Ukulele for Small Hands: First 4 Chords, Strap Height & a 2-Song Week-One Plan

Small hands are not a problem on ukulele—fit is. With a comfy strap height, relaxed wrist angle, and four friendly chords, beginners (kids and adults) can strum real songs this week.

At B Amazing Music, our instructors are screened, certified, and background-checked. We teach one-on-one in your home across Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Clermont, and Apopka—and we’ll customize your uke setup on Lesson 1 so it feels great from the first strum.

Quick Answer (screenshot this)

• Size: Concert (most kids/adults) or Soprano (very small hands).
• Strap height: Top of uke at mid-chest, sound hole near sternum; elbow relaxed.
• Wrist: Straight/neutral, not bent; thumb behind neck, light grip.
• First 4 chords: C, Am, F, G (unlock hundreds of songs).
• Week-one plan: 10–15 minutes/day → chord switches → down-strum groove → two easy songs below.

Choose a Uke That Fits Small Hands

• Soprano: smallest body/scale; super portable, brightest sound.
• Concert (recommended): slightly longer scale = easier finger spacing without feeling big.
• Strings: Start with nylon/flourocarbon (soft on fingertips).
• Tuner: Clip-on tuner is a must. Standard tuning = G–C–E–A.

Pro tip: A strap makes everything easier for small hands—less squeezing, better wrist position, cleaner chords.

Strap Height & Body Setup (1-Minute Fit)

1. Length: Adjust so the uke’s sound hole sits at sternum level.
2. Neck angle: Slightly upward (headstock higher than body).
3. Right arm: Forearm rests lightly on the upper bout; strum over the 12th-fret zone (where tone is warmest).
4. Left hand: Thumb behind neck, fingers curved, wrist neutral (no bend). If you see a “banana wrist,” raise the strap a bit.

The First Four Chords (Small-Hand Fingerings)

C — Ring finger on A-string, 3rd fret.
Am — Middle finger on G-string, 2nd fret.
F — Middle finger G-2, index E-1 (keep wrist straight).
G — Index A-2, middle C-2, ring E-3 (triangle shape).

Switch order: C ↔ Am (easy), then F, then G last. Keep fingers close to the fret wire, press just enough for a clean tone.

Strum Pattern That Works Everywhere

Start with Down-strums on beats 1-2-3-4. Then upgrade to:

• Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up (aka D D-U U-D-U)
  Say it out loud first, then add chords.

Tempo: 70–80 bpm for clean changes. Speed later.

Week-One Plan (10–15 Minutes/Day)

Five short sessions beat one long session. If you’re slammed, do Step 2 + 3 only.

1) Tune (1 min)
Use a clip-on tuner; aim for G–C–E–A each day.

2) Chord Drills (5–7 min)

• Two-chord switches:
  • C ↔ Am (4 beats each) × 4 rounds
  • Am ↔ F × 4 rounds
  • F ↔ G × 4 rounds
• Keep wrist neutral. If a string buzzes, move finger closer to the fret.

3) Strum Groove (3–4 min)

• Day 1–2: Down-strums only
• Day 3–5: D D-U U-D-U (slow and even)

4) Mini Play-Through (2–3 min)
Use the two songs below; stop only at bar lines, not mid-measure.

5) Tiny Win + Tomorrow Cue (20s)
Write one win (“F chord clear!”) + tomorrow’s target (“Add G in verse 2”).

Two Easy Songs (Use C–Am–F–G)

Use one chord per bar at first. When comfy, add the full strum.

Song 1: “Four-Chord Loop” (Verse/Chorus)

Progression: C – G – Am – F (repeat)
Strum: Start with Down-strums, then try D D-U U-D-U.
Tip: On G, keep the ring finger close to the E-3 spot between switches; less motion = faster changes.

Song 2: “Gentle Ballad” (Verse/Chorus)

Progression: C – Am – F – G (repeat)
Strum: Down-strums or D D-U U-D-U.
Tip: Practice Am → F slowly—leave your middle finger on G-2 and just drop index to E-1.

Small-Hand Troubleshooting (Fast Fixes)

• Wrist bending/aching: Raise strap a notch; bring the uke closer to your body; keep thumb behind neck, not over the top.
• String buzz: Finger closer to fret, press a bit firmer, and check you’re not touching a neighbor string.
• Sore fingertips: 10–12 minutes max; soft rinse/dry after practice. Calluses form in 1–2 weeks.
• G chord frustration: Practice the shape off the strings 10 times, then land all fingers together.

Practice Template (Printable)

• □ Tune
• □ 3 minutes of C ↔ Am, Am ↔ F
• □ 2 minutes F ↔ G (slow)
• □ 3 minutes strum pattern
• □ 2 minutes Song 1
• □ 2 minutes Song 2
• □ Win + Cue

FAQ

Soprano or Concert for a small child?
Concert often wins—slightly longer scale means easier spacing and clearer tone, but Soprano is fine for very small hands.

Pick or fingers?
Fingers are great for beginners. If you use a pick, choose a thin, flexible one and strum lightly.

Left-hand pain normal?
Mild fingertip tenderness is normal for 1–2 weeks. Wrist or thumb joint pain is not—raise the strap and relax your grip.

How long to learn a first full song?
With this plan, most beginners can play two simple songs in a week at a comfortable tempo.

Want us to set your strap height and fingerings in 10 minutes?

We’ll adjust your uke, teach clean chord changes, and build a week-one plan that fits your schedule—right in your living room.