Problem : Your strings make a buzzing sound.

Cause : If your fingertips are too close to the fretwires or there isn’t enough pressure on the strings, they may buzz. Often it may only be one string buzzing, the rest may be ok.

Solution : Make your chord shape. Pluck each string one by one to find out which one is buzzing. Have a look at your chord hand and, if necessary, adjust it slightly while plucking the string until it sounds cleaner. (Some chords like Bb can be difficult to play. You get one string clean and another pops out!)

Tip : Take your chord hand off every now and then, relax and try again. The solution is a combination of trial and error and practising VERY slowly. Gradually you will improve and the speed will come naturally.

Problem : Your strings sound dead, like they’ve got a full Coke can attached to them.

Cause : Dead strings can be caused when a finger on one string accidentally catches another string. Often we don’t notice this until someone points it out. So listen for that dead sound – like there’s a coke can tied to the end of it.

Solution : Have a look at where your fingers are. Is anything fouling another string? Pluck each string one by one to find out which one sounds dead. If necessary, adjust the offending finger slightly while plucking the string until it sounds cleaner.

Tip : Take your chord hand off every now and then, relax and try again. The solution is a combination of trial and error and practising VERY slowly. Gradually you will improve and the speed will come naturally.

Problem : Choosing the right strum for each song.

Cause : It can be hard to know where to start if you’re a beginner. Some are easier than others and beginners often choose the tricky ones first!

Solution : All strums are a mixture of down and up strokes. I suggest you only tackle the easiest when you’re starting out, i.e. a simple down strum played slowly will sound much better to the person in the next room rather than a rushed crash through a song. Only when you can play fairly smoothly would I suggest trying a more complicated strum.

Tip : When learning a new strum, don’t try it on a difficult song. Why make it harder for yourself? Go back to your earliest beginner songs, the ones with fewer chord changes and easier chords. Master these and it’ll help you in the long run.

Problem : Keeping a steady strum.

Cause : If you are struggling to keep a steady strum you are probably trying to play faster than your current ability level will allow. The song may be too fast or too complicated for you. This may affect anyone else you are playing with.

Solution : Start by counting a beat slowly and steadily.

For a 4/4 song slowly count 1 2 3 4…1 2 3 4…1 2…etc. Now with each count just do a down strum. So it will go like this : Strum(1) Strum(2) Strum(3) Strum(4)…Strum(1) Strum(2) Strum(3) Strum(4)…Strum(1) Strum(2)…etc.

For a 3/4 song slowly count 1 2 3…1 2 3…1 2…etc. Again with each count just do a down strum. So it will go like this : Strum(1) Strum(2) Strum(3)…Strum(1) Strum(2) Strum(3)…Strum(1) Strum(2)…etc.

If you are still having trouble, either slow down and try again. Or just strum down on the ‘1’ beat. So,

For a 4/4 song this will become : Strum(1) 2, 3, 4…Strum(1) 2, 3, 4…Strum(1) 2, 3,…etc.

For a 3/4 song this will become : Strum(1) 2, 3…Strum(1) 2, 3…Strum(1) 2, 3,…etc.

If you are keeping up with anyone you’re playing with, you can get away with just this one down strum. They won’t notice. Try it and see if it works for you.

Tip : Don’t run before you can walk!

Problem : Do you still have to look at the chord patterns on the songsheets while performing?

Cause : Some chords we play a lot and some we don’t. If you don’t know the most basic, common chords, it can waste vital split seconds and delay you and it all adds up.

Solution : If you have been playing for a good length of time, I’d expect you to be able to play most of the following chords without having to look at a chord sheet :

C G7 F Am E7 A Dm Bb A7 B7 D7 C7 D Em G

Do you know these off by heart? If not, I suggest you study them one by one and try to memorise them. Take it slowly and don’t move on until you’ve started to get it. With time and concentration you will get there.

Tip : As you take each chord in turn, play it for a few beats to get its sound into your head, memorise the chord pattern and then go into another room and try to play it. How did you do? Did it sound right? Does it look right? Go back into the other room and check. Repeat this process until the chord starts to feel more automatic. If this works for you, repeat it for any other chords you struggle with.

It will take time and effort, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Just 10 minutes a day and you will gradually notice the improvement and less reliance on the chord sheets.

Problem : Feel like you can’t sing?

Cause : You might have downloaded a songsheet from the internet or from a club’s songbook and struggle to sing it. It can make you think you can’t sing and put you off.

Solution : It could just be that the song does not suit your voice, also referred to as “not in your key”. Changing the key is called ‘Transposing’ and is not a beginner skill. You may need help to discover if this is your problem.

Tip : Play the first chord of the song and start to sing. If it feels like a struggle, change that first chord.

For example, If the first chord is a ‘C’, try playing a ‘G’ which is 5 semitones lower, or an ‘F’ which is 5 semitones higher. Now try singing to match this chord.

How did it feel? Better or worse? Try another key until you find one that feels the most comfortable. At this point you would alter every chord in the song by the same number of semitones. You may find you will hit another high or low point later in the song and have to start again. It’s a slow process and not a beginner task. There’s often a trade-off between what’s easy to play and what’s easy to sing.

Problem : Do you struggle to sing and play at the same time?

Cause : It can be difficult to play and sing at the same time.  Every strum, chord, chord change, lyric, tempo, beat etc. adds another level of complexity to your learning. It’s a lot for the brain to cope with!

Solution : Put your uke down and just sing the song through a few times. Gradually the words will start to stick.

Now pick your uke up. Use your simplest strum. PLAY AND SING SLOWLY! The speed isn’t important for now.

Even if it’s the jolliest tune in the world and you have to play it like you’re at a funeral, the aim is to give your brain a chance to cope with both singing and playing. Try this a few times. How are you getting on? Can you feel that you’re starting to play and sing at the same time?

If the answer’s yes, you will find yourself naturally speeding up. Any speed is fine as long as you’re not making mistakes.

Tip :  Try the ‘memorise and play in the next room’ technique once you’re feeling comfortable with the song. If you can master this, you can perform without music sheets. THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER TECHNIQUE but there’s no harm trying it if you feel up to it.

Summary

Well, that’s a few ideas that I’ve encountered most often during my 1-to-1 lessons. Any other struggles you’re having? Let me know. Most things can be improved or coped with. For instance, I’ve seen people with arthritis find different ways to form tricky chords.

If you take just one thing from me, it’s :

PLAY AT THE SPEED OF NO MISTAKES !

Yes, you are going to make mistakes – probably lots of them. We all do. Give yourself a chance and slow down. What’s the most important is that your fingers’ muscle memory improves and, over time, that builds your confidence. The speed comes later.

PART OF THE FUN IS MAKING MISTAKES,

PART OF THE ENJOYMENT IS GETTING IT RIGHT.

Just phone, email or text me for a chat about how I might be able to help you with this lovely, fun instrument. Happy strumming!