Beginner ukulele players often ask me if they need a pick to play their ukulele.
And my answer is, no. Most folk don’t use a pick to play ukulele. They use their fingers to strum.
One of the many things I love about the ukulele is that it’s so uncomplicated and low-tech. You don’t need lots of gear to play a ukulele. And playing without a pick is part of this.
But there are a few situations where you can use a pick on a ukulele.
What’s a pick?
A pick, also called a plectrum, is a little tear-shaped piece of plastic. Many guitarists play with a pick, depending on the style of music. Guitar strings are often made from steel and other metal, which is hard on the fingers.
But ukulele strings are mostly made of soft nylon. It’s very gentle on the fingers.
When we strum a ukulele, we stroke our fingers across the strings. When we play fingerstyle or fingerpicking, we use our fingertips.
The great Hawaiian ukulele players mostly strum with their fingers. That’s how you get that feathery Hawaiian strum sound. If it’s good enough for Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, (he’s the guy who sings the Hawaiian version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow) it’s good enough for me.
Beginner ukulele kits often include a pick, along with a ukulele, bag, tuner and songbook. I don’t know why they bother with the pick. Maybe because it seems like they’re “adding value”.
To find out more about how to get started with ukulele, check out my Beginners Guide To Ukulele post.
When to use a pick
Four times when a pick can be useful:
- Chronic pain:
- I’ve known players with chronic pain issues, who are more comfortable playing with a pick than using their fingertips to strum.
If you’re finding it’s painful to strum with your fingers, before you switch to a pick, first check with your teacher that you’re not playing too hard. Here’s my post about how to play ukulele without getting a sore hand.
- Nice nails: People who have elegant fingernails, who don’t want the varnish chipped. However, I’ve been told by a beauty therapist that good quality false nails should be fine with strumming.
- Hangnails and sore fingers: If you have a hangnail or a temporarily sore finger on your strumming hand, try using a pick, just for a short period. It means you don’t have to stop playing while your finger heals.
- Surf rock: If you’re determined to play surf rock on ukulele (and I don’t necessarily recommend this!) you’ll need to use a pick to get that tremolo sound.
If surf rock is the music genre that floats your boat, you can find some fun tutorials on Youtube. Including this one by my colleague The Ukulele Teacher (aka John Atkins) playing 1960s surf rock classic “Wipeout”, by the Surfaris. He does it a lot better than I could. I’m not a surf rock specialist!
The difference between ukulele picks and guitar picks
If you use a normal guitar pick on a ukulele it will sound loud and harsh, and it will wear out your strings faster.
Ukulele picks are softer than most guitar picks. You can buy ukulele picks from music shops and online.
I have seen some ukulele picks that are made of soft felt, and some that are made of polystyrene foam. The first kind is a bit like a piece of stiff carpet, and the second kind is like a piece of a stiff yoga mat.
Strumming with a pick is very different from strumming with your fingers.
It takes practice to get used to it. And you’ll have to work on your timing.
When you play with a pick it’s louder
Playing ukulele with a pick (even a special ukulele pick) will make your ukulele sound louder. This isn’t always a good thing. Ukuleles are low-tech, low-volume instruments. It’s good to be heard, but you don’t want to drown out your singing voice.
Playing with a pick could be a problem if you’re playing with a group. A player who’s using a pick in an unsubtle and unskilled way will be making a lot more noise than the other musicians. They won’t blend in with the rest of the group. This will affect the overall sound balance.
Strumming with a pick is different from strumming with your fingers. It takes practice to get used to it.
My verdict on picks
I think it’s just easier all round to not use a pick when you’re playing ukulele. Unless you have a chronic pain condition.
I know guitar players who are always losing their picks. If you don’t have a pick, you can’t lose it!
More about how to strum
For how to start strumming ukulele, check out my blog post: How To Strum Ukulele
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More reading
Beginners Guide To Ukulele: Start Playing Today
How To Choose Your First Ukulele
How To Tune a Ukulele With a Tuner
How To Sing While Playing Ukulele
Ukulele Adventures – What’s Next After the Beginner Basics
Top 7 Handy Ukulele Accessories
Over the Rainbow and Beyond: A Realistic Guide for Ukulele Beginners
How To Play Ukulele Without Getting a Sore Hand
Why Kids Need Music – and How You Can Help With Ukulele
Do I have To Read Music To Play Ukulele?
Tips For Left Handed Ukulele Players