Last summer I purchased my very first Ukulele. His name is Miko Kaleo (Yes, I named my instrument). Kaleo is a Hawaiian name meaning sound, so I thought it was a perfect fit.

Before I got Miko Kaleo, I was mainly a guitar player – it’s name, Ol’ Blue. I was looking to try something new, and after seeing the ukulele, I fell in love. While I will always love the guitar, the ukulele has a special place in my heart. There are so many reasons, I believe, to try out this instrument, but here are four:

#1 – It’s easy: Anyone can learn to play the Ukulele.

https://youtu.be/ErMWX–UJZ4

There are only 4 strings, as oppose to the 6 strings on a guitar, making the fingerboard much narrower. It comes in handy (no pun intended) for those like me who have smaller hands. One problem I always have when playing the guitar is stretching my fingers across to play certain chords, but with the ukulele, I have no problem playing the notes I want. It’s also light and easy to pick up without strain – no heavy weight lifting involved (after all, we are musicians, not athletes!). The ukulele’s strings are also a lot softer than the guitar, so they are easier on the fingers, which means less callouses and blisters (Yay!). The ukulele is also an excellent starter instrument for people looking to branch out in the music field. If you want to move on up to guitar, the ukulele is an excellent place to start. And if you already know how to play guitar, transferring over to the ukulele should be a breeze.

#2 – It’s cheap: A low price for a lot of music.

You can find a quality ukulele anywhere from 20 to 100 bucks. Most run under $100, but if you are looking for high quality, you could be spending up to a thousand dollars (but that’s really unnecessary, in my opinion). It all depends on how fancy you want your ukulele. You can get a basic starter ukulele for around $20, an above average one for around $50, a professional one for about $100, or a fancy-schmancy ukulele for the ridicules price of $1000 (I don’t recommend that last choice). I was looking in for an above-average ukulele, so I got mine on Amazon for only $60. Ukuleles are also low maintenance so there aren’t a whole lot of extra purchases. You’ll probably need to buy a case, and maybe a pick (I, personally, don’t use a pick), but other than that that’s it.

#3 – It’s portable: You can play them here or there, you can play them anywhere.

Because ukuleles are so small, you can take them almost anywhere – in the car, at the beach, at the park, at a party, France… the possibilities are endless! It’s not too bulky to carry around, and many ukulele cases are shaped like backpacks. You can carry them around absolutely hands-free. And because they don’t take up too much space, you can even take them on the airplane with you when going on trips.

#4 – It’s a happy instrument: Don’t worry, be happy!

The ukuleles’ bright, chipper tone could cheep up anyone’s day. Playing the Ukulele just brings a smile to everyone’s face. Even one of the most popular songs on ukulele, Don’t Worry Be Happy, is about happiness! This instrument is perfect for a rainy day, and can really lift your spirits. The ukulele has a high-pitched, vibrant tone, unlike any other. There’s no competing with the sound of this cheery little guy.

So what are you waiting for? Go out, grab yourself a ukulele, and be a part of the culture!