The Best Online Resource for the Budding Ukulele Player!
Uke reviews, chord lessons & tabs - everything you need at your fingertips.
Grab a uke. learn to play. have fun!
We review the best ukuleles on the market to help you choose which one is right for you! Looking for a uke? we’ve got you covered!
Learn how to play any ukulele chord, anywhere on the fretboard. Don’t worry, we cover baritone chords too!
Play along with all your favorite ukulele songs using our tabs and guided song tutorials. Start jamming!
Grab a Uke and Start Playing
Check out our recommendations for the best ukuleles for beginners here.
Welcome to My First Ukulele!
Hi there! Welcome to a site dedicated to introducing as many people as possible to the wonderful world of ukulele! Whether you’re young or old, there’s never been a better time to grab a uke, learn to play, and have fun!
The best part is, you don’t need to have a formal music school background. We aim to prove that learning the ukulele is something anyone can do, no formal lessons required. That said…
Is it hard to learn the ukulele by yourself?
We understand that learning a musical instrument can be intimidating, especially for complete beginners. But rest assured! We’ll provide you with the tools and resources you need to get started, all whilst helping you to build confidence in your playing and have fun along the way.
Top Ukulele Brand Reviews & Guides
With plenty of reputable ukulele brands out there on the market, it can be hard know which uke to buy. There are brands like Kala, Lanikai, and Cordoba to name a few, not to mention different ukulele sizes such as soprano, concert, tenor or baritone. It can be quite overwhelming as a beginner…
But that's where we come in...
Here, you’ll find quality, in-depth ukulele reviews and buying guides written to make choosing your first ukulele as simple as possible. Check out some of our latest articles down below.
Learn to Play Basic Chords On the Ukulele!
One of the first things you’re going to want to learn is how to play beautiful sounding chords on the ukulele. Good news is, we can certainly be of assistance! Browse our uke chord articles for diagrams and explanations of where to place your fingers and which strings to strum. You’ll be strumming your first chord progressions in no time!
Build up to more advanced ukulele techniques...
Once you’ve mastered playing chords, feel free to challenge yourself by learning some more advanced ukulele playing techniques such as fingerpicking and more complex strumming patterns to diversify your sound. The more you learn, the better you’ll be at expressing yourself with the instrument and the more fun you’ll have.
Play Your Favorite Ukulele Songs
Learn all the ukulele classics like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” plus everything from jazz to modern pop with our tabs and ukulele song tutorials. We break down the most important elements of the song into bite-sized pieces for you to practice and master.
Learn everything from Aloha 'Oe to Billie Eilish!
We’re always looking to expand our song library, so if there’s a song you want to learn let us know! We’d love to hear about what YOU want to play and will do everything we can to help make it happen.
Latest Ukulele Articles
January 15, 2024
We review the Oscar Schmidt OU5 ukulele to see how it stacks up.
January 12, 2024
Find out what we think about Cordoba’s acoustic-electric tenor ukulele, the 20TM-CE.
January 8, 2024
Looking for a budget uke? Check out our list of the best ukuleles under $100.
Looking For Online Ukulele Courses?
Learning how to play the ukulele online can be a cheaper and more convenient alternative to taking in-person music lessons. Terry Carter at Uke Like The Pros is an experienced ukulele teacher who offers a range of courses and memberships for beginners and experienced players alike. Click on the link below to view which courses we highly recommend!
Learning Ukulele FAQs
What kind of ukulele is best for beginners?
It very much depends on personal preference. However, if you’re just starting out, you may not want to spend a lot on a ukulele in which case there are a number of cheap ukuleles available. If you’re serious though, you may want to buy a better uke at a higher price that will last a while. Check out our recommendation for the best ukulele for beginners here.
Is it easier to learn to play guitar or ukulele?
Having played both the guitar and the ukulele, I would say that the ukulele is an easier instrument to learn to play. Since ukuleles tend to only have four strings (as opposed to six on a guitar), it makes learning chords a lot more manageable. Ukuleles are also lighter, which can be helpful for a beginner, and use nylon strings, which makes fretting gentler on the fingers. Why not give both a go and see which one you prefer? Or try a guitalele!
Which ukulele brand is best?
The best ukulele brand comes down to each person’s own preferences, budget and specific playing needs. There isn’t one brand that is better than any other – they’re all good! Your best bet is to try as many different instruments from different brands as you can to find the one that speaks to you. Click here to see which ukulele brands we recommend.
How much should I spend on my first ukulele?
Ukuleles come in a range of different price points to suit all types of players – from beginner to pro. For your first ukulele though, we recommend you stick to an instrument less than $100. At this price you can still get something decent, that plays well, and that won’t break the bank. Once you get more experienced, you may want to explore instruments in the higher price points such $300 plus. These are more likely to be some top quality instruments that are guaranteed to last for many many years.
Can you teach yourself to play the ukulele?
With the wealth of information out there on the internet, it is very possible to teach yourself how to play the ukulele. The tricky bit though, is often knowing what to practice and when. That’s where we come in. We break down the complexity of learning a musical instrument into manageable chunks for you to continually chip away at. You’ll find that over time your skill level will improve and you’ll be able to play more and more complex tunes on the ukulele. There are also some great courses out there that can also provide a well-structured approach to learning the ukulele, such as those offered by Uke Like The Pros. Feel free to check out our courses page here.
How many years does it take to learn the ukulele?
It is quite possible to learn how to “play” the ukulele in a single day. However, like any instrument, it can take many years, even a lifetime, to master. What’s important though is to know what are your musical goals. Do you want to be able to play just well enough to noodle around to your favorite songs? Or do you want to play professionally as part of a band, or even record your own songs? Depending on what your goals are will determine how much time you wish to invest in learning to play the ukulele. We aim to teach you the basics to get you strumming as soon as possible. That should provide a good foundation for you to decide where to go from there.
How long should I practice ukulele a day?
Ah, the age old ‘how much should I practice’ question. The honest answer is – as much as you want to or are able to! Even 5 mins practice a day, done consistently, will see improvements to your playing ability over time. It’s consistency that is the key, not the length of time of each practice session. Have fun when practicing, as that’s the most important thing. My tip though, is to add at least one challenging thing to your practice session each day. This may be a particular chord you’re having trouble with, or passage from a song you’re learning. That’ll keep you moving forward without letting you get too frustrated.
Do you need to read music to play the ukulele?
The short answer is no, you don’t need to read music to play the ukulele. Most ukulele players learn to play by using chord charts, tabs (a kind of notation that is easy to read), or simply by ear. In fat, there is great benefit in being able to figure out the chords of a song by ear although this can take some practice. When you’re starting out though, learning chords from charts and online tutorials is a good way to quickly grasp the basics and get playing as quickly as possible. You can check out our ukulele song lessons here.
How much are ukulele strings?
Ukulele string prices vary depending on the brand, type of string, and size. Typically though, most strings you’ll find range from anywhere between $5 and $15 for a set. As with most things though, the higher the price tag the better the quality with more expensive strings likely to last for a lot longer than budget sets.