Should you choose a ukulele as your first musical instrument?
This small guitar from Hawaii has a lovely charm, a cool look, and just four strings. It’s much easier to learn than a standard guitar and it’s handy to bring along when you’re travelling. That’s the short version, but let’s take a closer look.
Types of Ukuleles
There are 4 main types of ukes, if you’re looking to start out you should know:
- Soprano: The smallest and most classic type. It’s just 53 cm long with 12 to 14 frets, and gives you that bright, cheerful ukulele sound. A great pick for kids or complete beginners.
- Concert: Slightly bigger than the soprano with a bit more volume and a fuller tone. It also gives you a few extra frets to play with.
- Tenor: This one has a longer neck and offers a deeper, richer sound. Ideal if you’re looking for more range and a bit more room to move around the fretboard. It measures up to 66 cm.
- Baritone: The biggest of the bunch and the one that sounds most like a guitar. It can be up to 76 cm long with as many as 19 frets, so it feels and plays quite differently from the smaller sizes.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on your first instrument. Just avoid ultra-cheap models that won’t hold their tuning, often found in supermarkets, or the larger toy shops.
5 Reasons Ukulele Wins Over Other Instruments
- The ukulele’s small size makes it lightweight and compact, perfect for travel or simply lounging on the couch. This instrument requires neither physical strength nor specific skills.
- It’s surprisingly easy for beginners. Four strings and simple chords mean you can play real songs fast. The ukulele can be the first step to mastering guitar.
- It is budget-friendly (especially compared to other stringed instruments). It requires no special equipment, just the ukulele itself, picks, and strings.
- You can play music of different styles on the ukulele, like folk, reggae, jazz, blues, and rock. It’s more versatile than you think.
- There’s loads of handy tools out there for beginners. Between apps, YouTube videos, and online lessons, teaching yourself has never been easier. Definitely check out the different apps—some help you tune your instrument, others have fun games or video tutorials. A lot of them even have thousands of chords and tabs ready to go.
A Great Choice for Kids
The ukulele is tailor-made for young learners. It fits small hands, teaches coordination, and delivers fast results. Teachers often turn lessons into games, and that’s when the real magic happens. Children quickly learn to play simple melodies, which boosts their confidence.
Why the Ukulele Is So Beginner-Friendly
Musicians from Everest Music offer a quick look at the basics of playing the ukulele. Here are the basics of playing:
- Start by setting up your ukulele. The standard ukulele tuning is G-C-E-A (fourth to first string).
- Use your fingers and just spend some time getting comfortable with the feel of the instrument. Give it at least a day to settle in.
- Learn how to hold it correctly: Support the neck with your left hand, pressing it between your thumb and fingers. Sit up straight and rest the ukulele’s body against the bend of your elbow. Use your forearm to press it down gently. Try letting go with your left hand. If it stays in place, you’re holding it right.
- Start by learning basic chords: Try learning C, G, F, and Am. With these, you’ll be able to play loads of popular songs.
- Practice smooth – Work on switching between chords without stopping. It’ll help you stay in rhythm when playing.
- Learn basic strumming techniques. We recommend starting with simple rhythmic patterns and gradually getting more complex.
- Give Tabs a go: Tablature (or tabs) is an easy way to read music for ukulele. It shows you exactly which strings and frets to play. Pick songs you love to keep things fun and motivating.
- Set aside a fixed amount of time for learning. We advise dedicating at least 30 minutes daily. Consistency builds muscle memory.
Bonus: How to Tune a Ukulele
There are a few easy ways to tune your ukulele.
If you’re new to tuning:
Use a clip-on tuner. Just clip it to the neck of your ukulele, switch it on, and start plucking each string one at a time. Start with the G string, which is the one closest to your face, and adjust the tuning pegs until the tuner shows you’re in tune.
If you don’t have a tuner:
You can use a piano, tuning app, or any instrument that’s already in tune. Start by matching the G string, then use the frets to tune the other strings by ear. It takes a bit more practice, but it’s totally doable once you get used to it.
Final Thoughts
Still not sure? Even astronauts bring ukuleles to space to unwind. Their light, cheerful sound puts people in good form. That alone is a great reason to give it a go.
So, how do you get started with the ukulele?
Pick the one that suits you. Get it tuned. Learn a few basics. Keep up the practice. And most importantly, enjoy yourself.
That’s really all you need to begin. We hope your learning journey is easy, fun, and full of music.
