So, isn’t the ukulele just a tiny, high-pitched guitar? Well, no. Four strings instead of six and a softer string action are just two of the differences. Because of these factors, many people consider the ukulele to be easier to play and a better starting instrument, particularly for children.

“Easier to play” doesn’t mean that anyone can pick up a ukulele and instantly start making beautiful music. As with other instruments, taking lessons and practice are big factors. As I said in the Best Courses Guide (BCG) for guitar, getting feedback from a teacher is particularly helpful. But if money or distance prevent this, the courses in this BCG are ideal for learning the ukulele and having fun along the way.

I combed the Class Central catalog to identify the top online ukulele courses from several providers. Are you a complete beginner, or maybe you already know the basics and want to learn more chords or improve your fingerpicking? Do you want to know the best class for kids, or are you interested in the baritone ukulele? I checked courses and collated ratings and reviews to narrow down the best choices from over 60 ukulele courses in the catalog. Many of the instructors have years of performing and teaching experience, or have formal music qualifications.

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• Top Picks
• Stats
• Why You Should Trust Us
• How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Here are our top picks

Course Highlight	Workload
Best Comprehensive Free Ukulele Course (Cynthia Lin Music)	17 hours
Also Great Free Ukulele Course (Bernadette Teaches Music)	10 hours
Best Short Free Ukulele Course (Andy Guitar)	2-3 hours
Best Ukulele Course with Certificate (Daniel Ho)	2-3 hours
Best Ukulele Class for Kids (Aden Blake)	32 mins
Best Free Ukulele Chords Course in Hindi (Sayali Tank)	1-2 hours
Best Free Ukulele Fingerpicking Course (One Music School)	7 hours
Best Free Course on How to Practice Your Ukulele (Uke Like The Pros)	1-2 hours
Best Free Beginner Short Course on Baritone Ukulele (AllForUke)	1-2 hours
Best Free Intermediate Baritone Ukulele Course (Abigail Flowers)	9 hours

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Stats

• 8 courses are free and 2 are paid
• 1 course offers a certificate of completion
• The courses in this BCG have been viewed over 5 million times altogether
• The ukulele subject is followed by 1.5K learners on Class Central
• The most featured provider is YouTube with 8 courses.

Best Comprehensive Free Ukulele Course

Cynthia Lin has produced a comprehensive series of videos, starting right from the basics. If you’ve ever wanted to fingerpick or strum along to your favorite tunes on the ukulele, Ukulele Lessons and Tutorials is excellent. You’ll go from how to hold the ukulele straight into your first song, learning three simple chords along the way. Cynthia explains chord charts that you can find here. All you need to start are a ukulele, a tuner, and a passion for music. Cynthia is a renowned ukulele instructor and performer, who brings her expertise and engaging teaching style to help you learn and have fun at the same time.

In this course, you will learn:

• Basic ukulele chords and strumming patterns to play popular songs including “Three Little Birds”, “Don’t Worry, be Happy”, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, and “I’m Yours”
• Fingerpicking techniques showcased in tutorials for “Hallelujah” and “Blackbird”
• How to tune your ukulele, practice chord changes, and play along with Cynthia in various ukulele jam sessions
• Advanced techniques: chucking and barre chords, and how to sing and play simultaneously
• Seasonal play-alongs for holiday favorites and a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and pop.

“I am a 65 year old grandma trying to learn the ukulele (on my second week) and YOU are the best teacher on youtube !! I am not very musically inclined and my fingers don’t move very fast or stretch like they should but I am trying my best and wanted to tell you Thank you…” – kimsmith1613, YouTube Learner.

Also Great Free Ukulele Course

30 Day Uke Challenge is for beginners with no prior experience, guiding you through the basics of playing the ukulele. You’ll learn how to hold and tune your instrument and start with simple one-finger chords, progressing quickly to two- and three-finger chords. You’ll cover a wide range of skills that will have you playing popular songs in no time.

What you’ll learn:

• The anatomy and tuning of the ukulele
• Proper techniques for holding and strumming
• Reading chord charts, tabs, and playing scales
• A variety of chords and strumming patterns
• How to play a range of songs, from simple one-chord tunes to more complex pieces
• Basic music theory and fingerpicking techniques.

Bernadette has a Master’s degree in education and a Bachelor’s degree in music. She also teaches other ukulele and guitar courses on YouTube. Find paid lessons and other resources on her website.

“Completed most of your challenges and finding it a really great introduction to learning the ukulele. It’s taking a little longer than 30 days but that’s because I have a time limit every day … I’m amazed how much I’ve learnt without realising it and going back over the earlier parts of the challenge comes like second nature…” – williamfaram858, YouTube learner.

Best Short Free Ukulele Course

According to instructor Andy Crowley, all you need to get started with the ukulele is an instrument and a tuner. You’ll learn your first song in the very first video of his 10 Day Ukulele Starter Course, even if you have no prior ukulele or music experience. Over the span of 10 lessons, you’ll be fast-tracked into playing more songs, for an enjoyable and rewarding learning process.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this course:

• The fundamentals of playing the ukulele, starting from absolute basics
• How to play easy songs using just four simple chords
• Understanding musical keys and how to play songs in different keys
• Step-by-step tutorials for playing “Hakuna Matata”, “House Of The Rising Sun”, and “Happy Birthday”
• Techniques for playing in various keys such as A major and D major.

Andy’s full Ukulele course is available on his website. Or, if you want a short taster, try Andy’s ONE HOUR Absolute Beginner Ukulele Lesson.

“Absolutely wonderful!  Makes you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.  Mind you, the 18 minute video took me almost an hour to complete with all of the stops, starts, practices and re-dos, but boy, do I feel like I really learned something, and now I can play “You are my Sunshine”. You are a great teacher!” – barbiedee11, YouTube learner.

Best Ukulele Course with Certificate

Taught by 6-time Grammy-winning artist Daniel Ho, Ukulele Lessons: Fundamentals is designed to help you learn at your own pace and earn a certificate at the end.

In this course, you will learn:

• The basics of the ukulele, including how to read tablature and understand the notes on the fretboard
• Strumming techniques, chord changes, and playing full songs
• How to read standard music notation, including various notes, rests, and scales
• Music theory fundamentals, such as major scales, intervals, and chord harmony
• Different styles of ukulele playing, including old-time, swing, rock, island style, and blues
• Fingerstyle techniques and patterns for a more intricate playing style.

Best Ukulele Class for Kids

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way for your child aged 5 or over to learn the ukulele, the Kids Beginner Ukulele Class is the perfect start. It’s designed to be easy for kids to follow, requiring just a ukulele and the downloadable materials provided. Your child will learn the basics of the instrument, taught through familiar nursery rhymes.

Here’s what your child will learn in this course:

• The correct way to hold a ukulele and the names of its parts
• Understanding string names, numbers, and how to read chord diagrams
• Tuning the ukulele and mastering two full chords
• Playing four popular nursery rhymes with easy strumming patterns.

“My son and I loved this class!” – Melissa Autumn, Skillshare learner.

Best Free Ukulele Chords Course in Hindi

Do you know some uke chords but want to expand your chord repertoire? Ukulele Chord Library is for you. Ideal for intermediate players, this course offers a comprehensive guide to mastering a variety of chords. The instructor, Sayali Tank, leads you through a 21-day challenge, providing focused instruction on each chord so you can play with confidence.

This course will teach you:

• How to play major, minor, and seventh chords on the ukulele, including C, Cm, C7, D, Dm, D7, E, Em, E7, F, Fm, F7, G, Gm, G7, A, Am, A7, B, Bm, B7, and C6
• Techniques for chord transitions and finger placement to enhance your playing skills
• The foundational knowledge required to participate in the #21daysofukechords challenge, helping you to practice and improve daily.

“Omg!! This is just what one would need to learn the chords 😁😁😁😁 aren’t you the best!!!” – TheKhooshbu, YouTube learner.

Best Free Ukulele Fingerpicking Course

In 15 Days of Fingerpicking, Katie Denure takes you from the basics of how to hold the ukulele through to various fingerpicking patterns, with the associated chords along the way. The course content includes a mix of tutorials, play-along exercises, and recordings of live lessons, featuring popular music: “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Tennessee Waltz”, “Norwegian Wood”, and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” among others.

In this course, you will learn:

• Basic fingerpicking patterns and techniques suitable for beginners
• How to fingerpick songs in different time signatures, such as 3/4 and 6/8
• Play-along exercises to practice fingerpicking with well-known songs
• Tips to transition from boring to bright playing with simple techniques
• Seasonal tunes and original compositions to expand your repertoire.

Also see Katie’s Days of Strumming.

“Thank you for those tips … Can’t wait for the rest of the series.” – Madzaboutuke, YouTube learner.

Best Free Course on How to Practice Your Ukulele

If you’ve been strumming your ukulele and feel like you’re not making the progress you hoped for, How to Practice Your Ukulele is designed for you. It’s perfect for ukulele enthusiasts at any skill level who want to refine their technique and become more proficient players. The syllabus covers a wide range, from basic strumming techniques to soloing on the ukulele. The Uke Like The Pros (ULTP) Guide included in the course is a testament to the focused expertise on ukulele practice and performance.

In fact, no matter what musical instrument you play, you’ll find handy practice tips to improve your skill.

• Learn the fundamentals of ukulele practice, including how to effectively use a metronome to keep the beat and timing
• Master various playing techniques such as strumming, finger placement, and bar chords
• Discover tips on memorizing ukulele chords and the importance of stretching exercises for players
• Explore advanced concepts like chucking, left-hand muting, and soloing to enhance your ukulele skills
• Gain insights into the use of ukulele straps and receive valuable advice on things to know when starting out.

Terry Carter has worked as a professional musician and educator for 30 years. For more ukulele resources, see his YouTube channel and website.

“Hi,  just wanted to say how awesome you are. I had a stroke ( actually 2) I been playing for a month now and find my hand is getting better…” – lperkins77, YouTube learner.

Best Free Beginner Short Course on Baritone Ukulele

Baritone Ukulele Beginner Series starts with tuning and playing position for absolute beginners. If you’ve been eyeing the baritone ukulele and wondering how to play it, this beginner series is tailored just for your needs. It’s a comprehensive course designed to introduce you to the basics of playing the baritone ukulele, including tutorials, chords, and play-along sessions. The series is structured over a few days, allowing you to progress at a comfortable pace. Kevin Presbrey’s focused experience in teaching the baritone ukulele is evident, as he guides you through each step with clear instructions and helpful tips.

You’ll learn:

• Fundamentals of playing the baritone ukulele, including proper handling and technique
• Essential chords and how to transition between them smoothly
• Play-along practice to apply what you’ve learned in a musical context
• Reasons why the baritone ukulele could be a great addition to your musical journey.

Kevin works as a full time music educator, songwriter and performer. Find many other standard and baritone ukulele courses including Barre Chord Series over on the AllForUke YouTube channel and website.

“This is perfect for someone like me, who has never played any musical instruments.  It’s exactly what I was looking for, everything from how to hold it properly, to some chords where you feel like you got this…” – tiphanitomaszewski9055, YouTube learner.

Best Free Intermediate Baritone Ukulele Course

The baritone ukulele has different tuning from the standard soprano, tenor, and concert ukulele, which means that notes and chords are not the same. Abigail Flowers teaches you the chords needed for the various songs and music pieces, but I would recommend taking Baritone Ukulele Tutorials after you know how to hold and play the instrument. In other words, if you’re an absolute beginner, check out the short course mentioned above for the basics before progressing to this course.

If you are looking to improve your skills on the baritone uke, this course is ideal. The tutorials cover a range of music genres and techniques, from jazz standards to popular songs. You’ll learn various chord types, fingerpicking patterns, and even how to play with just one or two fingers.

What you’ll learn:

• How to play well-known songs and jazz standards on the baritone ukulele
• Techniques for fingerstyle playing, blues, and fingerpicking patterns
• Chord progressions, including minor, jazz, and 12-bar blues
• The use of one-finger and two-finger chords for easier playability
• How to tune your baritone ukulele and practice barre chords effectively
• Music theory basics tailored for ukulele players, such as chord spelling and major triads.

“You’re a great teacher, Abigail!” – CharliePeacock, YouTube learner.

Why You Should Trust Us

Class Central, a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees. I’ve personally completed over 150 online courses in a variety of topics including ukulele.

How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates. You don’t need private lessons to start learning the ukulele.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Instructor experience: I sought instructors with extensive experience in teaching the ukulele and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity: I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content: I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses
• Learner reviews: I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.
• Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. A ukulele course can cover various topics and playing styles, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.

Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn the ukulele.