Learning to play music is one of the best feelings in the world. When you are able to accompany along with the songs that you love, you are better able to connect with the songs. It is the same as when you learn to cook a new style of food, your appreciation for that particular food and culture increases, it works the same way for music.
I can go on and on about how amazing music is, and playing music is great, but you will probably get bored. So, instead let’s talk about the title, “63 Easiest Ukulele Songs to Play for Beginners”.
As a guitarist myself you may be wondering why is this list suddenly focusing on the ukulele? Well, this list particularly focuses on songs to play on the ukulele because of two reasons mainly.
- It is widely available to most people nowadays. Everyone has this instrument, it’s light, small, easy to carry which makes it a perfect instrument for you to buy and play anytime you want.
- Beginner-friendly mainly because the small size and the nylon strings make it easy to play for people of all ages and skill levels. The nylon strings hurt much less than full-size guitars which is also a reason these instruments are so widely popular nowadays.
Okay, so before we start our list there is just one piece of advice I would like to share. Songs are played using chords that come from a scale. It is important to know that every song is originally performed on a particular scale, however, it is possible to play every possible known song on any possible scale. The process is called transposing.
When you are just starting out and you are a beginner, if you really like a song but it has difficult chords, you can just transpose it to the scale of C major which has simple open chords and you will be able to play the song easily. This is possible for any song and this process can help you play that song easily on the ukulele and also the guitar.
Finding it hard to believe? Check out this video and see how the song happy birthday remains the same even when played across all 12 major scales.
Want to know the top three easiest songs to play on the ukulele right now? Even though it is cheating, but just between you and me, the top three songs you can easily learn to play are I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You – Elvis Presley, Perfect – Ed Sheeran, What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong.
63 Easiest Ukulele Songs To Play For Beginners
63. Stay – The Kid Laroi feat. Justin Bieber
To start off the list, why not go directly for the song that almost everybody has heard in the last year thanks to social media.
This song is an uptempo fun song that you can learn to play quite easily. I am not well-versed with the artist myself but I know this song was produced by Charlie Puth whom I absolutely love. In my opinion, it is one of the ukulele easiest songs.
This song uses a lot of old analog synthesizers to achieve the signature sound. The chords in this song are simple too and you can play the whole song by just repeating four chords.
The original scale of the song is in A#/Bb Minor. As this song is quite fast it is important that you practice switching the chords smoothly for some time to make sure you can play this song up to speed.
You can watch a video tutorial on how to play this song here, or you can just read the tabs yourself from the link here.
62. The Scientist – Coldplay
No matter what your thoughts are about Chris Martin of Coldplay in general, but they have made some amazing songs that will forever be remembered.
The scientist is such a song that has struck a nerve with an entire generation. It is a beautiful ballad that all heartbroken teenagers and young adults have heard at one point while going through break-ups.
The song itself is easy to play and you can play the full song with only four chords, the original song was written and performed in the scale of F major.
As the song is slow, you can play it easily as a beginner as you would not need to change the chords quickly. This song is one of the great beginner ukulele songs that you can learn to play easily.
The best way to tackle this song is to initially play the chords only once per measure and then add strumming patterns on it when you are ready to play it at full speed. You can watch a video tutorial on how to play the song here, or you can just read the tabs yourself from the link here.
61. I Took A Pill In Ibiza – Mike Posner
Many people might know the remix version of this song, but the original Mike Posner version of this song is amazing too. It is a really thought-provoking song that is fun and also really worth listening to and enjoying.
The opening lines referring to Avicii really did not age well, since the artist passed away under the influence of their alcohol and drug abuse leading to suicide.
It is easy to play this song and you can play the entire song using only four chords. When you feel comfortable playing the chords there are many interesting strumming patterns you can add to the song that can help you play it even better. You can learn this as ukulele songs for beginners chords as it is easy to play and learn. The original song was written and recorded on the scale of Bb or A# Major.
You can learn how to play this song using the video tutorial link here, or you can read the tabs out yourself from the link here.
60. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
This upbeat positive-sounding song is one of the darkest tunes that you can hope to hear. The dark lyrical themes of this song that focuses on the wish of a child to commit a school shooting are very vile and dark.
The overall tone and presentation of this song makes it a very popular song that people often dance to as well, but if you listen closely, it gets less cheerful.
In terms of playing the song on the uke, you can play this song using four simple chords that are easy to play for beginners making it one of the easiest ukulele songs.
You can perform this song in a variety of styles just by slowing down or picking up the strumming speed, all of the variations will create different moods. To match the original feel, you should use a fast strumming pattern.
If you are interested in learning to play this song, you can watch this video tutorial here, or you can learn to play using the tabs linked here.
59. Creep – Radiohead
One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs by an equally haunting and beautiful band creep by Radiohead has become one of the best songs of its generation.
Creep was the breakthrough hit for the band Radiohead and remains one of the most popular songs from this amazing band. Regardless of how you might feel about this song in particular, it is very popular and rightfully so.
Creep is one of the easy ukulele songs that you can learn when you are starting to play the ukulele. The slow tempo and easy to play strumming pattern makes it easy to play and perfect quickly. The key with this song is to maintain the tempo and strum steadily and maintain a steady tempo throughout the song. The original scale of this song is G major.
You can learn how to play this song on the ukulele from this video tutorial here, or you can learn it from the tabs yourself linked here.
58. Zombie – The Cranberries
Led by one of the strongest female voices in rock music, the song Zombie by the cranberries is a very important song historically as it was written in response to the IRA bombing in Chesire England in 1993. The song calls for peace between Ireland and England who were at the time in heated conflict. Over the years it has become one of the most popular anti-war songs out there.
In terms of playing the song, it is quite straightforward with four chords used to play the full song. It is an easy ukulele songs for beginners that you can easily learn to play with a bit of practice. The strumming pattern is also very simple and easy making it very simple for you to easily learn on the ukulele and even on the guitar. This song was written and recorded on the scale of E minor.
You can learn how to play this song using the video tutorial linked here, or you can learn by reading the tabs yourself from the link here.
57. Playdate – Melanie Martinez
Thanks to social media this song got viral big time and sparked many covers, remixes, and mashups with other songs. The original song is also pretty good with a very sweet musical style paired with not so sweet lyrics.
The catchy melody paired with a very sweet instrumental makes this song very sweet and memorable and overall great beginners ukulele songs.
You will only need to learn four chords to play this full song as the chords repeat themselves. The easy strumming pattern of this song also helps make it beginner-friendly. The best way to tackle this song is to go against the slowed version of the song, to get ready with changing the chords quickly and getting used to the strumming pattern. Once you are ready, you can play it along with the original track.
You can learn to play this song using this video tutorial here, or you can learn to play this song using the tabs linked here.
56. Old Town Road – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
The song that put Lil Nas X on the map, Old Town Road was released by the artist when he was only 19 years old. When it came out, this song was riddled with controversy as the song was not considered as a country song by lists and was removed from the country charts. That is when Billy Ray Cyrus jumped on the track as a featuring artist to help Lil Nas X have his song on the country charts.
In terms of playing the song, it is quite easy with only four chords needed to play the entire song. It is one of the easy songs to play on ukulele and the best part is that you can play the chords at a party and let others sing the song, making it easier for you to play the song. This song was originally played on the scale of G# minor.
If you want to learn the song, you can use this video tutorial linked here, or you can also go learn to play the song directly from the tabs here.
55. Bad Guy – Billie Eilish
A song I don’t necessarily like, but can’t deny that this song is insanely popular and almost every one has heard this song whether they liked it or not.
Not a particular break out hit for the artist, but it remains her most hit song to date and helped her win a lot of grammy awards. The song bad guy was released in 2019 and the artist was just 18 years old back then.
It might be a great idea for you to learn the tabs of the songs to play the melody along with the chords to fully enjoy playing this particular song.
It is one of the easy songs to play on ukulele as you only have to learn four chords to play this full song. You can strum this song out as you want for your ease. You will, however, find the original strumming patterns with the tabs of this song.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can do so from this video tutorial here, or you can learn the song from the tabs yourself linked here.
54. Young Dumb & Broke – Khalid
Continuing the theme of amazing young artists releasing great music, young dumb and broke by Khalid is a very popular and somewhat critically acclaimed song that was released in 2017.
The artist was only 17 years old when the song was released which makes it all the more impressive. This song has remained relevant and popular over the last few years thanks to social media.
The slow tempo of this song makes it one of the easy songs to play on ukulele, which you can play with only four easy to play chords.
The strumming pattern is also simple and you can just play the chords once every measure if you are just starting out. This song was originally written and recorded on the scale of C#/Db Major.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial linked here, or you can learn the song directly from the tabs here.
53. Despacito – Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee
Despacito was a viral sensation that established the position of Reggaeton music in pop music world.
The Latin and Caribbean flavor of this song makes it absolutely amazing musically, and the fresh musical presentation became instantly rewarding for the makers of this song as it became the number one most watched video on YouTube quickly.
In terms of playing the song, you will only need to learn four songs making it beginner easy ukulele songs. The best way to play this song is to play the chords once per beat and using that as a strumming pattern for the verse and then just going crazy with your strumming on the chorus of the song.
You should also learn the intro of this song which might be a bit advanced but very fun to play when you learn it.
You can learn how to play this song using this very short video tutorial here, or you can learn to play using the tabs yourself linked here.
52. Baby Shark Dance – Pinkfong
What would you say about this song? It is currently the number one most watched video on YouTube and other variations of this song have also been able to gather billions of views as well so clearly this song strikes a chord with children in some way or the other.
It is one of the easy beginner ukulele songs that even children can learn to play easily and have fun playing.
You will only need four easy chords to play this song. The original scale of this song is G#/Ab Major.
The strumming pattern is a bit hard to pick up at first because this song is quite fast, but with a little practice, you can play this song up to speed. It is a very fun song to play and if you have kids they will surely enjoy you playing their favorite song for them.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial right here, or you can learn by using the tabs yourself linked here.
51. Happy Birthday To You – Mildred J. Hill and Patty Hill
Named rightfully as the most recognized song in the English language, the song happy birthday to you comes with a lot of history.
Originally composed by Mildred J. Hill and Patty Hill this song has a lot of history and most of it is not as wholesome as the song itself. Did you know that up until recently singing this song in public without paying royalty to the original artists was somewhat illegal?
Happy birthday is one of the essential songs that you must learn how to play on your ukulele because it is one of the easy beginner ukulele songs that you can play only using four easy chords. The best way for you to learn this song is to also learn to play the melody on your ukulele and then you can play the melody or the chords whichever you need.
You can learn to play this song using this video tutorial linked here, or you can also learn using tabs that are linked here.
50. Sunflower – Post Malone and Swae Lee
Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee is an exceptionally warm song lyrically, musically, and in terms of the production as well. I delved deep into the production of this song and found out that it is not by chance that you get a very warm and retro feeling when you hear this song, it was intricately crafted like that to make sure the song had this vibe, it is truly a great and catchy song in my opinion.
To play this song you will only need to learn four chords which are very easy to play. This song is an easy beginner ukulele song that you can easily play and sing at the same time.
The original scale of this song is in D Major. Since this song is very heavy on synth, you can improvise your own strumming pattern on the song, for starters you can follow the strumming pattern from tutorials.
To learn this song, you can use this video tutorial right here, or you can learn using the tabs yourself that are linked here.
49. Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer
Youngblood is an upbeat, powerful, and rocking song that I personally love a lot. The artist 5 Seconds of Summer is a young band that is really one of the top pop rock bands currently out there.
This song is very well made in terms of production and the melodies of this song are very catchy. It is one of the easy beginner ukulele songs that you can learn easily.
You only need four chords to play this song and you can learn them very easily. As this is a rock song, you should put some gusto into your strumming when you are playing the chorus as attitude and the power at which you hit the strings also define the tone of the song and can help you nail the song. The original scale of this song is G Minor.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn the song using tabs from the link here.
48. Wonderwall – Oasis
Wonderwall by Oasis is a cult-classic beginner acoustic guitar song that almost every one that has learned how to play the guitar has learned at some point in their life.
The song is really good and the melodies just work regardless of the very unflattering vocal texture of the lead vocalist. This song is one of the easy beginner ukulele songs as well and it is very fun to play.
You only need four chords to play this song which are the same chords you would play on the guitar. The original scale of this song is F# Minor.
The most important part you need to master for playing this song is the strumming pattern. A smooth strumming pattern with smooth chord changes is necessary for you to nail this song. So, keep practicing!
To learn how to play this song, you can use this tutorial video right here, or you can learn the song using tabs yourself that are linked here.
47. Don’t Wanna Know – Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is one of my favorite bands and the way they make new types of music with different albums is always fresh and cool. The song don’t wanna know is really nice for playing acoustically, be it on your guitar or ukulele. It is a great beginning ukulele songs that you can learn and play for your friends easily when you are starting out.
There are only four chords to this song and you can easily play it. The original scale of this song is G Major which has easy chords that you can simply play on the ukulele.
The strumming pattern for this song is very easy and you can improvise to make it faster or slower to change the feel of the song. You can also learn the main melodies of the song using tabs and play the lead parts on your ukulele.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs that are linked here.
46. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
When it comes to one hit wonders of this generation, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen is perhaps one of the shining examples. This Canadian singer songwriter released this song in 2012 at the age of 26 and it became a huge hit, something she never experienced in her career again. As a song, this peppy upbeat teen pop song still lives on today as the song is actually pretty good looking back at it.
To play this song, you will need only four chords which makes it a perfect beginner ukulele songs. The performance of this song will require you to change the chords pretty quickly so you must practice well and get the chord shapes in your muscle memory to help you play this song easily. The scale this song was written and performed in is G Major.
If you want to learn this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn the song using tabs that you will find here.
45. Beggin’ – Maneskin
After dominating social media platforms and billboard charts in 2021, it is safe to say that this Italian rock band has made a name for themselves in 2021. Their hit song beggin’ stormed social media and got insanely popular.
The popularity slowly moved to streaming platforms and this song started showing up on billboard rock top charts which it topped in 2021 for some time.
To play this song you will need to learn only four chords but one of the chords is a diminished chord which will need you to stretch your fingers a bit. So, take your time to practice the song well and you will be able to play it up to speed in no time.
Having said that, it is really an easy song to play on ukulele and a bit of practice will help you play this hit for all of your friends.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn the song using tabs that are available here.
44. 21 Guns – Green Day
One of the most iconic rock bands of its generation, Green Day has defined punk rock music and the ability to tell beautiful stories through their music effortlessly.
For every guitar player, learning their songs is an integral part of the beginner’s phase of learning guitar. Their song 21 guns talks beautifully about patriotism in a powerful ballad that will surely raise the goosebumps on your body.
It is quite simple to play this song, the thing that makes this song iconic is that if you play the chords simply, you can automatically imagine the melody of the song.
You will need only four chords to play this song, one of which is a barre chord which you have to practice and learn. Other than that, it is one of the easiest songs to play on ukulele and you can have a lot of fun playing it.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs right here.
43. The Reason – Hoobastank
The Reason by Hoobastank is another old but iconic song that has stood the test of time over the last two decades because the song is really good and catchy. The apologetic lyrics paired with good, powerful, and emotional rock music makes it a great song for people who messed up and want an opportunity to fix that. In terms of playing it on the uke, it is one of the easy ukulele songs to play.
The song can be played using four chords. You can transpose the song to a different scale and play it using easier chords if you are unable to play the chords of the song which is originally in the scale of E Major.
The all down strumming pattern is very easy for beginners and great for people just starting to play. Just be sure to add some dynamics to your strumming and you will be able to play this song like a pro in no time.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
42. You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me – John Mayer
It is not often you see “the John Mayer” step away from the guitar, sit on the piano and play out one of the best underrated songs released in the last decade. The simplicity of this song and the absolute purity of its stripped production and raw vocals are sure to strike a chord with your heart.
The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity and absolute perfect execution. If you are not already a fan, check out the music of John Mayer. You will learn a lot as a musician.
This song uses six chords that you will have to cycle through to play it on the ukulele. It is an easy ukulele songs to play and you can have a lot of fun with it. The slow tempo and easy strumming pattern makes it a great song for you to play on your uke when you are starting out. Just be sure to maintain a steady tempo and you will be all good to go.
If you want to learn this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs that are linked here.
41. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
You might have cried at some point listening to this song and there is no shame in it. This song is beautiful and one of a kind thanks to the powerful vocal performance of Celine Dion and its connection to the film Titanic.
This song was composed for the movie and the music was made by the scorer of the film. Did you know initially Celine Dion did not want to sing this song at all? The director of Titanic James Cameron was also against using this song, but you know how it all played out.
To play this song on the ukulele you will need to learn six chords that are all easy to play. You do need to change the chord every two beats so if you are having trouble doing that, you can easily play the chord on the first beat and change the chord on the second beat to play the song easily. It is one of the easy to learn ukulele songs that is a lot of fun to play.
To learn how to play this song, you can use the video tutorial here, or you can go through the tabs yourself linked here.
40. Counting Stars – One Republic
Counting Stars by One Republic is a very fun pop song that has deep lyrical themes and good musical composition. Released in 2013 this song was a breakout hit for the band and continues to be one of their top songs.
It became wildly popular when it was released and got a lot of nominations and awards for the band while pushing them towards mainstream success.
It is one of the easy songs to play on the ukulele that you can learn quickly and play perfectly with just a little practice. You just have to focus a bit on the chord changes and make sure that the chord changes are smooth to make sure you are performing this song in the best form. The strumming pattern is also easy and you can play with the speed to change the feel of the song.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can do so by following this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
39. Safe and Sound – Capital Cities
This song is a bit of a hidden gem, so if you have not heard it yet, you should definitely try listening to this gem. The trumpet hook paired with the upbeat danceable beat of this song is sure to get you bobbing your head in no time.
To my knowledge, this song was the break out hit for this duo and it ended up being their only hit. They continue to make music now also, so if you like their music be sure to check them out.
To play this song you will need four easy chords that will repeat themselves. You can learn the trumpet melody and play it on your ukulele to have more fun with this song. The original scale this song was written and performed in is C Major. As an easy ukulele songs, remember to have fun with it, and you will be able to play it perfectly in no time.
If you want to learn this song, you can do so using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs here.
38. Save Your Tears – The Weeknd
A beautiful moody 80s themed song with great vocal performance and overall a great chill vibe, this song translates beautifully when you play it on the ukulele. The stripped down version of just singing with your ukulele over this song can create a beautiful rendition of this song that you can sing at a party or just when you are really sad about a breakup.
This song is one of the super easy ukulele songs that you will need only six chords to play. The best way to approach this song is to decide if you want to play it fast or slow.
If you want to play it fast then a certain strumming pattern might be good for you, if you want to play it slow, you would need to play using a different strumming pattern, so decide upon your performance style when you are playing this song.
There are two options for you to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs here.
37. Closer – The Chainsmokers
Talking of songs that translate beautifully onto the ukulele, Closer by The Chainsmokers is one of their smash hit songs that brought them global repute. This song had mixed reactions when it came out and still does today, regardless of which side you are on, it is great songs for ukulele beginners, and you can learn to play it very easily.
You will only need three chords to play this song which is very easy. The chords don’t need very quick changes; you can play it slowly and the strumming pattern is all down strums, so it is a perfect song for beginners to learn playing the uke.
A pro tip, keep dynamics in mind when you are strumming to make it sound like a pro when you are playing this song. You can also learn the drop melody on your uke if you want to play the lead part.
You can learn how to play this song using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs yourself linked here.
36. Umbrella – Rihanna
Umbrella by Rihanna was one of the initial hit songs that shot her to the mega stardom that she enjoys today. It is a beautiful song about lovers and friends that still enjoys a great status thanks to the beautiful lyrical content.
In terms of the music, it really is better performed on the ukulele, the original music track is not my favorite, to say the least, but that’s just my opinion.
To play this song you will only need six chords to play this song and the chords are simple except for a certain E7 chord that you will need to play in the bridge of the song. So practice well to remember all the chords and play them perfectly. The strumming pattern of this song is also really easy and you can play it using all downstrokes.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs here.
35. There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back – Shawn Mendes
An amazing song from Shawn Mendes, this is a great song to learn on your acoustic guitar but it plays great on your ukulele as well.
Shawn Mendes was only 18 years old when this song was released. As an easy song on ukulele and guitar, you can easily learn to play this song and have fun playing it for the people you love.
If you have heard this song, you know that the strumming pattern is at the heart of this song especially in the chorus, so remember to follow it to perform this song at its best.
You also have to make sure you are able to change the chords quickly and smoothly, so a little bit of practice is necessary for you to pull off this song. You will only need four chords to play this tune which are originally played in the scale of D Major.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
34. Heathens – Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots is a very creative band that has always pushed the boundaries with its music. Their 2016 hit song, Heathens written for Suicide Squad was a huge hit thanks to the very dark and moody music which was paired equally with a great vocal performance.
This song relies heavily on ambiance soundscapes to achieve the almost eerie sound, if you are interested in music production, you should surely check out the production details of this song.
You will only need to learn three chords to play this song. The original scale this song was written and recorded in is E Minor. The all down strumming pattern of this song makes it one of the perfect songs for beginners on ukulele.
As mentioned earlier you just have to focus on the dynamics of your strumming to sound like a pro. For this song especially you should put emphasis on the third strum of the bar and it will help you sound great.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can do so with this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs yourself linked here.
33. Centuries – Fall Out Boy
Centuries by Fall Out Boy is a grandiose rock song that is sure to get you pumped up for anything you are doing right now. Even though this rock song relies heavily on heavy electric guitars it cleans up pretty well when you perform this as a solo on a ukulele as well.
It changes the flavor of the song and you have to lean into it to perform this song up to standards on a ukulele.
This is one of the easiest song to learn on ukulele as it has only five chords that repeat throughout the song. You do not have to change the chords too quickly on this song and the strumming pattern is also quite simple. Just make sure that you add some attitude to your playing because it is a rock song after all.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
32. Amnesia – 5 Seconds of Summer
A very soft, sad song from 5sos, this song is one of the easy ukulele songs to learn. One of the best parts about learning this song is that you will be able to learn fingerpicking which is a very important technique that will help you play better in the future.
The fingerpicking will be used to play the intro of this song. So, make sure to learn that technique well as it will come in handy later.
You will need only three chords to play this song and the strumming pattern only picks up during the chorus so you can easily learn to play the verses and then practice a bit for the chorus to make sure you are able to play the song perfectly. The original scale this song was written and performed in is D Major.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn by using this video tutorial here, or you can learn yourself using the tabs linked here.
31. Everything Has Changed – Taylor Swift feat. Ed Sheeran
This beautiful duet between Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran is a great song that you can perform for the person you love. This soft acoustic guitar song sounds great when played on a ukulele as well. As one of the easiest song on ukulele, the beauty of this song is portrayed best when you sing your heart out while playing the chords on your ukulele.
You will need to learn four chords to play this song, you can play this song both using a capo and without using a capo as well, depending on the scale in which you are playing the song. The original scale in which this song was written and recorded is Gb or F# Major. The strumming pattern to this song is very simple, and you can easily learn this song if you practice just a little bit.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs that are linked here.
30. Senorita – Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
The top song of 2019, this sensuous track by ex-partners in real life Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, is a great duet that oozes passion and has a very beautiful exotic musical flavor.
This song sounds great on a guitar, and you can play it on a ukulele as well. It is one of the best beginner songs on the ukulele that you can learn and play at parties to impress your friends.
You will need to learn only five easy chords to play this song. The main focus should be on your vocals to drive home the passion of this song, so it is best for you to strum lightly. You can also learn the intro and play it as a lead on your ukulele.
The original scale this song was recorded in is A Minor. This chord does require some quick chord changes at some points so make sure to practice those changes to nail it when performing the song.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs to learn the song linked here.
29. The A Team – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran has been one of the artists that have dominated the music scene in the 2010s, and this song is just one of the beautiful pieces that came from his earlier days. Released in 2011, it became a huge hit in the UK.
Did you know this song is based on a real person? Ed Sheeran met a girl called Angel while working at a Crisis homeless shelter and her story inspired this beautiful song.
In terms of playing it on the ukulele, it’s really simple, you just need five chords to play this song. The chords are very simple. The main focus for you in this song should be the strumming pattern.
You have to focus really on the dynamics of your playing as this song is kind of like an acoustic song, so if you don’t play it right, it won’t sound right in the end.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
28. Who Says – John Mayer
Back at it with John Mayer, Who Says by John Mayer is an acoustic track that translates beautifully to the uke, if you play it right.
As the song of a master guitar player, it is perhaps not the easiest song on the list, but you should try to learn this song as you would learn a lot of techniques and skills that will help you be a better player in the future.
To make it a bit easier on yourself, first, try to play this song without a strumming pattern. Just strum every chord once to get used to the frequent chord changes.
Once you learn these new chords and know how to change between them smoothly, you can then easily add the strumming pattern on top of your playing with no problems.
Whether you are playing it with a strumming pattern or not, it’s really beautiful and you should have fun with it regardless.
To learn how to play this song, feel free to use this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs yourself linked here.
27. Happier – Marshmello feat. Bastille
It is not often that you find an EDM song that is as touching and deep as Happier from Marshmello. Bastille did an amazing job with the vocals and this song can be played beautifully when you strip down the arrangement and perform it acoustically on the uke. You can even learn the drop melody on your uke and play it when performing this song.
Did you know that it was Bastille vocalist Dan Smith who wrote this song, and they wanted to collaborate with the American DJ Marshmello.
They were even surprised that the DJ was able to turn this song over its head and create a danceable track out of what you can argue is a very dark and depressing song if you hear just the acapella.
It’s a great song overall with easy chords and you will surely have fun learning it.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn how to play using the tabs linked here.
26. The Messenger – Linkin Park
You would not imagine Linkin Park to be the band that produces acoustic tracks, but that’s the thing about this band. They have so much diversity in their music, it is very hard to pocket them into a specific niche or genre of music.
This acoustic song from Linkin Park is one of the lesser-known songs of the artist, but it is a very beautiful song that is simple to play for you on your uke.
With easy chords, and a simple slow strumming pattern you can learn this song perfectly in no time and you will have a great time playing this song.
You will only need to learn four chords to play this song which cycle and the chords are also very easy and do not require very quick changing. The trick with this song is to feel it out and dynamically play according to your vocal style.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can use the ukulele tabs mentioned here.
25. Harleys in Hawaii – Katy Perry
Katy Perry has been one of the top artists in the industry for some time now and reasonably so because she keeps making amazing tracks like this.
This song lyrically feels a bit questionable to me, but the music just makes you forget all of that, combined with the amazing vocal performance of Katy Perry.
Did you know Charlie Puth produced this song for Katy Perry? Yes, he is behind a lot of the hits that are out there without us even knowing about it.
Okay, the chords for this song are barred unfortunately but you can get over it with a capo on the first fret. Once you have the capo in place you will need only four chords to play this song that you can play easily.
The strumming pattern of this song greatly depends on how you are trying to perform this song, so make sure you plan it out and create a pattern that you find comfortable.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can do it from this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs here.
24. I Like Me Better – Lauv
Lauv might not be an artist that you know a lot about but there’s a chance you have heard this song somewhere since it is really popular. This beautifully produced and sung track was self-produced and sung by the producer/singer Lauv who is from the USA.
This song is beautiful and fresh and features live instruments alongside EDM elements making it a fresh sounding record whenever you hear it.
To play this song on your uke, you will only need four chords. Now, to translate this song properly on your ukulele, you would have to figure out how you want to perform this song.
You can play it upbeat or downbeat whichever feels more comfortable for you or the mood you are trying to create. You would be surprised to see how much of a difference that makes to your overall performance when you try it out.
To learn how to play this song, use this video tutorial here, or use the tabs linked here.
23. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift
You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift was released back in 2008 and it was this song and a few others from her album Fearless that shot her to international stardom in no time. You Belong with me is a beautiful track that features acoustic guitars making it perfect for you to play it on your uke, without losing any of the original sound of the song.
You will only need four chords to play this song all of which are really simple. You can have a great time playing this song as the strumming pattern is also quite simple.
As an upbeat song you can play it upbeat and perform it like the original, or you can change it up and perform it slowly to create a more touching rendition of this song. Overall, just remember to have fun with it, and learn how to change the chords smoothly.
If you want to learn to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs linked here.
22. Stan – Eminem feat. Dido
How many artists do you know that have invented a word that has become a part of the daily vocabulary of people following pop culture?
In general terms, stan means an over obsessive fan. This song was released in 2000 and is iconic even today after being released for over two decades.
The dido part sets up the song for Eminem to use his rapping to tell the story of a deranged and obsessive fan that ends up killing himself and his girlfriend over not receiving a reply to his fan mail from his favorite artist.
You only need four chords to play this song that repeats over the whole song. The song is very hauntingly beautiful and given the simple chords, you can learn it in no time. The strumming pattern is also very simple and it can be one of the first songs you learn on your ukulele.
To learn how to play this song, you can learn using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
21. Someone Like You – Adele
Released in 2011, this song from Adele is a heartbreaking tale of a woman wishing her partner the best in his life as they move on from their romantic attachments. It’s a beautifully produced track with an amazing vocal performance by Adele.
This song was and still is critically acclaimed for its beautiful lyrical content combined with the minimalist arrangement and amazing vocal performance.
To play this song on the ukulele, you would need to learn only five easy chords. It is a great idea for you to learn fingerpicking for this song so you can play the introduction part.
Fingerpicking will require you to pick individual strings with your fingers instead of strumming the strings as you would normally do.
For this song particularly, fingerpicking is the preferred method of performance as it helps you perform the song closer to the original version.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn using this video here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
20. Count On Me – Bruno Mars
A beautiful song that has become an unofficial friendship anthem for people across the globe, Count on Me by Bruno Mars is just one of the songs that showcases the talent of this great musician.
Released in 2010, this song has a very laid-back and simple arrangement as it lets the vocals take the center stage and give focus to the lyrics. You can really count on this song to be the perfect easy and simple ukulele song for you to learn when you are a beginner.
To play this song you will need to learn six easy chords. This song does not require fast chord changes and does not have a very difficult strumming pattern either as it is nice and slow.
You just have to learn how to chuck and strum to perform this song perfectly on the ukulele. Chucking is simply muting the strings so that they don’t ring out and it creates a chuck sound which gives this technique its name.
To learn more about how to learn this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
19. Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
Singing about a girl named Delilah and speaking about the hardships of a long-distance relationship. This gem of a song is beautiful, memorable, and adorable and everyone has sung it at the top of their lungs for someone at some point.
Released in 2006, did you know that Delilah is a real person that the singer of the band knew through a mutual friend. He described her as the most beautiful girl he has ever met and wanted to write a song for her.
To play this song on the ukulele you will only need five chords all of which are very easy and simple. This song needs to be played using a picking pattern which is very easy.
One of the best ways for you to approach this song is to first practice the right-hand pattern slowly and get used to it, then try to add the chords to the right-hand pattern. This method will help you learn this song quickly.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs from here.
18. Something Just Like This – The Chainsmokers feat. Coldplay
What happens when two of the biggest pop music artists collaborate? We get a song that is memorable for all the right reasons.
Released in 2017, this song became a huge hit topping the billboard radio airplay charts. This song was co-written lyrically and musically by the two bands Chainsmokers and Coldplay.
To learn how to play this song you only need to learn four easy chords that are cycled throughout the song. The strumming pattern for this song is all down strumming making it very easy to learn and play for beginners.
The chords do require frequent changing in this song, so you should practice it well so that you can perform it up to speed when necessary.
Also please remember to play this song with some dynamics because you are going to be using all downstrokes.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs from here.
17. We Don’t Talk Anymore – Charlie Puth feat. Selena Gomez
This list has already featured at least two songs that were produced by Charlie Puth, this is his first song as an artist that is featured on this list.
We Don’t Talk Anymore released in 2016 was one of the songs that helped Charlie Puth become the global star that he is today. This simple song about a breakup is portrayed beautifully by the lyrics and the music is sure to make you dance and cry at the same time.
To play this song on the ukulele you will need to learn only four easy chords. The way you perform this song will define a lot of the mood and overall vibe of the song.
You can go for a slow style where you focus on the vocals and play the chords lightly in a slow strumming pattern. Or you can run headfirst into the song and play it like you would if you were playing it at a singalong or a party. Both of the approaches will lead to different results for the song.
To learn how to play this song, use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
16. Let Me Down Slowly – Alec Benjamin
Alec Benjamin is a brilliant singer-songwriter out of the US who broke into the spotlight with this breakthrough song Let Me Down Slowly.
His music is exceptionally beautiful in every aspect, his compositions, guitar playing, and most importantly, his amazing vocal capabilities.
If you don’t know him already or have just heard this song, I personally urge you to check out his other songs. Especially his live collaboration with John Mayer, if you are a fan of guitar playing.
To play this song on your ukulele you would need to learn only four chords, one of which is a barre chord. So, it is crucial that you practice this song adequately to make sure you are able to play this properly up to speed and change the chords at the right time. In general, this song can be performed very easily with just a little practice.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
15. Levitating – Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby
Song of the year 2021, this song is sort of a sleeper hit. Released in 2020, this song did not reach the zenith of its popularity until 2021, where it became the most popular song of the year. This entire album Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa is filled with great songs that are fun to play and to listen to no matter where you are. This album was released in the middle of the pandemic, otherwise, it could have broken many records and won many awards as well.
To play this song on the ukulele, you only need to learn four chords. The interesting thing about this song is even though the song is very danceable and uplifting it is built on a chord progression of four minor chords which in theory should make this song sound very sad. Nonetheless, the strumming pattern for this song is also very easy so make sure to have lots of fun with this song when you play it.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
14. Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
One of the most influential bands of all time with their most soft and personal song. Nothing Else Matters is a cornerstone for Metallica that showed underneath the metal gods were simple human beings that missed home and longed to be with their loved ones while spending months on the road touring. This song features a guitar solo from the frontman James Hetfield which is quite a rare occurrence.
In 2021, it officially became 30 years old, and trust me people still can’t stop raving about this song. That’s how good it is.
To play this song on the ukulele you can go two ways, you can either learn just the chords and play the song with strumming.
Or you can learn the picking pattern for the intro and then strum the chords when the vocals begin. For beginners, it is great to just strum the chords and sing this song. For more advanced players it’s great if you can learn the picking pattern with the chords as well.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs here.
13. Story Of My Life – One Direction
Love them or hate them, there is no denying that this group has made havoc in the music industry from the beginning of their career till now.
This song in particular is a softer, more stripped-down song of the group that focuses a lot on the guitar. This makes it a perfect song for you to play on your ukulele. The vocal performances in this particular song are undeniable and it’s a nice listen from time to time.
To play this song you will need to learn five easy chords that cycle throughout the song. The original song was played using a fingerpicking pattern which is not necessary for you to replicate when performing this song on the ukulele.
You should just focus on the strumming pattern and change the chords at the right time. The chord changes are slow so you will have no problem learning this song.
To learn how to play this song using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
12. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
Winner of a Nobel prize for literature, Bob Dylan is the most influential and important singer-songwriter in the history of modern music.
His songs have been covered and made popular by other artists namely Jimi Hendrix, Guns N Roses, and many more. Knockin’ On Heavens Door was popularized by Guns N Roses when they covered this song for the tribute to Freddie Mercury concert. Many people don’t even know that this is originally a Bob Dylan song.
To play this song on the ukulele, you only need to learn four simple chords. As it is originally a guitar-based song, it has an established strumming which you can follow to play this song exactly like the original version. You can experiment with the Guns N Roses version of this song as well whichever you prefer more.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs that are linked here.
11. Peaches – Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Justin Bieber has been one of the most influential musicians that has gone through exceptional growth in the last two decades. His latest album might not be his greatest work lyrically but the song certainly uses a lot of nice chords and musical styles to create a very smooth and easy to listen track.
This song does point out one thing that has currently become the trend of the music industry. The hook repeats for a very long time just so people can use that part in their TikTok videos.
To play this song on your ukulele, you have to learn only four chords, as this is a very laid-back song, you have to play it quite casually and have fun while doing it. The strumming pattern is very simple; you just have to strum on the 1 and the 3 to play this song. Overall it’s a simple song that will also teach you some nice chords to enhance your chordal vocabulary.
To learn how to play this song on your ukulele, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs linked here.
10. Feels Like Summer – Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover is a singer, comedian, and actor and he is great at all of those. His song Feels Like Summer talks about Global Warming lyrically, but the point of interest of this song for me is its beautiful musical arrangement and musical styles that create this beautiful track.
At its core, it’s an acoustic guitar song that features some very cool vocal melodies but the overall arrangement just adds a great new touch to this music.
To play this song on the ukulele, you will need to learn three chords but that’s not the difficult part of this song. You will have to learn the exact strumming pattern of the song to make sure you are playing it correctly.
The strumming pattern of this song features very short strums that create a staccato effect, so practice and perfect that technique slowly, then you can play the song up to speed.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn using this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
09. All Of Me – John Legend
All of Me by John Legend is perhaps his most popular song so far. It’s a beautiful love song that is still very popular to this day. Released in 2013, this song from John Legend was an ode to his wife and was personally dedicated to her (Chrissy Teigen).
This song topped charts in multiple countries including being the top track on Billboard Top 100. Overall, it’s a great song that you can learn and have a lot of fun playing.
To play this song on the ukulele, you will need four chords. As it is a piano-based song, the chords are played very straight. To achieve a similar sound on the uke, you have to focus on muting the chords after you play them, and you also have to strum the chords quite fast in one movement to make sure you can replicate the sound that’s in the song.
This reference is for the intro of the song, but it applies to the rest of the song as well.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
08. Photograph – Ed Sheeran
Released in 2014, this very touching song about a long-distance relationship was written by Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid.
This song was featured in the film Me Before You, and it became quite popular that way. This song was released when Ed was just 23, his 2014 album ‘X’ went on to be one of, if not the top album of the year and it featured great songs some of which will be featured later on in the article as well.
You only need to learn four chords to play this song, all of which are easy. You have to focus on the strumming pattern and especially the dynamics of your playing to get this song right.
It is after all a soft song and if your playing does not reflect the style of the song the overall vibe changes. So, start practicing slowly.
I might sound repetitive talking about dynamics all the time, but it is what makes the difference between amateurs and professionals so keep it in your mind.
To learn how to play this song, use this video tutorial here, or use the tabs linked here.
07. Girls Like You – Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B
One of the most popular songs in the last few years, Girls Like You by Maroon 5 currently has over 3 billion views on YouTube making it one of the most-watched videos on YouTube.
You will notice a lot of the songs featured on this list are very stripped-down songs that don’t have very extravagant arrangements but rather focus on only a few instruments and keeps the main focus on the vocals. This is because these songs translate best when you play them on the ukulele.
You need only four chords to play this song. The original recording of this song uses a muted picking pattern on a guitar to achieve the sound. It would be too hard if at all possible to be played on the uke, so it’s better for you to move ahead with only the chords and strumming pattern.
The strumming pattern for this song depends on how you want to play this song, preferably use a slow strumming pattern to sound closer to the original version.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn using the video tutorial here, or using the tabs linked here.
06. Love Yourself – Justin Bieber
Written by Ed Sheeran originally, this song was given to Justin Bieber who sang it beautifully and made it into the great bop that we know of today. This song only features an electric guitar and vocals which makes it amazing for me.
This song utilizes the pause between words and chords very effectively and that essentially creates the groove. It is really interesting if you check out more about the production of this song, and why and how they went for such a simple arrangement.
To play this song on the ukulele you only need four chords all of which are very simple and cycle throughout the song. To play this song perfectly you need to practice how to play it to a metronome.
Why?
Because you have to get the pauses right for this song, and when you play it on the metronome, you will be able to count how many beats the pauses need to be. That will help you understand and remember the rhythm if you can’t otherwise feel and remember the rhythm.
To learn how to play this song, use this video tutorial here, or use the tabs linked here.
05. Memories – Maroon 5
This song from Maroon 5 was written by the band in response to the death of their long-time friend, partner, and manager Jordan Feldstein. This song is a beautiful ode to their friend that speaks about celebrating the past and reminiscing the memories of the days and people no longer with us today.
If you have an eerie feeling like you have heard this song before (the melody) you are not wrong. The melody of this song is very similar to the melody of a classical music piece called Canon in D by Pachabel. Hear it yourself and you will know what I mean.
To play this song on the ukulele, you need only six chords, all of which are fairly easy. The best way to tackle this song is to practice muting and getting the right-hand rhythm up to speed first and then adding the chords to the mix.
If you want to learn how to play this song, you can learn using this video tutorial here, or you can use the tabs linked here.
04. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Featuring another song from Ed Sheeran’s 2014 album ‘X’, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran was awarded the Grammy for Song of the year 2016. This beautiful track focuses on just a few instruments and leaves the ground clear for Ed Sheeran to deliver a beautiful vocal performance.
This smooth ballad has been one of the most popular love songs of the last decade. If you are interested in learning about music composition, focus on how well the bass plays in this song and how that affects the whole composition.
To play this song on the ukulele, you will need to learn only five chords all of which are easy. At one point during the song, you would need to change the chord on every beat of the song, so practice that section and you will be able to learn chord changing quite well. Other than that, the strumming pattern for this song is quite loose so you can improvise as you like.
To learn how to play this song, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
03. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was a very influential African-American musician in America. The song What A Wonderful World was released in 1968 to undercut some of the racial tensions that were present in the USA at that time.
This song became a hit internationally but at first, it did not catch on to US listeners and sort of failed as a single release. Later on, this song went on to become the most popular song by Louis Armstrong.
To play this song on the ukulele, you will need to learn only four chords. This is in fact one of the easiest songs for you to sing and play on the ukulele, so as a beginner, it’s a song that you can get started with on your uke.
The strumming pattern is very simple, and the best part about this song is that it translates very well to the ukulele and it sounds great when you play it on the uke.
If you want to learn how to play this song on the ukulele, you can use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
02. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Perfect by Ed Sheeran is in short Perfect. Released in 2017, this song was written by Ed Sheeran inspired by his then-fiancee now wife Cherry Seaborn.
Makes sense that this song is beautifully romantic in all the right ways, features amazing lyrical and vocal performances, and the overall arrangement and music production makes it an absolutely unforgettable track. Ed stated that this was the first song he wrote for his 2017 album Divide.
To play this song on the ukulele, you only need to learn four easy chords. The strumming pattern is also all downstrokes making it easy for beginners to play.
This can very well be the first song that you learn on your ukulele. As I have mentioned many times in this article before, please focus on your strumming dynamics to make sure your playing sounds just as beautiful as your singing.
To learn how to play this song, please use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
01. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
Finishing this list with the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, and one of his most popular songs that have stood the test of time. This song was released in 1961 and it was not a part of any of Elvis’s albums.
This song was written for and featured in one of his movies, Blue Hawaii. Initially, the production executives of the movie did not like this song very much, but it was made upon Elvis’s insistence and the rest is pop music history.
To play this song on the ukulele, you would need to learn around six chords but even though it sounds cumbersome, it is actually very easy to play the song overall.
The best part is that the strumming pattern for this is in all downstrokes which will help beginners get this song easily. You can also experiment with the strumming pattern and introduce any rhythm you want to this song to change the feel and vibe of the song.
If you want to learn how to play this song, use this video tutorial here, or you can learn using the tabs linked here.
Takeaway From The List
Just a quick round-up. You should understand that all the songs mentioned in this article are great songs for you to play on the ukulele.
I personally curated the list for songs that are fun to play and songs that help you become a better musician. The best part about this list is that all the songs and the resources attached with it can be used to play these songs on any instrument you want (piano, guitar).
The chords of any song remain the same regardless of the instrument you are using to play the song. So, if you can learn the basic chord shapes of your instrument you can use this list to play these songs on any instrument you want. If you want to stick to the ukulele that’s great too, you will surely have a lot of fun playing these songs.
Strumming Patterns You Should Learn
Strumming is a major part of playing the ukulele so you should really focus on learning how to strum to become a better ukulele player. If you go through the entire article, you will notice, I have asked you to practice the strumming patterns many times.
That is necessary because when you are performing a song on the ukulele, there are no other instruments to create the rhythm of the song.
The strumming on the ukulele is what creates the rhythm and if you are not playing the rhythm correctly, you will get the feel for the song and the entire performance of the song will become very lively and much like the original.
To learn strumming like a pro, you need to first count. Strums happen on the beat, so for you to strum a song out, you need to practice counting to four on a song to help you get an idea of when you should strum the ukulele. Now that you are ready with your counting let’s talk about ukulele strumming patterns that you should learn.
D D D D
The all down strumming pattern is the mother of all strumming patterns when you are learning to play the uke. You can create all types of strumming patterns from this simple pattern.
All you do is strum on every beat and that creates this strumming pattern. Remember songs where I said it has an all downstroke strumming pattern, I was referring to this pattern so you should learn this pattern for sure.
Once you are comfortable strumming at different tempos you can then add some dynamic to your playing and focus on the 1st and 3rd beat of the measure to create an even more interesting strumming pattern. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also emphasize the second and fourth beat of the measure and all of these permutations and combinations are great places for you to start your strumming practice.
D U D U
This is the second most important strumming pattern you need to learn as a beginner as it features the very scary upstroke. There is no reason to feel scared of this strumming pattern.
All you need to do is to count as you were doing, play the downstrokes on the numbers and to play the upstrokes, play it in the time between the numbers.
To make it simpler, instead of counting 1 2 3 4, count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4. This will help you locate the upstroke and you will be able to learn this strumming pattern. No matter how scared you are of the upstroke, for you to be a good ukulele player you would have to learn it. So, start slow and get to practicing as soon as possible.
As mentioned in the last point, once you are okay with the rhythm, introduce the emphasizing of particular beats to create interesting and complex strumming patterns.
D D U U D U
After you have mastered the last two and you know how to emphasize particular beats using those patterns. The last practically necessary strumming pattern that you have to learn is this pattern. You can use this strumming pattern to practically play any song on the ukulele, just adjust the speed to your liking and you are good to go.
The trick with this pattern is to start slowly understanding the movements you are making and then practicing until it becomes muscle memory for you so you can play it at any speed without even thinking about it. The trick with this pattern is to count using the 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and pattern.
Once you are comfortable, introduce dynamics and emphasize particular beats, and voila these are three of the most basic and important strumming patterns that you need to learn for playing the ukulele.
There are many other strumming patterns as well but it’s better to learn them in a song-specific way rather than learning them in a theoretical practice way. Use the video tutorials mentioned with the songs in this list to learn more about the strumming patterns you need to play for each of the songs mentioned in the list.
How To Sing & Play Ukulele At The Same Time?
Singing is a skill, playing an instrument is a different skill. When you need to combine the two of them, it becomes a little complicated. The fun part is, some people can do it without thinking while others find it difficult even after practicing.
There is nothing that you can’t learn without practicing, you will only need to know about the things that you should look out for when practicing.
The first and foremost thing you should practice before you play an instrument and sing together is to practice singing without the instrument.
When you plan on accompanying yourself by playing an instrument the main focus almost always is on your vocals, so you must first practice your vocals. Once you feel you are ready then you can follow these steps.
Practice Using A Metronome
When you are playing and singing at the same time, it helps to have a metronome on so you can hear the beats in front of you. The metronome can help you play your ukulele on time so after you feel comfortable playing your ukulele you need to keep practicing the strumming patterns and chord changes until it becomes your muscle memory so you can do it without actively thinking about it.
This way you can focus on playing your song first because if you don’t practice this way you will feel nervous while playing and it will be visible in your vocal performance. So, practice well and make sure you are able to play the song from memory on your uke before you try singing and playing at once.
Humming
The second thing you have to practice is humming the song melody without focusing on the lyrics. This is the second step to playing and singing at the same time.
When you are able to hum the song’s melody and play along you will start building confidence and you will be able to then slowly move towards singing the lyrics and playing the song.
You should note that humming and playing the chords is also a great vocal practice trick so you can use this to warm up your vocals and also to improve your vocal range. This will also help you learn to change your chords in accordance with the points in the song and that will, in turn, help you play your song better.
Singing The Lyrics And Performing With Confidence
Confidence is the key when it comes to performance. The mistakes that you commit, maybe it is changing a chord too early or just messing up the strumming pattern a bit can only be visible to you if you are performing with confidence.
The previous steps will help you get the required confidence and then you can use that confidence and use it to sing the song as well as you can.
When it comes to singing, confidence really does have a role in it. If you are confident and you have practiced it will help you give out your best performance and win the crowd over. So, use these tips and get practicing, very soon you too will be able to rock parties with your ukulele and singing skills.
Final Thoughts
If you are reading the article till this point, thank you very much, it means a lot to me. I hope that you found good songs that you can learn on the uke and get started with your musical journey. I hope that the tips mentioned in this article are able to help you play your instrument better and help you gain more knowledge, likeness, and love towards music in general.
This article has been nothing short of a passion project for me and I have tried to mention every ounce of information that I know and have learned with experience as a musician in this article. I hope that you are also able to learn a few things from this article. Please share your thoughts in the comments down below. Here’s wishing you all the best for your musical adventures until next time.
Anindya is a Self-taught Musician and a Home Studio Owner who likes sharing his two cents on Guitars, Gears, and Music. You can find his Music on Spotify and YouTube.