Play a Simple Song on Ukulele in One Hour

Use a tuner app or device. Tune G-C-E-A (standard tuning). Hold the ukulele against your body, neck at slight angle upward. Place your thumb behind the neck for support, fingers ready on fretboard.

Master C major (single finger on 3rd fret E string), F major (index on 1st fret E string, middle on 2nd fret G string), and G major (fingers on 2nd fret of C, E, and A strings). Practice each chord, then switch between them.

Using your right thumb or index, play a steady down-down-down-down rhythm (one strum per beat). Play this pattern on each chord for 8 beats. Ukulele is all about rhythm—get this solid first.

Play C-C-F-F-G-G-C-C (2 beats per chord). Add the down-strum pattern to each. Now increase to 4 beats per chord and continue. Build to 8 beats per chord for a full measure.

Choose 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' (uses C-F-G mostly) or 'I've Just Seen a Face' (3-chord song). Play the chord progression while singing. Even imperfect is perfect—you're making music.