I’m a ukulele teacher. I’m not a singing teacher. But singing is at the heart of how I teach and play ukulele.
For me, the whole point of playing the ukulele is to sing songs.
Singing is one of life’s purest joys. And when you’re singing songs you love? Even better.
I’ve always loved to sing. But for many years, I was too scared to open my mouth. The ukulele helped me find my voice again.
If you’re not a confident singer, this post is for you. Keep reading for tips on how to sing while playing ukulele at the same time.
But first, let’s talk about why singing is so important, and why it’s worth working at it, if it doesn’t come naturally. How to start reconnecting with your voice. And how you can improve your sense of pitch, even if you have never learned to sing in tune.
Why singing is great
Singing is one of life’s pleasures. Freeing your breath and making a joyful sound is a beautiful path to creative expression. Some linguists believe humans sang before we spoke.
Singing is empowering. It’s about expressing who you are, moving your emotions, and shifting your energy.
It’s also great for your health—especially your lungs and nervous system. Singing works the breath and body in a way that can be deeply healing, emotionally and physically.
Many people even experience a spiritual connection through singing.
My singing story
Too many people don’t sing—and I used to be one of them. I don’t have the world’s greatest voice, but I’ve always wanted to sing.
As a classically trained instrumentalist, I wasn’t encouraged to use my voice. Singing was something “other people” did.
I had some rough experiences—nerves, bad sound setups, choir auditions that ended in blocked-up vocal cords and rejection. Even in a lovely, welcoming World Voices group with no auditions, I stayed small. My voice could carry a tune and pick up harmony easily, but it lacked resonance. Others would drown me out.
Inner and outer critics – why people don’t sing
There’s so much judgment wrapped up in singing. It comes from the outside—and from inside.
Many people are told outright not to sing. Or they get the message indirectly, and carry shame around their voice.
It’s taken me a long time to feel okay singing in front of others. The ukulele helped with that.
When I’m playing, I’m focused on the chords, rhythm, lyrics—all the little pieces. My inner critic gets too distracted to chime in.
And compared to the guitar, the ukulele is gentler and less intimidating. Guitars are louder, harder to play, and often come with heavier expectations. The uke, on the other hand, is light, easy, and playful. It slips under the ego’s radar—for me and for a lot of people.
Like any other skill, singing improves with practice. If you haven’t sung in a while, your voice might feel rusty. But it will come back with use.
How to start reclaiming your voice
Here are some simple ways to start:
- Sing on your own
Get used to the sound of your voice. There’s no shortcut here. Start at home, alone.
I’ve been doing 15 minutes of singing practice every day for the past year. My voice is slowly opening up. - Sing regularly
Once a week is a good minimum.
Occasional “rediscover your voice” workshops aren’t enough on their own—I know, I’ve tried! - Sing in groups
Group singing is joyful and builds confidence. Whether it’s a choir, a ukulele club, or family sing-alongs, singing with others brings support and consistency. (But you also have to sing on yur own.)
How to sing in tune
Yes—you can learn to sing in tune.
It takes time and awareness, but your ear can improve. If you’re not sure whether you’re in tune, try matching single notes using a tuner or tuner app.
I know people who once believed they were tone deaf and taught themselves to sing with pitch accuracy using a digital tuner. It’s doable.
Ask your ukulele teacher to show you which note on the ukulele is the first note of a song. Some people find that really helpful for finding the right pitch to start singing.
How to sing and play ukulele at the same time
Singing and strumming together is multitasking at its finest.
There’s a lot to juggle—chords, rhythm, lyrics, timing. Don’t try to master everything all at once. Build up gradually.
- Start by learning the chords and strum pattern
Get those into your fingers first. - Begin with the easiest part of the song
Often, that’s the chorus. - Don’t always start at the beginning
Sometimes the intro or verse is the trickiest part. Start where it’s simple, and add in the rest later. - Use a count-in
It’s helpful to know exactly when to start singing in relation to the rhythm. - Be kind to yourself
Even experienced musicians don’t expect to nail a song first try—or even fifth. Expect to repeat it 20+ times over a couple of weeks.
Also, some strums are just harder to sing with—especially the more complex ones. That’s something you rarely hear in YouTube tutorials!
My rule of thumb: use the simplest strum that sounds right for the song.
Even if you’re not a beginner, this is a good principle.
For more about the next steps beyond the beginner stage, here’s my blog Ukulele Adventures – What’s Next After the Beginner Basics.
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Further reading
For more on the topic of reconnecting to your voice, here’s my blog post The joy of singing: reclaiming your voice
Beginners Guide To Ukulele – Start Playing Today
How To Choose Your First Ukulele
How To Tune a Ukulele With a Tuner
Top 7 Handy Ukulele Accessories
Over the Rainbow and Beyond: A Realistic Guide for Ukulele Beginners
Do You Use a Pick With a Ukulele?
How To Play Ukulele Without Getting a Sore Hand
Why Kids Need Music – and How You Can Help With Ukulele
Do I have To Read Music To Play Ukulele?