The ukulele is a small, four-stringed instrument that's a member of the lute family. Originally from Hawaii, its cheerful sound has made it popular worldwide. Before we make any music, let's get to know its different parts.

Understanding these parts will help you follow instructions and care for your instrument.

• Body: The hollow wooden box that amplifies the sound of the strings.
• Soundhole: The opening in the body that lets the sound project out.
• Bridge & Saddle: The bridge holds the strings on the body. The small strip on top of it, usually plastic or bone, is the saddle. It lifts the strings to the correct height.
• Neck: The long part you hold with your fretting hand.
• Fretboard: The flat surface on the front of the neck where you press the strings down.
• Frets: The metal strips embedded in the fretboard. They mark where to press the strings to get different notes.
• Nut: The small grooved strip between the fretboard and the headstock. It guides the strings from the tuning pegs.
• Headstock: The top part of the ukulele that holds the tuning pegs.
• Tuning Pegs: These are the knobs you turn to tighten or loosen the strings, changing their pitch.
• Strings: The four nylon strings that you pluck or strum to create sound. They are numbered 4, 3, 2, 1, from top to bottom (closest to your face to closest to the floor).

A ukulele needs to be in tune to sound its best. Out-of-tune strings will make even the simplest chords sound wrong. The standard tuning for a soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele is G-C-E-A, starting from the top string (the one closest to your chin).

New strings tend to stretch, so you might need to tune your ukulele frequently at first. The easiest way to do this is with a clip-on electronic tuner, which senses the vibrations of the instrument.

Here’s a helpful way to remember the standard tuning order:

To use a tuner:

1. Clip it onto your ukulele's headstock.
2. Turn it on and set it to 'Ukulele' or 'Chromatic' mode.
3. Pluck the top string (the G string). The tuner will display the note it hears.
4. If the note is flat (too low), slowly tighten the string by turning the tuning peg. If it’s sharp (too high), loosen it.
5. Adjust until the tuner indicates the note is correct, usually by turning green or showing a needle in the center.
6. Repeat for the C, E, and A strings.

Good posture is key to playing comfortably and preventing strain. Whether you're sitting or standing, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

How you hold the ukulele affects your ability to play smoothly. The goal is to keep it stable without using your fretting hand for support. Your fretting hand needs to be free to move up and down the neck.

Here's how to hold your uke:

1. If you're sitting, rest the ukulele's body on your right thigh. Let your right arm rest gently on the top of the uke, cradling it against your body.
2. If you're standing, hold the body of the ukulele against your chest with your right forearm. This pressure is what keeps it in place.
3. Your right hand should be in a relaxed position over the soundhole, ready to strum.
4. The neck should point slightly upwards, away from your body. Support the neck lightly with the thumb of your left hand, keeping it behind the neck. Your left-hand fingers should be curved and ready to press the strings.

Now that you know the basics, let's test your knowledge.

With the parts, tuning, and posture down, you're ready to start playing your first chords.