Ukulele Basics
How many strings does a standard ukulele have?
Four
What do you use to strum the strings?
Your fingers or a pick
In which U.S. state did the ukulele become especially popular?
Hawaii
What do we call the speed of a song?
Tempo
What are the four strings usually tuned to?
G–C–E–A
What is it called when you pluck strings one at a time?
Picking or fingerpicking
Which country did the ukulele originally come from?
Portugal
What is a melody?
A sequence of musical notes that forms a tune
What is the name of the part of the ukulele where you press the strings?
The fretboard
What does a chord consist of?
Three or more notes played together (some chords use fewer)
Around what decade was the ukulele introduced to Hawaii?
The 1870s
What does it mean to keep a steady beat?
Playing in time with a consistent pulse
What is the wooden body of the ukulele used for?
It amplifies and resonates the sound
What is a capo used for on a string instrument?
To raise the pitch by shortening the strings' vibrating length
What Portuguese instrument helped inspire the ukulele?
The machete, also called the machete de braga
What is the difference between a major chord and a minor chord?
Major chords generally sound brighter; minor chords often sound sadder
What are the four main types of ukuleles, from smallest to largest?
Soprano, concert, tenor, baritone
What does it mean to play a song in a different key?
To play using a different set of pitch relationships, often higher or lower
What does the Hawaiian word “ukulele” commonly translate to in English?
Commonly “jumping flea”
Why might a musician tune their ukulele before playing a song?
To make sure the strings produce the correct pitches