How To Switch Chords Without Dropping the Ukulele

[@elcywang6516]

Thank you so much for making this video, Bernadette! I practice regularly, but it's how to mentally navigate around the fingerboard that can trip me up, even after trying many different approaches. Somehow your explanations, technique in holding the instrument, and demonstration have immediately made chord switching easier. You are amazing! Thank you again!!!

[@vivianhall5259]

I find that a good trick to get extra playing in is to try to keep my uke out and easily accessible. I often leave one on my side kitchen counter so I can steal moments between cooking dinner/cleaning/ going over my kids’ homework - whatever, to strum or work on a song passage. I find it has helped my mental health as well - a quick and easy way to decompress.

[@Sulfuron41]

I just stumbled my way over to your video, and I'm actually really, really glad you added in that little explanation at the end about the importance of practicing. I think sometimes we can get caught up in wanting to play whatever song we're interested in as a beginner, and are looking for ways to quickly just learn it. Just nailing a perfect chord and hearing it beautifully sing from our instrument is enough to spur us into rushing. I'm certainly guilty of this! Anyway, you're absolutely right that in the end, there's no avoiding the hard work of practicing a progression over and over and over and over... Some days it feels so repetitive, my fingers ache, and I feel frustration welling up in the back of my mind. That's when it's easy to put it down and not pick it back up for a long while, but I feel like if you can just persevere through those difficult moments, you'll suddenly find yourself improving, and that excitement will come flooding back. It's size can make it feel like it should be easy to master, but it's really no different from learning any other instrument. You've got to put the hard work in in order to be successful! Thank you so much for this! You're helping people even years later!

[@saiyarahamid463]

Spending time with your instrument is the real deal!! It almost starts to feel like an extension of yourself 💙 I'm so glad I watched the video till the end to hear you talk about it.

[@profearoum]

The last 3 minutes is the best part. Very motivational

[@nzam82]

I am currently working through your 30 Day Ukulele Challenge, and I just want to thank you for your style of teaching and amazing quality videos. I tried learning how to play the ukulele a year ago and I had a really tough time. I gave up, thinking that I just didn't have what it took to play. When I stumbled across your channel, I knew I had to give myself another chance. I'm just a couple weeks into the challenge, but let me tell you, I am in LOVE!!! You do an amazing job at explaining each lesson, and providing a review is SO helpful for retaining the lessons. I truly can't thank you enough for giving me a new perspective on my ability to learn the ukulele! You are the BEST!!!

[@ivorcurtis3586]

Really encouraging, thank you Bernadette. I'll be using that C to Em fingering from now on. And the 'leap of faith!'

[@MoyferZy]

🤣 leap of faith 🤣 yep... that's about how all my chords switches go. This was such a great vid. Practice, practice, practice and it'll eventually land and then just become second nature when you pick your instrument up.

[@zzzzzzmc]

Great video, ty B! Also 6:44 telling me to look up look up was a little eerie - yes, I was looking down and it felt like you were there!

[@cassiraffe8939]

My husband just helped me purchase a little green sopranissimo from your ukelandia etsy store 💝 Thankyou for being a wonderful and thorough teacher. I am a beginner and you have been a blessing to me💫 The ukelele is for our backpacking trips so tiny is a must! We will be in Catalina and Yosemite this year🦋Thankyou thankyou thankyou for all you do!!!

[@lisacompton593]

Thank you so much Bernadette. You started me off on the 30 day uke challenge and I've never look back. I practice every day and all the advice you give is so clear and helpful. We are all indebted to you. Best wishes.

[@simold13]

Of course 'spend time with your instrument' is advice that I love.

[@emm_arr]

5:32 C to Em: That's excellent. Thnak you so much. All the best to you and yours.

[@rocioosunabeltran9227]

I really love your videos cause I'm kinda newish to the uke world and I realize I'm not the only crazy one dealing with these problems 😂

[@LitchfieldParkFamily]

Great info! Sometimes the Uke also slides down as I play so this is very helpful, thank you! 💯🎶

[@Marvel_0731]

I am thankful for you making this video. I will definitely try my best to practice regularly.

[@phyllismorris94]

I have been practising ukulele for a year and a half. I started with soprano ukuleles. I was having trouble with the soprano ukuleles slipping out of my grip even when sitting down. Two months ago I bought my first Concert ukulele. I find playing with the concert ukulele is actually easier. Much less slippage. But, I still have trouble maneuvering to the E7 & Em & G quickly & cleanly. I know I must put in more concentrated practice on those chords.

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦👍👋♥️🎤🎤

[@mrmisfit635]

...and that's why she's the best. ✌🏼❤️

[@Juliozz3]

Thank you! I started learning Ukulele a few days ago with your videos and I was just wondering if there was a technique for that. Thank you so much for creating such great and useful content!

[@pilesofthings]

I'm a beginner uker and loosing the uke when changing chords is a MAJOR issue I'm trying to fix...thanks for all your educational videos :D

[@jeanettehanscome108]

"There are no shortcuts" is perfect advice! I work with beginning writers and teach them the same thing. Thanks for this helpful video. I love my instrument SO much, but I feel like I'm too dependent on the strap.

[@fayedungca8041]

This is sooo helpful! Thank you teacher Bernadette! ❤

[@carolecrystal6360]

Ms.B, this video is beyond great !! You have covered the challenges I'm currently playing with, after 20 months of your Uke lessons. I'll enjoy practicing 100's of hours of changing those B & E chords !! Sooooo fell in love my uke!!! TY !!!♡

[@annanikia7949]

A very valuable lesson!

[@StoplightRave]

5:34 was exactly what i was looking for. I always had a hard time keeping the neck up switching to Em. Thank you!

[@auyeungtoby4032]

I want to say thank you! It is really useful for me when I have trouble switching chords especially from Am to G

[@Crist0ffer]

I found another way to support the ukulele when switching from C to Em to B7. It's similar to how she uses the index finger to support the neck, but instead use the MCP joints of your hand and roll from the index joint (supports C, F, G, etc) to the pinky finger joint (supports Em, B7, etc). Be sure to keep the pinky finger off the A string, so it doesn't mute.

[@chrissiewalker8980]

All good advice as ever. Best wishes as ever x

[@marimaeabreu]

This was very helpful thank you, I have always wondered how people play without a strap because the uke keeps falling when I try without a strap.

[@BenjaminMcCall86]

Hey Bernadette, thanks for the lesson, one suggestion I might make that may help some people. If you are in E minor, there is no reason why you can't bar the A string and the E string while playing E minor since it is behind the finger fretting the chord. If you do this, when moving to B major you would just need to move two fingers each up a string

[@eileenmcchrystal8471]

Lol struggling with change to Em really helpful 😁👍

[@colinuk4509]

Hellloooooo Ms B. This is a problem that I have always looked for a solution, so thank you!!! Up to now I've just used a massive lump of Blu Tack stuck to the ukulele and my chest !!! Great for hair removal as well 😀😀😀😀 . Best to you. C

[@milagroseureste]

I'm so glad you teach musical instruments. You are a wonderful teacher. I'm glad you go into details. Even teaching the small things really do help. I 💜 your channel! 😁

[@carollucci]

Great advice! Very helpful. Love your ukulele!

[@healthyeating5378]

Thank you so much Ms. B. GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@homebase967]

Hi Bernadette!! Do you think when you start your videos that you could tell us what ukulele you are playing?? I can't see the name on your uke!!!❤️ Do you prefer a certain brand? Or do you like several??

[@BernadetteTeachesMusic]

Hi! This is an Ohana rounded back. It’ll be for sale on my Etsy store www.Etsy.com/shop/Ukelandia

[@homebase967]

@@BernadetteTeachesMusic ... that's great!!... Are the little ukulele?? The ones made by the man, he said he can only make one at a time and it takes 2 days to make a small uke!!

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

I know I’ve said this before and this is silly because I should know but it is so helpful for you to use the “teacher voice” and say “Look Up!” Lol. Thank you for that. In all the vids. :D

[@tonyrotolo]

Very helpful and inspiring, thank you 😊

[@cruisemissle87]

The first chords I tried to play from a song were the Am G C from Riptide. Grabbing that G in time seemed impossible but its all practice and now I can do it fast. Maybe the last finger is a bit late first strum but that's okay.

[@brittanynewman1343]

This was so helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@lakeforestfish7707]

Hi, Thank you for making this video. I wonder too if not some ukeleles are harder to hold. I say this because I have the same ukulele -Tenor Enya MAD-that the person you referenced in the video as having and I also have a Kala Concert as well. I've found that the Kala concert is easier to hold and switch notes with than the Enya. The Enya is new so maybe I just need time and practice to get used to it. But I just ordered a strap for it - so maybe that will help me.

[@sillygoose671]

Thank you for this video! Learning with you is so much fun & I love my ukulele so much more because of your lessons

[@anikomeszaros6025]

Ahh I have been keeping my strumming hand on the wrong part of the instrument and kept dropping it. Thank you for this video!! ❤❤

[@vancamerawoman7399]

Brilliant. Just what I was looking for 😊

[@ludvikjerabek]

Can you teach us “This Town” by Niall Horan in the original key? The E chord they use makes the progression so difficult. It’s much easier when transposed but take the fun out pushing yourself.

[@AyeshaShaSha]

1:55 Me: oooooh look at all the guitars she has! That's so cool Bernadette: LOOK UP👀 Me: YES MA'AM! 😳😳😂😂🙈🙈

[@caeliallard120]

Man I needed this. ❤❤❤

[@canadagoose2024]

Is it normal not to like using a strap? I find it annoying but maybe it's because I've only been playing for 4 months.. Thanks for your great videos Bernadette ❤

[@profearoum]

You should make videos every day, at least 1 per day. Just you playing the ukulele and give your random thoughts on skill and skill progression, things about the mindset of learning an instrument.

[@profearoum]

Your point of view, your thoughts and opinions, how you would do it, and why.

[@adamsheck6917]

My challenge (I'm left handed but play right handed if that matters) is that no matter how I hold the instrument it seems the pressure from my left forearm moves the neck of the ukulele forward, so it always moves as changing chords. I'd like to take an online course, yet until I can figure this part out, how to hold it without it moving forward (even with a strap seems to happen, but less), think I'd be wasting my time. Any advice please? Thanks so much, Adam

[@caeliallard120]

It’s like every time I have a struggle with my uke, up you pop with the answers! 😅

[@yagmurgungor730]

Bu gayet egiticiydi

[@julietakane3784]

You look so sad in this video, why? I'm a new subscriber and enjoy watching your video. Thank you for sharing your ideas and techniques. I'm new to ukelele and just learning.

[@profearoum]

This video is good, the content has more of your thoughts and opinions. This recipe is why Joe Rogan is the most popular podcaster

[@tudormiller887]

❤️

[@normdouglas]

Or just use your thumb like many other teachers encourage. I love Bernadette yet this is something I’ve never understood.

[@seamusbrowne4909]

Your sooooo good.😊😋🤗

[@profearoum]

Don't be too general, be specific, be personal.

[@rdrajdeep4551]

Plz halp me

[@priyanshibhattacharjee3789]

Keeping my foot on books? My indian soul is dying just hearing about it

[@ulviugur3605]

What happened to your face ? Sunglasses shadow shows a bit :)

[@jesuschristdiedtosavesinne4420]

Hi, What kind of ukulele is that? I looked on etsy and didn’t find anything close to that.

[@BernadetteTeachesMusic]

Aww it sold out! It’s the rounded back uke by Ohana :)