Its pearlescent sheen makes it look like something you would wear on your head for sun protection. But as with any instrument, the ukulele is only as “girly” as the person playing it.

In fact, there are plenty of men who shred on the uke. So if you’re a guy and you’re wondering if the uke is for you, don’t let anyone tell you what’s too “girly” for you to play.

Why The Ukulele Isn’t a Girly Instrument

I have to say that the higher tones that a ukulele produces sound a bit more feminine than let’s say, a guitar. But that doesn’t mean It’s an instrument for girls.

Most people who think a ukulele is a girly instrument probably do so because of how the ukulele is often portrayed. In the hands of a Hawaiian girl with a flower necklace for instance.

It’s the same reason people believe pink is a girly color. Because they have been told it is, not because it’s actually true.

Even though people think of a Hawaiian girl when they think of the ukulele, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a lot of good male ukulele players out there!

Why do we need to tie gender to an instrument at all? I have never thought about calling the guitar or the piano a girly or a manly instrument. So we don’t have to do this with the ukulele either.

Of course, there will be people around you that might think the ukulele is girly. But that doesn’t mean it actually is.

The important thing is that you love playing the instrument, so what does it matter what people think.

Why Do People Think The Ukulele Is Girly?

There are a few reasons why people might think that the ukulele is a girly instrument.

Firstly, ukuleles usually come in a range of bright colors (especially plastic ones) and have a sleek, pearlescent finish, which can make it look quite feminine.

Secondly, it’s often seen as being quite small and compact, which is perhaps not as “manly” as some of the bigger instruments.

And finally, it’s often been seen as being quite popular with female musicians, which might contribute to the perception that it’s a “girly” instrument.

But ultimately, whether or not the ukulele is a girly instrument is up to the individual player. There are plenty of men and women who play the uke who prove that it’s a powerful and versatile instrument, regardless of gender.

Examples of Male Ukulele Players

When I get asked how does a typical ukulele player look I don’t necessarily think of a girl.

The one that first comes to mind is Israel Kamakawiwoʻole playing ”Over the Rainbow.” Or someone standing on a Hawaiian beach with a flower necklace around his neck.

Jake Shimabukuro is another great male ukulele player, who is famous for his fast and complex fingerwork.

The Guitarist of The Beatles, George Harrison also played serious ukulele and was influenced by Hawaiian music and the ukulele.

Is The Ukulele a Serious Instrument?

The ukulele is often seen as a light-hearted and fun instrument, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be taken seriously.

There are plenty of professional ukulele players who make a living from playing the instrument. Some of which are mentioned in the section above.

In fact, there are now even ukulele orchestras and competitions, so the ukulele is definitely being taken seriously by many musicians.

Whether or not the ukulele is a serious instrument really depends on the person playing it and what they want to achieve with it. For some, the ukulele will always be a light-hearted and fun instrument, while others will take it more seriously and use it as a tool for creative expression.

Conclusion

The ukulele, while sometimes seen as a “girly” instrument is actually not limited to female players.

There are a growing number of male ukulele players who are proving that the uke is a powerful and versatile instrument.

So don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t play the ukulele just because it’s seen as a “girly” instrument. Play it because you love it!

The answer to this question depends on what type of ukulele you are looking for and on the way you choose to learn to play the ukulele.

A beginner ukulele can range anywhere from $50 to $150 and you can start learning ukulele with some free youtube videos!

If you want to go for a high-end ukulele you’ll be paying $500 or more and private lessons can cost around $30 to $60 an hour.

In this article we’ll discuss the different ways you can go about learning to play the ukulele and how much it costs.

How Expensive Is It To Learn To Play The Ukulele?

This depends on the way you choose to learn the ukulele. You can make it as expensive as you like, when you’re just starting out you could start by watching some free tutorials.

But if you’re a very skilled ukulele player already, your playing might only need refining and very specific lessons through a private teacher.

Free Tutorials Online

You might not find the best quality videos to learn from, especially if you want to concentrate on certain techniques and styles.

Yet free videos and tutorials are a great way for beginners to start learning how to play the ukulele without having to spend any money at all.

Another downside to learning from free tutorials is that you won’t really have a structured approach to learning the ukulele.

Paid Courses Online

There are some great online courses online that you can start from only $10 per month. Like Fender Play, they have some great courses for learning the ukulele!

With these courses, you get high-quality videos and a very structured and organized way to learn the ukulele.

A downside about paid online courses is that when you have a very specific problem or question that you’re stuck on, you can’t really ask a teacher directly but you have to figure it out yourself.

Private Ukulele Lessons

If you live in a city or town, chances are there is a local ukulele teacher.

You can Google for ukulele teachers near your area and contact them to see how much it would cost and if they would give you a free trial lesson. Be careful because some private lessons charge by the hour and others by the block of lessons.

Private ukulele lessons can range from $30 to $60 an hour, depending on the teacher and where you live.

Private lessons are a great way to improve the skills you already have on the ukulele. Because you can get direct feedback and advice from your teacher and they can be tailored to your specific needs.

The downside about private lessons is that depending on where you live, they might cost a lot and you might have to go to a physical location to learn rather than have a zoom call lesson.

Find a Ukulele Group

There are lots of great ukulele groups in lots of big cities, you can find one near you by searching for “ukulele” in the search bar on Facebook.

If there are none near your area, another way to connect with other players is through online forums or Facebook groups and you can maybe set up a ukulele group yourself!

The great thing about these groups is that they’re free! It’s just a bunch of ukulele players wanting to have a good time. It’s really fun to play with other people and you might learn something from the more experienced players.

Are Ukuleles Expensive?

You can buy a cheap ukulele for $50 or less, but you get what you pay for. I would recommend that beginners start with around $75 to $150 because these are usually made of better quality wood and the sound will be richer than cheaper ones.

If you eventually find out that the ukulele is not for you then you only lost a hundred bucks!

The initial purchase of a ukulele does not cost much, which makes it a great first instrument to learn.

If you’re already very certain about learning the ukulele I would recommend you go with a ukulele that is between $200 to $500. Ukuleles from this price range tend to sound just a little better, last a bit longer, and don’t go out of tune so quickly!

If you’re playing a lot of gigs or you’re a collector you can go for the even more expensive ukuleles with special features like gold plated tuning knobs.

Can I Teach Myself The Ukulele For Free?

As we discussed earlier, it is possible to teach yourself to play ukulele through free youtube videos but this will only take you so far.

In my experience, the best way to go about learning a new instrument is to go with an online course like Fender Play. That way you can learn everything in the right order and it only costs $10 a month.

Once you’re very skilled you can start learning songs by yourself online or take some private lessons to refine your skills!

Is Learning Ukulele Expensive Compared To Learning Guitar?

The initial cost of buying the instrument will be a bit cheaper when buying a ukulele compared to a guitar. You quickly pay $300 for a beginner guitar compared to around $100 for a beginner ukulele.

The cost of learning to play the guitar will be around the same as learning the ukulele. There are a lot of free videos online for both instruments.

You can start learning both instruments with the Fender Play Course and private lesson costs are also roughly the same.

If you already play some guitar, it will be a lot easier to pick up ukulele. So, in that case, you might not have to take lessons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can make learning the ukulele as expensive as you like. There are free options available but they’re only good to a certain point.

If you want the best way to learn the ukulele I would recommend starting with Fender Play for $10/month and then taking private lessons in your area when you feel like it’s time!

I hope this article was helpful!

Thanks for reading!

Sources

• Ukulele Tricks – 4 Ways to Learn to Play Ukulele if You’re a Complete Beginner
• Beginner Ukuleles – Ukulele Price Guide: How Much Do Ukes Cost?

However, here are some general tips that may help you decide which instrument to start with.

Is It Better To Learn Guitar Or Ukulele First?

If this is going to be the first instrument you learn and you want an easy start, then you should go with the ukulele. This is because the ukulele is a relatively easy instrument to learn and usually this will keep you extra motivated to keep learning.

The guitar may be a better choice for more experienced musicians, as it can be more challenging to play than the ukulele.

There are some other things you should take into account when choosing whether to play ukulele or guitar. In this article, we’ll discuss all these things!

You Should Learn The Instrument You Like Most

This sounds quite obvious. But how do you figure out which instrument you like most? Especially if you’ve played neither ukulele nor guitar? Well, you can find out by asking yourself a few simple questions:

What kind of music do you like?

Do you like ukulele or guitar music more? Or rather what kind of music would you like to be playing? Would you love to play songs like “Riptide” or “Over The Rainbow” for ukulele, or do you see yourself playing your favorite guitar music?

Where Do You Imagine Yourself Playing It?

Do you see yourself playing an epic solo on stage? If so, then an electric guitar might be the perfect fit for you.

But If you see yourself chilling on the beach or by a campfire, the ukulele will be better suited.

How Much Effort Do You Want To Put In?

Ukulele will take a bit less effort to learn than a guitar. This is because the ukulele only has four strings instead of six.

Also, the strings are made of nylon instead of steel on most guitars. which makes it a bit easier to press in especially when you’re just starting out and you don’t have a lot of strength in your fingers yet.

With a ukulele, you can play a simple song within a day if you got some talent in you, but with a guitar, this will take much longer.

How Much Do You Want To Spend On Your First Instrument?

If you are on a tight budget, then the ukulele would be the better choice. You can get good-quality ukuleles for very affordable prices (Around $50-$150).

If you’re planning to buy your first guitar, then you’ll be spending at least double that amount. Also, if you’re planning to go on the electric route, you’ll be spending even more than that.

Learn Both Ukulele And Guitar

You could also just go for both at the same time. However, this will be much harder than learning one at a time and you’ll also need to buy two instruments instead of one.

But I can imagine that swapping these two instruments around every once in a while will keep things interesting. When you get bored of one instrument you can just get to practicing the other.

There is a lot of overlays in techniques when learning these two instruments, so when practicing guitar for instance you’re also improving the skills you need for the ukulele.

But you have to practice more to learn as fast as if you had chosen only one.

So if you’re not able to commit yourself fully in your practice schedule, I would recommend starting with either the ukulele or the guitar (Depending on which instrument you like more) and then learning the other when you get more experienced.

You Can Play a Variety of Genres With The Guitar

Even though the same applies to a ukulele, there are a lot more songs out there with the guitar in it than with the ukulele.

So the chance that you find a good song that you would want to learn is higher when playing guitar. With the ukulele, there might only be a few dozen songs you like.

In my opinion, you can learn to play any genre with both instruments. But it’s a lot harder to learn a song on the ukulele than wasn’t originally composed for the ukulele.

This is definitely possible, but you’ll need to be very skilled to be able to learn a song that was originally meant to be played on a normal guitar for instance.

There Are Great Online Lessons For Both Ukulele And Guitar

There are a lot of online tutorials and lessons out there for both instruments and most are offering step-by-step tutorials.

A lot of websites that offer guitar lessons and tabs also offer ukulele lessons and tabs. So it will be easy peasy lemon squeezy to find the right info for both of these topics under one roof.

An example of a site like this is Fender Play, which is my favorite by far. Or Masterclass.com is another great one that has lessons on both guitar and ukulele.

I think ukuleles and guitars are a good place to start when you’re new at playing any kind of instrument. They’re very popular and there is a lot of material out there that you can study from. 

Conclusion

If you want to learn how to play a guitar or ukulele, there are plenty of resources out there for both.

If you’re on a tight budget and plan to buy your first instrument (or if you already have one), then the ukulele would be the better choice because it’s easier and cheaper than learning how to play the guitar.

However, if money isn’t an issue and you’re looking for more options in terms of what type of music genre is available, then starting with either the ukulele or guitar could work best depending on which one appeals more to your sensibilities.

You can also start by learning these two instruments at once without too much trouble, this will take longer as opposed to just focusing on one!

Thanks for reading!

Ukulele is a fun instrument to play and not hard to learn, especially when you already play guitar.

If you want to pick up the ukulele after guitar, here are some tips to help you get started.

Is Learning Ukulele Easy After Guitar?

Knowing how to play guitar before you learn the ukulele makes it easier to learn the ukulele. In a lot of ways, the ukulele is the same as a guitar. Except it is a lot smaller and only has 4 strings. But they’re in de same instrument family of “Stringed-Instruments”.

The feel and sound of a ukulele are different enough from a guitar to still make it fun and exciting to learn if you already play guitar.

Is The Ukulele Similar to a Guitar?

Yes, the ukulele has a lot of similarities with the guitar. The ukulele is built the same way as a guitar but smaller.

• They both have a body that is similar shaped.
• They both have a neck attached to the body with frets on it. (Unlike a violin for instance.)
• Than some strings across the body and neck.

Although the ukulele and guitar are built in almost the same way, they sound completely different.

Playing the ukulele is also very similar to playing guitar, both instruments can either be strummed or fingerpicked.

Learning the ukulele will be a lot easier for guitarists that have been playing the guitar for a while. But there are some key differences to keep in mind, like the ones below.

How is Playing Ukulele Different From Playing Normal Guitar?

Size Is a Huge Difference

The ukulele is a lot smaller than a regular guitar. This can be a good thing. If you’re looking for something that is easier to carry around, the ukulele is great for that.

If you are looking to play sitting down or if you have small hands, the ukulele might be better for you than a regular-sized guitar.

Usually, a ukulele is anywhere from 11 to 21 inches while a guitar can be as big as 40 inches.

They Sound Different

The ukulele gives this very bright and higher-pitched sound that makes you feel like it’s summer.

While a guitar, partly because it’s a lot bigger, gives you this full and louder sound which sounds a lot more mellow than a ukulele.

The Strings On a Ukulele Are Different

The ukulele only has 4 strings on it compared to the usual 6 on a regular guitar. This also makes the ukulele easier to play especially if you already know some guitar!

They are also tuned differently. The standard tuning of a ukulele is G-C-E-A while that of a guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E.

Learning How to Play The Ukulele

Like with any other instrument, the best way to learn how to play ukulele is by practicing often.

Get a good beginner’s ukulele book or go on youtube and look for some tutorials.

And practice, practice, practice!

If you are serious about learning the ukulele, Taking some lessons might be worth it for you! This way you can get a very structured approach to learning the ukulele and you can ask questions when you get stuck on something which will flatten the learning curve a bit.

Or if you know someone that plays ukulele, ask them whether they wouldn’t mind teaching you a bit about it.

Can You Play Normal Guitar Songs on The Ukulele?

Yes and no. There are some things to keep in mind when playing a song on a ukulele instead of a guitar.

Yes, songs that are meant to be played on a guitar, you can also play on a ukulele. But no, the chords will be completely different so it’s not exactly the same.

And obviously, the song will sound different when played on a ukulele instead of a guitar.

Also, you can’t play a complicated guitar solo on a ukulele, but if you’re looking to play a song with a few basic chords you should be fine!

Can You Play The Ukulele With a Guitar Pick?

You can use a guitar pick on a ukulele which will make it sound a bit louder and give you a bit of a different tone, your ukulele will sound a bit more like a guitar.

This might be good if you’re playing with other instruments because it will make the ukulele fit in a bit better with other instruments and makes it easier to play.

If you want to keep that real ukulele sound. You should buy some ukulele picks, those are either made of felt or rubber which will produce a mellower, not a sharp sound.

How to Tune a Ukulele?

Tuning a ukulele is very similar to tuning the guitar.

The standard tuning for the ukulele is G-C-E-A and becoming more common nowadays is drop D tuning which means you tune it with low E string to D instead of E, making it easier to play certain songs.

Here is a video explaining how to tune a ukulele:

Tips For Buying Your First Ukulele

When you’re buying your first ukulele, keep in mind that a ukulele will be easier to play the smaller it is.

So if you are looking for something that is really easy to carry around and play then go for one that fits well into your lap like a soprano or concert uke.

Otherwise, you can go with a tenor ukulele which is the most common type of ukulele.

Trying out some different sizes before you buy might be good so you know what size fits best for you!

Also keep in mind that there are some very cheap ukuleles, but these usually have a very poor sound quality and are not as durable as a bit more expensive ukulele.

So you might end up spending some more money on a good ukulele that will last you a long time!

Conclusion

Now that you know that learning the ukulele will be a bit easier if you already play guitar, you can start learning how to play the ukulele!

The ukulele is a great instrument to learn even if you haven’t played any other instruments before, it has a nice sound and there are lots of songs that you can play on it.

Thanks for reading!

Sources:

MasterClass – Ukulele vs. Guitar: Differences and Similarities Between Them

Some people believe that plastic ukuleles are just as good as wooden ones, while others think that they don’t sound as good.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using plastic ukuleles, and try to give you a better idea of whether or not they are worth your time and money.

Are Plastic Ukuleles Good?

We got to be honest here, plastic ukuleles will never sound as good as wooden ukuleles this is because plastic doesn’t vibrate the sound as wood does. However, some plastic ukuleles will still sound good, but just not as good as a wooden ukulele.

You can have a plastic ukulele with the right soundhole design and good strings which enables good resonance. This is not unique to plastic ukuleles though, you will find this on many wooden ukes made by reputable manufacturers.

Plus, plastic ukuleles have some other benefits over wooden ukuleles. We’ll cover those later in this article.

What Makes A Ukulele Sound Good?

There are three main factors that influence the sound of a ukulele.

The Material Used For The Body

The material used for the body is definitely an important factor. Ukuleles made of mahogany tend to produce a warmer and mellower tone, while those with spruce bodies tend to sound brighter and crisper kind of like plastic ukuleles.

The size and shape of the ukulele’s body also play a role in the sound, that’s why there are a lot of different sizes available.

The Material Used For The Strings

Ukuleles can come with nylon or steel strings. Steel is more often used on classical ukuleles and has the advantage of lasting longer, but also having less volume and harder to press down. Nylon strings have the opposite effect and will be easier to play and have a better tone, but they will wear down faster.

The Ukulele Player

The way you play will also affect the sound of your ukulele obviously. For example, you can make your ukulele sound brighter by strumming it harder and more aggressively.

Someone that is just starting out might not press the snares hard enough. This can create this buzzing sound which doesn’t sound nice at all.

Advantages of Plastic Ukuleles

They Are Affordable

One of the main reasons why you would want to buy a plastic ukulele is because they are generally cheaper than other types. This means that you can get an instrument that sounds decent without having to pay premium prices, which is great for beginners!

They Can Take A Beating

Ukuleles are a really fun instrument to bring to a campfire or to bring when you go camping. The only problem is that they’re not the most durable instruments in the world, so if you accidentally break them, it will be really costly to replace them.

A plastic ukulele can handle these kinds of situations much better than wooden ones. They are cheaper, easier to replace and they won’t sting as hard when you break them.

They Come In a lot of Different Colors

The final advantage of playing a plastic ukulele is that there are many different colors available. You can find one in almost any color, with stickers or without them, painted in different patterns.

This is usually not the case for wooden ukuleles, which will just look like wood most of the time, with maybe a sticker on them.

Disadvantages of Plastic Ukuleles

Plastic Ukuleles Don’t Sound As Good As

This is the biggest disadvantage of plastic ukuleles. They just don’t sound as good as their wooden counterparts, but this does not mean that they are not worth your time! Plus, with the right techniques, you can improve the sound quality considerably!

Some People Think That Plastic Ukuleles Are Toys For Kids

There are some people who think about plastic ukuleles as children’s toys even though they are perfectly capable of producing a nice tune. If you happen to mention that you play one of these instruments in front of them, there’s a chance that they will laugh at you or give you strange looks.

Plastic Ukuleles Go Out of Tune Quicker

This does not happen on all plastic ukuleles, but some of them do go out of tune more easily than wooden ones. It really depends on the manufacturing processes used to make these instruments, so you might want to read reviews first before making a purchase.

What Is The Best Material For Ukulele?

What is the best material for a ukulele? In our opinion, the best material really depends on the sound you’re going for. If you want to have a warm and mellow tone, going with mahogany will be your best bet.

If you need a ukulele that can take a beating or if you just want something that’s easy to bring around then plastic will do just fine!

It’s important to find out what kind of material you personally like for your ukulele. The easiest thing you can do to find this out is to just go to a music store near you and try out a bunch of different ukuleles and listen and feel what ukulele is best for you.

Do Plastic Ukuleles Last Long?

Many people believe that plastic ukuleles cannot last for a long time because the material used in their construction would easily break under normal use.

While it’s true that most plastic ukuleles won’t last very long, if you get a well-made plastic ukulele they can last for a long time.

It is very important to always take care of them properly and be careful with how you use them if you want them to have a longer lifespan.

Since plastic ukuleles are not as expensive as wooden ones, this means that in case something happens to the instrument and it breaks or gets damaged, you won’t feel as bad about getting rid of it and replacing it with another one!

Are Ukulele Strings Always Plastic (Nylon)?

Most Ukuleles are sold with nylon strings, as this gives it that Hawaiian sound that people are looking for. This is not always the case though. Some ukuleles have steel strings, but these ukuleles are mostly electric ukuleles and sound a bit different than your average ukulele.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a plastic ukulele is an excellent instrument for those who are looking to save money and still enjoy the sound of a ukulele. It can be used as a beginner’s instrument as well as one that can be taken with you on your travels without worrying about it getting damaged.

It may not have the same quality of sound or feel as wooden ones do but for many people, this is more than enough! Thank you for reading!

The guitar might be too hard for a beginner to play well, and you only get good at playing piano after years of lessons first. But with a ukulele in your hands, you can sound like a pro in just a few hours!

The Ukulele is Easy to Learn

It has just 4 strings, which are easy to press down on. The frets are spaced out closer together than on a guitar’s wider neck, so they’re easier to hit with your fingers.

On top of that, ukuleles have thicker necks than most other small stringed instruments like the violin.

You don’t have to press down as hard on the strings as on, say, a bass guitar. This makes it easier to play chords and notes cleanly and clearly, things beginners often struggle with when starting out on guitar but find much easier on the ukulele.

Since there are fewer strings, it’s also easier to learn which notes to use when you play songs. Major chords are formed by using the first 3 strings of the ukulele.

It’s a Good Instrument to Learn if You’re Passionate About it

Many people decide they want to learn an instrument, but never manage to stick at it because the initial learning phase is so difficult.

The chances of you sticking at it are much higher if you actually like playing the ukulele!

Learning an instrument becomes much easier once you’ve already put in a few months of practice and now know what playing feels like.

After your first few hours of learning the ukulele, you will probably feel frustrated at some point. When this happens, take a step back and try to remember why you started playing ukulele in the first place and what it would be like if you get really good.

Thinking about this is usually enough to make you motivated again to pick up your uke and practice some more!

The Ukulele is Affordable

Compared to other types of instruments, ukuleles are very inexpensive.

You can get a good quality ukulele for around $100. This is much cheaper than most acoustic guitars or violins, so if you’re strapped for cash it makes sense to consider getting a ukulele first before spending more money on an instrument you’re unsure about.

It also comes in a wide range of designs and colors, so you can express yourself with the look and sound of your uke.

The Ukulele Can Be Played as Solo or With Others

You can play it by yourself or with friends. It’s a great instrument to learn by yourself, but it’s also fun if you want to play along with your peers.

You can even form a ukulele group and perform in public! The uke is suitable for all kinds of settings, playing at home with family or jamming out on stage.

What I’ve done before is visit a friend (who can sing really well) and bring my ukulele and just have a nice jam session, which is a lot of fun! This brings me to my next point.

The Ukulele is Very Compact and You Can Take it Anywhere

One really great thing about the ukulele is that it’s small enough to take anywhere! Unlike a guitar, it can fit in your backpack and you don’t really need to be concerned about humidity or temperature when traveling with it.

Ukuleles also come in all different sizes, including soprano, concert (a little bit bigger than soprano), tenor (even bigger than a concert), etc. When you first start out, a concert or soprano-sized ukulele is the best choice in my opinion.

Learning Ukulele First is a Good Foundation to Learn Other Instruments Later

The ukulele, compared to other instruments is easy to play, so it’s a good instrument for beginners. If you enjoy playing the ukulele and stick with it, you might find that learning an instrument like guitar or piano becomes a lot easier since you already know how chords and basic melodies work!

If not, no worries – the uke isn’t a bad instrument to have in your repertoire! You can continue playing it as a hobby or even join a band.

There Are a Lot of Good Online Lessons Available

One of the best ways to learn an instrument is to take lessons and meet other musicians who can help you. There are some really good paid online lessons that might be worth it. But if you’re like me, this isn’t always possible due to budget or scheduling concerns.

Luckily, there are a lot of really good free online ukulele lessons available on Youtube! The internet is a great place to learn from some of the most experienced ukulele players.

Good Luck With Your First Instrument!

So, is the ukulele a good first instrument? In my opinion, yes!

It’s affordable, compact, and easy to learn. You can take it anywhere and it’s a great instrument to play by yourself or with friends. There are also a lot of online lessons available if you want to take things further.

Good luck with your first instrument!

Sources:

• MasterClass – Guide to Ukulele Sizes

But, you’ve come to realize that it’s kind of hard to learn the ukulele by yourself and it’s even harder to motivate yourself to practice every day.

Now you’re wondering, are ukulele lessons worth it? That’s what we’re going to find out in this article. so…

Are Ukulele Lessons Worth It?

First of all, if you have never really played the ukulele and are wondering if taking some lessons is worth it. I advise you to first just buy an affordable ukulele and dabble a little bit in some beginner tutorials on Youtube.

To find out if you eventually want to take your skills to the next level or if you will lose interest over time.

In my opinion, it is not worth spending money on lessons for something that may not be your thing.

But if you already got some experience in playing the ukulele, there are a few things to consider before deciding on whether to take lessons or not. Let’s look at some pros and cons of taking ukulele lessons

Pro’s of Taking Ukulele Lessons

You Get Personalized Guidance In Learning The Ukulele

One of the biggest advantages of taking ukulele lessons is that you will get personalized feedback on how to get better at playing the uke.

A teacher can help you improve your skills where you are struggling and also come up with exercises that might be new for you, but will improve your abilities right away.

Especially early on, it can be very helpful to have someone who already knows their stuff to give you advice on what things are most important for your uke skills.

You Get A More Structured Approach To The Ukulele

When you take ukulele lessons, they will (or should) teach you the basics of playing music first. Things like reading sheet music, scales, and chords.

This is not something you want to learn by yourself because it’s kind of hard to make sure you learn all the basics correctly without guidance.

And learning the uke is very much about mastering those basics first before you can start getting creative with your playing style.

You Get Better Faster Than If You Hadn’t Taken Lessons

Having a teacher that helps you identify your weaknesses and correct them in a way that is optimized for your learning capabilities will certainly help you improve much faster than trying to learn the ukulele by yourself.

Especially when it comes to mastering specific techniques like barre chords, fingerpicking, etc after you’ve got your basic strumming patterns down.

You Get A Teacher To Ask When You’re Stuck

Another benefit of taking ukulele lessons is that if you are stuck on something, the teacher can give you advice on how to solve your problems.

This can be very helpful because if you are trying to do this by yourself and keep coming up with the same dead ends, it’s very discouraging.

You Get Accountability To Practice On A Regular Basis

Nothing comes for free, and this is no different when taking ukulele lessons. You will be more inclined to practice on a regular basis by yourself if you know that you have your teacher expecting you to come in for the next lesson with the skills learned in the previous lesson.

Of course, this is not a bulletproof method to make sure you practice yourself, but it can be a very good motivator for most people.

You Might Make Some New Friends

From my experience, most in-person lessons are usually done with a small group of around three people. So these lessons can be a great place to make new friends.

It might be a bit awkward at first, but you can always start off by just observing the others taking their lesson. That way you get more comfortable in this environment.

Con’s of Taking Ukulele Lessons

It Takes Up A Part Of Your Free Time For Improvement

In terms of getting better, you have to realize that taking ukulele lessons does not only mean more practice on the instrument itself.

You also have to add up all the time you spend traveling from your home to the teacher’s location and then back again. So if you add up all of these little bits of time, it really does take up more than you might think.

Ukulele Lessons Don’t Come Cheap

Ukulele lessons are not exactly the cheapest things in the world since they usually cost around $40 to $60 an hour on average.

This can be a bit pricey for some people, which is why many will try to learn the uke by themselves first before investing in ukulele lessons. Or like I said before, another option can be to take a small group lesson with two or three other people which will make it much more affordable!

Are Online Ukulele lessons worth it?

So now that you know the pros and cons of taking in-person lessons. You’re left wondering, what about online ukulele lessons? Although almost all the points above also apply to online lessons, there are a few differences.

You can take online ukulele lessons in two ways, one is via in-person zoom or skype meetings and the other is taking a pre-recorded course. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

With in-person online meetings. You can get personal guidance and the teacher can help you with the exact things that you struggle with while learning the uke. Kind of like following physical in-person lessons, which can be very helpful at times.

As for pre-recorded courses, the advantage is that you have a very clear and structured path to learning the ukulele laid out for you. But when you get stuck on something you have no one to teach you how to overcome it. However, this option is in most cases also a bit cheaper than in-person lessons.

You can also decide to do a combination of the two: Follow a course and only call in a tutor if you run into a problem.

How Long Does it Take To Learn The Ukulele?

Now that we’ve gone over the advantages and disadvantages of taking ukulele lessons. We’ve come to the question of how long does it take to learn the ukulele?

The truth is there is no definite answer to this question. A part of learning any instrument or skill is based on how dedicated you are to practicing and putting in the necessary time.

This means that there is no specific amount of hours or years it will take to get to a certain level with your uke playing. It all depends on you and how dedicated you want to be.

Though for most people, from what I’ve seen if you practice every day for a month you will get the basics down and if you stay dedicated you can be really good after a year or so. But of course, this is always different for everyone.

Good Luck With Learning The Ukulele!

If you’ve read this article so far, I hope it has prepared you on some of the different points to consider if you want to take ukulele lessons.

And remember that no matter which method or teacher you will be taking your lessons from, the most important thing should always be practicing and working hard on improving yourself as a player.

Whether you decide to take in-person lessons, online lessons, or to just learn it by yourself through Youtube videos, I wish you good luck on your journey to becoming a master at the ukulele!