If you’re just starting out on the ukulele, welcome! This post is here to help you build a solid practice routine that’ll fast-track your progress—without sucking the joy out of playing.
We’re not diving deep into technical drills or advanced techniques here. Instead, this is all about practical tips for beginners. And one golden rule: practice should never feel boring or painful.
Also, don’t stress about perfection. Unless you’re prepping for a TED Talk or TV gig, close enough is often good enough. The ukulele is a wonderfully forgiving instrument.
A Confession…
Full disclosure: I used to be terrible at practicing. I was a violin student who hated it—especially the endless scales and studies. It was boring, lonely, and honestly, no fun at all.
In fact, I think it’s kind of wrong to expect musicians (especially young ones) to slog through boredom just to improve. There’s a better way.
What’s the Point of Practice?
Simple: You won’t nail things on your first try—or your second. Practice is how your fingers learn what to do, and your brain starts to get comfortable with the patterns.
Malcolm Gladwell famously suggested it takes 10,000 hours to master something. With the ukulele, thankfully, it’s more like 100 repetitions of something before it starts feeling natural.
How To Get Better At Ukulele
You don’t need long practice sessions to make steady progress. 10 minutes, a few times a week, is enough to make progress. Daily is even better, but don’t feel guilty if you miss a day or two.
What If I Only Play Once a Week?
I’ve been there. When my friends and I first started our ukulele group, we only played during our weekly sessions. No practice in between.
For the first few weeks, we had to re-learn everything, each time. Eventually, we improved—but slowly.
So if you’re doing a weekly class and not managing to practice in between, don’t give up—but do know that a little bit of in-between practice makes a big difference. You’ll catch up faster and have more fun in class.
Stage 1: Your First Two Weeks of Practice
Here’s my suggested ukulele practice routine. Focus on three things: chords, strumming, and rhythm. They’re all equally important.
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Chord Shapes
Start with C, F, and G. Don’t rush to learn others just yet.
When shifting between chords, avoid lifting your whole hand off the fretboard. Look at the fingering of the chord shapes and find the smoothest transitions between shapes.
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Basic Strums
Stick with two:
- Down Down
- Down Up
Here’s a video tutorial if you want to see them in action.
Avoid more complex strums for now—keep it simple until your hands are used to the motions.
3. Counting the beat
Practice switching chords in time. Count:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 — then switch chords.
Using a metronome can help. You can try an online one like metronomeonline.com, (NB this is not an affiliate link) or buy a basic one. (Pro tip: don’t get one that’s also a tuner—keep it simple when you’re a beginner.)
Stage 2 – Moving on
As soon as you are comfortable with three chord shapes and two strums, you’re ready to play more songs.
Try these:
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Stage 3: Songs with more chords and strums
As you encounter new chords in songs, practice switching between them and the ones you already know.
I recommend you learn one new strumming pattern at a time. More than that can overload your brain and hands. (And your nervous system!)
When you start with a new song:
- Check the chord shapes
- Practice the chord changes
- Practice the strum
- Count (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4) to keep time while switching chords and strumming
Remember: This is just practice—actual songs may use different rhythms.
For more about how to start playing ukulele, read this: Beginners Guide To Ukulele
What’s Next?
Check out my next post for how to practice a full song—that’s where the magic starts. 🎵
Read it here: Ukulele practice tips 2: How to play a song
And if you’re struggling to stay consistent, here’s my post on building a regular practice habit. It’s all about making practice easier and more enjoyable.
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More reading
Beginners Guide To Ukulele: Start Playing Today
How To Choose Your First Ukulele
How To Tune a Ukulele With a Tuner
How To Sing While Playing Ukulele
Ukulele Adventures – What’s Next After the Beginner Basics
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