Page 47 - KTUDELL E-LIT | Issue 4 - January 2025
P. 47
2025 ARTICLES
my ukulele journey
Hello, dear readers! I’m Ülkü, an English Language and Literature major, and today I’d like to share my
ukulele journey with you. To start, let me tell you a bit about the ukulele. It’s a small, 4-stringed instrument
that resembles a mini guitar. I first encountered it in my childhood, though I don’t remember the exact
moment. But as soon as I laid eyes on it, I promised myself that one day, I would own one.
Fast forward to four months ago, when I started university—a fresh chapter in my life. It seemed like the
perfect time to embrace new hobbies, so I decided to buy a ukulele. However, despite purchasing it, I
couldn’t begin my musical journey right away. I had academic tasks to tackle first. But as soon as I found
some free time, I dove right into learning. YouTube became my best friend, as I explored tutorials on how to
play. At the beginning, I struggled with creating rhythm, but with practice, I managed to play my first song,
“Kırmızı Balık Gölde.” It was such a fun experience!
What I find most fascinating about the ukulele is how many songs you can play with the same rhythm and
chords. For instance, you can play “Athena – Arsız Gönül” using the C and Am chords with a simple
DDUUDU strumming pattern. The same rhythm can be used for songs like “We Fell in Love in October,”
just by switching to Cm7 and Gm7 chords. Once I mastered these, I decided to incorporate them into my
presentation at university. To my delight, both my friends and my teacher loved the performance!
Every time I play, I’m inspired to learn more. The more I discover, the more I crave to play. My inner child
—who simply wants to keep playing—refuses to let me stop. A week or two after the presentation, I added
more songs to my repertoire. I learned “Kim Ne Derse Desin Aşk İçin” and “Saydım,” both of which I adore
for their energy and vibe. Next on my list are “Koca Yaşlı Şişko Dünya” and “Riptide.”
In conclusion, my ukulele journey has been a delightful adventure. I found an opportunity and seized it. I
hope this story encourages you to follow your passions and never let go of your childhood dreams.
And as always, stay with music!
by Ülkü AKSU
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