Even though ukulele is said to be the easiest instrument to learn and to be picked up, it is still hard when it comes to transitioning from a beginner to an intermediate level. The main reason is due to lack of confidence. You are not confident enough to convince yourself that you can do it and that you can make beautiful sounds from the ukulele.
Hence, here are some tips for you to increase your confidence and hence, improve your ukulele playing skills.
Starting from your practice sessions, here are some pointers to take note of:
1. Play slowly
There's no rush. Playing slowly while practising will allow you to spot your mistakes and overcome these mistakes. Furthermore, playing slowly and playing it more times will allow your muscle memory to be honed.
2. Record your own playing
How can you spot your mistakes if you can't review them? One way you can review your mistakes is by recording your own practice. Afterwards, you are able to play back your video and find out your mistakes as well as reward yourself for the parts that you have done well in!
Alternatively, you can choose to have a practice session with your friend and have a peer evaluation. The importance of this peer evaluation is honesty. It is vital for your friend to give you true and legit feedback to help to improve your ukulele playing skills.
The essential point of reviewing your playing is so that you can keep track of your own progress. We all know it is frustrating when you seem to have so many practice sessions but you can't seem to figure out if you have improved at all. Hence, this review of your practice session will not only acts as a platform for you to improve your playing, it also acts as evidence of the hard work you have put into practising the ukulele.
Now, after your practice sessions, how can you increase the confidence in your ukulele playing skills?
1. Play for your friends
This can be done anywhere. When you are going for a short getaway with your friends, just bring your ukulele along. Just strum along as your friends and you jam along to the sight of the sun setting.
2. Join a band
Grab some of your friends and form a band! You can get gigs, busk for the public, anything! Nothing beats the threat of failing in front of strangers. That will act as great motivation for you to practice harder until you are very sure of what you are playing.
The sight of others enjoying your music will definitely boost your morale and increase your confidence, even if it's a little at a time. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between confidence and success so, get your confidence up!
If you wish for a boost in your confidence, join our ukulele workshops and get ready to be immersed in the highly-energised sessions!