By Jessica D. - New York City Ukulele Teacher

As romantic, glamorous and magical as it might seem to be a musician, no one ever really thinks about the aspect of lugging your instrument around until it's too late. Well, my musically inclined friends, guitars are not light. I swear I can already see my back slowly starting to hunch over from the weight and strain of the thing. Perhaps that is one of the reasons ukulele looked so appealing to me about 6 years ago.

"How light this thing is" I said aloud when the store clerk set it into my hands. I imagined myself carrying 20 of them on my back and not even feeling a thing. Ukuleles have gained much popularity in the last few years, and I theorize that the size and weight have a huge amount to do with that.

As I carry my uke with me around NYC, I sometimes double check to make sure I still have it. It's the perfect instrument for a busy city dweller. As a musician and music teacher who currently lives in NYC, I spend a lot of time traveling to shows and lessons, carrying my guitar on the subway, on foot and by bike or bus - and I can really feel it. When I get home, I can't wait to get that guitar off my back. Not to mention that on crowded public transportation, the girl with the bright pink guitar case on her back becomes the enemy really fast. Sure, you can get a 3/4 size guitar which helps with the size and weight issue, but the lightness of the ukulele is incredibly appealing for kids and their tiny fingers, people who can't physically carry a heavy instrument around with them, and folks who are on the go.

Add to the list of tantalizing ukulele qualities that they are cost effective, easy to store in a small home, simple to learn (you'll be playing full songs at your first lesson) and totally adorable, and you've got yourself one irresistible instrument. Sign up for ukulele lessons in New York City today!