Frequently Asked Questions

I get a lot of questions about Ukes so I thought I’d start an FAQ.

Where Can I Find Lessons? In-person Local to DC/MD

A lot of people I see advertising locally that they teach Ukulele are guitar teachers, which should be fine for rudimentary info.  But will fall apart on Ukulele specific techniques.

The resources I can recommend are people who have a specific focus on Ukuelele and are not merely relying on Guitar chops:

Liz Safley Brinker. https://carpediemarts.org/teaching-artists 

Liz Brinker is a musician I have played with a lot over the last year in Sisters Uke and Friends.  She is absolutely an amazing person and someone I consider a kindred spirit in the pursuit of music.  She’s a natural teacher and leader, she is strong on Ukulele techniques, vocals, and music theory, and she teaches beginner and intermediate group classes at Carpe Diem Arts and is an instructor at the Gaithersburg Uke Fest.

Nani Lowery https://www.victorlitz.com/music-lessons.html

Nani is a really big-hearted person. I am glad to know her and to recommend her as a key resource for learning Uke. She teaches at Victor Litz Music in Gaitherburg and runs the Uke Jam there. Also, she and her family host the Gaithersburg Uke Fest.

Maureen Andary: https://www.maureenandary.com/ 

Maureen has a very impressive profile and hosts routine gatherings at her house, Takoma "Ranch" for beginner group lessons and that sort of thing.  Unlike me, she is a professional musician, a songwriter, and someone who has been paid to teach. Specifically she teaches private lessons at http://www.middlecmusic.com/ and she’s a regular at the Strathmore Uke Fest.

Where Can I Find Lessons? Online Lessons - Self-Led

There are lots of online options for someone who is really disciplined, which I define as:

  • They are self-motivated

  • They make time to practice

  • They keep their practice focused and avoid Youtube lesson ADHD

Guided Online Video Resources:

  • Uketropolis - for people who want to learn the instrument deeply via solo instrumental pieces

    • Also includes Booster Uke program, which is great for beginners.  I use it to teach first-time Uke players because it simplifies chord shapes and builds the left hand up gradually.

  • Artistworks: Craig and Sarah - Two of my favorite world-travelling uke instructors

  • Ukulele Underground - Probably the most popular of online Uke education sites… a bit too much content.  Easy to get lost in online ADHD.

Where Might I Get a Used Ukulele?

I think the low-end of the market being sub-$100 makes it tough to find used ukuleles because they take up more space than they are worth.  Most places just have new ones.

The House of Musical traditions in Takoma might have some.  

You can also check out Foxes Music in Falls Church.

And Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace are possibly good but shop with a uke-playing friend.

Any Advice on Buying a Uke Online?

Yes.  2 things.  

1. Don’t spend less than $300 on a uke unless you know what you’re getting.  

Sure there are playable ukes available for around $100.  I have one at work that I got on super sale that was only $100.  But it’s a uke that retails for $200 that I got a great deal on. Also I changed the strings immediately.  Cheap ukes always come with crappy strings and poorly setup.

I have found that around $300 the Ukes shift from the ones that you will likely outgrow in a year, to the ones that you could play for the rest of your life.  

2. Buy from a place that does a “setup” on the Uke.  This basically means they do extra finishing work on Ukuleles to ensure that they play as well as they possibly can (frets are level and the strings aren’t too high).

Okay, I really want to spend less than $150… What should I buy?

I’d get on Victor Litz Music’s mailing list and keep an eye out for 50% off Uke sales.  (in the last 3 years, I’ve seen it happen twice).  Incidentally, they also have nicer ones.

They are a retailer in Gaithersburg and they keep a decent selection of Ukes on hand.

These are the cheaper brands I trust:

  • Ohana

  • Kala

  • Fender

Also, Check out the heading just above this one: Any Advice on Buying a Uke Online?

I have $500 and I want a sure-thing Uke, what should I buy?

The Martin T1K seems pretty awesome at that price.