Learn u-bass

By Leah Pogwizd

A brief course for beginners on how to get started playing u-bass - aka bass ukulele.

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1 Getting Started

Before we get started learning u-bass, let's talk gear and set-up: make sure you have a u-bass (I prefer fretless Kala brand instruments), a guitar or ukulele strap (depending on your u-bass model), a cable and amp (optional), and a tuner of some kind (Kala u-basses come with built-in tuners, just make sure you have extra 2032 batteries for them).You'll want to tune the bass before every practice session - and more frequently if you recently had your u-bass restrung. I recommend changing strings every 3-6 months and having them installed by a skilled luthier or guitar tech.The "exercise" above is actually a tuning reference track (click on the image for an interactive score on flat.io). Each open string is held for four beats (a whole note), starting with the open G string - the thinnest one that is closest to the ground.