Writing songs requires more than melody: chords provide harmonic structure and make the song memorable.
To play John Lennon’s “Imagine”, for instance, requires knowing three chords: C, F and G which you can find on an ukulele chord chart.
Scales
Scales are groups of notes spanning an octave using whole and half steps, and when learning ukulele chords it is crucial to become acquainted with scales to open up creative options for your songs. Knowledge of scales will allow you to play chord progressions faster and more effortlessly as well as identify which frets to put your fingers on as many ukulele chords use scale patterns which blend in well with most popular songs.
ukuleles are ideal for beginners as they only require basic chords and strumming patterns to learn, making it easy to start playing songs right away. But to take your ukulele playing even further it is crucial that you learn scales; scales are integral parts of music that allow you to perform popular songs as well as classical pieces and your own compositions.
While many may assume learning scales is difficult, the ukulele’s small fretboard makes it easy to learn them. Furthermore, its chords use scale patterns similar to most other instruments – meaning once you learn one scale’s basics you will be able to play any chord on it with no hassle at all!
A ukulele chord chart provides you with all of the information needed to play a specific song on a ukulele. It contains a grid representing its fretboard and strings as well as notes that comprise each chord, dots or numbers that indicate where fingers should be placed on its fretboard and an optional strumming pattern to follow while practicing.
If you are new to ukulele playing, and looking for some easy songs to learn, two great examples would be Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph,” with its four chords and simple strumming pattern. Or try Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” another great piece to pick up quickly on the ukulele.
Chords
Ukuleles are an easy and accessible instrument to learn for beginners, making them perfect for getting started with music. Many popular songs feature simple chord progressions that sound fantastic when played on a uke. But remember: to master more complex songs you need more than just basic knowledge; practice your chords using a metronome as you work up towards strumming faster.
Experiment with different fingering and strumming patterns depending on the song you are playing; learn open string playing so that you can familiarize yourself with its feel without pressing down any chord shapes.
One of the easiest ukulele songs to learn is Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” This iconic rock tune only requires four simple chords on your uke, with an accessible rhythm that is simple to pick up. Plus, its easy chord progression of C – G – A – F makes this tune great fun to play!
Ben E. King made this soulful classic famous with “Stand by Me,” an easy ukulele song to try. All it requires are four simple chords – C, F, A and D with an accompanying rhythm repeating every few bars; though beginners may find its Bb major chord to be challenging initially; nevertheless it should be seen as essential ukulele chord that can be applied across many songs.
Your first task in mastering the ukulele should be learning the C major chord and how to play it – similar to Gm7 chord but with one extra G string added on top – which can be found in many songs and will expand your fretboard knowledge. Once you master this chord, more challenging songs from artists such as Ed Sheerhan or Billie Eilish, as well as classics such as “Over the Rainbow”, will present themselves. Some genres don’t translate easily though such as Scandinavian death metal.
Fingerings
As you begin learning how to play the ukulele, it is crucial that you first familiarize yourself with its chords. There are three primary chords which should make most songs straightforward to play: C, F and G. Once these have become second nature to you, more complex songs and styles will become possible; you might even try fingerpicking (a method where individual strings are picked instead of strumming all at once); this adds depth and is popularly employed in blues, jazz and classical genres of music.
Your ukulele offers an excellent opportunity for playing classic rock tunes, such as Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” with only three chords needed and an easy strumming pattern. Country fans may prefer Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” while Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” with only four chords, makes learning country music simple and accessible.
The ukulele is an ideal instrument for playing folk songs as well as more modern pop and dance music, such as “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King or “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson. You can also learn classic folk tunes like “The Water is Wide” and “Down by the Sea”.
Reggae music offers plenty of great ukulele songs to learn and play, as well as songs by Bob Marley such as “Is This Love” and “Hold On”. These advanced skills may require more advanced hammer-ons or pull-offs but should still be easy for beginners to master.
Classic rock songs such as Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and The Rolling Stones’s “Heartbreak Hotel” can also be played on ukuleles with ease; such as Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and The Rolling Stones’s “Heartbreak Hotel.” While playing these tunes might require more advanced chords, with practice you will quickly master them and find great enjoyment playing them at parties or gatherings.
Rhythm
A ukulele is a fun instrument to learn, but mastery takes patience and time. Practice regularly while mastering chord progressions and fingering techniques are crucial if you want to advance from novice player to an accomplished ukulele player quickly. Your determination will determine your rate of growth from novice to expert player!
Find an upbeat party song or heartbreaking ballad when learning the ukulele with these excellent selections of songs spanning decades and more modern hits alike. Some are simple for beginning players while others require advanced knowledge of chords and strumming patterns.
Riptide by Vance Joy offers an upbeat, catchy song perfect for beginners that uses only four chords (Gmaj7/F#m7/Em/D). Hey Soul Sister by Train requires just three simple chords with a simple strumming pattern – both are modern favorites!
If you’re feeling brave enough, give Eric Clapton’s classic ballad “Amazing Grace” a try. While this song requires learning a few new chords and strumming patterns, mastery can be achieved with effort. Be sure to consult a chord chart and practice regularly so as to master this piece.
“Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison is another classic ukulele tune for beginners. It offers an easy chord progression and standard strumming pattern suited for this instrument; simply be sure to transpose the song to an easier key before beginning!
Or you could learn fingerpicking – an intricate form of playing where each finger is plucked separately rather than strumming together – for more complex songs. Fingerpicking can add depth to a song by creating hammer-ons and pull-offs; blues and jazz music often use this style.