Does Ukulele Hurt Your Fingers?

Does Ukulele Hurt Your Fingers? Short answer; nope, the ukulele won’t hurt your fingers! Want the long answer and got some time to spare reading interesting facts? Read on.

The ukulele is a great instrument to learn because it only takes a few months to achieve proficiency, which is difficult with other instruments. If you're planning to pick up the ukulele, then you might wonder whether it would hurt your fingers. 

The great news is that even after playing it for a prolonged period of time, you won't feel any discomfort in your fingers. In this article, we’ll be talking about why the ukulele won’t hurt your fingers and how to overcome sore fingers from playing the ukulele, if you ever experience it. 

Reasons Why the Ukulele Won’t Hurt Your Fingers

1. Ukuleles are small and lightweight.

Ukuleles come in smaller sizes than most string instruments, so there isn't much pressure on your hands when holding them down while strumming or plucking strings. This means less stress on your hand muscles and joints. You can also play the ukulele standing up without having to worry about hurting yourself. 

Additionally, it’s also easy to hold onto the neck of a ukulele. You don't have to grip the body of the ukulele as you do with guitars. Instead, you just need to grab the top part where the fretboard sits, and it doesn't take long before you get used to doing this.

2. Ukuleles usually come with nylon strings. 

The ukulele has nylon strings, which make the mellow and pleasant sound that’s associated with the instrument. Unlike steel strings, nylon strings won't hurt your fingers as much because they don't have sharp edges like metal strings do. They are softer compared to steel ones, making it easier for you to hold onto the instrument and press down on the strings.  

3. Chords are easier to play on the ukulele.

Since the ukulele only has four strings, the chords are easier to play. There aren't many complicated chords to master on the ukulele like there are with other string instruments, either. With a guitar, you often have to fret notes using all your fingers at once. On the ukulele, there are already a lot of chords that are played using one finger per string. 

The smaller fret spacing also means that it's easier to move around on the neck without having any problem with your fingers. This allows you to play more chords without hurting your fingers easily!

4. Ukuleles have low action. 

The action of a stringed instrument is how high the strings are from the fretboard. The low action in the ukulele means that there is less space between each nylon string and the fingerboard. Because of this, you won't have to press down as hard on the strings while playing ukulele several hours a day, minimizing the stress on your hand, wrist, arm, and more. 

5. Ukuleles have a sound box with a shallow depth.

The sound box on a ukulele has a shallower depth than other instruments. It's because of this that the tension on your fingers won't feel too much and it’s less likely to damage them over time. And since a ukulele’s sound box has such a shallow depth, you'll be able to play higher notes easily. A shallow sound box also means that there is less pressure placed on your fingertips when you hold down strings while playing  the ukulele. 

How to Overcome Sore Fingers from Playing the Ukulele

If your fingers ever become sore when playing the ukulele, here are some tips you can follow: 

• Use a finger pick: Finger picks will help reduce pressure on your fingertips and make it easier for them to heal faster.

• Stretch your fingers: If your fingers feel tight or stiff after practicing, you can stretch them out by gently pulling at their knuckles with your other hand.

• Practice slowly: Although practice is key to mastering the ukulele, it’s okay to take it slow. If you practice too fast, your muscles might get tense which makes them hurt more after practicing.

Ukuleles at Bondi Ukuleles

If you’re worried about how your fingers will feel after playing the ukulele after a long time, then it’s best to get yourself a high-quality ukulele. Here at Bondi Ukuleles, we have a variety of ukuleles that’s perfect for any skill level. From soprano to tenor ukulele, our team is more than happy to help you start your musical journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our team members to know more!