Definitions of Ukulele Playing Levels

 With a grain of salt, your ukulele playing level is important to evaluate. As your skill level increases certain playing aspects become easier and easier. Eventually, with the right practice techniques and repetition, you can conquer a song. Please remember that just because you are a beginner or intermediate ukulele player, does NOT mean you can’t conquer a song. With this in mind, here is some basic level of skills.

 Starter

 You know nothing. You have never played an instrument of any type. You are a total newbie.

 Beginner

You know how to hold the ukulele. You know how to tune the ukulele. YOU can recognize when you are out-of-tune. You know a few chords in the first position. You know how to change the strings on your ukulele. You can play a few songs to adequate proficiency.

Intermediate

You know most of the first position chords, and a few closed/second position chords.  You can put together the melody line, the chord changes, and the strumming, and your voice, and everything is in harmony. (For a few songs) You know a few different strumming patterns, and can play a few different styles of music. You still struggle with certain unknown melody lines.  Your group playing skills are limited, and you don’t have the ability to change keys easily. You are still confined to playing off the paper.

Advanced

You can do all the intermediate player can do, plus you know the fret board up and down. You can do arpeggios, embellishments, and intermix chords with finger picking melody. You can play in different keys. You have total command of your songs, and can adjust your tempo, style, and key to suit the situation.

Professional

This is the total package. You have stage presence. You can play with just about anybody. You enhance the musical experience for every other performer that plays with you. Your ensemble skills are excellent. You can identify all acoustics, timing, and musical arrangement problems, and you know how to correct them. You can improvise on the fly, and not interfere with basic melody line.