8th Grader Inspired by Music Class at St. Patrick

About two years ago, I found out I loved to play the ukulele. My dad plays guitar and I love it, so I wanted to try, but it was too big. When Mr. Sandquist made my class play ukulele in music class I loved it. The ukulele was smaller, so I could play it. The only problem was that the strumming hurt my fingers and it gave me blisters. After that I realized I was getting better at playing, and I learned so many chords it fueled me to get even better. Everytime I came home, I would talk about the songs I played. The problem was that I didn’t have a ukulele to practice on at home. 

Then, I got a small ukulele for Christmas and I played it all the time. I loved to practice for music class, and I talked with my dad about the songs and chords I learned. My favorite part is finally mastering chords. 

Now, I have learned more complicated chords, but I have barely scraped the surface. So many songs have at least one weird chord I don’t know like Am7sus4 which is an abbreviation for A minor seven suspended four. 

My favorite songs to play are the most challenging ones I can. They are usually all picking patterns which are playing single strings instead of chords, but I also enjoy making up my own strumming patterns with chords. In class I played “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “The Scientist” by Coldplay because they were songs I liked playing. 

I learned from an app called Yousician where they have lessons on how to play the piano, guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, and singing. It encouraged me to try guitar again, and I played on a bass too, but I wasn’t as good at either one. 

I would love to get better at guitar and bass, but for now my favorite is still ukulele. I recommend learning to play ukulele if you are wondering if you would enjoy instruments like guitar. The chords are less complicated and the frets are closer together, making it perfect for beginners.