Ukuleles may not immediately come to mind when thinking of rock music, yet many popular tracks from this genre can be performed brilliantly on this strummer instrument.
“Paint it Black” wasn’t written specifically for ukulele playing, yet works extremely well when performed by Hawaiian singer-songwriter Jake Shimabukuro.
Country & Folk
Folk and country music often overlap and it’s not unusual for crossover artists to switch back and forth between genres. Both have simple melodies with compelling storytelling lyrics that engage their audiences by using repetition & encouraging singing along from audiences, often using instruments ranging from acoustic guitars, fiddles, banjos & Irish whistles while both styles may also be played using ukuleles.
Ukuleles’ lighter sound can help songs that would sound heavy on guitar work beautifully on it, like Guns N’ Roses classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” But Andrew Molina and his father Jay seamlessly pull it off on this instrument using light acoustic versions that don’t drown out its iconic licks.
Ukuleles are ideal for country songs with lively rhythms, such as this Jason Mraz track with its upbeat strum that will put anyone in a great mood. One of the most-viewed YouTube ukulele songs ever, this track serves as an excellent learning opportunity and strumming exercises tool!
Folk songs provide an outlet to address daily issues people face such as slavery, war, backbreaking jobs & social injustices; they also capture nostalgic feelings associated with past lifestyles like those by Bob Dylan & Gord Lightfoot. Historically folk musicians were non-professional and used whatever instruments were at hand (including homemade ones) when creating music; these musicians would then gather regularly at church halls or private homes and share information regarding current events with each other before gathering at large events such as concerts and record sales. They weren’t part of the mainstream music industry which focused more on community involvement rather than record sales & image consultants.
Reggae
Reggae first emerged onto the scene in 1968, keeping many of the same rhythmic structures of popular styles that came before it, such as ska and rocksteady’s syncopated snare drum and hi-hat pulse, rocksteady’s swaying guitar-bass interplay and influence from mento/Nyahbinghi drumming tradition, as well as its unique riddims; which emphasize downbeats on beats two and four unlike many other musical genres where these are often disregarded.
Reggeae also adopted the distinctive drumming style of Jamaicans known as Nyahbinghi, using hand percussion instruments like wood blocks, scrapers, shekeres and claves. This helped establish an undeniably rhythmic sound which set Reggae apart from other musical genres.
Reggae music’s lyrics reflect Jamaican history and aspirations, such as Rastafarian beliefs that all black people are descendants of Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie and therefore heading back towards Africa. Many songs depict love, hope and freedom while other sociopolitical issues such as materialism/exploitation rejection/racism criticism of political systems/Babylon system of oppression etc are also prevalent themes within reggae music lyrics.
Though not traditionally associated with reggae music, ukuleles have proved invaluable instruments for singer-songwriters such as Plain White T’s Joe Brown. Joe often played this George Harrison tune on his ukulele during live performances with Plain White T’s. Hawaiian native Jake Shimabukuro also gained notoriety for his exceptional ukulele skills when performing this version of Michael Jackson’s classic hit “Thriller.”
Although not typically categorized as Reggae music, Pink Floyd’s hit ukulele song features sentimental lyrics that perfectly suit its peaceful ambience. These soft chords create the ideal setting for an effortless afternoon nap!
Latin
Latin music is one of the world’s most beloved genres, known for its energetic beat and distinctive blend of vocal and instrumental leads. Latin was established when European settlers entered America and mixed their cultures together with local ones to form what has since become one of its hallmark genres.
Latin music has evolved over time from its origins in Salsa and Reggaeton music styles, eventually merging them with more contemporary pop, rock and electronic dance genres such as electronic dance music. Additionally, ukuleles are becoming increasingly prevalent instruments used in Latin songs.
Bachata is a Latin style of music originating in the Dominican Republic that has quickly gained worldwide renown. Distinguished by romantic lyrics and danceable rhythms, as well as its soothing yet seductive sound signature.
While this song may not be typical Bachata, its romantic quality lends itself well to being performed on the ukulele. Additionally, its chord progressions are straightforward and provide a good starting point for creating your own compositions.
This legendary tune by David Bowie is perfect for playing on the ukulele due to its haunting chords and complex rhythm. Additionally, its use of major keys makes this tune particularly accessible on this instrument and will add an emotional depth that your songs won’t otherwise possess.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which calls on us all to fight racism, may not seem the ideal song choice for ukulele playing. Yet this amazing cover by an up-and-coming Taiwanese musician proves how even four strings can be powerfully expressive of emotion and beauty.
Punk
Punk music is often associated with drugs and alcohol abuse. While that might be the case with some punk bands like Sex Pistols (who spit on audiences and got drunk during performances), to generalize all punk as having such characteristics would not be accurate; there are numerous types of punk that range from very gentle melodies to aggressive sounds.
No matter the genre of punk music you prefer, certain songs make for great practice on the ukulele due to their straightforward chord structures and melodies. One such tune from Guns N’ Roses called “Sweet Child O’ Mine” features an irresistibly catchy tune coupled with an energetic rhythm suitable for learning on an instrument such as the ukulele.
MGMT’s “Sound of Silver,” with its light, airy sound, can bring joy to anyone’s day. It is easy to play on ukulele as only two chords (F and D) need to be known; alternatively use a capo to raise its pitch and make it sound fuller.
Interested in punk bands or singers? Search online for their covers; some bands even upload live performance videos on YouTube for you to experience the music directly.
punk music may not appeal to everyone, but its influence can be found elsewhere: skate punk and ska punk have emerged as subgenres similar to punk but with faster tempo and more aggressive drumming; there’s even an emerging community of Japanese female punk musicians called CHAI, singing about rebelling against society standards while remaining true to oneself.
Classic Rock
Rock music has long been known for its energy-packed tracks – particularly Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name of” by Rage Against the Machine is often played at gym workouts over Mozart’s Requiem in D minor! And this energetic sound lends itself perfectly to being played on an ukulele as you play “Killing in the Name of” and other popular rock hits!
Classic rock is hard to define exactly, but most agree it encompasses music that was prevalent on FM radio in the ’60s through ’80s and that continues to be enjoyed today by both young people and older ones.
One key factor that defines whether or not a song is considered classic is when it was released for recording, though this depends on many other variables as well such as popularity and how many members went on to become individual stars themselves.
Eddie Vedder was an integral part of the ukulele revival and his rendition of George Harrison’s timeless track is proof that its versatility. Though its sound may lack some of the swagger found with guitar or violin instruments, its charm has won over both professional musicians as well as casual players for over 100 years and now helps add another dimension to songs like Train’s popular “Under Pressure.”