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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SMCVT chapter.

I started playing the ukulele when I was 12 years old, when my two best friends and I decided to start a little ‘folk band.’  We performed a few times in local coffee shops, at open mic nights, or sometimes just for our parents.  It was always great to hang out and have fun with your friends!  

It also gives you and your friends an excuse to take angsty pictures like these:

Another reason why I love ukuleles is because they are very affordable! Usually they are between $30-50 for a soprano ukulele, and bigger ones are more expensive. Bigger ukuleles, such as tenor ukuleles, have a deeper, richer sound than soprano ukuleles.  Soprano ukuleles are definitely the ukulele you would look into buying as a beginner.

They’re cute, small, and easily transportable!  

You only really need to know about 4-6 chords on the ukulele to play a wide variety of songs.  It’s also easier to learn how to play the ukulele than to play the guitar since there are only 4 strings instead of 6.  Once you become proficient in strumming, you can start learning different picking combinations which make songs a little more interesting.  

There are even cute avocado shaped ukuleles:

Some pretty, easy songs to play are:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)

Halo (Beyonce)

Riptide  (Vance Joy)

Hey, Soul Sister (Train)

I’m Yours (Jason Mraz)

Let It Go (James Bay)

Can’t Help Falling in Love (Twenty One Pilots)

 

You can find the chord to almost any song using this link:

https://ukutabs.com/

Ukuleles also have the wonderful power of bringing people together.  They are useful in big groups, small groups, or even alone! Once you purchase a ukulele you move one step closer to becoming a hipster who plays songs on the beach or around a campfire.  

Happy strumming!

 

 

Images:

Image 1: Taken by me

Image 2: http://robertsonmusic.co.uk/ekmps/shops/robertsonmusic/images/chord-soprano-ukulele-166-p.jpg

Image 3: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/99/ce/b5/99ceb57bd79dedc0ceb386ccf6a24820–banjo-ukulele-art.jpg

Image 4: https://media.giphy.com/media/PGMqSJcVexVEQ/giphy.gif

Image 5: https://68.media.tumblr.com/2d53939357889c4aa23db73e8a86bbe6/tumblr_o76l…

 

CC for HC SMCVT. Massachusetts girl, who somehow ended up in Northern Vermont. Senior at Saint Michel's College studying Media, Journalism & Digital Arts. Interests include: running, Bridesmaids, bagels, the color navy and guacamole. Firm believer that you can never be overdressed or overeducated.