Why I Like Playing the Ukulele - What It Means to Me

Over time, many ukulele players have offered their thoughts on why they like to play the ukulele. I recently received an email about playing the uke that was truly moving. This got me to thinking about putting a web page on www.uke-4-fun.com with ukulele players thoughts - what playing the ukulele means to them.
If you would like to add to this list, send your first name, where you live, and one or two sentences on "why you like to play uke - what playing a ukulele means to you" to twincitiesukeclub@icloud.com.
Here goes -
I've just started to learn, so I am enjoying learning and feel like I'm letting the creative juices flow that have been stagnant for too long. - Amanda
I like playing the ukulele because it has brought the joy of music making back into my life. - Chris
For years I was just a "pure grinner". Now, with my ukuleles, I can PICK AND GRIN. Happy days! - Jim
I could never get the hang of playing guitar well enough to play lots of music. The uke is so easy to play lots of different chords, nylon strings don't hurt the fingers. And so small and portable that I usually throw one in the car with a Daily Uke book or two if I think there will be a chance for a sing-a-long. - Tom
I like playing the ukulele because I can take it on my travels so easily & because the sound always makes me smile. Plus it is easy to learn! - Heidi It is relaxing and joyful for me. I like making music with a bunch of people who don't care that I'm still learning and appreciate that I only occasionally sing on key. And it's a lot if laughs! - Bonnie |
I love the idea of being a one man band. I can go anywhere and sing and play music. I can play in any room of my house or I can play in the woods!
As I persevere and I keep playing, the better it gets. That in and of itself is rewarding. But really, it is all about the joy of music-playing and sharing the music! - Rhonda
It's a happy instrument, and when my life is most stressful (like now), playing my ukulele lifts my spirits. - Cheryl
My uke playing started as music therapy. Now it’s something I embrace. When I play the uke and sing I don’t feel disabled. I guess that’s why I get carried away sometimes with my singing and playing. I’m celebrating. And I’m going to continue to celebrate – even though I’m not the best uke player out there or the greatest singer. But I’ll keep playing and learning until I can play songs without music. Then, I can annoy people everywhere. - GL
I love music and have little talent, but picking up the Ukulele and playing with a great group of like-minded people enables me to feel and sound like a pro!! - Katie
I have played guitar for about 50+ years, and I’m pretty good. I jammed over those years and had a ton of fun. However, never as much fun as when I started playing and jamming on a ukulele 5 or so years ago. What a wonderful instrument - and it is truly a fine instrument. What a great group of people at uke jams. I sometimes wonder if I had taken up the ukulele before guitar, would I have ever even tried the guitar. - Tony
It smells better than my trombone. - Al
It is just plain fun to do! :) - Craig
I have played the guitar on and off for many years. 5 years ago when I visited my brother, who retired in Hawaii, I picked up his ukulele and started playing with the help of a song/chord book. We had such a great time playing and singing that week that he bought me my own ukulele before I left the island. Now, I play the ukulele more than my guitar. When I travel, I fly standby most of the time, so I usually carry on my uke just in case I get stranded somewhere. - Bel
I like playing the ukulele because it allows me to be part of a wonderful team of people that welcome anyone at any level of experience to be part of their group. In addition to bringing a smile to each and everyone in the group, they make everyone that sees them perform smile. - Roseann
Uke Can Change the World. - Jim
What "I Like About Playing Uke” is a jam with a good jam leader. A good leader makes everyone feel comfortable with getting started on the uke without self-consciousness, bringing the joy of music in a non-threatening way to newcomers! - J
As I persevere and I keep playing, the better it gets. That in and of itself is rewarding. But really, it is all about the joy of music-playing and sharing the music! - Rhonda
It's a happy instrument, and when my life is most stressful (like now), playing my ukulele lifts my spirits. - Cheryl
My uke playing started as music therapy. Now it’s something I embrace. When I play the uke and sing I don’t feel disabled. I guess that’s why I get carried away sometimes with my singing and playing. I’m celebrating. And I’m going to continue to celebrate – even though I’m not the best uke player out there or the greatest singer. But I’ll keep playing and learning until I can play songs without music. Then, I can annoy people everywhere. - GL
I love music and have little talent, but picking up the Ukulele and playing with a great group of like-minded people enables me to feel and sound like a pro!! - Katie
I have played guitar for about 50+ years, and I’m pretty good. I jammed over those years and had a ton of fun. However, never as much fun as when I started playing and jamming on a ukulele 5 or so years ago. What a wonderful instrument - and it is truly a fine instrument. What a great group of people at uke jams. I sometimes wonder if I had taken up the ukulele before guitar, would I have ever even tried the guitar. - Tony
It smells better than my trombone. - Al
It is just plain fun to do! :) - Craig
I have played the guitar on and off for many years. 5 years ago when I visited my brother, who retired in Hawaii, I picked up his ukulele and started playing with the help of a song/chord book. We had such a great time playing and singing that week that he bought me my own ukulele before I left the island. Now, I play the ukulele more than my guitar. When I travel, I fly standby most of the time, so I usually carry on my uke just in case I get stranded somewhere. - Bel
I like playing the ukulele because it allows me to be part of a wonderful team of people that welcome anyone at any level of experience to be part of their group. In addition to bringing a smile to each and everyone in the group, they make everyone that sees them perform smile. - Roseann
Uke Can Change the World. - Jim
What "I Like About Playing Uke” is a jam with a good jam leader. A good leader makes everyone feel comfortable with getting started on the uke without self-consciousness, bringing the joy of music in a non-threatening way to newcomers! - J