You may be one of the many people who have always wanted to learn to play the ukulele and have finally decided to look for private ukulele lessons. We encourage you to pursue the ukulele. Our music school has many wonderful ukulele teachers who would be very happy to guide your learning process.
One of the best ways to start someone's music education is by teaching them to play this funky and cute little instrument. Don’t be fooled by its size and its looks. It may look funky and cute, kind of like a miniature guitar, but it sure can make beautiful music that makes people very happy.
Award Winning
Ukulele Lessons in Mississauga
Discover how easy it is to learn to play Ukulele
Beautiful Sound Makes Everyone Happy
About Our Music School & Ukulele Classes
Our music school offers in-person ukulele lessons at our convenient Mississauga, Ontario location and also online ukulele lessons. Our highly qualified instructors have many years of teaching experience on top of their extensive musicianship. They are personable and caring individuals who enjoy sharing their love for this wonderful instrument with their students. They work hard to provide lessons that are individualized according to their student’s learning needs and learning style in an effort to accomplish their student’s goals. This makes learning to play the ukulele fun and easy. We teach technique, scales, ear training, reading notes and improvisations.
Student and Parent Testimonials
Check out the many testimonials from our students and parents. They speak louder than anything anyone says
What Is Ukulele?
The ukulele, also known as the uke, is a four-stringed fretted musical instrument that belongs to the lute family of instruments. It resembles a classical guitar but it is quite smaller in size. Some ukes have a more oval shape and are referred to as the “Pineapple Ukuleles”.
The ukes are usually made of wood like acacia (koa wood), mahogany, rosewood or walnut and sometimes a combination of different kinds of wood. There are also cheaper ukulele versions made of laminate wood, plywood and even plastic for young children to play.
The four strings are usually made of nylon although there are some that use wire and even gut strings. The strings can be plucked or strummed. There are some ukuleles with 6 strings (2 strings are paired and 2 are single) and even 8 strings (all 4 strings are paired).
The ukulele uses a reentrant way of tuning where the strings are not all ordered from the lowest pitch to the highest. Standard ukulele tuning is G C E A.
There are different ukulele types and sizes. The standard ones being the soprano, concert, tenor and baritone:
You can see and hear the sound of the different ukuleles in this video :
The Origin and History Of The Ukulele
The ukulele has a rich history and tradition. Many historians have suggested that the name ukulele comes from Hawaiian words that mean “jumping flea”. The story is that some Portuguese visitors to Hawaii played the instrument they brought with them so fast that their fingers looked like jumping fleas.
There is also another suggestion that Queen Lili’uokalani, the last Hawaiian queen, named the instrument “gift from afar”, a poetic twist from Hawaiian “uku” and “lele” translated “gift” and “come”.
To many people today the ukulele is a beautiful “gift from afar.”
Historians agree that the ukuleles came to Hawaii around the year 1880. The instrument was copied, resized and shaped from its predecessor called cavaquinho also known as the machete (Portuguese machete de braga or braguinha).
It was brought there by Portuguese travelers who came to Hawaii to work in the sugar industry there. One of those people was Joao Fernandes who skilfully played his machete on the arrival at the Honolulu Harbour, while singing a song of thanksgiving for their safe arrival. It was his fingers playing the machete that made the Hawaiians name the instrument “jumping fleas'' or “ukulele”.
There were three woodworkers on the boat from Portugal to Hawaii named Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito, who stayed even after the sugar boom industry. They opened a woodworking business in Honolulu. They also started making instruments. Their efforts promoted the ukulele but it is unclear who made the first ukulele.
The machete in Hawaii changed its size, shape and tuning. This gave the ukulele an exclusive sound and playability.
The royals in Hawaii loved the ukulele and introduced it into their music. This made the uke even more popular and eventually an inseparable part of the Hawaiian music traditions.
The ukulele was then taken to Japan where it grew in popularity even through the second world war when it was banned along with all Western music. Its popularity has grown rapidly and since then the ukulele has been played in many countries around the world.
In Canada the ukulele was brought into the education system in the 1960s by educator named J. Chalmers Doane. It was an economical way of bringing an instrument into the classroom and fostering interest in music education.
Fun Facts About The Ukulele
- The word ukulele is pronounced “oo-koo-lay-lay” not “you-ka-lay-lee.”
- The first ukulele craze happened in the year 1915 and the Great Depression did not affect its popularity but made it even more popular due to its low cost.
- One of the first YouTube videos that went viral featured an ukulele played by Jake Shimabukuro.
- Two most popular songs on ukulele are Jason Mraz’s “ I’m Yours” and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
- Elvis Presley played the ukulele in his famous movie “Blue Hawaii”.
- George Harrison from the Beatles was a big fan of the ukulele. He owned quite a few ukes and enjoyed playing them.
- Neil Armstrong (the astronaut) is another uke fan and took one with him in space to play.
- There is a popular orchestra made up of ukuleles called “Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.”
- Besides the standard ukuleles there are also many other variations of it like: the banjo, contrabass, bass, small sopranino (also called bambino or piccolo) and taropatch ukuleles. Nowadays you can also buy an electric ukulele.
- Some of the best ukulele manufacturers / brands include: Martin & Co., Kala, Ohana Music, Fender, Lohanu, Cordoba, Kamaka, Kanile’a, Lanikai, Luna and Oscar Schmidt.
Is The Ukulele Easy To Learn?
Yes, the ukulele is much easier to play when compared to the guitar or other stringed instruments. Its nylon strings are easier on the fingertips and there is almost no wrist tension because its notes are reached without stretching the wrist. The chord shapes and scales are also easier to learn.
Songs from any genre are very easily adapted to be played on the ukulele. With some practice and determination students of all ages can learn to play basic ukulele and advance in no time.
What Are The Benefits Of Playing The Ukulele
- Ukulele is very portable, affordable and easy to take care of
- It is a very charming instrument that is family friendly and fun to play
- It has a rich and warm sound that puts a smile on the player’s face and on the audience’s faces too. This leads to better immunity and general well being for everyone
- In children it helps with the development of motor and social skills
- Playing the uke also teaches brain-hand-eye coordination
- It helps with attention span, discipline and perseverance
- Parents who want to ease their children into playing an instrument like guitar or violin should consider starting them at an early age with the ukulele. The skills learned in ukulele training are easily transferred to other stringed instruments.
Famous Ukulele Players
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
is considered to be the best ukulele player in the world. His song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was the first uke song to achieve platinum status for an album. Here is the original version of that song in this video:
Jake Shimabukuro
known for the mastery of fingerwork on the ukulele that is so complex and amazing. He achieved worldwide popularity due to his amazing talent shown on a YouTube video that went viral (first one ever!) and has since become an ambassador for the instrument. He has had many collaborations with other famous musicians and continues to make albums.
Tiny Tim
born Herbert Butros Khaury, known for his falsetto voice accompanied by his ukulele. He performed his song “Tiptoe Through the Tulips with me” on many well known stages.
Daniel Ho
a Hawaiian born player who has had massive success with 18 albums, 6 Grammy Awards, 14 Grammy Nominations and many Taiwanese and Hawaiian music awards.
James Hill
a Canadian ukulele player from Langley, British Columbia who picked up the instrument while in school as an introduction to music education. He not only is a very talented musician but also a songwriter and music educator. In this video you can see him playing an electric ukulele and demonstration and amazing drumbeat technique:
Grace VanderWaal
became a famous ukulele player and singer at a tender age of 12 when she won the “America’s got Talent” Show in September of 2016. She released her first album the next year. She has since won many awards and is the youngest person to ever be named to “Forbes 30 under 30” music list. In the video below you can see her audition on the AGT show with her original song:
If you’d like to find true joy and happiness in a musical instrument the ukulele is for you. Even if you have never played any instruments before you can easily start learning the ukulele.
We offer beginner and advanced levels of ukulele lessons, programs designed specially for children and adults. The lessons are tailored to you/your child’s needs and individual goals. Ukulele lessons could easily transition into guitar lessons for anyone interested in guitar lessons as their next step.
FAQ
Yes, the ukulele is generally considered easier to play than the guitar. Its nylon strings are gentler on the fingertips, and the smaller neck allows students to reach notes without stretching their wrists. The academy highlights that chord shapes and scales are simpler to master, making it an excellent starting point for beginners.
Yes. The school provides both in-person ukulele lessons at their Mississauga location and online ukulele lessons. The online format is effective and convenient, allowing students to learn technique, scales, and songs from the comfort of their own homes.
Absolutely. The ukulele is a "family-friendly" instrument perfect for easing children into music education. Because of its small size and gentle strings, it helps develop motor skills and brain-hand-eye coordination in younger students who might not yet be ready for a full-sized guitar or violin.
The academy's highly qualified instructors teach a comprehensive curriculum that includes proper technique, scales, ear training, note reading, and improvisation. Teachers also prioritize fun by teaching students how to play their favourite songs from various genres.
No. One of the main benefits of the ukulele is its affordability. While there are high-end models made of koa or mahogany, there are also very affordable options made of laminate or plastic that are perfect for young children and beginners to start with.
The tuition rate for private ukulele lessons is $39.50 per 30-minute session. Lessons are scheduled weekly, available seven days a week, and require a one-time registration fee of $25.
Yes. The skills learned during ukulele training—such as strumming, rhythm, and finger placement—are easily transferable to other stringed instruments. Many students use the ukulele as a stepping stone before transitioning to the guitar or violin.
The instructors can teach students on any of the standard ukulele sizes, including Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. They can also guide students interested in unique variations like the "Pineapple" ukulele or electric ukuleles.
Instruments We Teach & Tuition
Our Academy also offers many other types of private music lessons for children, teens and adults. Our lessons prepare our students for auditions, recitals, annual concerts and RCM examinations administered by the Royal Conservatory of Music. In an effort to accommodate your busy schedules and lesson preferences we provide private in class music lessons and online lessons, including:
- Piano lessons
- Classical Guitar lessons,
- Bass lessons, and Ukulele lessons
- Voice lessons and Harmony lessons
- Violin lessons and Cello lessons
- Drum lessons
- Saxophone lessons, Clarinet lessons, and Flute lessons
- Brass instrument lessons including Trumpet lessons
- Music Theory lessons and Music History lessons
Our current rate is $39.50 per 30-minute private lesson.
Lessons are scheduled once a week and available seven days a week. There is a one-time registration fee of $25.00. You do not need any prior musical experience to start any of these lessons.
We invite you to contact us and start your/your child’s ukulele learning journey. Come to the Mississauga Fine Arts Academy and find belonging and joy that only music and the ukulele can bring.
