learn how to play the ukulele

if there is anyone who knows how to play the ukulele please help me with one thing. i am wanting to know how to play but i’ve come across a roadblock. here it is: i know how to play chords and such but i just don’t know how to make chords into other notes. i have a book and it shows me how to play the C chord and then leads me to a song. i don’t know how to play the several different notes with just one chord. i have never played a string instrument before so i really need help. if anyone could help me i’d be grateful. e-mail me if you have any suggestions at kassy_sollid@hotmail.com (don’t e-mail me if you don’t really wanna help.)

I wanted to learn to play the uke as a beginning step to learning more difficult instruments, like the mandolin. Until I first started playing, I thought that it would be much harder.

I think the key is to find a good chord chart. I use this one at Ukulele Boogaloo. This website also has tabs for songs that are pretty easy to learn. Start by learning three basic chords: G, C, and Am, and you’ll be well on your way to playing a few simple folk songs. After you get comfortable moving between these chords, try adding a few more that are useful: F, D, E, and Em.

Strumming is tricky, and it really helps if you can have a guitar-playing friend show you how to hold your pick and move your arm, wrist, and hand.

I just don’t have time. I need to really start cracking down on my classes, they are kicking my butt. And maybe once I’m out of school and i sit down and figure it out.

So thats already half the battle. But I have a book, but for some reason i can’t get it tuned…? I have a little book that teaches the basic chords and has some songs.

But i have the same problem with it as i did with the guitar….i can’t seem to get comfortable with the struming part. I can pick relatively easily,but strumming is just difficult, i’m better with just my fingers, the pick seems to make it harder….i don’t know why.