Introduction
The ukulele is a fun, portable instrument that can bring a lot of joy—but where do you start as a new player? In this guide, you’ll learn the core beginner chords, how to practice effectively and ways to build a solid routine so you can strum your favourite songs with confidence.
Essential Beginner Chords
To play hundreds of songs, you only need a small set of chords. Start with four fundamental shapes:
- C Major – For C major, put your ring finger on the third fret of the bottom A string and let all the strings ring.
- G Major – To play G major, position your index and middle fingers on the second frets of the C and A strings and your ring finger on the third fret of the E string.
- A Minor (Am) – Am is simple: press the second fret of the top string with your middle finger.
- F Major – For F major, keep your middle finger on the second fret of the top string and place your index finger on the first fret of the E string.
These four chords (C, G, Am and F) form a classic progression used in many popular songs). Practicing them in sequence will give you the foundation for strumming “Let It Be,” “Over the Rainbow” and countless others.
Warm‑Up and Practice Routine
It’s helpful to divide your practice into four parts: warm-up, skill building, ear training and repertoire.
- Warm-up – Start with stretches and simple scales to loosen your hands.
- Skill building – Work on chord transitions and techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs or arranging to challenge yourself.
- Ear training – Play along with recordings, figure out keys and practice singing the notes you play.
- Repertoire – Work on entire songs or arrangements to bring everything together.
Practice Tips for New Players
Consistent, short practice sessions—about 15 minutes a day—are more effective than occasional long sessions. When you encounter tricky transitions, work on those measures slowly and repeat them until they feel natural. Push yourself by playing chords in different positions and transposing progressions to new keys to broaden your fretboard knowledge. As you improve, introduce new techniques gradually, dedicating a few minutes each day to them.
Putting It All Together
Combine your chords, practice routine and tips to start playing real music. Begin each session with stretches and scales, then practice switching between C, G, Am and F smoothly. Use ear training to jam along with your favourite recordings and gradually expand your repertoire. Stick with consistent practice and you’ll be strumming confidently in no time!
