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Free beginner mini-course
Welcome to Ukulele Basics
Seven short lessons that take you from holding your ukulele for the first time to playing your first song. Go at your own pace, pause whenever you like, and replay anything you need.
- 7 lessons
- Self-paced
- Taught by Kai
- Free
Just starting out? Press Start Lesson 1 and we’ll take it step by step from there.
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A note from your teacher
Hello, and welcome!
I’m Kai, and I’ll be your teacher through these seven lessons. You don’t need any musical background and you don’t need to read music. Grab your ukulele, find a comfortable chair, and we’ll go step by step.
If something feels awkward at first, that’s completely normal. Progress, not perfection. Take your time, and enjoy the process.
— Kai, My First Ukulele
How it works
Four simple things to know
Before you begin
What you’ll need
Taking care of your hands
The ukulele is one of the gentlest instruments to start on: nylon strings and a small neck. Even so, warm up before you play (Lesson 7 shows you how), keep your wrist relaxed and your fingers curved, and don’t press harder than you need to.
If anything hurts, stop and rest. There’s no rush, and short sessions are perfectly fine.
Your lessons
Seven lessons, one after the other
Each lesson builds on the last, so work through them in order. Here’s what each one covers.
Lesson 1: Meet your ukulele
The four ukulele sizes, how to sit and hold your ukulele, where your hands go, and simple finger exercises.
Lesson 2: Understanding your ukulele
The parts of your ukulele, how strings and frets work, how to read a chord diagram, and your very first chord.
Lesson 3: Strumming Made Simple
Where to strum, how to use your thumb or index finger, and easy down and up strums at two speeds.
Lesson 4: First Chords & Easy Switches
Learn C, F and G7, how to change between them smoothly, and tips to keep your fretting hand relaxed.
Lesson 5: Timing & Rhythm Basics
Count a bar, keep a steady beat with your foot or a metronome, and strum in different time signatures.
Lesson 6: Strum Your First Song
Play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" using C, F and G7, with a simple down-down strum.
Lesson 7: Practice & Progress
Warm-ups, a 15-minute daily routine, tips for tracking progress, and more easy songs to try next.
Daily practice
A simple 15-minute routine
Once you’ve reached Lesson 7 (or any time you like), use this routine to make your practice feel easy and steady. Short and regular beats long and rare.
Extras
Downloads and resources
Keep these handy while you practice. The ebook is also mentioned in Lessons 1 and 7.
Ukulele Practice Secret for Beginners (ebook)
Finger exercises and a simple practice routine. Free.
You’re not on your own
Having issues?
Everyone gets stuck sometimes. Here’s where to go.
Quick answers
Questions you might have
When you’re ready
What comes after Lesson 7?
Keep playing the songs you know and enjoy the process. When you feel like learning something new, our next course picks up right where this one leaves off, with no pressure and no deadline.
Finished the course? Tell us how it went. It helps us make the next one even better.
