First off, I am not a professional ukulele player. In fact, the only ukuleles I've played (except in music stores) are ones that I have made. So, I am really self taught. There are tons of videos out there on the net that will teach you how to play and also some great videos to give you inspiration. Taimane is an amazing player. In fact, she is one of the people who inspired me to learn the Uke. Ok, enough about that. Now that you've made a Sq'Uke (or bought a commercial uke....I'm not biased), where do you start?
Holding the Uke
These instructions are for right handed players. If you're left handed, exchange right for left. There are some websites that are very particular in how you hold a Uke, posture, hand position etc. (btw, Sq'Ukes are small enough to play lying in a hammock). I'm more interested in making music. So don't get hung up on how you hold it. Just make sure that the neck is to your left with you left hand supporting the neck. This will put the G4 string on top ready for your right hand to strum down.
One finger is all you need (no, not that finger)
Now place one of your left hand fingers on the bottom string on the 3rd fret (I like using my ring finger) . You want to keep your fingers as close to the fret as possible (btw, frets on the Sq'Uke are start at 0).
Now strum with the index finger of your right hand top to bottom. You've just played your first chord. It is a C Major chord or "C"! It should sound like this:
The next chord is Am (or A minor). It is played by placing a finger (I use the middle finger) on the top string, 2nd fret. Strum again. That wasn't too hard, now was it. It should sound like this:
There are several strumming patterns, but I usually strum as I feel. You can strum down AND up. I use the same finger and I find it more natural to use my middle finger rather than my index finger. Practice playing the C chord and the Am chord back and forth with different strumming patterns unit is feels natural.