With roots in the Portuguese braguinha and Hawaiian origins dating back to the 1870s, the ukulele is an instrument with a history as vibrant and storied as those who play it. First making its way to the islands in the hands of immigrant laborers on sugar plantations, the braguinha was gradually transformed in size, shape, and tuning, becoming the instrument we know today as the ukulele, or the “gift that came here.” Loved by the Hawaiian royal family, the ukulele was introduced into traditional Hawaiian music—particularly hula—and it has been a staple of Hawaiian musical culture ever since. With only four strings and a uniquely manageable size, the ukulele is the ideal instrument for every occasion. It enjoys a broad musical range, and the small fretboard and re-entrant tuning make it fun to learn and simple to play. Most significantly for those looking for an instrument to learn with few limitations for beginners, it is an easy instrument to find and inexpensive to purchase. Dive into the magical world of this traditional Hawaiian instrument with Michael Poupko, a professional musician and instructor. Let Michael’s 20-plus years of experience playing and teaching music take you from musical beginner to master of the “uke” in the 24 lessons of How to Play the Ukulele. If you are a stringed instrument novice, Michael’s patient, easy-to-follow approach will have you strumming along in no time. If the ukulele is just the latest in a long line of instruments for you, his deft knowledge of music theory and structure will have you singing his praises to your own uke accompaniment before you know it.