finish. One thing I have noticed with a strap that ties at the neck: if I tie the strap just above the nut, it tends to get in the way of my fretting hand. Instead, I thread the ties between the tuners (C-and-E tuners at the top, then the ties, then the G-and-A tuners).
Great read in the description. Helpful video. Everytime I see or hear PIVOT now, the images pop in my head from your video with the Friends clips:) 156 comments for you to read, so far! I'll keep it short and say, thank you Ms.B, Happy day
Dorell Meikle: I finally had a strap installed bcz I felt I was following my uku right off my lap! Your suggestions (using the finger bed, moving my strumming arm down more under the uku) have really helped to steady the uku for me. Thanx so much.
I am Thrilled to see that you have gotten 100K in subscribers! So Richly deserved!! I've also been watching some of your earliest videos. Super fun to see them. This another Great lesson, Thank you! Cheers!!
Gee! , it's really that simple. Thank you so much, Bernadette! Sometimes my ukulele feels so slippery and it never occurred to me that the part between index finger and thumb is the solution. How wonderful--the ukulele doesn't wobble anymore and now it's even more fun to play. 💃
Hi Mia! I am THRILLED that the ukulele bed helped stabilize your instrument! Keep me updated on your progress with the ukulele and let me know if you encounter other problems along the way. The comments section dictates my new videos ;)
Thiiiiiiiiis! I've been having this slipping sliding problem with my uke, I'll try positioning the uke a bit higher and see how it goes! Thank you, Ms. B! Also, congrats on 100k!!!!
Hi, firstly thank you so much. It's only after watching you I brought the ukulele and started learning from your video. You are beautiful and so is your teaching. Thank you so much.
Hello. I’m in Australia and learning ukulele from the very beginning. I bought a Enya tenor and love it. I’ve almost completed the 30 day challenge and could not wish for a better teacher. Thank you Bernadette 🙏
Excelentes consejos, nunca esta de más checar la postura con la que estas tocando a veces me pasa y tengo que recordar el sostener el instrumento mejor
Muchas gracias! Estas preguntas me llegan cada semana... pensé que si está pasando con tanta frecuencia alomejor este video le ayudaría a más personas 💛
Depending on the back surface of your uke, some cheap rubber chair foot stickers from the hardware store can stop it from sliding on smooth clothing. The plastic body instruments like the flea work great with this solution, no harm to the instrument.
Oh my gosh!! Thank you sooo much,,, you just fixed some positioining problems that I've been dealing with for months.... suddenly the ukulele feels so much easier to play!
This is just fantastic. Nobody talks about these topics in such great detail. A lot of people are going to thank you for this. Happy Sunday. Say Hi to your Cats for me, everyone. :)
So.. i was playing my ukulele today when my uke was continously slipping so i had to use the strap (i hate using strap) so now thus video was published at perfect moment and helped me alot I'll try using these tips ❤❤❤❤
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic it actually helped me allllooootttt. I just took a break from my practice and now i dont need my strap anymore (YAY) thank you so much , ur tips are soo helpful ❤❤
Hi Marion 👋🏼 Thank you for the comment! This question came up a lot the past week and someone asked for a video It’s super useful for me to hear what you struggle with so that I can make these tutorials ❤️❤️❤️
OMG Thank you SO MUCH! I'm an overweight woman, with a big chest, and I struggled so much to find any advice on how to hold a ukulele while taking account of my bodyshape! This top chest advice may be a savior for my back, and for my frustration handling capacities! hahaha Bless you!
Thank you for the wonderful advice. I bought a concert and struggle with the neck and head dropping down while I switch to some chords. I am looking into the straps as well. I watched uncle Raggy use Velcro stuck to backsides with homemade straps but think I prefer the buttons. My Oscar Schmidt didn’t come with a strap. Thank you as always! ❤️
Hi Dean! You can put a strap on your ukulele without any buttons if you like! Or you can use something like this ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html
Here is a good one for the soprano ukulele beginner "Hold the soprano ukulele close to your heart." I heard this from Kris Gilbert about a week ago during a ukulele/tech session at my states music educators conference. I wish I would've heard that the first time I started on soprano ukulele.
I’m going to Africa in April and I’m torn on which uke to bring. Should I bring a Barry or my enya? I was thinking to take the enya because the gig bag is great for traveling. My baritone has a gig bag but it kinda sucks and I don’t want to spend money on a Barry gig bag but I love my baritone so I can’t decide. P.S. I also really like the thank you thing at the end🤗👍😸
Wow! How fun!!! That trip sounds awesome. Definitely take the uke that has the best hard case. If you don't have a hard case, take the smallest ukulele that you can protect.
I know its 3 years since you made this but this helped me out a lot! I am coming from bass guitar/drumset and I like to play very aggressively, but I always had a hard time with my right hand's comfortability when implementing my fast strum techniques. I have been playing it on my chest like I was supposed to because I'm a bit bigger, clock position has been correct too, but I was contorting my right hand to try and play towards the sound hole too much. Switching to having my right hand focus more where the fretboard reaches the body of the ukulele and cradling it a bit better with my right forearm was like night and day. Now I can get over that darn plateau! Thank you so much :)
YES! Now this was my frustration when I turned myself into a beginner again! I couldn't coordinate all the things 😂😂😂 Okay, gonna go drink my coffee now ;)
thank you so much I just started and bought a soprano after realizing that the concert might be a bit for far for my fingers. but the soprano is bit more uncomfortable to place on my bod since I have a big chest area.
I noticed that my soprano is super comfortable to hold but when I play with my Sun Star Concert, which is heavier and bigger, I struggle a lot more. I tend to rest that one on my lap when I am sitting. Also, I forgot to ask but lately I have noticed that my thumb hurts and has a burning sensation when I play chords after som time (especially with the concert). Is it my technique? I am a bit worried... This was a really useful video as usual! I love that you always pay lots of attention to positioning the uku correctly!
Can you send me a close up video of yourself playing? You can DM it to me. Play the exact way that gives you pain and I’ll discuss with my professor so he can give us guidance Have you ever experienced this with any other instrument?
Bernadette Teaches Music I have experienced some pain when I started to play the piano (like 5 years ago?). But that was only with my pink. I have the weirdest looking pink ever. It looks like the joint of my pink is swollen or something! My doctor said everything was fine en she just noticed that my fingers are very flexible. I don’t know if this can contribute to the pain of my thumb? Maybe I have hypermobile fingers?? I don’t know, I believe it is a bad idea to diagnose myself haha I will show you a video as soon as I can once I experience the pain. I think when the pain occurs kind of varies. If I play day after day my thumb might get tired more easily? And barre chords are defintely the most tiring as well. Tomorrow I won’t be home. I am so happy that you might be able to help me!
@@vananhho1556 some people like to run their hands under warm water before playing. Maybe you're going too hard too fast in your practice. Try warming up the hands first and yes! Send me a video whenever you can ;)
Thanks Mija, for addressing the problem of placement for us Boobielicious ladies. LOL I ended up knitting a strap after viewing your strap video from a few months back. I also used one of those stick on hooks! Works perfectly! Plus it only cost me like 2.99( for the hooks) 😉 Can’t get any better than that!!
I never had terrible issues with sliding until I learned how to play Absolutely Smitten by dodie. Those chords slide up and down the neck pretty quickly so it's hard to keep good form. Luckily I have an Enya (with strap buttons!!) so I have nothing to worry about. 😊
That Enya is beautiful! Thanks for tips sensei - sometimes soprano is hard to position comfortably. If you make a signature uke, can you add strap buttons??
I have a small issue, I hope that you could help me. I have been trying to learn ukelele now for almost 15+ days and suddenly from past 3-4 days my wrist is paining as my hands are curved as you mentioned. But I know I am doing but wrong either in making the curve or holding it right. Please please please help me out. And I hope to hear soon from you also I am huge fan of yours, love you and God bless you, your daughter and your entire family. Be happy and stay safe. Lots of love ❤❤
Thank you for this helpful video Bernadette! I wish I knew about the uke bed finger position before because now it's not natural to me when I play because it was not how I am used to holding the uke. But I'm trying to correct it, hopefully I'll get a hang of it eventually. Personally, the main reason I have difficulty holding and playing the uke is because not only are my fingers short and stubby, they are often numb, stiff or prickliy due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Since you mentioned about size, maybe in the future I could save up for a tenor since there are more spaces between the frets, which will give my fingers more chances to move since they're not too flexible...? I like having a strap, too bad it is not that common with most ukes. You're Green Snail strap looks lovely, but the other one, the thicker one you wore with the red blouse is drool worthy! They're lucky to have you as an endoreser free of charge because you're so generous and sweet! Hihihi! 😍😍😍
This is so weird... I responded to your comment as soon as I got it and I don't see my response here. Did you get it? Just in case you didn't, I think I said something like this: Maybe the way you are holding your ukulele now includes the ukulele bed position, you just might not be aware of it! Some people have talked about soaking their hands in hot water and/or giving themselves a hand massage before playing so that they can warm up their hands. The thicker Green Snail strap was inspired by Taimane! Taimane uses thicker straps with her ukulele :)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic Hi Bernadette! 👋👋👋 No I didn't see any reply, just this one. You are so patient and thoughtful!!! Thank you for the tip, never thought of that befote...reaIly appreciate it and will definitely try that!!! ❤❤❤
@@francesrbernardo Frances, come on! Of course I want to get back to you. You are one of my best uku students! Hope this tip works for you. Let me know if it helps ;)
I know this video is 3yo, but it's fantastic. I was about to ask about #1, but you covered all the questions I had. I prefer to play the ukulele over my chest too. I wasn't sure I'd Tenor would be an option for me since I've only been playing for about 2mths now. But I think it would be better for me, esp with some of the cords where my hand feels cramped.
I have noticed that you are saying "oo ku laelae" nowadays.💕 You started saying "ukulayle" when you moved from Japan to maryland.❤️❤️❤️ "oo ku laelae" is the way hawaiian people pronounce the instrument's name, right? 🤔 Great explanation as usual!! 👌👌 What about the ongoing challenge?! 😊🤗🤗
Hi Shrestha!!! I hadn't noticed that. You are so observant ;) Yes, you are right! The way I'm saying it is my effort at sounding as close to the Hawaiian way as possible. The ongoing challenge: We finished the LOVE songs challenge so I'm going to make a few more scores for the Queen challenge we never finished and I'm also going to prepare the "Guilty Pleasures" challenge music. March is going to be a fun month! For now I am going to publish a few miscellaneous videos that don't "fit" with the challenges, but that people have been asking for!
Happens to me all the time when I play the soprano if I don't lean it on my leg. The tenor sized uke I have I don't have any issues with it. Great advice anyway, thanks a lot
I feel the same way! That's why I played a lot of tenor last year... it helped to have the stability while filming tutorials. I don't think I've seen you in the comments much before, so hi! :) welcome!!
my main issue is switching from your standard open chords to barre or mini barre chords. I'm playing the baritone ukulele and switching from an open chord to an F chord is SO difficult, and switching back to an open chord is just as difficult. I haven't been playing baritone very long so maybe I just need more practice. I would love some baritone tutorials from you, I learned so much from you when I was playing soprano/concert. Also, I've now written 13 songs. :D (as an older (43) new player that had no musical background). If I can do this, anyone can!
Hi Luna, My ukulele teacher told me to try and keep the thumb in the same place while I'm switching chords. Maybe this would apply to you as well. Try it and let me know.
well i went and bought a Soprano Ukelele on a whim without doing any research on what size i would need, i don't really want to buy another one so i guess i will try a strap and see if that helps. i may end up having to buy another one but i hope i can avoid it. thanks for the tips,
Teacher.... Can I use my strumming hand to support my ukulele and then use thumb for strumming?? Or should I use a button less strap?? There aren't any good music shops around me😅
Help! I bought an ukulele not so long ago, and since then im trying to tune my uke. But I cant seem to tune my C-chord. I even tried it with a tuner. It says that its the C-chord, but when I watch videos about how to tune a ukulele, the c-chord sounds so different than mine... :(
@@kebabhealth Okay, perfect. Your tuner has different settings. You'll see a little C, G, B, or U in one of the corners of the screen. Set your tuner to C and try again. If this doesn't make sense, don't worry! I have a video explaining all of this ua-cam.com/video/9ESYlESDJ90/v-deo.html
Bernadette Teaches Music I actually watched that video before but it still didnt sound like your C-chord.. I watched it when I wanted to do the 30 day ukelele challenge on ur channel,but I couldnt figure the tuning part out. So I kinda stopped with the challenge.. Btw I really appreciate it that you took ur time to respond back to me! 🙏🏻💗
@@kebabhealth Hmm... do you have instagram? Can you DM me a video of each string played individually? I can help you if I can hear the uku. Don't worry, we will get this working for you again! My insta is @plazi
Using a strap changed the game for me 🙌🏼 It WAS the video I found you with 😁 But I still suck at playing without a strap even tho I know how I'm supposed to hold it 😅 I actually really like holding it a little higher as well, even with a strap, I rarely hold it over my stomach.
Lou Bold Luisa, it might be the size of your ukes! Idk if you remember, but last year I almost exclusively played tenor ukuleles. Playing tenor ukulele helped train me on how to hold the other ones. Hmm 🤔 do you have a tenor?
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic I don't, but I noticed it's not a problem with every song, it's usually a problem when there's fingerstyle involved because of how I play fingerstyle and with a few chord switches I think, but not all. Haven't tried it in a while tho 🤔
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic So I just tried it again with Riptide real quick and it turns out holding the ukulele even during fingerstyle is not that much of a challenge anymore! Huh. Gotta practice more without a strap now
Great info! You mentioned trying a concert uke instead of a soprano. I am looking at an Enya concert, but it’s the same size as my soprano…23”. Do they differ in other ways?
I also have a question about driling in your uke. Wont it somehow change the sound? Or isnt there a possibility that when you have it on, and somehow you get stuck for example on door handle that it will totally ruin your uke? Wont it rip it apart?
I mean.. if im gonna put a strap on the strap button that i driled in (this wont make since its too late here her but imma try) while im wearing the uke, and me being myself i always get caught with my strap on the door handle, or the edge of a table etc., wouldnt the fastness (what?is that even a word) of me pulling my uke, my speed i dont even know anymore tear out the strap button and ruin my uke? I hope it makes sence😂😂
Hi, what do you suggest I do to keep my left thumb from sliding over the neck, to keep my thumb on the back of the neck. I was thinking of attaching a piece of wood a long the back of the neck as a stop.
If you look inside your uke with a flashlight you should see a wood block at the bottom end of the instrument. This is what the screw will anchor into. The drilled hole is just to safeguard against splitting that end block. Choose the size of the bit against the shaft of the screw, not the threads. Or, use the size the directions that come with the button say to use. Measure halfway across the lower bout and drill in from the outside where the two pieces of wood meet at the bottom. This will give a nice symmetrical look. The biggest concern is having the drill bit slip and mar the finish when starting. The solution is to start with a small bit and move up to the size of the shaft of the screw or a tiny bit smaller. You could also make your first pilot hole with a push pin. Go slow and don't drill unnecessarily deep. Put a flag of tape on the drill bit to mark the depth of the screw after the button. If you decide to put another button on the heel of the neck, where it goes will depend upon the shape of the heel and your personal preference. look around online for examples.
Follow the information above if you're considering drilling into your ukulele. If you don't want to drill, but you still want a strap, try this ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html
Thank you once again love. Your videos are so insightful ! I just ordered a Enya Oms concert uke excited to start my journey. Also Can you do the cover of "To worship you I live or I am a friend of God by Isaiah Houghton. May God continue to bless you in every endeavor you pursue !
Hi! Thank you for your sweet comment :) The Enya OMS concert ukulele has a strap button, so you'll have help in that department! Thank you for the song request too, I grew up playing worship music and I always think about ways to bring it into the channel.
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic No problem, I've been watching your videos for years and I'm finally ready to commit to UkeLife and Jesus. Thank you for being a postive light to all of us ☀
If I were to drill my own holes (I‘ll have a family member help me who is a carpenter) where exactly would I do that? One would be at the center of the „bottom“ and the other one roght above where the fret board is attached to the body?
Hi Lilly! This is a great question. There are few videos out there explaining this, so I think I will make one soon. I found this one that is a little old, but the information is great and it's very clear ua-cam.com/video/dTC_saWQ8DU/v-deo.html
I install my own: first thing to know before you drill, make sure that your ukulele has an end block at the bottom inside otherwise if it doesn't you are not going to have enough wood to drill into it, and anchor a strap button. some ukuleles have them some ukuleles don't. Most higher-end ukulele do.
I am a big advocate for DIY. It absolutely drives me a little nuts how a lot of people give up or think something like this is beyond their ability. That said, here is my advice. Experiment! Look around in your garbage or something you are ready to get rid of that could emulate the materials of your ukulele and use those materials to practice on and build up your confidence. Take the cost of your instrument into consideration. If it is a $20 ukulele, is it really that big of a loss if you destroy it? If it is a $2000 instrument, you may want to experiment a little more. If after experimenting you still feel the task is beyond your ability, do take it to someone you feel is competent in doing the work. Just by doing the experimentation you will have gained a much greater understanding and learned about what didn’t work. Failure is always a part of success.
Hi Scott! I am a big advocate of the DIY as well, but now that I have a large channel I have to be careful. I'm going to add a strap button to my ukulele and film it so that everyone can see :) With that said, I know that if I don't use the disclaimers, someone will come back and blame me for their ruined ukulele. Unfortunately it's the world we live in today.
Switching chords are pretty much hard for me since I'm a begginer so this help me so much that's why your my favourite teacher and love it when you ryhm things while you teach! 100k wohooo!!✊✊✨✨
Jessica Barcenas hi Jessica! 👋🏼 I love that you’re so positive! Yes, switching chords is difficult for you now because you’re a beginner and yes, it will get easier. I have a feeling you’re going to be a really good ukulele player. You are very smart.
oh my god THANK YOU I've played for over a year and never got a continuous practice session because i had to keep fighting to hold on to my instrument :O I thought I was just too dumb or too chubby, gritted my teeth and tried to curl around it in the attempt to hold it with my thighs lol
I just bought my ukulele yesterday and have been watching your videos... I kid you not, I was just saying all night that the positioning was slipping. Question for anyone: anyone have problems with the strap that has a hook? If we can't install a strap button?
What exactly is your problem with the strap? Is it just that you can't/don't want to attach a strap button? In that case, Ms B's video on DIY straps covers a alternatives to strap buttons: ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html Or is it a different problem?
@@jesslyt13 I have been using a hook strap pretty much from the beginning. That's not saying much, I've only been playing ukulele for 10 months. However, I've always been used to using a strap on my instruments, (bass guitars), and that's just what I've always been comfortable with. I am going to be working with this video for a while to try and gain more independence from the strap, and I have confidence in Ms. Bernadette's methods and am sure I will, with practice, be able to play more without one. But if not, I won't be alone, even Jake Shimabukuro uses a hook strap... LOL. Hope this helps. Cheers!!
Gracias genial amiga me encanta tu VOZ Dios te bendiga témazo súper bonito genial amiga Saludos desde Marbella guapísima bendición 3333👗💚🎻🎺👒❣❣❣❣👒😍👗👒❣💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣🎚🎛😊😆😋😁😃😍😍😍😍👗
Hi Diksha! This is very difficult, so don't worry. Try this Step 1. Strum and sing the lyrics in your head NOT out loud. Once you mastered step 1, proceed to step 2 Step 2. Strum and hum the melody. Do NOT sing out loud Once you can hum and strum, move to step 3 Step 3. Try to sing A FEW of the lyrics. Not all of them. Keep strumming and never stop. Slowly add more of the lyrics as you get better. You won't have to do this forever. It's just your brain is learning how to process switching chords and strumming a ukulele right now, so adding the singing is way too much. Once your brain feels very comfortable with playing ukulele, adding the singing will be much easier.
Yo, not sure if you still reply to the comments on the old vids but lets give it a go. I have been playing for some 16 months now. I had couple of concert sized ukes which I have no replaced with Tenor and Soprano. Love em both. BUT the problem is with the Soprano sized one. The strings on the bridge scratch the inside of my arm if I don't have a long sleeve which I don't wanna have always. It doesn't happen with Concert nor the Tenor sizes as the bridge is further away from the end of the uke and the inside of my hand is way above the bridge. But with soprano the arm is literally touching the strings and they give me scratches. The touching is only at the bridge and therefore doesn't affect the sound. Anyway, any advices how to fix my positioning or should I just get another uke? :)
When changing chords I start with my thumb just slight higher than centre after progressing through chords and especially G, I find my thumb rides up I can’t seem to have it pivot and stay on one spot? This causes issues for me in terms of stability changing day from G to Am or F.
Hi! I have concert ukulele made for me by my friend (he started building ukes two years ago). Neck is really thick and heavy - heavier than uke body. Is it normall? I played one time on my unckle cheap uku and it was a lot lighter... (Sorry for my bad English >_
I cannot place my thumb's upper part on the back of uke nd it slips in the hinge...but I can still play it then..but I can't do the chord changes as easily as you with the thumb at the back
I just attached 1 strap button at the buttom of my new uku ukulele and attached my old strap 😄, i really can't shift chords without a strap 😅 i tried! But failed!
As a 65 year old, I definitely agree with getting the larger ukulele. The first one I bought was a tenor, the rest are just too small for me. I can't get my fingers to even do chords on a soprano...
@@angelilachica5231 AH! I just looked for pictures of a turtle back ukulele... that is super curved. I think it is worth a shot, but I can't say for sure :(
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic thanks for that recommendation! Another thing I have trouble with is I can't sing and play at the same time... Do you have tips for that? I think you're a great teacher which is why I look forward to your tips the most. ❤
Yes! This comes up a lot as well but I think I’m going to make a challenge for this because it is a technique that takes time to master. I think a challenge would give us enough time to master this :)
Wooow me encanta tu VOZ Dios te bendiga amiga Saludos desde Marbella España genial linda Dios te bendiga esta súper guapísima bendición para ti bonita ukulele bendición guapísima bendición para ti bonita eres la mejor de ukulele bendición
I adgree i have played the ukulele for many hours and you want to strum where the next and body meets, that way your fingers wont slide under the strings
TIME STAMPS
(Skip ahead or go back)
0:00 Video Intro
0:30 Slipping during chord switches
1:42 Wrong size
2:51 Using a strap
4:25 The Green Snail straps
4:48 Ukulele placement confusion
6:19 Video Outro
Lou Bold thank you so much for the time stamps!!!
Hi Lou, thanks again for these 🕒📝 Your timestamps reminds me of the first time we ever chatted on Ms.B's diy command hook video. Feels like yesterday, time flies when we are having fun.
You're so full of great information; it's no wonder your channel has reached 10,000! Congratulations!!!
I hold the ukulele higher, as well, whether using a strap or not. I have installed a strap using your Command Strip tip but am a bit anxious to do this to my uke that has a high lacquer finish.
One thing I have noticed with a strap that ties at the neck: if I tie the strap just above the nut, it tends to get in the way of my fretting hand. Instead, I thread the ties between the tuners (C-and-E tuners at the top, then the ties, then the G-and-A tuners).
Ahhhhh! This is how I tie a strap on my Sanshin as well!!
I STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOR MONTHS! THANK YOU
Luus Pluus 😲😲😲 I wish I knew! I would’ve made this earlier!!
Great read in the description. Helpful video. Everytime I see or hear PIVOT now, the images pop in my head from your video with the Friends clips:) 156 comments for you to read, so far! I'll keep it short and say, thank you Ms.B, Happy day
Gee, this video was so helpful
You’re the best!
Woohooo congrats on 100,000 subscribers! Can’t believe it!!!!🎉👏👏
💛💛💛💛 I feel exactly the same way!!!
Dorell Meikle: I finally had a strap installed bcz I felt I was following my uku right off my lap! Your suggestions (using the finger bed, moving my strumming arm down more under the uku) have really helped to steady the uku for me. Thanx so much.
Thank you so much for the sweet compliment! :) glad these tips have helped and I’m also glad you had a strap installed
I am Thrilled to see that you have gotten 100K in subscribers! So Richly deserved!! I've also been watching some of your earliest videos. Super fun to see them. This another Great lesson, Thank you! Cheers!!
Thank you so much! This milestone feels surreal. I still feel like we are tiny family of uku players :)
Gee! , it's really that simple. Thank you so much, Bernadette! Sometimes my ukulele feels so slippery and it never occurred to me that the part between index finger and thumb is the solution. How wonderful--the ukulele doesn't wobble anymore and now it's even more fun to play. 💃
Hi Mia!
I am THRILLED that the ukulele bed helped stabilize your instrument!
Keep me updated on your progress with the ukulele and let me know if you encounter other problems along the way. The comments section dictates my new videos ;)
My son installed a strap button on my ukulele, it was super quick and easy and a game changer for this teacher! I LOVE having it! (Leah)
Hi Leah!
Yes, the strap is a game changer. I see people's anxiety and stress literally melt away when they add a strap :)
Thiiiiiiiiis! I've been having this slipping sliding problem with my uke, I'll try positioning the uke a bit higher and see how it goes!
Thank you, Ms. B!
Also, congrats on 100k!!!!
Hi, firstly thank you so much. It's only after watching you I brought the ukulele and started learning from your video. You are beautiful and so is your teaching. Thank you so much.
Hello. I’m in Australia and learning ukulele from the very beginning. I bought a Enya tenor and love it.
I’ve almost completed the 30 day challenge and could not wish for a better teacher.
Thank you Bernadette 🙏
Excelentes consejos, nunca esta de más checar la postura con la que estas tocando a veces me pasa y tengo que recordar el sostener el instrumento mejor
Muchas gracias! Estas preguntas me llegan cada semana... pensé que si está pasando con tanta frecuencia alomejor este video le ayudaría a más personas 💛
Wonderful video Ms. B! Do you have a link to the uke straps? I would love to get a cute one for my tenor and concert ukes!
Ah, never mind, I found it. Thank you for all you do for the ukulele community!
Yay! Did you find her profile?
It’s super cute :)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic Yes! I love that she makes them out of ties!
Depending on the back surface of your uke, some cheap rubber chair foot stickers from the hardware store can stop it from sliding on smooth clothing. The plastic body instruments like the flea work great with this solution, no harm to the instrument.
Oh my gosh!! Thank you sooo much,,, you just fixed some positioining problems that I've been dealing with for months.... suddenly the ukulele feels so much easier to play!
Thank you for doing a video on this! I’ve always had this problem since I picked up my first uke a year ago, but I thought it was just me!!!
Congrats on 100k!!😍💞❤️❤️
AHHH!!! Thank you so much 😘😘😘
Just got a Ukulele a week ago and you are the BEST teacher!! thank you so much for your videos❤️
Leen!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so so so much!
I hope you have fun on your ukulele journey :)
Keep me updated
I play up high on my chest like you just showed! It helps me so much to hold it like that !!!!! Great Video! Luv u always, Latonya Renee Williamson
Yeah!! That's comfortable for me too :)
My dad would make fun of us all 😂
This is just fantastic.
Nobody talks about these topics in such great detail.
A lot of people are going to thank you for this.
Happy Sunday.
Say Hi to your Cats for me, everyone. :)
100k!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😆 congrats!
Maya Pan-Miller ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you!!!
Thanks Bernadette for your suggestion of placing the ukulele higher on the chest. It does work better, for me! Greetings from Toronto!
So.. i was playing my ukulele today when my uke was continously slipping so i had to use the strap (i hate using strap) so now thus video was published at perfect moment and helped me alot I'll try using these tips ❤❤❤❤
Hi Iqra!
How did the ukulele doing now? Which one of these tips applied to you?
I'm curious to know what helps people :)
💛💛💛
Thank you so much!
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic it actually helped me allllooootttt. I just took a break from my practice and now i dont need my strap anymore (YAY) thank you so much , ur tips are soo helpful ❤❤
Thank you for addressing the slipping and position issue!
Hi Marion 👋🏼
Thank you for the comment!
This question came up a lot the past week and someone asked for a video
It’s super useful for me to hear what you struggle with so that I can make these tutorials ❤️❤️❤️
would you have any tips for going from Am to B7? Barre chords are difficult for me in general.
@@mariontor8139 Hi Marion! Yes, I have tips. Try playing the abbreviated B7 chord! Here's a picture of it ukulele-chords.com/B7/2
No barre!
OMG Thank you SO MUCH! I'm an overweight woman, with a big chest, and I struggled so much to find any advice on how to hold a ukulele while taking account of my bodyshape! This top chest advice may be a savior for my back, and for my frustration handling capacities! hahaha Bless you!
Thank you for the wonderful advice. I bought a concert and struggle with the neck and head dropping down while I switch to some chords. I am looking into the straps as well. I watched uncle Raggy use Velcro stuck to backsides with homemade straps but think I prefer the buttons. My Oscar Schmidt didn’t come with a strap. Thank you as always! ❤️
Hi Dean! You can put a strap on your ukulele without any buttons if you like! Or you can use something like this
ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html
Here is a good one for the soprano ukulele beginner "Hold the soprano ukulele close to your heart." I heard this from Kris Gilbert about a week ago during a ukulele/tech session at my states music educators conference. I wish I would've heard that the first time I started on soprano ukulele.
AWWWW!!!! I love that! That is so so so cute!!! :)
Thanks Marivel Rivas for sharing 😍
As usual such a helpful video❤
Thank you so much, Talha!!! :)
Very helpful. thank you for posting. I do better holding Ukulele a little higher on my body
Hi Ted! Thank you so much for letting us know!
I’m going to Africa in April and I’m torn on which uke to bring. Should I bring a Barry or my enya? I was thinking to take the enya because the gig bag is great for traveling. My baritone has a gig bag but it kinda sucks and I don’t want to spend money on a Barry gig bag but I love my baritone so I can’t decide. P.S. I also really like the thank you thing at the end🤗👍😸
Wow! How fun!!! That trip sounds awesome.
Definitely take the uke that has the best hard case. If you don't have a hard case, take the smallest ukulele that you can protect.
Ok, M6 it is! Thanks so much and congrats again on 100k!😸🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so much!
The M6 is a good one. I think it’ll be a good conversation starter :)
Wow I’ve been playing for 8 months or so and I still struggle with my uke slipping sometimes!! Thanks for the great tips 🙌🏼🎉
Thank you for sharing this Ms.B~❤️
Yunie White thank you, Yunie, for being here and always being so nice to me ❤️
happy 100k subscribers 😆
Thank you so much, Avery!!!! 😘😘😘
I know its 3 years since you made this but this helped me out a lot! I am coming from bass guitar/drumset and I like to play very aggressively, but I always had a hard time with my right hand's comfortability when implementing my fast strum techniques. I have been playing it on my chest like I was supposed to because I'm a bit bigger, clock position has been correct too, but I was contorting my right hand to try and play towards the sound hole too much. Switching to having my right hand focus more where the fretboard reaches the body of the ukulele and cradling it a bit better with my right forearm was like night and day. Now I can get over that darn plateau! Thank you so much :)
Great tips! Thanks!
Thank yo, Elli!! 💛💛💛
Great job Bernadette Teaches!!!!!!!!!)))👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊
Thank you so much, Steve!! I really appreciate it :)
This is so great!!! When I first started this was precisely my gripe with playing! So much slipping and frustration. 😘😘😘
YES! Now this was my frustration when I turned myself into a beginner again! I couldn't coordinate all the things 😂😂😂
Okay, gonna go drink my coffee now ;)
Bernadette Teaches Music 🤣😂😂☕️
thank you so much I just started and bought a soprano after realizing that the concert might be a bit for far for my fingers. but the soprano is bit more uncomfortable to place on my bod since I have a big chest area.
I noticed that my soprano is super comfortable to hold but when I play with my Sun Star Concert, which is heavier and bigger, I struggle a lot more. I tend to rest that one on my lap when I am sitting. Also, I forgot to ask but lately I have noticed that my thumb hurts and has a burning sensation when I play chords after som time (especially with the concert). Is it my technique? I am a bit worried... This was a really useful video as usual! I love that you always pay lots of attention to positioning the uku correctly!
Can you send me a close up video of yourself playing? You can DM it to me. Play the exact way that gives you pain and I’ll discuss with my professor so he can give us guidance
Have you ever experienced this with any other instrument?
Bernadette Teaches Music I have experienced some pain when I started to play the piano (like 5 years ago?). But that was only with my pink. I have the weirdest looking pink ever. It looks like the joint of my pink is swollen or something! My doctor said everything was fine en she just noticed that my fingers are very flexible. I don’t know if this can contribute to the pain of my thumb? Maybe I have hypermobile fingers?? I don’t know, I believe it is a bad idea to diagnose myself haha
I will show you a video as soon as I can once I experience the pain. I think when the pain occurs kind of varies. If I play day after day my thumb might get tired more easily? And barre chords are defintely the most tiring as well. Tomorrow I won’t be home. I am so happy that you might be able to help me!
@@vananhho1556 some people like to run their hands under warm water before playing. Maybe you're going too hard too fast in your practice. Try warming up the hands first and yes! Send me a video whenever you can ;)
Thanks Mija, for addressing the problem of placement for us Boobielicious ladies. LOL I ended up knitting a strap after viewing your strap video from a few months back. I also used one of those stick on hooks! Works perfectly! Plus it only cost me like 2.99( for the hooks) 😉 Can’t get any better than that!!
I never had terrible issues with sliding until I learned how to play Absolutely Smitten by dodie. Those chords slide up and down the neck pretty quickly so it's hard to keep good form. Luckily I have an Enya (with strap buttons!!) so I have nothing to worry about. 😊
Oh! That's good! I like the way the Enya strap buttons are installed :)
Thankyou so much these tips really helped! 😄💗
Aww, yay! Glad they helped, Danielle!
That Enya is beautiful! Thanks for tips sensei - sometimes soprano is hard to position comfortably. If you make a signature uke, can you add strap buttons??
Thank you so much! Glad you like this tutorial!!! I’m not sure if they can add a strap button to the signature uke I’m working on... let me ask!
Bendicion linda me encanta ukulele saludos desde marbella
Gracias!!’ 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
I have a small issue, I hope that you could help me. I have been trying to learn ukelele now for almost 15+ days and suddenly from past 3-4 days my wrist is paining as my hands are curved as you mentioned. But I know I am doing but wrong either in making the curve or holding it right. Please please please help me out.
And I hope to hear soon from you also I am huge fan of yours, love you and God bless you, your daughter and your entire family. Be happy and stay safe. Lots of love ❤❤
Your video was very helpful! I have long arms so a concert uke is easier to play than soprano. And a strap is the icing on the cake!
Thanks for the tips! Definitely getting a strap button installed on mine.
Vina Ng it will help a lot!!!
This always happens to me when I’m trying to play bar chords this really helped thanks Mrs b 💜💜🙏🙏🙏♥️❤️❤️🥰
Thank you so much for letting me know this helped you :) have a wonderful day, Heyab 💛
Thank you for this helpful video Bernadette!
I wish I knew about the uke bed finger position before because now it's not natural to me when I play because it was not how I am used to holding the uke. But I'm trying to correct it, hopefully I'll get a hang of it eventually.
Personally, the main reason I have difficulty holding and playing the uke is because not only are my fingers short and stubby, they are often numb, stiff or prickliy due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Since you mentioned about size, maybe in the future I could save up for a tenor since there are more spaces between the frets, which will give my fingers more chances to move since they're not too flexible...?
I like having a strap, too bad it is not that common with most ukes. You're Green Snail strap looks lovely, but the other one, the thicker one you wore with the red blouse is drool worthy! They're lucky to have you as an endoreser free of charge because you're so generous and sweet! Hihihi! 😍😍😍
This is so weird... I responded to your comment as soon as I got it and I don't see my response here. Did you get it?
Just in case you didn't, I think I said something like this:
Maybe the way you are holding your ukulele now includes the ukulele bed position, you just might not be aware of it!
Some people have talked about soaking their hands in hot water and/or giving themselves a hand massage before playing so that they can warm up their hands.
The thicker Green Snail strap was inspired by Taimane! Taimane uses thicker straps with her ukulele :)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic Hi Bernadette! 👋👋👋 No I didn't see any reply, just this one. You are so patient and thoughtful!!! Thank you for the tip, never thought of that befote...reaIly appreciate it and will definitely try that!!!
❤❤❤
@@francesrbernardo Frances, come on! Of course I want to get back to you. You are one of my best uku students!
Hope this tip works for you. Let me know if it helps ;)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic 😯😯😯 😭😭😭 ❤❤❤
I know this video is 3yo, but it's fantastic. I was about to ask about #1, but you covered all the questions I had. I prefer to play the ukulele over my chest too. I wasn't sure I'd Tenor would be an option for me since I've only been playing for about 2mths now. But I think it would be better for me, esp with some of the cords where my hand feels cramped.
I have noticed that you are saying "oo ku laelae" nowadays.💕 You started saying "ukulayle" when you moved from Japan to maryland.❤️❤️❤️
"oo ku laelae" is the way hawaiian people pronounce the instrument's name, right? 🤔
Great explanation as usual!! 👌👌
What about the ongoing challenge?! 😊🤗🤗
Hi Shrestha!!!
I hadn't noticed that. You are so observant ;)
Yes, you are right! The way I'm saying it is my effort at sounding as close to the Hawaiian way as possible.
The ongoing challenge:
We finished the LOVE songs challenge so I'm going to make a few more scores for the Queen challenge we never finished and I'm also going to prepare the "Guilty Pleasures" challenge music. March is going to be a fun month!
For now I am going to publish a few miscellaneous videos that don't "fit" with the challenges, but that people have been asking for!
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic Pls make a video explaining how to read sheet music and how to use the metronome!! ❤️Please, please, please!!! 🙏🙏
@@shresthabasak7737 The metronome video I can definitely make, but reading sheet music would require an entire playlist... or CHALLENGE!!!
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic Please do a challenge for reading sheet music 🎶🎵🙏🙏
@@shresthabasak7737 I would love to!
Thank you. Very helpful.
Thank you, Frank!!!
Happens to me all the time when I play the soprano if I don't lean it on my leg. The tenor sized uke I have I don't have any issues with it. Great advice anyway, thanks a lot
I feel the same way! That's why I played a lot of tenor last year... it helped to have the stability while filming tutorials.
I don't think I've seen you in the comments much before, so hi! :) welcome!!
Bernadette Teaches Music thank you
my main issue is switching from your standard open chords to barre or mini barre chords. I'm playing the baritone ukulele and switching from an open chord to an F chord is SO difficult, and switching back to an open chord is just as difficult. I haven't been playing baritone very long so maybe I just need more practice. I would love some baritone tutorials from you, I learned so much from you when I was playing soprano/concert.
Also, I've now written 13 songs. :D (as an older (43) new player that had no musical background). If I can do this, anyone can!
Hi Luna,
My ukulele teacher told me to try and keep the thumb in the same place while I'm switching chords. Maybe this would apply to you as well. Try it and let me know.
well i went and bought a Soprano Ukelele on a whim without doing any research on what size i would need, i don't really want to buy another one so i guess i will try a strap and see if that helps. i may end up having to buy another one but i hope i can avoid it. thanks for the tips,
*OMG THIS WAS LIKE SO DAMN HELPFUL ESPECIALLY FOR A BEGINNER LIKE ME THANK YOU* *B* 💕
😂😂😂 your comment is so extra!!!
@@BernadetteTeachesMusichehe it's the truth after all you are THE LEGIT BEST TEACHER!!!!
😘😘😘😘
Teacher.... Can I use my strumming hand to support my ukulele and then use thumb for strumming?? Or should I use a button less strap?? There aren't any good music shops around me😅
Help!
I bought an ukulele not so long ago, and since then im trying to tune my uke.
But I cant seem to tune my C-chord. I even tried it with a tuner. It says that its the C-chord, but when I watch videos about how to tune a ukulele, the c-chord sounds so different than mine... :(
Silent Wolf hi!!! I’d love to help. What type of tuner are you using? This will help me guide you
Bernadette Teaches Music
Hii! Omg thank you for responding!!
Well im using “Multi Clip Tuner” CASCHA (HH 2018)
I hope this helped!
@@kebabhealth Okay, perfect. Your tuner has different settings. You'll see a little C, G, B, or U in one of the corners of the screen. Set your tuner to C and try again. If this doesn't make sense, don't worry! I have a video explaining all of this ua-cam.com/video/9ESYlESDJ90/v-deo.html
Bernadette Teaches Music
I actually watched that video before but it still didnt sound like your C-chord.. I watched it when I wanted to do the 30 day ukelele challenge on ur channel,but I couldnt figure the tuning part out. So I kinda stopped with the challenge..
Btw I really appreciate it that you took ur time to respond back to me! 🙏🏻💗
@@kebabhealth Hmm... do you have instagram? Can you DM me a video of each string played individually? I can help you if I can hear the uku. Don't worry, we will get this working for you again! My insta is @plazi
Using a strap changed the game for me 🙌🏼 It WAS the video I found you with 😁 But I still suck at playing without a strap even tho I know how I'm supposed to hold it 😅
I actually really like holding it a little higher as well, even with a strap, I rarely hold it over my stomach.
Lou Bold Luisa, it might be the size of your ukes! Idk if you remember, but last year I almost exclusively played tenor ukuleles. Playing tenor ukulele helped train me on how to hold the other ones. Hmm 🤔 do you have a tenor?
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic I don't, but I noticed it's not a problem with every song, it's usually a problem when there's fingerstyle involved because of how I play fingerstyle and with a few chord switches I think, but not all. Haven't tried it in a while tho 🤔
@@11jokerchen11 I'm curious how it would be now that you've gotten better at the instrument 🤔
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic So I just tried it again with Riptide real quick and it turns out holding the ukulele even during fingerstyle is not that much of a challenge anymore! Huh. Gotta practice more without a strap now
I knew you would be able to do it! I think it was just a matter of getting better at all the other technical parts of playing :)
Great info! You mentioned trying a concert uke instead of a soprano. I am looking at an Enya concert, but it’s the same size as my soprano…23”. Do they differ in other ways?
Oops…please ignore! I made a noobie mistake. I was looking at the size of my case and not the actual instrument.
I also have a question about driling in your uke. Wont it somehow change the sound? Or isnt there a possibility that when you have it on, and somehow you get stuck for example on door handle that it will totally ruin your uke? Wont it rip it apart?
Hi Monika!
I need a little more information for your question... how would it get stuck on a door handle?
I mean.. if im gonna put a strap on the strap button that i driled in (this wont make since its too late here her but imma try) while im wearing the uke, and me being myself i always get caught with my strap on the door handle, or the edge of a table etc., wouldnt the fastness (what?is that even a word) of me pulling my uke, my speed i dont even know anymore tear out the strap button and ruin my uke? I hope it makes sence😂😂
i'm one who need strap type! great tips Ms B 🖤🌚🙏🏻🎈
Use it, develop your skills with ukulele, and then after a few weeks come back and try to play without the strap again, just to keep pushing yourself.
i will! wish me luck! 😄
Good luck! You can do this!!! 👏🏼👏🏼
Hi, what do you suggest I do to keep my left thumb from sliding over the neck, to keep my thumb on the back of the neck. I was thinking of attaching a piece of wood a long the back of the neck as a stop.
Thank you so much for this! Super helpful! 🙌🏾
about the strap button... will it be safe if I drill my Uke??
If you look inside your uke with a flashlight you should see a wood block at the bottom end of the instrument. This is what the screw will anchor into. The drilled hole is just to safeguard against splitting that end block. Choose the size of the bit against the shaft of the screw, not the threads. Or, use the size the directions that come with the button say to use.
Measure halfway across the lower bout and drill in from the outside where the two pieces of wood meet at the bottom. This will give a nice symmetrical look.
The biggest concern is having the drill bit slip and mar the finish when starting. The solution is to start with a small bit and move up to the size of the shaft of the screw or a tiny bit smaller. You could also make your first pilot hole with a push pin.
Go slow and don't drill unnecessarily deep. Put a flag of tape on the drill bit to mark the depth of the screw after the button.
If you decide to put another button on the heel of the neck, where it goes will depend upon the shape of the heel and your personal preference. look around online for examples.
@@Markle2k Thank you SO MUCH for this!!!
Follow the information above if you're considering drilling into your ukulele. If you don't want to drill, but you still want a strap, try this
ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html
Thank you once again love. Your videos are so insightful ! I just ordered a Enya Oms concert uke excited to start my journey. Also Can you do the cover of "To worship you I live or I am a friend of God by Isaiah Houghton. May God continue to bless you in every endeavor you pursue !
Hi! Thank you for your sweet comment :)
The Enya OMS concert ukulele has a strap button, so you'll have help in that department!
Thank you for the song request too, I grew up playing worship music and I always think about ways to bring it into the channel.
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic No problem, I've been watching your videos for years and I'm finally ready to commit to UkeLife and Jesus. Thank you for being a postive light to all of us ☀
Thank you so much! Have you seen Dylan Laine’s channel? She has a lot of Christian music tutorials!
If I were to drill my own holes (I‘ll have a family member help me who is a carpenter) where exactly would I do that? One would be at the center of the „bottom“ and the other one roght above where the fret board is attached to the body?
Hi Lilly!
This is a great question. There are few videos out there explaining this, so I think I will make one soon.
I found this one that is a little old, but the information is great and it's very clear
ua-cam.com/video/dTC_saWQ8DU/v-deo.html
I install my own: first thing to know before you drill, make sure that your ukulele has an end block at the bottom inside otherwise if it doesn't you are not going to have enough wood to drill into it, and anchor a strap button. some ukuleles have them some ukuleles don't. Most higher-end ukulele do.
I am a big advocate for DIY. It absolutely drives me a little nuts how a lot of people give up or think something like this is beyond their ability. That said, here is my advice. Experiment! Look around in your garbage or something you are ready to get rid of that could emulate the materials of your ukulele and use those materials to practice on and build up your confidence. Take the cost of your instrument into consideration. If it is a $20 ukulele, is it really that big of a loss if you destroy it? If it is a $2000 instrument, you may want to experiment a little more. If after experimenting you still feel the task is beyond your ability, do take it to someone you feel is competent in doing the work. Just by doing the experimentation you will have gained a much greater understanding and learned about what didn’t work. Failure is always a part of success.
Hi Scott! I am a big advocate of the DIY as well, but now that I have a large channel I have to be careful. I'm going to add a strap button to my ukulele and film it so that everyone can see :)
With that said, I know that if I don't use the disclaimers, someone will come back and blame me for their ruined ukulele. Unfortunately it's the world we live in today.
Switching chords are pretty much hard for me since I'm a begginer so this help me so much that's why your my favourite teacher and love it when you ryhm things while you teach!
100k wohooo!!✊✊✨✨
Jessica Barcenas hi Jessica! 👋🏼
I love that you’re so positive! Yes, switching chords is difficult for you now because you’re a beginner and yes, it will get easier.
I have a feeling you’re going to be a really good ukulele player. You are very smart.
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic THANK YOU SO MUCH!!💕💓✨
@@jessicabarcenas8465 Thank you for the 100K congrats 😘
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic I'm so happy for you! I hope this community grows!🎸✨✨✨✨
Thank you so much!!! 😘😘😘
muchas gracias
Raven!!! Always a pleasure :)
oh my god THANK YOU I've played for over a year and never got a continuous practice session because i had to keep fighting to hold on to my instrument :O I thought I was just too dumb or too chubby, gritted my teeth and tried to curl around it in the attempt to hold it with my thighs lol
VERY VERY helpful!!!!! Thank you!
I just bought my ukulele yesterday and have been watching your videos... I kid you not, I was just saying all night that the positioning was slipping.
Question for anyone: anyone have problems with the strap that has a hook? If we can't install a strap button?
What exactly is your problem with the strap? Is it just that you can't/don't want to attach a strap button? In that case, Ms B's video on DIY straps covers a alternatives to strap buttons: ua-cam.com/video/NQmnV8KpDlc/v-deo.html
Or is it a different problem?
I watched and will probably do the first strap. I have a hook strap coming to me in the mail so I just want opinons and experiences
@@jesslyt13 Ah I see, many people seem to like it, I don't have any experience personally tho 😊
@@jesslyt13 I have been using a hook strap pretty much from the beginning. That's not saying much, I've only been playing ukulele for 10 months. However, I've always been used to using a strap on my instruments, (bass guitars), and that's just what I've always been comfortable with. I am going to be working with this video for a while to try and gain more independence from the strap, and I have confidence in Ms. Bernadette's methods and am sure I will, with practice, be able to play more without one. But if not, I won't be alone, even Jake Shimabukuro uses a hook strap... LOL. Hope this helps. Cheers!!
@@SeanVplayer Yes! I noticed Jake Shimabukuro wears a strap! No shame in the game :)
Gracias genial amiga me encanta tu VOZ Dios te bendiga témazo súper bonito genial amiga Saludos desde Marbella guapísima bendición 3333👗💚🎻🎺👒❣❣❣❣👒😍👗👒❣💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣🎚🎛😊😆😋😁😃😍😍😍😍👗
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I can't sing and strum and also change the chords at the same time!!😭😭😭 pls reply
But I'm practising hard!😊
Hi Diksha!
This is very difficult, so don't worry.
Try this
Step 1. Strum and sing the lyrics in your head NOT out loud.
Once you mastered step 1, proceed to step 2
Step 2. Strum and hum the melody. Do NOT sing out loud
Once you can hum and strum, move to step 3
Step 3. Try to sing A FEW of the lyrics. Not all of them. Keep strumming and never stop. Slowly add more of the lyrics as you get better.
You won't have to do this forever. It's just your brain is learning how to process switching chords and strumming a ukulele right now, so adding the singing is way too much. Once your brain feels very comfortable with playing ukulele, adding the singing will be much easier.
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic thank you so much for replying!😍I really appreciate that!!I got motivated☺
Thank you for asking! This is a very common problem, so don't worry! :)
Yo, not sure if you still reply to the comments on the old vids but lets give it a go.
I have been playing for some 16 months now. I had couple of concert sized ukes which I have no replaced with Tenor and Soprano. Love em both. BUT the problem is with the Soprano sized one. The strings on the bridge scratch the inside of my arm if I don't have a long sleeve which I don't wanna have always. It doesn't happen with Concert nor the Tenor sizes as the bridge is further away from the end of the uke and the inside of my hand is way above the bridge. But with soprano the arm is literally touching the strings and they give me scratches. The touching is only at the bridge and therefore doesn't affect the sound. Anyway, any advices how to fix my positioning or should I just get another uke? :)
you are so helpful
Thank you so much, Nicole!!! ❤️
I have issues holding the ukulele when i do fingerstyle. Any suggestions for the picking hand there?
Where did you get those fret board stickers??
When changing chords I start with my thumb just slight higher than centre after progressing through chords and especially G, I find my thumb rides up I can’t seem to have it pivot and stay on one spot? This causes issues for me in terms of stability changing day from G to Am or F.
Hi!
I have concert ukulele made for me by my friend (he started building ukes two years ago). Neck is really thick and heavy - heavier than uke body. Is it normall? I played one time on my unckle cheap uku and it was a lot lighter...
(Sorry for my bad English >_
I started with a Tenor about 2 months ago, picked up a soprano 2 days ago and it's absolutely tiny, added that I'm 6'4
Thank you😭😭❤❤
😘😘😘😘😘 thank you too!
I cannot place my thumb's upper part on the back of uke nd it slips in the hinge...but I can still play it then..but I can't do the chord changes as easily as you with the thumb at the back
My ukulele is around it it doesn’t have that sharp be to hook my fingers around but that would be nice
I just attached 1 strap button at the buttom of my new uku ukulele and attached my old strap 😄, i really can't shift chords without a strap 😅 i tried! But failed!
No way! Send me a photo of this strap button!! I want to see :)
I love your UA-cam photo, by the way~
It is so nice to see the ukulele everywhere!
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic of course! its a special uke! 😊
@@lemueldc0104 Awww!!! That's so sweet 💛💛💛
Drill a tiny pilot hole..very necessary to avoid cracking the wood.
As a 65 year old, I definitely agree with getting the larger ukulele. The first one I bought was a tenor, the rest are just too small for me. I can't get my fingers to even do chords on a soprano...
Yayyy Im earlyyyy 💞💞💞
Thank you, Arya! 👋🏼
I have a turtle back which is fine when sitting because I rest it on my leg but practically impossible to play when standing up and switching chords
Oh wow interesting... do you have a strap on it?
I don’t, but I’ve seen your video on straps under $5 but I have no idea if the command hooks will stick to the curved side
@@angelilachica5231 AH! I just looked for pictures of a turtle back ukulele... that is super curved.
I think it is worth a shot, but I can't say for sure :(
That’s ok, I’ll see what I can do
I just searched up turtle back ukulele and nothing really looked like mine so I’m curious to what you saw?
Love the high chest hold! And might consider a strap. ;-) Thank you so much!
I needed this!
I can't play comfortably without a strap while standing... 😅
Yes!! Try the ukulele bed technique. I think it will help you! Use it slowly at first :)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic thanks for that recommendation!
Another thing I have trouble with is I can't sing and play at the same time... Do you have tips for that? I think you're a great teacher which is why I look forward to your tips the most. ❤
Yes! This comes up a lot as well but I think I’m going to make a challenge for this because it is a technique that takes time to master. I think a challenge would give us enough time to master this :)
@@BernadetteTeachesMusic looking forward to that!
Wooow me encanta tu VOZ Dios te bendiga amiga Saludos desde Marbella España genial linda Dios te bendiga esta súper guapísima bendición para ti bonita ukulele bendición guapísima bendición para ti bonita eres la mejor de ukulele bendición
Gracias genial amiga me encantó tú vidios súper bonito genial amiga Saludos desde Marbella guapísima bendición
Muchas gracias, Jose! Que tenga bonito dia!
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Did I do mistake to buy saporano....becaz I'm not comfortable
Thanks so much!
You’re the only teacher who has addressed the issue of playing the Uke when you have breasts! Thank you 😊
Aww thank you for the sweet comment ❤️
I think playing naked is the best solution against slippery :)
AHAHAHAAAA! I am SCREAMING 😂😂😂
I adgree i have played the ukulele for many hours and you want to strum where the next and body meets, that way your fingers wont slide under the strings