Ukulele strap vs no strap: How a strap can help you play the ukulele

Should you get a ukulele strap? You certainly don't have to, but it can make it easier to play. With the help of my 4-stringed assistant, Tim, I'll go over the reasons why I prefer a strap, types of straps, installing strap buttons, and when a strap might actually interfere.

In the video, I mention Levy straps. I do not receive promotional benefits from Levy - I just happen to love their straps. You can find their products here:
https://levysleathers.com/collections...

If you want the benefits of a strap but don't want to install strap buttons, here are a couple of interesting options -- besides Googling "DIY ukulele strap," of course!:
https://ukeleash.com/ -- I used these until I finally installed strap buttons.
http://www.mobiusstrap.com/ -- I have not tried this but it sure does intrigue me!

0:00 Is a strap essential for playing the ukulele?
0:30 Reason # 1: It holds the uke at a consistent spot
1.04 Reason # 2: You don’t have to focus on holding it so you can train that focus on other aspects of playing
1:25 Reason # 3: Allows uke to fully vibrate
2:22 Reason # 4: Lets you carry your uke hands-free so you can do other things
2:45 Reason # 5 There are many great-looking straps so you can express yourself visually while you’re playing
2:55 Strap buttons and options
3:14 Classical guitar-style straps
3:35 What to look for in a strap - pay attention to tab ends
4:12 Why straps are not recommended on some ukes
4:21 Strap buttons: One or two?
4:33 Is a strap button right for your ukulele?
5:11 Stick-on hooks: Don’t do it!

I'm a ukulele teacher and performer. I help people tune into their inner ukulelian and cut through learning challenges with patience and laughter.

I don't come from a musical background. Growing up, my main instruments were the record player and radio. I crooned along with what we now consider Americana and the country oldies on the dearly departed WHN Country station out of New York.

I didn't pick up an instrument for real until I turned a fateful trip to Hawai'i when I turned 50. Without musical training, I had to come up with my own ways of explaining to myself what was happening musically. I share these hard-earned nuggets with other folks with little or no musical background, illuminating a slightly different pathway to learning how to music. It ain't perfect and it ain't done, but it has helped me tip-toe farther and farther into the scary jungle of music theory. Turns out the lions and tigers and bears in that jungle aren't as scary up close! It all comes down to how you coax yourself to approach them.

I'm here to help you coax yourself to approach your own lions and tigers and bears and musical dreams.

Credit for the image of Willie Nelson goes to Bob Tilden: flickr.com/photos/bobtilden/.jpg

You can find lots of information about my in-person and online classes, gigs, and resources at
https://www.ukuleleclare.com

While you're at it, here are my instagram and Facebook portals:
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