The warmer days are here and it’s a great time to get outdoors and play ukulele! There are a few things to consider when playing outside, like where and when. You’ll also want to think about which ukulele to bring with you. Below I’ll outline some things to think about when planning your outdoor adventure with your ukulele.

Let’s check them out!

Places to Play Ukulele

There are many great places in nature to play your ukulele. You don’t have to travel far to simply enjoy the sunshine on your face and the breeze in your hair. The location where you play is dependent on many factors. Do you live in an urban apartment? Do you live close to the ocean? Do you have the resources to travel somewhere? I’ve had my share of travels, but these days, I like to stick close to home, and some days, that’s very close! You can simply put a lawn chair outside your door and always have a nice place to play where you can hear the birds chirping. Do you live near a park or nice walking path? Take your ukulele for a stroll and find a nice bench to sit on and play!

Beaches, parks, campgrounds, trails, and areas near lakes or rivers can be a great place to play. Even a backyard BBQ can be a great place to play. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to write a few songs inspired by the natural world or improvise a song. This is a great time to get creative.

Etiquette

You always want to be mindful of your surroundings when you’re playing out in nature. Many people want to be out in nature, but not everyone wants to hear someone playing a ukulele, no matter how good their skills are!

I recommend a location away from other people unless you know for certain they won’t be bothered by your playing. It never hurts to ask when you’re in a public place. For the safest bet, find a secluded area of the park or a corner of the beach and have the area all to yourself.

You’ll also want to choose your timing wisely. It may be helpful to play at times when there are less people around, like the early mornings or late evenings. Keeping your volume low would also be considerate. This may not be the time or place to try out the latest rock ballad you learned.

People are not the only ones to be considerate of when you are playing in nature. Be sure to be respectful and follow all the rules for your location, whether it’s a park, beach, or campground. Do you know their rules regarding what times they open and close? Do you know if they allow beverages? You’ll also want to be kind to the earth and clean up after yourself. Leaving trash behind would not be a good look! If you are playing at home in an apartment complex, do you know if they have any rules against playing music at certain times of the day?

Read more: Can the Ukulele Be Self-taught?

Travel Ukuleles

It’s important to have a good travel ukulele to take with you since many ukuleles made of wood are less than ideal for playing in the heat and humidity. Several companies make ukuleles that can withstand the elements, but I particularly love the Enya Nova series. These carbon fiber ukuleles are perfect for playing outside! They can withstand the elements, and best of all, they sound amazing with plenty of resonance!

They are heat resistant, water resistant, and can even withstand cold. You can pick from a soprano, concert, or tenor. In the video below, Terry Carter is reviewing the Enya Nova U Mini soprano ukulele. These mini sopranos can be tossed in a tote bag or thrown in the back seat of a car, making it a perfect ukulele to travel with. They even have a slim body, making it very easy to hold and keep close to you.

You can find Enya Nova ukuleles online at the Terry Carter Music Store. If you ever have any questions about ukuleles at the Terry Carter Music Store, just reach out to them, and they will be happy to answer any questions you have. You can shop for any ukulele accessory you might need there as well, including straps, tuners, capos, and more.

Conclusion

Playing in nature can be very relaxing and rewarding, but it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and other people. You’ll want to be a good ambassador of the ukulele. Don’t be surprised if some people even approach you and ask you questions about the ukulele or how long you’ve played. It can be a great conversation starter and a cool way to meet new friends.

Speaking of new friends, there is a whole community of ukulele players waiting to become your friend over at the Community Forum on ukelikethepros.com. You can ask others about their experiences playing in nature and even get ideas of different locations to play. We’ve got great memberships in monthly and yearly packages for all the courses on the site, too. Enjoy your playing!