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Jesse H.

Jesse H.

The ukulele is a creative adaptation and redesign of the machete de braga, a small stringed instrument that was introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in August of 1879. The Hawaiian people fell in love with the sound of the instrument and named it “ukulele" because the fingers of the performer dancing around on the neck and strings as a song was played resembled jumping fleas. Ukulele means jumping fleas in the Hawaiian language. Since the ukulele is related to a European instrument and the guitar from Spain, the relative tuning is the same. It should be tuned a perfect fourth up from a guitar, so the first string is tuned to an A, second string should be tuned to an E, third string will be a C, & the fourth string should be tuned to a G an octave up. Most ukuleles have a fourth string that is an octave above what the normal progression would be of most stringed instruments. If your G string is not tuned an octave up it’s a larger size than the average ukulele G string and would be considered a “drop G” tuning. I use a drop G tuning on my instrument because I prefer that configuration. The scale and chord patterns on the ukulele are similar to guitar, so if you know how to play some guitar you will have a big head start on the ukulele. You can think of it as a guitar that has a capo placed on the fifth fret. You can play a C chord on this guitar with the fifth fret capped, but it’s not really a C chord, right? It’s now an F chord because it must be transposed up a perfect fourth. Now play a D chord on the ukulele. It’s really a G chord because it must be transposed up just like if you were playing a guitar with a capo on the fifth fret. Simple, right? I have been a professional working musician for over thirty years and while my main instrument is guitar, I do use the ukulele in my work from time to time. I also have been teaching this instrument since 2009 because so many people are interested in it now. It has really seen a huge resurgence in the last couple of years. Previously it was very popular back in the 1920’s. I sincerely hope that we have a chance to get together and work on developing your talent. I am certain that you will consider this to be one of your most interesting and rewarding experiences.

Justin M.

Justin M.

Experienced ukulele teacher of 10 years available for eager students of all experience levels and ages! I structure my lessons so students learn what they want to learn, while also building a strong foundation of fingerstyle ukulele skills. I specialize in reggae, pop and world music, typically use Hal Leonard books (among others), and also have the following tools available to use during lessons: sound recording equipment, sheet music, and more.

Phillip Z.

Phillip Z.

Ukulele students start with five subjects. 1) Technique is concerned with the development of the physical mechanics involved in playing the instrument. 2) Scales are a part of basic music vocabulary and building blocks of the musical language. 3) Chords are also basic vocabulary of the musical language. 4) Note reading is not required for every student. It really depends on the students' goals. However, I strongly encourage everyone learn to read musical notation, (more than tablature). Literacy in reading music is analogous to literacy in reading in our English language. Can you imagine how much smaller our world would be if we couldn't read? 5) Songs utilize the skills and concepts of all the previously mentioned subjects and are the goal of studying music. The student chooses what songs they want to play, guided by my suggestions; Jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, R &B - "How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky?" A beginning student will practice all these subjects as part of the daily practice routine. A half hour practice session will cover all subjects. Students that concentrate for thirty minutes a day four days a week make adequate progress. However, please know that very accomplished players devote a lot of time to each subject. These five subjects are developed and expanded as the student progresses. There are an infinite number of areas to explore, depending on the students interests, and can lead to a lifetime of learning and artistic expression.

Courtney W.

Courtney W.

I have been teaching private piano, violin, guitar, and ukulele lessons for ten years. I won competitions, hundreds of dollars, and a scholarship through the Desert Valley Music Teacher Association (DVMTA). I have written and self-published two piano books with more in the works. I have worked on a Music Theory degree at MCC and plan to transfer to ASU to finish my bachelor's. I help students find the fun in music again with many involved music games and incentive programs. I instill a love and confidence in students of composing their own music from a young age.

Tara L.

Tara L.

I learned from some great musicians out west that the ukulele can be really fun and have more range of notes too when tuned GDAE as a violin would be tuned. Ever since I learned that I have loved playing the ukulele and also have fun helping others to become well versed in playing many styles of music on there. One can play rhythm, melodies, improvise, write songs, play almost any style of music on a ukulele.

Mark C.

Mark C.

Ukulele is a very fun instrument, and it's especially great for beginner musicians, or guitarists who want some new inspiration. When I decided to learn ukulele, I found it very rewarding. I even ended up building my own! So, sign up! You won't regret it. ~ Mark is an American composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer. I started teaching private music lessons my senior year of high school, in 2006. Since then I've taught over 100 different students of all ages from 3 years old to 78 years old. While still living in Ohio, I was the one and only official guitar teacher for Guitar Center Youngstown through the duration of 2008-2009. In late 2009, after moving to Los Angeles, I continued to teach privately and with several music schools all around the city for 13 years.

Andrew H.

Andrew H.

*Adults* Whether you are a beginner or have been playing for years my comprehensive lessons will help you to quickly realize your musical goals. I tailor each lesson to fit your individual needs and will get you strumming your favorite songs, reading music, taking soaring solos, or writing your own melodies while simultaneously deepening your understanding of the language of music. At the end of each lesson you’ll receive an MP3 of all the material covered. *Kids* I believe in building music fundamentals while fostering a love of playing. My fun, imaginative, and age appropriate classes are just right for any budding musician! Each lesson is customized to get the individual student excited about music, that means playing songs they like and having fun while learning the essential techniques and developing musicality. I have extensive experience working with children 5-16 and adapt my teaching to promote success for each unique student. *Genres* Pop, Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, Songwriting, Classical. *Instruments* Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Harmonica *About* My name is Andrew and I am a Grammy-balloted musician with over twenty years of experience teaching, performing, and recording. My playing has been featured on NPR, CNBC, FOX, CMT and on RollingStone.com. I am a passionate educator and teach for Vintage Guitar Magazine and the historic Calliope School of Folk Music. I have a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Elon University. I’d love to assist you on your musical journey, please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Lynn K.

Lynn K.

All styles, technique, chords, individual notes, scales, theory, performance

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Awesome instructor! Patient, encouraging, very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

Richard (Ukulele lessons with Nils B.)

Great first lesson. We covered a lot of ground, or notes, rather. btw, you had sent her the wrong date, so she was not expecting me, but we regrouped and had a great time.

Peter (Ukulele lessons with Mary Ann G.)

TOO MUCH FUN! I had a great experience! Started playing the Uke right away. Learned 2 songs and 6 chords, and how to tune my very first lesson. She makes the work fun. Totally recommend!!!

Mary Ann G. (Ukulele lessons with Mary Ann G.)

Megan is teaching my 6 yr old son the Ukulele. I love that she is professional, on time and works well with my son who can sometimes be a bit rambunctious and distracted. Other teachers we have trie

Christina Loh (Ukulele lessons with Megan W.)

Popular Ukulele videos

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Ani K.

Part 2: Fun Tips and Tricks

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Robin O.

Tuning Your Ukulele

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Ukulele Lessons

The ukulele is a beautiful stringed instrument that we often associate with Hawaiian music. This is because, in the late 1800s, Portuguese immigrants introduced the ukulele to Hawaii, and it quickly became a staple in island music.

Have you always wanted to learn how to play this tiny guitar-like instrument? If so, then it’s time to sign up for ukulele lessons right here at TakeLessons. Along with in-person sessions, we also offer the best online ukulele lessons around! Whether you’re picking up a ukulele for the first time or looking to expand your current music skills, our private teachers can help!

Certified Ukulele Teachers

Studying with the right teacher can make all the difference in your learning journey. It’s why we think it’s so important for you to connect with your teacher and find a good match before you even begin your lessons.

Here at TakeLessons, we let you choose your preferred ukulele teacher. We offer a vast listing of certified and background-checked ukulele tutors near you, so you’re sure to find a great fit. To start, review their profiles. You can read about their experience, check out feedback from past students, and see their starting rates.

The average cost of a 60-minute session costs $65, but rates may range between $30 and $130, as our ukulele teachers set their own prices.

After picking your future ukulele tutor, choose your schedule. Next, select your favorite lesson package. In just a few easy steps, you’ll be set to begin strumming away on the uke.

Ukulele Online Lessons for All Ages

Just because you’ve hit a certain age doesn’t mean you can’t learn to play the ukulele. And the same goes for your kids—it’s never too early to get them interested in this instrument. Age plays no factor in your ability to play the uke!

At TakeLessons, we feature ukulele lessons for kids, adults, and seniors. Our private tutors cater each session to their students, so their lesson plans for a child will look much different than those for teenagers or adults.

Don’t let your age keep you from your music dreams. Sign up for ukulele lessons near you today!

Ukulele Lessons for All Levels

Just as your age doesn’t prevent you from taking our classes, neither does your current skill set! We accept students of all skill levels and backgrounds.

For example, if you’ve never strummed a uke before, you’ll want to join our ukulele lessons for beginners. In these sessions, you’ll learn the ins and outs of this instrument to help you create a strong foundation. Alternatively, if you’re looking to brush up on what you already know, intermediate or advanced sessions may be more your speed.

No matter where you are in your musical journey, it’s time to discover ukulele lessons near you.

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Ukulele Lessons

Beginner lessons often cover the following topics:

Tuning
Proper way to hold the instrument
Instrument care
Easy strumming patterns and techniques
Major, minor, open-position, and 7th chords
Songs with simple chord sequences
Intro to music theory
Reading sheet music and tablature

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Ukulele Lessons

Intermediate ukulele lessons are designed to continue developing your skills as you learn to play ukulele:

Finger picking
Major and minor scales
Arpeggios
Articulations
Substitution chords
Hammer-ons
Bending
Tremolo picking
Harmonics
Practicing difficult chord sequences

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Ukulele Lessons

When you're ready for advanced lessons, you've nearly mastered the ukulele:

Improvisation
Alternative tunings
Advanced strumming
Eight finger roll
Three string strum
Ten finger roll
Rhythm filler strum
Sextuplet strum
The flick
Strum picking
Golpe
Muted plucking
Professional advice for performing and recording
Singing while playing

Live Ukulele Classes

Learn how to play beautiful Hawaiian tunes on your own ukulele! Your TakeLessons Live membership will make it happen—at an affordable price.

No need to work expensive classes into your already jammed-packed schedule. With a TakeLessons Live membership, our ukulele teachers are available seven days a week. You’ll have a ton of class times to choose from.

You’ll be able to learn the ukulele on your own time at your own pace. Your instructor and classmates will meet you through an online platform, enabling you to participate from the comfort of your own home—or anywhere that is convenient for you.

Alternatively, during a live ukulele class, you’ll work with a group of students and an instructor. Whether you’ve never touched an instrument before or you’re brushing up on your old ukulele skills, you can trust that your teacher will create a lesson that caters to a broad range of abilities. Collaborate with students and hear real-time feedback and advice as you learn the ins and outs of ukulele playing.

Want to get some extra practice in? Your membership also gives you access to our 24/7 library of on-demand videos and other learning resources designed to help you master your new instrument. You can even download our mobile app to take your classes with you!

The best part about your TakeLessons Live membership is that you are not restricted to ukulele classes. Your affordable monthly fee also gives you access to any of our other 300+ live classes. Learn a new instrument, pick up some new dance steps, or embrace a new language.

The sky’s the limit with TakeLessons Live. Sign up for your membership today!

Sign up Today

Don’t let anything get in the way of you learning how to play the ukulele! Sign up for in-person or online ukulele lessons today.

It’s easy: Simply pick your teacher and choose your schedule. Next, decide on your preferred package and know you can take advantage of our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

FAQ

Can I teach myself the ukulele?

Sure, you can teach yourself the ukulele, but that’s not to say we recommend it. In fact, teaching yourself is a surefire way to pick up bad or lazy habits. You see, when you learn from a textbook, online video, or maybe even your best friend, you might be not receiving—or fully comprehending—the best instruction. For instance, maybe you’re not holding your instrument correctly or maintaining the correct posture. This could negatively impact your ukulele skills later down the road.

However, when you study one-on-one with a private ukulele teacher, you can nip those issues in the bud. Your tutor will ensure that you create good habits that will see you through your entire musical journey. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to challenge yourself with more technical music, private lessons are the best way to achieve your uke dreams.

Is the ukulele hard to learn?

It depends who you ask and what you’re comparing it to, but overall, the ukulele isn’t considered a particularly challenging instrument to learn. In fact, many students choose the ukulele as their first instrument to play.

That said, if you’re not familiar with playing an instrument or reading music, the ukulele may be more challenging than you expected. That’s why we recommend new students sign up for ukulele lessons to learn their way around this beautiful instrument. During your lessons, you’ll receive the skills you need to master this instrument, from learning how to tune it and practicing chords to reading sheet music and becoming a pro at strumming. With the help of a private ukulele teacher, you may not find this instrument difficult to play at all!

How should a beginner learn the ukulele?

We suggest beginners sign up for private lessons. Here, you’ll receive one-on-one instruction from a private ukulele tutor who will help you lay the foundation. As a beginner, you’ll need to start with the basics, such as learning how to hold the ukulele and memorizing the notes and finger positions. If you skip out on mastering these fundamental skills, you might become more susceptible to picking up bad habits along the way.

When you sign up for ukulele lessons for beginners, you have the opportunity to go at your own pace and ask your questions. Your tutor will give you a customized lesson plan to put you on the path toward achieving your uke goals.

Find the perfect class for you