Why the Ukulele Is the Best First Instrument (And 10 Songs to Prove It)

The ukulele may be the push to pick up a musical instrument that you have always wanted to pick up. It is cheap, mobile, painless on the fingers, and in fact can be played in a matter of a few hours after you have strummed it. But outside the practicalities, there is actual science to support the reasons why you need to learn ukulele. Let’s break it down.

Why the Ukulele Is Perfect for Beginners

The popularity of the ukulele among those who are new to it is down to a few facts. It is small, portable, and can be carried everywhere. Its nylon strings do not hurt the fingertips like a new guitar player, and this is always the first obstacle facing the new guitar player, but that is not the case in this case. Novice chords frequently necessitate a single or two fingers, and the four-string design is much easier to face when contrasted with the six-string guitar. A decent entry-level ukulele can be found at about 40-50 dollars, making it one of the cheapest ways to enter musical instrument learning.

Most importantly, perhaps, the ukulele is instantly gratifying. Most beginners are able to strum with a recognisable song in the first session, and the feeling of accomplishment at an early stage is among the strongest incentives to continue with any new ability.

The Science-Backed Benefits of Playing

Playing the ukulele is not only entertaining, but it is good, actually, really good, for your brain and your body.

Relaxation: A study conducted in the Journal of Music Therapy revealed that playing the ukulele had the ability to lower stress hormone levels of cortisol, which is the main hormone of stress in the body. The meditative quality of the rhythmic and repetitive strumming style assists in calming the mind and relaxing it.

Cognitive enhancement: Musical training research has continued to report enhancement in cognitive ability in all age groups. When older adults practice music regularly, they have enhanced memory, focus, and mental acuity compared to their non-musical counterparts. Pair your practice sessions with a motivating soundtrack; we’ve curated playlists ideal for ukulele practice that keep tempo and mood in sync.

Improved mood: Music will activate the brain’s pleasure and reward centres, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is related to satisfaction of eating well, working out, or meeting an objective. Regular players have been known to complain that their mood is clearly elevated despite brief practice sessions.

Better coordination: Strumming involves the hands and eyes to act in unison and the brain to take rhythm, pitch, and position of the fingers simultaneously. In the long run, this results in fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination that is not limited to music.

Social bond: The social bond of the ukulele is one of the least prominent features, but it is also the ability of the ukulele to unite people. Groups of ukulele, jams, and community sessions have appeared in cities all over the world. Group playing has also been found to decrease loneliness and enhance overall wellbeing amongst older adults, especially.

10 Easy Songs to Start Playing Today

All of the following songs use simple chord combinations, typically three or four chords, and are ideal for anyone working through their first ukulele tabs for beginners or practising their ukulele chords for beginners.

1. “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz, one of the most popular beginner choices for a good reason. The original version of the song does include a ukulele, and the chord structure (C, G, Am, F) is present in dozens of other songs you will want to know.
2. “Riptide” – Vance Joy, is a hit of stripped-down pop with a unique strumming beat. It is the simple four that was used in “I’m Yours,” but with a bouncy beat, you have something to practice on.
3. “Let It Be” – The Beatles, the flow remains almost the same throughout the entire song, which is the best one to create confidence and muscle memory.
4. “Wonderwall” – Oasis, A classic song in the contemporary era that feels great to listen to, yet can be easily mastered with just a few simple chord progressions.
5. “Stand By Me” – Ben E. King, four chords, the same pattern repeated from start to finish. A perfect song for learning to play and sing at the same time.
6. “Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen, A brilliant song for practising chord transitions and learning how to build dynamics and emotion into your playing.
7. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley, slow and smooth, and very satisfying to play. It is played on an 18th-century melody of the French, and it is much more complicated than it sounds.
8. “Hey, Soul Sister” – Train, Upbeat and rhythmically interesting, this song is good to learn how to use strums.
9. “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars, You can play the song without any chords at all, starting at the very beginning till the end. Memorable, easy to sing, and highly rewarding to novice players.
10. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. This music is perhaps the most recognizable form of ukulele recording of all time. The set is tender and forgivable, and to read it is like a true achievement.

Ready to Start?

The best thing is that you do not need a teacher, a theory book, or hours of free time. Hundreds of ukulele tabs for beginners and ukulele chords for beginners are available online. Select a song that you have liked, locate the tab, and begin to play. The ukulele is a rare instrument in that it lets beginners gain almost instant rewards in the form of something that must be considered truly musical. And when that occurs, it is extremely difficult to put aside.