Our first song on our list is a contemporary pop tune that feels uniquely 2009. Composed with only C, F, and G chords and an easy strumming pattern, this tune should be easy for anyone to learn.
Ed Sheeran is an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his intricate lyrics and acoustic guitar style of music. This easygoing tune showcases how four chords can extend its reach on the ukulele.
2. Margaritaville
Sam Smith’s hit song “Take You There” presents an excellent challenge for beginner ukulele players who also enjoy singing. It features multiple themes, each with a distinct chord progression and strumming pattern; to master it quickly you should focus on creating a strumming style that conveys its emotion through strumming pattern changes.
Bob Marley and the Wailers are legendary reggae superstars, so it should come as no surprise that they have produced some phenomenal ukulele songs! “One Love” is an upbeat feel good classic with a lively reggae sound that you can play perfectly on ukulele if you use palm muting to create percussive effects between strums. In no time at all you will have this classic down pat!
3. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
This folk classic requires a capo on the first fret to play in G, making it an excellent way to practice transitions between chords. For added practice and rhythm improvement, consider strumming each chord for four beats before moving on. Doing this will allow you to develop finger positioning skills as well as develop rhythm.
This song offers a different chord pattern than most songs on this list, creating an enjoyable challenge and helping build muscle memory.
This song pays a fitting ode to Fats Domino, the acclaimed New Orleans R & B musician. Morrison made this his highest charting single before later withdrawing it due to an issue between himself and record producer over royalties.
4. One Day (Pixies)
This classic 90s tune offers beginner ukulele players an enjoyable challenge to add variety to their rhythm. Although more complex chords and strumming patterns will need to be learned, these are still very manageable with practice.
If you’re ready to venture beyond pop songs, this rock tune by Red Hot Chili Peppers might just be what you need! Though it does feature new chords, this tune remains beginner friendly – plus duets could make great use out of this duet song!
This classic Jason Mraz anthem can be learned easily by beginners. However, its strumming pattern must also accommodate for the lyrics’ changing tempo – play down-strums instead of up-strums to capture its pace! Although learning it might take some time and practice – its rewards will surely pay off in the end!
5. Bad Moon Rising (CCR)
This classic Bob Marley hit is an enjoyable way to practice strumming patterns. It uses the standard “down, down, up” pattern which beginners can easily pick up and follow along. As an option for further experimentation, try switching up between playing independent down strums and up strums during your performance of this song for some added variety in your routine.
Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest contemporary singer songwriter pop artists, and his songs provide excellent ukulele practice for beginning players. This lovely ballad from Ed is another great example of an easy four chord tune with great emotional depth.
You will need to practice your chord progressions for this one, but basic G, C and D chords will get you far. Perhaps add some G7s for extra jazziness.
6. Haunted Mansion (John Fogerty)
The Ukulele may seem exotic and exclusive to Hawaii, yet its popularity in the US has increased substantially thanks to artists like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and videos featuring Taylor Swift playing it.
Before attempting a song, it is vital that you practice chords. Check that all strings sound clear and distinct with different strumming patterns until you find one that resonates best for you.
These songs generally follow a four-beats-per-measure time signature, so make sure that when strumming each chord for four counts before moving onto the next, that you practice for four counts before moving on. This will allow you to transition more smoothly from chord to chord while learning rhythm and developing your playing ability.
7. Don’t Stop Believin’ (The Beatles)
This classic Beatles tune requires only three chords throughout its entirety, making it easy for beginners to master. These include our traditional Am, F and G chords as well as a brand new D7 chord which may take practice to master.
Of Monsters and Men are an Icelandic indie rock band who made headlines with their 2012 chart-topper “To Be Loved by Someone Else.” It combines powerful horn sections with calm single strum guitar parts to produce an arresting composition, with plenty of opportunities for experimentation in both intensity and buildup – particularly within its chorus section.
Adele’s piano driven pop ballad, “Hello”, is easy to learn on ukulele with its simple DUDU rhythm pattern and consistent down strums throughout all verses. Additionally, an arpeggio provides beginners with a fun challenge of repeating notes to attempt.
8. One Thing Leads to Another (Pixies)
Another song from the band that made banjo folk rock famous, this is an ideal choice for beginners looking to start playing banjo folk rock music and singing along. Just use a steady D DUD pattern for verses and single strums for chorus.
This song offers four simple chords that remain unchanged throughout, providing an ideal opportunity to practice strumming and creating a rhythm on ukulele. Furthermore, its flexible tempo can allow you to experiment with speeding it up for pop songs or slowing it down to create ballads.
Beginner ukulele players might require additional practice with the D7 chord, as it utilizes a barre technique in which your index finger crosses over each fret. Once learned however, this song can add variety and challenge to their practice sessions.
9. Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)
This enjoyable ukulele tune requires only three chords from beginning to end and makes an excellent way for beginners to practice palm muting, an artform in which one uses their palm of their hand to cover strings rhythmically with strum patterns, giving the instrument more of a percussive sound. Most beginners should find learning this technique simple.
This contemporary pop hit by Flo Rida uses not only basic Am, F and C chords familiar to beginner musicians but also introduces the D7 chord, an essential key that will pop up again and again throughout other songs. While mastering it might take practice on the ukulele, try playing around with different strumming patterns so it becomes your own personal song – the tempo can also be adjusted as needed so it becomes either more intense during chorus sections or relaxed when singing verses.
10. Let’s Stay Together (Bob Marley)
Bob Marley died in 1981, yet his music continues to inspire audiences today. Many of his most iconic tunes are easily accessible for beginner ukulele players – like this one featuring simple G, D, Am and C chords arranged as D DUUD patterns in verses with single strums in chorus.
Ukuleles lend themselves well to creating breezy and lively tunes, such as this contemporary pop hit by Train. The only challenge lies in keeping up with its ever-shifting strumming patterns when shifting between verse, bridge and chorus sections; click here for full chords.