Hi, I'm Nicholas, your ukulele teacher
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Playing the ukulele should be fun, not painful!
But if you have arthrosis, stiff fingers or sore joints can make strumming tricky.
Don’t worry—you can still enjoy playing!
With the right techniques, you can reduce discomfort and keep making music.
Here are my best tips for playing the ukulele without pain.
How do I stop my fingers from hurting when playing ukulele?
How do you strum a ukulele without hurting your fingers?
Can you play an instrument with arthrosis?
Music is for everyone, no matter your age or physical limits.
Playing with a strap can help. It takes the weight off your hands. You don't have to hold your ukulele with your left hand. It will make your life easier!
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The right ukulele can make a big difference! A larger ukulele like a tenor has more space between the frets.
This makes it easier to place your fingers.
Some ukuleles have thicker necks that are harder to hold. A slimmer neck means less strain on your fingers and wrist. Find one that feels right for you.
Regular strings can be too hard on your fingers.
You can also try low-tension strings, which are softer and easier to press down.
They need less pressure to press down, making playing easier.
Lowering the tension on your strings makes them easier to press.
Try tuning down a half-step or a whole step.
This small change can make a big difference.
A semi-tone lower: Instead of the regular tunin G C E A
, you will have: F# B D# G#
.
A tone lower: you will tune your ukulele in: F A# D G
.
Strumming with your thumb can be painful after a while. A soft thumb pick lets you strum without extra stress. Plus, it gives a clear and warm sound.
It helps to keep your hand warm during the session, and mittens can help.
Don't choose bulky mittens, but rather thin, so that you have freedom of movement with your fingers.
Ok, you have a strap, you have the right ukulele, with, maybe, low-string tension?
Now you can pay attention about a few things to help you preven pain.
Just like athletes stretch before a workout, your hands need a warm-up.
Try rubbing them together to get the blood flowing. Gently open and close your fingers a few times. You can also soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. This helps loosen stiff joints and makes playing easier.
Warm hands move better and hurt less.
You can repeat the above process often during your ukulele session.
You can use mittens. I've bought the cheape st mittens to keep my hand warm, no matter what.
Some chords are harder on the fingers than others. Start with C, Am, and F—they’re easy and need less stretching.
If a chord is too painful, look for an alternative shape.
Don’t force your fingers into tricky positions. Start with easy two-finger chords. You can still play beautiful music with simple shapes.
Feel free to ask me.
Let me know what chords is hard to play for you. I'll be glad to find an easy way to do it for you. Or to provide an alternative.
I'll be glad to help you!
You can check the article about how to play the E Chord: The E Chord Made Easy: 3 Simple Tricks for Beginners
A capo shifts everything higher up the neck where the frets are closer.
This means you don’t need to stretch your fingers as much.
It’s a simple trick that works wonders!
Read this article for more: Capo On Ukulele: 5 Simple Tricks To Sound Better!.
You don’t need to press too hard on the strings. Many beginners push too much, which can strain the fingers. Try pressing just enough to make a clear sound. If your fingers hurt, lighten your touch. The ukulele’s soft nylon strings are great for gentle playing.
I often do the following exercise with my students.
I ask them to play a chord or play a note. Then I ask them to play it constinuously, while loosing up the tension on the frets with the fingers of the left hand. Slowly. Really slowly.
Then they reach a point when the sound isn't that good anymore.
You need to press a tiny bit more than that. Not much more.
The tension you put on the ukulele neck isn't strong. Just a light touch is enough!
Your wrist should feel relaxed, not strained.
If your fingers feel stiff, try adjusting your grip. Keep your thumb behind the neck and your wrist slightly curved.
But if you feel pain placing your thumb behind the neck, try to place the thumb behind and around the neck, much like some guitarists.
A bad posture can make pain worse.
Try sitting with your back supported and your ukulele resting on your lap. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your wrist straight.
If your hands start hurting, stop for a moment.
Shake them out, stretch your fingers, or rest for a few minutes.
Playing for shorter sessions—just 10 to 15 minutes at a time—can prevent pain.
It’s better to play a little every day than to overdo it in one session.
Arthrosis doesn’t have to stop you from playing the ukulele.
It’s all about finding what works for you. Take it slow, be kind to your hands, and enjoy the music. Every small step is progress!
Keep Strumming!
Music is for everyone, no matter your age or physical limits.
If you love the ukulele, there’s always a way to play.
Take care of your hands, listen to your body, and most of all—have fun!
Would you like some help on the regular basis?
Why not book a lesson .
You'll have the help of an expert to progress and improve, while keeping it fun.
I hope this article has helped you :)
Have a fantastic day!
And you?
Feel free to let a comment below.
Hey there! Looking for a fun way to strum your way into the world of music?
Well, look no further! I'm Nicholas, your friendly ukulele teacher extraordinaire! With my expertise and a sprinkle of laughter, I'll have you strumming those strings like a pro in no time.
Get ready to unleash your inner musician and embark on a musical journey.