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Ukulele for Beginners


Learn the fundamentals of playing the ukulele, a fun and portable way to make music on your own or with others. The course will cover the basic techniques of playing the ukulele, such as finger positioning, hand coordination, and rhythm.

You’ll learn how to hold the ukulele properly to produce clear and accurate sound, in addition to how to tune it. Through a combination of demonstrations, exercises, and practice sessions, you’ll develop a solid foundation in various aspects of ukulele playing, including popular chord progressions, strumming patterns, fingerpicking, and reading TAB notation so that you can learn the music you want to play.

The course features a range of fun, familiar songs, as well as original music written specifically for teaching learners. The goal is to give you a range of approaches to playing the ukulele, so that you can expand your playing ability and develop your own style. With its focus on foundational skills, technical mastery, and engaging content, the course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ukulele and sets you up for a lifetime of music making.

What you will learn:

✔ Hold the ukulele properly and tune it             
✔ Play chord progressions commonly found in songs that feature the ukulele             
✔ Perform popular strumming patterns, in addition to fingerpicking styles             
✔ Read TAB as a tool for learning new songs              
✔ Write your own songs that feature strumming and fingerpicking

Next Session

Jan. 13 - Feb. 9, 2025 

Teen and adult sections

VIEW ALL DATES

Tuition

$299

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: 18+

Receive expert guidance
Learn from world-class faculty who provide personalized feedback
Learn at your own pace
Explore engaging video content and meaningful instruction
Meet your instructor and classmates
Join an optional weekly class to connect with other artists in real-time
Practice and create
Strengthen your craft over four weeks as you develop creative projects
Find collaborators
Collaborate on your projects—or just for fun—in direct messages and group chats
  • Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
  • A concert ukulele (a soprano or tenor size ukulele is acceptable; a baritone ukulele should not be used)
  • A clip-on tuner, such as the Snark SN6
  • Optional: a capo

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Interlochen Online's Learning Experience

World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.

Meet the Faculty

Yaniza Doré

Instructor of Ukulele

Questions? Speak with an Advisor.

Email: online@interlochen.org 

Phone: 231.276.5990 

You can also schedule an appointment.

Access Free Resources from Interlochen Online

Experience Interlochen Online with free guides that teach you practical skills in the arts.

The first few pages of the Ukulele for Beginners study guide.