Ian: Learning the ukulele online
Ian is an instrument hobbyist. Having over 30 years of experience playing guitar, he took to learning the smaller, 4-stringed cousin. The Ukelele. Having initially started learning at evening classes, his attention is now firmly fixed on YouTube tutorials. But why this type of learning? Especially given his lack of confidence of being online.
Where did it all start with you learning to play the Ukelele?
After a brief introduction to the instrument on a Norwegian cruise a few years ago, I formally started to learn the ukelele a year ago. I didn’t have a particular long term goal in mind, but wanted just to improve on the 4 chords I’d learnt on the ship.
It’s fair to say I’m not the most confident person when it comes to computers, or technology for that matter, but I came across YouTube tutorials when looking for songs to play along to. Some of the videos were really helpful, whilst others we really difficult to follow along to. Having not used YouTube before and knowing what was available, it took a while to understand how to use the website.
After a few months of trial and error, I found a selection of videos to follow, and I soon felt the benefits of learning online. The convenience to study at any time, the ability to pause, rewind, and replay, really helped continuing learning in this way.
What does Youtube offer you compared to traditional music lessons?
Putting it simply, Youtube allows me to control the pace!
Over the years I’ve attended lots of evening classes which has been really good socially and taught me a lot from an instrument perspective, but the pace is completely controlled by how quickly everyone in the room picks up the chord progression.
Learning online allows me to not only learn at a pace that suits me but gives me opportunities to learn theory and research into particular aspects of rythms, genres, and chords that I otherwise would not have been taught in a classroom setting.
Finding a friendly, happy and relatable teacher online has been really easy, and after searching and watching a few videos, I’ve found one that works well for me.
I’ve certainly found there’s a certain way to search for videos, and really it comes down to the less words, the better.
And as to what’s possible to learn on Youtube, I didn’t realise how much was available by just this one website.
Having now found your feet on YouTube, tell me more about your experience of using it.
It’s really easy to use and it’s always there as and when I want to learn something new. And personally, using the website is giving me more confidence in using technology in general.
I don’t tend to like, or comment on YouTube, I do that just on Facebook on posts of people I know personally. At the moment I don’t feel confident in doing that sort of thing on a website I don’t understand enough about. “Are there possible security issues?” I don’t know!
There have been a few videos I’ve subscribed to in the past, but after getting inundated with emails about ‘latest videos’ it’s really put me off subscribing to any more.
Even with all the positives of learning online and how much it has already taught me, I do miss the company of learning in a group. I now arrange in-person uke-along sessions with a few of my fellow classmates and alongside YouTube videos we all play together. It’s a really nice balance between the two styles of learning, and I now don’t think twice about going online.
Are there any features of YouTube you like in particular?
This is a difficult one to answer, as it’s fair to say I’ve only just started getting use to going online. However, I must admit, having so many results for a single search word has been really valuable in finding videos that I can relate to and enjoy.
At times the results have not just shown me how to play along but they have provided information on musical theory which is a real interest of mine.
I do find it frustrating not being able to download videos to play offline, but perhaps I’m missing something on the website…
Is there anything in particular you’d recommend for people new to being online?
Give it a try! However, get assistance initially on ‘how to’ start. The reward is worth it! Learning using YouTube is endless if you have a hunger for it!
And if you’re asking for recommendations about learning the ukelele, I would recommend learning jazz songs as they use different chords that aren’t the ‘normal’ ones. Great for showing off!
Links: Ian recommends
Justin Guitar (YouTube)
Cynthia Lin Music (YouTube)