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If you’ve been scouring around for some time in search of the best online ukulele lessons, you’ve probably been able to narrow down the list to a couple of platforms. Despite the availability of tons of online ukulele lessons, a few names still stand out, among which are Uke Like the Pros and Ukulele Buddy.
At that point, it becomes challenging to narrow your choice even further and make a final call. These two are among the leading platforms for online lessons for the ukulele, and it can be hard to determine which one takes the cake since their reviews are ever so wonderful.
So, Uke Like The Pros vs. Ukulele Buddy – who should go for which? And what differentiates them from one another? That’s what we’re about to unveil today, so keep reading!
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Uke Like The Pros vs. Ukulele Buddy – Feature for Feature Comparison
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of each platform, it’s best to give you an overview of the main features that you’ll probably have questions about in a nutshell.
Feature | Uke Like The Pros | Ukulele Buddy |
Ideal For | Beginners-Advanced | Beginners |
Price/Month | $19.95 | $67 (lifetime access) |
Free Trial Period | Free Ukulele Fundamentals course | None |
Money-back Guarantee | Anytime | One year |
Uke Like The Pros vs. Ukulele Buddy – In-detail Comparison
Now that a significant segment of the picture is clear to you, it’s time that we analyze how Uke Like The Pros and Ukulele Buddy fare when compared to one another. So, let’s get into the details of each, starting with who should opt for which platform.
Beginners
If you’re new to the world of ukulele playing, you’re probably seeking the best platform there could be to put you on the right track and acquaint you with the proper foundational base to your road to mastery. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, then Ukulele Buddy is your go-to choice, without a doubt.
In fact, the platform is almost entirely targeted at beginners and makes sure that every new uke player has all that it takes to become the next pro.
For starters, it provides you with a flexible, “learn-at-your-own-pace” model for the lessons, enabling you to take as much time as you need to learn the ukulele because, after all, no two people are the same. So, you won’t feel intimidated if you’re not making the progress you were supposed to make according to your “course plan” or “instructor’s vision.”
You probably guessed it – the courses are all pre-recorded, so not only can you take your time to learn the ukulele, but you could also do so at the time and place that suits you. On that note, the courses are pretty short, lasting approximately 15 minutes each. And the best part? You get all of that with a one-time purchase that lets you keep the courses forever.
Lastly, and I care about this one a lot; the learning path is super structured. When you’re a beginner, you don’t know the start from the finish, but Ukulele Buddy makes sure you don’t have to worry about that. The first two lessons introduce you to the ukulele, and after that, you start playing your chords and progress to genres!
That’s not to say that Uke Like The Pros doesn’t cater to beginners; it does! Even if you don’t know how to read notes, Uke Like The Pros will take you by the hand until you can play songs. They offer a super great Ukulele Fundamentals course (for free!) that walks you through the fundamentals from the very beginning, as in “how to hold the ukulele” beginning.
Following that, they offer a Beginning Ukulele Bootcamp at just $16 that boasts 25 core videos to familiarize you with the foundations, essential chords, strumming patterns, and more. From there on, Uke Like The Pros offers courses for the different skill sets one may encounter.
Winner: Ukulele Buddy is the champion of the ukulele lessons game when it comes to beginners. With a robust learning path, extensively specialized courses geared at beginners, and a self-paced learning take, it’s a platform that ensures that every uke player gets the guidance they deserve from the comfort of their couch.
Intermediate & Advanced Players
Most certainly, the requirements that intermediate & advanced players seek out of ukulele lessons aren’t equal to beginners. When you’re way past the beginner’s stage, you have a better vision of your strengths and weaknesses, and you’re probably seeking the courses so that you could elevate your skills in a particular area.
When that’s the case, Uke Like The Pros is the way to go –– no questions asked. With Uke Like The Pros, you have the option of purchasing specific courses à la carte, which is precisely what you’d want if you’re looking to develop a particular skill and don’t necessarily need a full-blown learning path.
However, what if you’re an intermediate and you do want a learning path? That’s available too! With monthly and yearly memberships, you get access to Uke Like The Pros’ full course library and even become part of a uke players’ community. P.S.: That course library is quite the extensive one – whatever you need, you’ll find it there!
For intermediates, in particular, you’ll want to opt for the membership courses offered by Uke Like The Pros; Master the Ukulele 1 and Master the Ukulele 2. They’re perfect if you’ve just passed the beginner stage and are headed towards different playing techniques and genres.
As for Ukulele Buddy, as we’ve discussed, it’s ultimately geared at beginners, which is why as an intermediate or advanced player, you won’t get the learning you desire out of the courses.
Winner: Most certainly, Uke Like The Pros. With its super flexible pricing options, comprehensive course offerings, and incredibly engaging community, this is the real deal for intermediate and advanced players who want to take their playing a “notch” higher.
The Detailed Breakdown: What Are the Courses Like?
Okay, so we’ve pinpointed and made it very clear who should choose which platform and why. Perfect! Now that you’re aware of which platform is best for you, what about the platforms’ very details? We’ve got you covered.
Instructors
What’s more important than the instructors leading your course? You’re in luck because both Uke Like The Pros and Ukulele Buddy are led by first-rate instructors that make every penny you pay worth it.
Uke Like The Pros’ courses are delivered by established musician Terry Carter from San Diego. Carter brings 25+ years of experience in music teaching to the table and also happens to be very hands-on in the music field, working with award-winning musicians like Weezer and Josh Groban, to name a few.
With such a well-rounded background, it’s only natural that Carter makes the lessons intuitive, to say the least. You don’t have to exert any effort to keep your eyes open; his passion is somehow transferred to you, and you’ll find yourself immersed in the content in unbelievable ways. Straightforwardness, simplicity, and engaging are the keywords for his classes.
Similarly, pro musicians JP Allen and Mitch Chang deliver an equally-inspiring experience on Ukulele Buddy. With impressive music portfolios coupled with outgoing personalities, their classes feel like an outing with a group of friends rather than a music teaching course.
What stands out in their teaching styles is how they continuously make a point to merge theory with practice, making sure that you don’t only know the theory or just know how to play – you really become a well-rounded pro with their support. And the best part is: they teach you what you need to learn concisely – no fluff content, so you learn the uke pretty quickly!
Content & Videos
When it comes to the platforms’ course libraries, they’re impressive for their respective skill sets! Uke Like The Pros has something for everyone – from beginner to advanced. So, from how to hold the ukulele to learning a new genre, you’ll find something for you.
As for the videos, they’re shot in HD quality, and you always have backing tracks to apply your learning on the spot. I also loved how the courses included close-up shots accompanied by chord diagrams, notations, downloadable music sheets, and tabs.
Ukulele Buddy’s courses are distinguished by how short yet concise they are. Roughly lasting between 7-15 minutes each, they’re easily digestible yet highly informative at the same time. However, the video quality isn’t the best – they feel slightly outdated, but they do feature close-up shots, and they’re clear, just not in HD.
As we’ve discussed, the courses are mostly geared towards beginners. So, the diversity isn’t that high, but it’s perfect for beginners, so they succeeded in being the total solution for those looking to learn the ukulele.
Memberships
With Ukulele Buddy, everything is simplified for beginners, including the memberships (which don’t exist!) Simply, it’s a one-size-fits-all bundle that costs $67 for lifetime access to all courses. So, if you’re someone who gets confused about which membership to choose, you won’t have to do any thinking.
With that $67, you also get a one-year money-back guarantee, the ability to play the courses on different devices, printable resources, and an online metronome link.
On the other hand, with Uke Like The Pros, you get three different subscription options: Standard Monthly Membership ($13/month), Premium Membership Monthly ($19.95/month), and Premium Membership Yearly ($150.40/year). And of course, you have the stand-alone course purchases that you can opt for any time if you’re not ready to subscribe.
The Standard Monthly Membership, coming with a free 7-day trial and a free “Uke Like The Pros” t-shirt, allows you to try out the courses for that period. If you choose to continue, you start unlocking the flagship courses, including the Beginning Bootcamp Course, Master The Ukulele 1&2 Courses, and downloadable sheets and backing tracks.
With the Premium Membership Monthly, you unlock 300+ video ukulele lessons (definitely including the flagship ones) plus the popular 23 Ultimate Chord Progressions course, in addition to the sheets and tracks that you could download anytime. Do you know what’s even better? That you have early-bird access to all courses that are yet to be released too!
Lastly, the Premium Membership Yearly, offering you the most savings, provides you access to all existing and upcoming courses and lessons on the platform along with the same other benefits. The difference with this one is that you’re able to participate in a Music Theory workshop and a Dominate Major Scales one.
Plus, you immediately receive a 10% coupon on their store (store.ukelikethepros.com) to upgrade your ukes from time to time.
With all of them, you enjoy weekly live video calls with Carter, participate in ukulele giveaways, and be a part of the uke players’ forum, and you can opt-out of the subscription anytime and get a full refund.
Final Verdict: Which Wins?
At the end of the day, there really is no clear winner. The answer depends on each one of you and your own needs and requirements out of the ukulele lessons. As you saw, each of the platforms has a strong suit. And they’ve both earned their reputation as they certainly do.
Yet, to recap, if you’re a beginner and want to learn ukulele playing from scratch, Ukulele Buddy will be your best friend. It’ll truly make a difference in your learning journey, and you’ll find yourself progressing in no time. Once you’re past that stage, make a move to Uke Like The Pros.
This brings us to this: if you’re an intermediate or advanced player, Uke Like The Pros has everything you need on a single platform. With countless courses, a renowned instructor, and an engaging community, it’ll be your new comfort zone and will take your ukulele playing to new heights.
All in all, whichever platform you choose to opt for, rest assured that you’re in perfect hands, not just good ones. They did make it to the leading online ukulele lessons for a reason, so you have nothing to worry about whatsoever.