Hot Ukulele How-Tos

How To: Play a C major scale finger warmup exercise on ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to play a C major scale, a scale which doubles as an excellent finger warmup routine.

How To: Play jazzy intros and outros on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to perform old-school jazzy introductions and outros on the uke.

How To: Play slides on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to perform slides on the uke.

How To: Play hammer-ons and pull-offs on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to perform hammer-ons and pull-offs (hammers-on and pulss-off for the highfalutin) on the uke.

How To: Play the horn break from "Sir Duke" on the ukulele

See how to play the horn break from Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" on your uke with this free video ukulele lesson. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Sir Duke" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play Perfect People's "What You're Told" on ukulele

Interested in playing Perfect People's "What You're Told" on your ukulele? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "What You're Told" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" on the ukulele

Want to play Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" on your ukulele (or Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," for that matter? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Stand by Me" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play "Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry on the ukulele

Want to play Katy Perry's "Hot n Cold" on your ukulele? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Hot n Cold" on your own ukulele, take a look! The chords of the song are G, D, Am and C.

How To: Play Donovan's "Catch the Wind" on the ukulele

Want to play Donovan's "Catch the Wind" on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this classic Donovan pop...

How To: Play "Blue Moon" by Rodgers & Hart on the ukulele

Want to play "Blue Moon" by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this...

How To: Play Van Halen's "Jump" on the ukulele

Want to play Van Halen's "Jump" on your ukulele? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Jump" by Van Halen on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" on the ukulele

Want to play Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" on your ukulele? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song as played in the key of C. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Hey, Soul Sister" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play the Kingston Trio's "MTA" on the ukulele

Want to play the Kingston Trio's "MTA" on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing "MTA" by the Kingston Tri...

How To: Repair a crack in a ukulele with hot hide glue

Cracked ukulele? Why not take a crack at its repair yourself? This tutorial demonstrates how to repair a simple cracked open seam with hot hide glue using the "percussion" technique—a method, which incidentally, will work for any wooden string instrument. For careful, step-by-step instructions, and to get started restoring your own damaged uke, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Play "For Me and My Gal" on the ukulele

Want to play "For Me and My Gal" on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this great standard on your own...

How To: Play the "Spaghetti Blues" on the ukulele

Want to play the "Spaghetti Blues" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this simple blues pattern on y...

How To: Play a G blues pattern on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play a simple G blues shuffle pattern.

How To: Play "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen on the ukulele

Want to play Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this terrific and oft-c...

How To: Play "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson on ukulele

Want to play Jack Johnson's "Breakdown" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing Jack Johnson's "Breakdown...

How To: Play "Odd" by Julia Nunes on a ukulele

Want to play "Odd" by YouTube ukulele senstation Julia Nunes on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing Juli...

How To: Play "The Penalty" by Beirut on the ukulele

Want to play Beirut's "The Penalty" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulala. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this indie folk song on your own u...

How To: Play "Sweet Child of Mine" on the ukulele

Want to play "Sweet Child of Mine" on your ukulele? Of course you do! Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this classi...

How To: Play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut on the ukulele

Want to play Beirut's "Elephant Gun" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this indie folk song on your...

How To: Play "Lua" by Bright Eyes on the ukulele

Want to play Bright Eyes' "Lua" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this indie folk song on your own ...

How To: Play "She's Out of My League" on the ukulele

Want to play Stephen Speaks' "She's Out of My League" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing "She's Out of My League" on y...

How To: Play "Take Me Home, Country Roads" on ukulele

Want to play John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing John Denver's signature so...

How To: Play Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" on ukulele

Want to play Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this song (famously covered by...

How To: Play B.O.B's "Nothin' on You" on ukulele

Want to play B.O.B.'s "Nothing on You" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing "Nothin' on You" on your own uke, watch this...

How To: Easily tune a ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, string-by-string overview of how to get a ukulele into standard (GCEA/My Dog Has Fleas) tuning. For more information, and to get tuning your own ukelele playing, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Tune a ukulele using a digital tuner

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to put a ukulele into standard (GCEA) tuning with a digital tuner. For more information, and to get started tuning up your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Strum on your ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to get started using basic ukulele strumming patterns. For more information, and to get started playing these strum patterns on your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Play major chords on a soprano or concert ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons like this one. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to form and play C, D, E, F, G, A and B major chords on a soprano or concert ukulele using standard GCEA tuning.

How To: Hold and strum a ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's ukeladies. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to hold and strum a ukulele as a total beginner.

How To: Use Merle Travis-style picking on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to use Merle Travis picking on the ukulele. For more information, and to get started Travis pickin' your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Play common 4/4-time strumming patterns on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play a number of useful 4/4 time strumming patterns. For more information, and to get started playing quarter time strumming patterns on your own uke, w...

How To: Use 3/4-time strum patterns when playing the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play a number of useful three-quarter time strums. For more information, and to get started playing 3/4 strum patterns on your own uke, watch this helpf...

How To: Play the most commonly-used ukulele chords

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play some of the most commonly-used ukulele chords. For more information, and to get started playing these useful chords on your own uke, watch this hel...

How To: Tune your ukulele to itself with Ukulele Mike

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to tune the strings of your ukulele relative to one another. For more information, and to get started tuning your uke to itself, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Tune up quickly when playing the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to tune up. For more information, and to get started tuning up your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.

How To: Play a G7 shuffle strum pattern on the ukulele

There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play a G7 shuffle strum pattern. For more information, and to get started playing this shuffle strum pattern on your own ukelele, watch this helpful how...