![ukulele teacher fred sokolow](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FRED_IMG_0209-e1704832889104.jpg?fit=768%2C442&ssl=1)
Though Sokolow came to the ukulele relatively late in his musical explorations, around the age of 50, he dove into the instrument with his characteristic curiosity and passion
![lil rev ukulele lesson shuffling along](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lil-rev-ukulele-lesson-shuffling-along-e1654103030767.png?fit=768%2C499&ssl=1)
This blues-based arpeggio exercise from Lil Rev can be played alongside any 12-bar shuffle or boogie groove
![ukulele lesson blues fingerpicking with Fred Sokolow](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/UKE-BLUES-FINGERPICKING-e1611618618259.png?fit=768%2C425&ssl=1)
Ukulele players who started on guitar are inclined to adapt their guitar skills to the ukulele. Here's how to play blues fingerpicking on ukulele.
![Leadbelly with guitar for blues ukulele lesson](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Learning-from-Leadbelly_lil-rev-e1612373252492.jpg?fit=768%2C440&ssl=1)
Want to add some blues to your ukulele repertoire? A good place to start is with one of blues' greatest guitarists and performers, Lead Belly.
![Learn to play the blues on ukulele](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/uke-blues-e1611274486925.png?fit=768%2C436&ssl=1)
The blues is really play-it-as-you-feel-it music, so in this lesson we’ll look at how to improvise on the ukulele with blues chords, licks and solos.
![bottleneck blues slide ukulele lesson](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ukulele-Slide-Lesson-e1610664513535.jpg?fit=768%2C512&ssl=1)
Nearly everything that can be done on slide guitar can be transferred to the ukulele. Here's how to get started with playing bottleneck slide blues on ukulele.
![blues on a ukulele jim beloff](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-06-at-12.17.58-PM-e1627056018950.png?fit=768%2C427&ssl=1)
Born from the idea that people think of ukulele as a happy instrument incapable of channeling a sad song, Jim Beloff and Herb Ohta wrote "Blues on a Ukulele" in 2003.
![Fred Sokolow teaching how to solo on ukulele](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/UKE023_Lessons-How-to-Solo.00_02_38_15.Still001-e1577730172809.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
In this ukulele lesson, you’ll learn how to solo based on an approach inspired by the blues guitar lexicon. It can also come in handy for rock and country soloing.
![blues fingerpicking ukulele](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Blues-Fingerpicking-For-Ukulele-e1622672409115.png?fit=768%2C450&ssl=1)
Here we use “Travis picking,” which involves playing alternating bass notes on every beat with your thumb, while picking melody on the high strings with fingers.
![the fastest way to become a better ukulele player_no text](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/the-fastest-way-to-become-a-better-ukulele-player_no-text-e1585935714776.jpg?fit=768%2C432&ssl=1)
Record yourself playing these blues pieces and listen back to hone in on what you need to practice most