Benefits Of The Ukulele

They say that firewood warms you three times: once when you're chopping it, once when you're stacking it and once again when you're burning it. Your ukulele is a lot like that, there are unique and special benefits to playing the ukulele, as we'll learn here!

Your ukulele warms you three times: once when you get your fingers going and you get that blood flowing into your hands and you start to warm up physically. And then there's the blood to your brain that keeps you alive and keeps you learning and keeps you remembering and all those kinds of things. And then, of course, there's the warmth in your heart and in your soul when you play a familiar song, something that you love. Especially when you play with friends. That's the ukulele benefit, warming you three times.

I've always said the ukulele is like a cheap vacation: all you have to do is strum a chord and magic... you're transported to someplace warmer.

I've always said the ukulele is like a cheap vacation: all you have to do is strum a chord and magic... you're transported to someplace warmer. And in those winter months when it's cold outside that's exactly what you need. But not every chord that you play has the same warmth to it. Some chords are just warmer than others. So, what makes the difference?

Well, "6" chords are typically very warm sounding. I find that G6 is one of those chords that always takes me to Hawaii in my mind. I can feel the warmth of the sun, I can taste the poke and feel the sand between my toes when I play G6. But even more than 6 chords I find that the chords in the "add9" family are especially warm. And they're easy to play. Think of Fadd9, just one finger – the first finger – on the first fret of the second string. What a beautiful sound that is. And Cadd9, just two fingers. And what a beautiful sound that is.

These are two chords that sound great on their own and the sound even better together. Just add a G7 and you've got a beautiful, warm chord progression that can help to pass those cold winter months wherever you might be. Just remember: keep strumming! Don't stop! Because as soon as you stop playing, the temperature drops... quickly.