Learning a new instrument is no easy feat. You’ll spend countless hours practicing, but the payoff is incredible when you can play for yourself or others, learn songs, or even write your own music. 

If you want to get involved with music but aren’t sure where to start — or you’re ready to branch out and learn a second (or third!) instrument — the ukulele is a great option. It’s an instrument with a rich history, that has relevance today more than ever. 

Here are ten reasons why you should learn how to play ukulele:

It’s a great starter instrument

Many teachers and experienced musicians recommend ukulele for beginners. Its small frame fits snugly in the arms of almost anyone who holds it, making strumming a breeze and minimizing wrist tension. Plus, its soft nylon strings are easier on your fingertips than other stringed instruments.

They’re portable

Are you constantly on the move? The ukulele’s compact size makes it the perfect instrument for the traveling musician. This means you can take online lessons wherever you go — as long as there’s an internet connection. Whether you’re headed to the beach or a business conference across the country, your uke can be right there with you every step of the way. Make sure you read up on our guide for traveling with an instrument before you go on your next adventure.

The chords are easy

If there’s one thing beginner guitar players struggle with, it’s chords. It can be difficult to remember all of the necessary finger placements, especially with six strings. However, chords on the ukulele are quite easy to remember, since they only have four strings. Chords that normally require three or four fingers on guitar are often played with just one finger on ukulele, so you’ll master them in no time. Easier chords mean you’ll be spending less time worrying about finger placement and more time learning new songs!  

Songs of all genres can be easily translated

Here’s a fun challenge: type your favorite song into YouTube followed by “ukulele” and see how many results pop up. Chances are you’ll see at least a handful of bedroom musicians strumming along to a delightful rendition. Whether you’re into rock, pop, jazz, or anything in between, it’s incredibly easy to translate songs to the ukulele due to its four strings and simplified chords. If you’ve always wanted to jam along with to your favorite music but aren’t sure where to begin, consider picking up some ukulele lessons.

They’re affordable

Let’s face it, instruments can oftentimes cost you an arm and a leg. A decent guitar can easily reach the $500-$600 range, and that’s before factoring in cables, an amplifier, or pedals. On the other hand, it’s possible to find a decent quality ukulele for under $100. The average ukulele is much smaller than a standard guitar, which means less materials are required for building one. This creates a cheaper product for the curious musician, and offers potential strummers a low cost of entry. Plus, you don’t need any cables or amplifiers; your only additional costs are a fresh set of strings every once in a while.

They’re fun

Everything about the ukulele just screams fun. Between its happy-sounding, upbeat tone and association with the gorgeous islands of Hawaii, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who won’t smile when your ukulele is brought out. No matter how sour your mood is, a few strums on your trusty four-string will be all it takes to lift your spirits.

They’re quiet

We all know that the main function of an instrument is to make music, but sometimes you need to be a little softer than usual. While drums, wind instruments and electric guitars are a bit too noisy for close-quarter environments, the ukulele’s small, acoustic makeup is perfect for aspiring musicians that share a living space. Whether you live in an apartment, dorm room, or full house, you can take comfort knowing that you’ll be able to practice in peace without bothering others.

You can segue to other stringed instruments

Most stringed instruments operate the same way; you press your fingers to the fretboard and pluck or strum the strings to make music. By that logic, consider ukulele lessons to be your entry into the wonderful world of all things stringed. The skills you learn on your ukulele are easily transferable to guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and more!

You can easily match a uke to your singing range

Singing and playing go together like peanut butter and jelly, but sometimes it can be tricky to match your instrument with your vocal range. Luckily, ukuleles come in plenty of different sizes, including soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Each size produces their own unique sound, so you’ll be certain to find a uke that perfectly matches your voice. Check out our guide on ukulele sizes for a full breakdown of each one.

They’re a great option for players of all ages

Ukuleles seem to be one of the only instruments perfectly designed for kids (second only to the triangle, of course). The instrument is the perfect size for small hands, meaning even young children can learn their chords. Older players will have an easy time as well, plus it’s a great way for them to build finger dexterity!

We hope that this list inspires you to embark on ukulele lessons right here at ArtistWorks. If you’re still curious but aren’t ready to dive right in, try these free ukulele lessons.