The Ultimate Ukulele Guide for Beginners

So, you’ve found an interest in playing the ukulele? Good for you! But how do you start correctly without getting frustrated and putting the ukulele in the corner on the first day? I have a few tips for you to make your ukulele journey a success!

Basic Rules

First of all, the basic rule of playing the ukulele: It must be fun for you! If you’re not having fun or are exhausted, put the ukulele down and pick it up later. This doesn’t mean you should stop when you hit your limits. The challenges of learning are a big part of the fun. Only if your body says it’s enough, then it’s enough. Ultimately, your brain and muscles need to adjust to the new instrument. This takes time. Additionally, your fingertips aren’t thick enough to withstand long playing sessions. At the beginning, you may experience a steep learning curve, but I promise you that after some time, you will reach the learning plateau that every learner must go through. And then, it takes endurance and willpower!

But what are the steps to ukulele success?

To give you a bit of orientation, I have divided your ukulele journey into 6 steps. You don’t have to follow them 100%, of course. But the list might give you some guidance at the start. Because let’s be honest: The internet is overflowing with content on playing the ukulele. Let’s start with step 1!

1. Get yourself a ukulele

Before you buy a ukulele, you should determine if it’s the right instrument for you. It’s best to borrow a ukulele from friends. Sometimes ukulele clubs have extra ukuleles for beginners and even offer beginner lessons (e.g., the Ukulele Club in Bonn). Which ukulele is suitable for you in the long run depends on your personal preferences. There are a total of 4 different sizes: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. Beware! The baritone ukulele is tuned differently and sounds more like a guitar. All chords are also played differently on it. If you have rather small hands, I recommend starting with a soprano ukulele. For larger hands, at least a concert ukulele would be better. Professionals usually play on a tenor ukulele because the fretboard is the longest there. But you don’t have to worry about that for now. Your first ukulele will most likely not be your last!

2. Learn the basics of the ukulele

There are many free online resources where you can learn the basics of playing the ukulele. How do I hold a ukulele? How do I play the first chords? Fortunately, this is quick and easy! Here are a few free videos to get you started:

Free resources on YouTube:

Bernadette teaches music
Cynthia Lin
10 Thumbs
Ukulele Zen
Ukulele Lovers (I know Vincenzo Gioia from the ukulele fest in Monopoli. He had a great workshop there!)

3. Set a goal

This point is optional, but I find it immensely important for your motivation. Without a clear goal in mind, you will soon end up in the dreaded “tutorial hell.” It seems like you’re learning a lot. But if someone asks you to play, you’ll get nervous and say that you’ve just started. It’s best to choose a few songs that you want to master at the beginning. Maybe you particularly liked “Lemon Tree” at the ukulele club near you? Find the chords and work on the song and chord changes daily. Even better, tell friends about your plan and show them your progress… or even give a small concert? :)

4. Find role models

You can learn from the more experienced members of the ukulele club and orient yourself to them. Ask if you don’t understand something. They will always be happy to help you!

But also be sure to listen to professional ukulele artists! The ukulele is such an underrated instrument, and there are great performers who get the best out of it. Maybe they will motivate you to aim for a higher ukulele level in the long run?

Here are some of my absolute favorite ukulele players:

Taimane Gardner: Her first name means “diamond,” and she plays just as brilliantly. Born in Honolulu, the US-American started learning at the age of 5. Her mentor was the great Jake Shimabukuro, who also belongs on this list. Performance at TEDxMaui
James Hill: Known for his entertaining performances, James is one of the most well-known ukulele players and teachers in the world. The Canadian native has also built a large ukulele community and offers certification courses for ukulele teachers. By the way, he also writes his own music. Here is a very funny performance where he makes a real band out of a ukulele: “Billie Jean” With His Imaginary Band
Jake Shimabukuro: Jake is considered one of the best ukulele players in the world. He started playing at the age of 4 and became so good that he was the first player invited to the Sydney Opera House. He is often compared to other greats like Eric Clapton or Miles Davis. Jake is known for his versions of Beatles songs and became famous on YouTube. Here is his version of Bohemian Rhapsody: Jake Shimabukuro Performing Bohemian Rhapsody On HiSessions
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: Every ukulele fan has heard of the Ukulele Orchestra and eagerly awaits a performance in their area. The ensemble has been around since 1985 and delights with its often humorous versions of popular songs. Here, for example, is “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly”: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

5. Play with others

Look for opportunities to play with other ukulele players. This can be in a ukulele group, at open mic events, or just with friends. You can learn a lot and develop further through making music together.

Here is a list of ukulele clubs for each country (updated regularly):

6. Take a ukulele course near you or online

If you are really serious about the ukulele, I highly recommend taking a course. Learning with YouTube is great for the beginning. But quite quickly, you will reach a point where you feel a bit lost and don’t know what to learn next. For many, the initial motivation then wanes, and the ukulele ends up under the bed.

Fortunately, there are many great offers that don’t cost much money! When I was initially looking for ukulele courses, I was a bit overwhelmed. So, I have compiled a small list of the best courses for your level and interests. Unfortunately, the courses are all in English. But the videos are usually easy to understand.

Online Ukulele Courses

Description: A great ukulele platform by James Hill. Perfect for affordable entry with the “Ready, Steady, UKULELE” course. The “Ukulele Way” course is also highly recommended.