Go from zero (or vaguely confused)
to playing the songs you love on the ukulele
Are you trying to piece it all together from hundreds of different
YouTube videos and ukulele teachers?
• Overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
• Maybe you've been watching random YouTube tutorials and you're still confused...
• Or perhaps you're self taught, and rhythm and chord transitions still leave you discouraged...
• Wondering if it's "too late" for you to
learn an instrument?
• You want to play ukulele but you have
no idea what you're doing!
Many people say they want
to learn an instrument “someday.”
This is your year.
Anyone can jump online and learn a handful of chords...
...but you won't get the full picture, and you are not setting yourself up for success later. To really be a confident player- learn songs on your own, switch up strumming patterns, even play with others- you need to build a strong foundation of rhythm - this is what EVERYTHING else is built on!
DON'T WASTE ANOTHER YEAR NOT BEING ABLE TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT
The joy of playing music is one of humankind's joys- don't miss out! Ukulele is a wonderful instrument to learn. Its friendly, fairly easy on the fingers, portable, and it’s super fun. But you need a plan and you need a teacher you like and resonate with!
FRETS, CHORDS, STRUMMING PATTERNS, OH MY!
Feeling confused at all of the music terms and concepts? Go from zero (or vaguely confused!) to understanding how to play the ukulele and navigate a song. All of these letters will start to make a little more sense to you - not just a jumble of letters!
When I taught myself to play ukulele 20 years ago (while in music school at the University of North Texas), I didn’t have a guide, YouTube videos, or a really any idea what I was doing. Coming from a piano, choir and clarinet background, I found the fretboard super confusing, and my fingers never went where I wanted them to!
... and strumming was so confusing! Up, down, huh?!
After graduating music school with a masters degree in Jazz Studies, working with a pro-teacher then and teaching on my own for 13+ years, I have developed a beginner ukulele method that leaves my students feeling enlightened, confident and actually speaking the language of music.
Now I help beginner ukulele players go from zero (or vaguely confused by all of the random YouTube videos/teachers!) to playing songs they love, and actually understanding what they're playing-so they can be more confident players and make music with others.
When you learn with me, no matter which instrument, I teach you to
feel the rhythm, speak the language, and make it your own.
↑ Click photo
to learn more!
AS SEEN as... a kala Brand Ambassador!
What would it be like if you could choose a new song, know exactly what you need to do
to learn it,
and play it with ease?
...And perhaps even play that song with another person?
stop wishing & start Playing.
No more wasted TIME skipping around on Youtube
No more Feeling confused because your chords sound "off"
No more Being afraid to try something new
My mission is to give you the tools to help you
think for yourself as a musician,
so you can bring more freedom and creativity to your playing!
Learn the basics & beyond
And leave the strumming struggle behind!
the basics & more
Of course you'll learn how to hold, how to tune, all about the frets, strings, etc, but then I take you deeper. Get more comfortable with rhythm, how to approach chord transitions, and learn to avoid common beginner pitfalls like finger and wrist placement.
Singing & Strumming at the same time?
This is one of the top goals and one of the biggest challenges when starting ukulele! Building a solid foundation of rhythm will set you up to be able to sing and play at the same time.
stay motivated
Follow my Ukulele Practice Guide or work at your own pace. Stay motivated with the workbook, practice calendar, proven exercises and more. Join my next Ukulele Cohort for added inspiration and accountability!
"If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process,
playing music is a great tool.
It provides a total brain workout."
-'Keep Your Brain Young With Music,' John Hopkins Medicine
introducing...
The most comprehensive beginner ukulele course on the internet.
(It's really, really good.)
Ukulele Basics for Beginners is a 5-module online course with tons of videos, practices exercises and an in-depth workbook that will provide everything you need (and more!) to get started on the ukulele, taught by a pro music teacher and performer with a masters degree in music.
This is not just an ukulele course. It's an introduction to speaking the language of music.
"While learning to play an instrument as a child provides life-long benefits to the brain, taking music lessons in your 60s – or older – can boost your brain’s health as well, helping to decrease loss of memory and cognitive function."
- 'Playing an Instrument: Better for Your Brain than Just Listening,' Penn Medicine News
Course overview
Module 1: Get Started
Module 2: Build a Foundation of Rhythm
Module 3: New Chords & Chord Transitions
Module 4: Strumming
Module 5: Putting it Together (Your Ukulele Future)
By the end of this course you will know/be able to:
Play the most common beginner ukulele chords
Play and sing a song on ukulele
Be able to strum 6 different strumming patterns
Understand how time is measured in music (counting beats/measures)
Be able to read chord diagrams- so you can look up and play new chords on your own
Understand how to read lead sheet format and chords+lyrics format, so you can look up and learn songs on your own
(But of course, you have to put in the work!)
Take a Closer Look
Module 1: Get Started
Parts of the ukulele
Sizes, which one is right for you?
Frets, strings, finger numbers
How to tune
How to hold
Troubleshooting/Avoiding injury
Setting up for success, practice exercises and more!
Module 2: Build a Foundation of Rhythm
What is a note/chord?
How to read chord diagrams
Your first chords
Left hand troubleshooting
Strumming basics
Count off/tempo
3 practice exercises + song
Module 3: New Chords & Chord Transitions
Key signatures
How to approach chord transitions
Chord combo challenge exercises
Song practice and more!
Module 4: Strumming
Strumming mechanics
Rhythms
Learn 6 strumming patterns
My #1 Secret for teaching strumming!!
Island strum
Practice exercises & song application
Module 5: Putting it Together (Your Ukulele Future)
How to approach learning a new song on your own
Practice checklist
How to stay motivated
Playing with others
Full song run through - practice tracks and bonuses
WHAT’S INCLUDED
How to tune
If you're not in tune, everything sounds off! Being able to accurately tune on your own is huge, and I take you step by step through how to tune properly.
get to know your ukulele
Learn proper hand and wrist placement, and how to hold your instrument. Parts of the ukulele, sizes, strings, frets, finger numbers are next, including some super fun song exercises.
how to play your first chord(s)
Once you've got these chords feeling good, you'll be able to play tons of songs on your ukulele. I also cover how to approach chord transitions, chord technique, and yep, more awesome exercises!
Rhythm & how to count
Set yourself up for success by learning how to not just feel the rhythm, but count! This helps you know where you are in a song, how long to hold a chord, and best of all, it allows you to play music with others.
How to strum
Learn 6 strumming patterns, how to strum, and LOTS of strumming practice, broken down slowly. We start simple and build from there. Then we apply ALL of these patterns, including the Island Strum, to a song!
how to approach learning songs
What's the key? What's the time signature? (Hint: If your YouTube ukulele teacher isn't mentioning these, that's a huge red flag!) Put it all together so you can "graduate" ready to learn songs on your own with more confidence.
What else?
The course also includes:
The Ukulele Basics for Beginners Workbook
Prinatble practice logs, practice calendar & checklist
Practice exercises & play along tracks
P.S. This is my very cute dog, Finn, when he was a puppy, along with my very first ukulele.
The most comprehensive beginner ukulele course on the internet.
Regular price = ($399)
Today's Price: $349
Don't want to go it alone?
Join my ukulele cohort!
Five 30-min live weekly sessions with kathryn
Review material from each module
Ask questions, get answers on the spot
Replays recorded if you can't attend live
Regular cohort Price: $99 with course enrollment
The next ukulele cohort starts:
Monday, February 17, 2025, 12pm EST
7 day money-back guarantee
I have poured my heart and soul into this course. (In fact, it's the 3rd time I've filmed it over the past 5 years, because I wanted it to be the best it could be!)
This method has been refined over the past 13 years teaching privately and in group classes. I've seen huge success (and smiles!) from people that go through my course.
If you are not completely satisfied with Ukulele Basics for Beginners after 7 days from your purchase date, with proof of working through the course, (starting February 3, 2025), I will refund you in full.
your ukulele bonuses
1
Practice Logs
Track your progress with a printable weekly practice log. Great for staying organized and motivated!
2
Play along tracks
Along with all of the video practice exercises, I'm including separate play along tracks for you to download and practice with anytime.
3
Ukulele jams
Bonus videos and play along tracks for you to practice with after you've completed the course! These videos let you jam with another musician, to hear what it's like to play along with piano, drums and bass. You get to be the ukulele player and experience what it might feel like to play in a band!
4
kids songbook
Grab my Kids Songbook for free - 10 basic kids songs perfect for practicing your new ukulele skills! All of the songs use basic ukulele chords, and you can try out your 6 new strumming patterns. Great practice, and extra fun if you've got a child in your life.
5
practice checklist & calendar
Stay on track with a printable practice checklists and calendar. These are evergreen, so you can write in your own dates and practice goals.
what people are saying
“After about 18 months of learning via YouTube, I've come to wish I'd spent more time early on learning/practicing fundamentals. I suspect I'm not the only one that rushed past the basics in order to try to play folk/pop — stuff I always wanted to play.
A scattershot approach probably works for some people, but I've realized that I glossed over the basics, plus have been slowed because my learning isn't progressive (i.e. building on what I've already learned), if that makes sense.”
-Bob M.
“You make music so understandable. I had been struggling with [previous] lessons but it was clearly just bad teaching. I am happy to be learning so much so fast. Music is my innermost passion, thank you!”
-John B.
“Recently discovered your website. I love your style of teaching- detailed, slow-paced, very enlightening and encouraging for a newbie like me. Thank you very, very much! Keep up the wonderful work.”
- Alicia Q.
"I already knew how to play the island strum, but now I actually understand what I'm playing!"
- Pat A.
“I really like your cool positive way of teaching... I think it is an important ingredient, especially for this kind of learning something new! Thank you for being your beautiful You and for spreading your love of teaching music/ singing!”
- Sabrina H.
“It was going to be my first class … and one of my [young] sons offered to help me practice and we got a chance to sing and play music together which has never happened before!! So I have to thank you... a musical gift that my son and I would not have shared otherwise! I’m so happy. Even just me practicing is piquing their musical curiosity!”
- Mandy A.
The most comprehensive beginner ukulele course on the internet.
Regular price = ($399)
Today's Pre-Sale Price = $349
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I’m a total beginner and have never played an instrument before?
This is the ideal course for you! Not only will you learn the basics of the ukulele, you’ll get a solid foundation in music that will serve you no matter which instrument you decide to try in the future. I move at an easy to follow pace, and break everything down for beginners, or as a review for folks that are brushing up.
How long does it take to complete the course?
Some folks like to complete the course in 5 weeks, with 1 module per week, but you can also move at your own pace. You have lifetime access to the course once you enroll.
Who is this course NOT for?
If you have a baritone ukulele, this course would not be for you. Many of the principals would apply, as we are speaking the language of music, however the chord shapes and concepts are for GCEA tuning (soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles.)
Do you offer payment plans? This is too expensive for me right now.
We do not currently offer payment plans. However you are receiving hours of replayable instruction, plus practice exercises, ukulele workbook, practice materials and play along tracks. If you were paying for private lessons, that would be well over $750+ dollars!
Why would I pay for this when I can learn for free on YouTube?
There are hundreds of different approaches and teaching styles on YouTube, and it’s often tricky to tell who’s actually qualified to teach. It's important to find a teacher you like and resonate with. You also have to deal with ads, skipping around, and piecing together your own curriculum. If you are truly ready to invest in learning an instrument, your brain health, and your creativity, this is a no-brainer!
I’m a beginner and most YouTube tutorials move too fast for me. Is this different?
This course is designed especially for beginners, so I move at a pace that is slow (but not too slow!) and easy to comprehend. This course allows you to move at your own pace, pause videos, and I also give very specific practice exercises that will help you gain confidence and improve your technique. Read through my testimonials for inspiration!
What if I don’t have an ukulele yet?
No problem! I would recommend watching up to the the ukulele sizes section in Module 1, and then you can decide which size might be right for you. I highly recommend Kala Brand ukuleles and you can receive a 10% discount using my link here:
https://kalabrand.com/ukulele-wine-time
What if I have previous experience but it's been a while since I've played?
This course is a great way to refresh, review AND fill in any holes in your previous knowledge. My teaching method will leave you feeling more confident than ever on your instrument, and ready to play songs on your own!
Life's too short to not play an instrument!
Give your brain and your inner child the gift of music.
The most comprehensive beginner ukulele course on the internet.
Regular price = ($399)
Today's Pre-Sale Price = $349
If you've made it this far....
Please enjoy this joyful and chaotic attempt at a family photo along with my husband, who is also a musician, our two kids and our dog Finn in front of the music studio where we teach. :)