The ukulele has become the hottest hipster accessory since skinny jeans, and so despite the fact that it’s been referred to in the past as an “emasculated guitar,” many of today’s celebrities who play the uke could be found on a list of nominees for “sexiest man alive,” including James Franco, Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Bridges, and of course, Ryan Gosling.

That being said, women aren’t giving men the monopoly, with the likes of Taylor Swift (bottom left) and Zooey Deschanel known to strum a little four-string chord or two.

I had no idea I was taking part in such a trendy movement when I joined the local Oxford Ukuleles group, but I’m only one of about 60 women who occasionally pop by the Port Mahon on a Monday night to strum along and sing a few ditties.

While another 80 group members are men, we ‘Ukulele Ladies’ are proof that this miniature instrument is not just becoming popular among good-looking chaps who want to show off their sensitive side.

The ukulele has a delicate, sprightly sound that’s sweeter than a banjo and more subtle than a mandolin, which is why I decided to stop by the instrument store (aka Amazon) and pick myself up a beginner’s uke, just so I could pop along to the pub from time to time and join in.

Well, that, and because it’s a much, easier instrument to learn than either of the other two I mentioned (I actually am taking banjo lessons at the same time, and let’s just say my evenings at the Port Mahon are better for my ego).

Plus, even if you’re horrible at it, the chance to play with others “can make your learning sound better,” as fellow ukulele lady and group member Sue Smith likes to joke.

Sue also pointed out that since the ukulele is such an easy instrument to carry, it also lends itself to much more sociable activities (like meeting in a pub) than some other instruments.

So besides being a low-pressure and affordable way to learn a new instrument (£5 to attend a two-hour beginner’s session led by John Caudrey), the group has also been “a fantastic way to meet new people in a friendly and fun atmosphere,” says member Emily Cleaver.

Not only a mix of men and women, but also a mix of all ages and musical abilities, the group is a lively example of a community forming thanks to a shared interest (and I’m not talking about the booze).

Indeed, Emily’s encouraged her friend Zo Raos to join the group for a fun night out, and despite “dragging down the tone for the first couple of evenings with a lack of tune and general ability,” the more advanced players always made her and the other beginners feel welcome.

The booze does help, though. Oxford Ukuleles has been doing local gigs recently, and there’s no doubt these have been great for the self-esteem of the female members. With constant backing from the group, you can put yourself out there as much as you like, and shy back a bit when you’re a little bit less assured. With or without the thrill of performing, many of the women in the group agree that playing the ukulele is a great form of therapy.

It sure beats “watching sport on telly with your husband,” says ukulele player Tracy Millard, who has realised she can do something on her own, without her children or husband.

“It’s ‘me’ time on a Monday evening,” she rejoices. All in all, there’s not much you can play on the uke that doesn’t sound happy, so I think we all agree that it’s pretty much impossible to strum the little instrument and be a miserable old biddy at the same time.

Meetings take place at the Port Mahon in East Oxford at 7.30-9.30pm. Every other Monday is beginner’s group (first one free, £5 thereafter), alternate Mondays are jam sessions for more advanced players.

UKE FACTS

Facts about the ukulele: The ukulele is a member of the guitar family of instruments, usually with four nylon or gut strings.

It originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian interpretation of the machete, a small guitar-like instrument taken to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants.

It gained great popularity in other parts of the United States during the early 20th century, and from there spread internationally.

After the 1960s, the ukulele declined in popularity until the late 1990s, when interest in the instrument reappeared.

Ukuleles come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone, each with their own tone and volume, but all generally have C6 tuning.

The creation of YouTube had a large influence on the popularity of the ukulele, due to the ready availability of thousands of instructional videos and the relative ease of learning the instrument.

The singer and comedian George Formby was perhaps the UK's most famous ukulele player, although he often played a banjolele - a hybrid of a ukulele and a banjo resonator body. Today the ukulele's popularity in Great Britain continues to grow, with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain touring globally.