Questions people actually ask
Short answers, each with its source. Longer ones live on the topic pages.
How is a ukulele tuned?
The ukulele is tuned G–C–E–A, all in the octave around middle C. Britannica: ukulele
How can I check my tuning?
A simple way to check the tuning is to strum all four strings with your thumb and sing “My dog has fleas”. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele The Smithsonian says checking the tuning by ear takes a well-trained ear, and many professional musicians use a chromatic tuner. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele
How big is a ukulele?
A ukulele is seldom more than 60 cm (24 inches) long. Britannica: ukulele
What is a chord?
A chord is a group of notes sounded together. Britannica: harmony (chords) A basic chord (a triad) is built from two thirds stacked up: C–E–G is a C major triad. Britannica: harmony (chords)
What is tab?
Tablature (tab) is a way of writing music down by showing where the player’s fingers go, instead of notes that show rhythm and pitch. Britannica: tablature
How do I read a chord diagram?
In the 20th century, ukulele and guitar music used a tablature in which a grid showed the strings and frets and dots showed where to put your fingers: the chord diagram. Britannica: tablature
Where does the ukulele come from?
The ukulele is a Hawaiian instrument, but it grew out of Portuguese instruments: the machete do braça, the braguinha, the rajão and the cavaquinho. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele The first ukulele makers in Hawaiʻi were men from Madeira, who came on the ship SS Ravenscrag in 1879 to work on the sugar plantations. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele
What does “ukulele” mean?
Britannica says the name ukulele is Hawaiian for “flea”. Britannica: ukulele In Hawaiian, ʻuku means flea and lele means to jump. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele
Why do so many people learn the ukulele?
Today the ukulele is loved because it is fairly easy to play, easy to carry and has a light-hearted sound. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: the great 1915 ukulele craze
Can you play any kind of music on it?
Players have shown that the ukulele has a broad range and can be played in almost any style of music. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: 5 things you probably didn’t know about the ‘ukulele
This site explains the first steps in plain words: the parts, the tuning, the first chords, reading tab and some traditional tunes. Every fact links to its source, and the chord shapes and tab are worked out from the tuning by our build. A teacher, in person or in a class, is still the best way to learn good habits.