The ukulele is an easy and enjoyable instrument to learn, featuring chord diagrams referred to as frames that serve as visual guides to showing where fingers should be placed for specific chords. Song charts for ukulele often include both standard notation and tablature versions – with notation having a chord frame around it and tab featuring fret grid fingerings indicated by numbers.
Hey Soul Sister by Twenty One Pilots
Hey Soul Sister is an enjoyable ukulele song featuring an engaging chord progression and storytelling, ideal for practicing strumming along and singing along if desired. While some chord shapes might prove challenging for beginner players, Hey Soul Sister remains simple enough for even novice ukulele players to master; simply play slowly to catch every detail!
Ed Sheeran is one of the most beloved modern singer-songwriter pop artists, and his songs make great ukulele tunes. This track showcases his unique storytelling style alongside simple acoustic guitar grooves. This tune provides the ideal opportunity to practice single strumming while adding chords that build intensity for choruses.
While country may not typically be associated with the ukulele, this fiddle-led classic will bring joy. Palm muting can also be utilized here – simply muting your hand on the body of the instrument for an added percussive sound!
Down On The Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Down on the Corner was first released as a CCR single in October 1969 and quickly became their breakthrough hit of 1970. It tells the tale of fictional street band Willy and the Poor Boys; John Fogerty described being inspired to write it by listening to street musicians while attending high school in San Francisco; as well as by hearing similar melodies such as those found in “Run Through the Jungle”.
This song highlights the use of instruments such as a gut bass, washboard, kazoo and Kalamazoo guitar in its composition. It’s an exciting tune to learn, featuring an engaging intro picking lick. Beginner ukulele players may find this tune challenging at first but its sound works great regardless of which uke you play; Richard G’s website offers free chord charts and tab downloads so you can learn it on either standard G or baritone models!
Love Me Do by The Beatles
Starting off simply, this classic is easy for beginners to play. Just use a steady strum pattern and sing over the top for best results – soon you’ll be enjoying this hit song!
Four simple chords make this song simple to learn on ukulele: G, D and Em chords are straightforward and fit nicely with a regular DD UU UDU strumming pattern for verses and choruses of this emotionally moving ballad. For added flair, add in some hammer-ons and pull-offs as described by this video.
This song, recorded during one session on 4 September 1962, quickly cemented The Beatles’ reputation as melodie-makers and helped establish Ringo Starr as an official drummer after producer George Martin disapproved of Pete Best’s drumming (Martin later used Starr’s version on Anthology 1 compilation album and Parlophone single first pressings). More complex than your average ukulele tune, Love Me Do scored above average in both Chord Complexity and Melody Complexity categories; you can find chords and lyrics here on Our Love Me Do page
One Day by U2
U2 wrote the anthem for world peace ‘One Day’ during their recording sessions for their seventh album Achtung Baby. At that time, their minds were preoccupied with numerous issues from Berlin Wall falling to relationship problems in themselves and between others; as they reached a creative impasse they started jamming on chord progression that would become Mysterious Ways but guitarist The Edge accidentally came upon what would eventually become “One Day”.
Play this ukulele song easily using a straightforward chord progression and reggae strumming pattern – C, F and G chords will do, while its regular DD UU UDU strumming pattern works great.
U2 have been around for five decades-plus, and have changed people’s conception of what a guitar-based rock band sounds like. No other band can compare to them; that makes them all the more influential; their influence can be heard everywhere you turn these days – even if many don’t realize it themselves.
Margaritaville by The Beach Boys
Margaritaville is one of the most beloved and lucrative songs ever composed, depicting a day spent lazing around on a tropical island with an iced tea and beach chair in hand. This catchy tune has become synonymous with Key West where Jimmy Buffett first gained popularity; today many restaurants and resorts bear his eponymous song’s name while drink mixes and merchandise bearing this trademark are readily available to add some flare.
The Beach Boys, the legendary band responsible for this beach anthem, boast over 29 albums to their credit. Composed of Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson as well as classmates Al Jardine and Mike Love – they are best known for their vocal harmonies as well as catchy tunes with an easygoing feel in their songs.
Jimmy Buffett joined The Beach Boys recently at A Capitol Fourth on PBS for a performance featuring their hits. Tens of thousands of fans attended, watching from the West Lawn of US Capitol building. Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina performed at this year’s A Capitol Fourth event as did Pentatonix with songs including I Get Around, Kokomo and Fun Fun Fun being performed live by these artists.
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
Brown Eyed Girl is an ideal introduction to guitar for beginner guitarists. Featuring easy chords and strumming patterns, its sing-along chorus makes this tune perfect for campfire or backyard gatherings!
When the song was originally released in 1967, its nostalgic lyrics about an ex-lover were too suggestive to be played on many radio stations. A radio-edit was made which removed those phrases (“making love in the green grass”) in favor of another line from an earlier verse.
Backing vocals were provided by gospel-influenced R&B girl group The Sweet Inspirations. After performing with various artists, The Sweet Inspirations eventually became Elvis Presley’s female backing singers until his death.
Leila is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Oakland, CA who plays guitar in several metal bands (Vastum, Hammers of Misfortune) as well as post-punk Terebellum as well as being a private music teacher. For optimal results she suggests strumming rhythm with downbeats on 1s and upbeats on 4s (giving the song its signature sound!). Leila enjoys alternate picking techniques as she practiced them in this song’s opening measure – ideal for practicing alternate picking techniques! Over time this song follows an easy chord progression which repeats itself over and over until finally ending with string bending techniques in an exercise for perfecting finger styles! Leila hails from Oakland where she currently plays guitar in metal bands Vastum and Hammers of Misfortune as well as post-punk band Terebellum and post-punk Terebellum as well as private music teaching students.
One More Time by The Beatles
Four simple chords, an effortless strumming pattern and one of music’s iconic songs make this Beatles hit an easy one to play on ukulele. Just keep a steady rhythm throughout and pay close attention to when and how the beat changes throughout each verse and chorus – with down strums predominating during verses and upstroke muting to create its trademark reggae sound!
John Lennon originally recorded this demo for his personal tapes in the late ’70s; later passed to Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr by Yoko Ono; however it remained incomplete when the Fab Four reunited to record “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.” Two decades later during production of Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary series Get Back dialogue editor Emile de la Rey of WingNut Films used cutting-edge audio technology to de-mix mono recordings; thus creating new stereo mixes of archive footage allowing archival footage to come alive with original sound mixes.
It was then decided to record “Now and Then,” creating an emotional tribute to all four Beatles. McCartney played piano and acoustic guitar; Harrison contributed both acoustic and electric guitar parts from their 1995 recording session; Paul added his own soaring slide solo as a fitting tribute.