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Learning to play the ukulele can be a fun and rewarding experience, and with the right songs, it can be easier than ever to start playing.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced player looking to add some new tunes to your repertoire, this list of ten of the easiest ukulele songs for beginners is sure to have something for you.
From traditional hymns to classic rock, each of these songs use only a few chords and are simple to strum and sing.
So grab your ukulele and get ready to learn some easy songs that you’ll be able to master with a little practice.
Key Takeaways
- Marye is an independent singer-songwriter and teaching artist who has released three original albums independently and has been teaching music privately and in group settings.
- The ukulele is held and strummed with the left hand creating chord shapes and the right hand controlling the rhythm with down and up strums.
- The selected songs on the list have simple chord progressions, easy strum patterns, and melodies that are not vocally demanding.
- The songs on the list include “Surfin USA” by The Beach Boys, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin, “This Little Light of Mine” (traditional hymn), “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver, “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen, “Jane Says” by Jane’s Addiction, and “Let It Be” by The Beatles.
Surfin USA
Playing ‘Surfin USA’ by The Beach Boys is an ideal song for beginning ukulele players as it uses only three chords and can be played with a simple strum pattern.
The left hand is responsible for creating the chord shapes while the right hand controls the rhythm and strumming techniques.
A down strum (D) starts at the string closest to the chin and ends at the string closest to the floor. An upstroke (U) reverses this path.
If you are new to ukulele, tips for learning new chords include watching videos and practicing with a metronome.
With patience and practice, any beginner can master ‘Surfin USA’ and have a great time doing it!
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Sing along with Bobby McFerrin’s classic ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’, which uses only three chords and is a great song for beginning ukulele players.
Exploring the history of ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’, it was written and released by Bobby McFerrin in the late 80s and has since been covered by various artists.
The chords used in the song are G, A minor, and C, making it simple and straightforward to play.
Analyzing the popularity of Bobby McFerrin, his songs have been featured in numerous films and TV shows, further adding to the song’s enduring legacy.
For beginners, it is recommended to use the D-D-U-D strumming pattern or one strum per chord.
‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ is an excellent choice for those just beginning to learn the ukulele.
This Little Light of Mine
Learning ‘This Little Light of Mine’ is a great way for ukulele beginners to start playing music. This traditional hymn uses only three chords – C, F, and G7 – and the D-D-D-D strum pattern.
This is an excellent song for beginners to practice strumming techniques and transitioning between chords. Practicing chord transitions is important, as it helps develop muscle memory and makes playing the ukulele easier.
Although the song is simple, it is important to practice it in order to get the hang of the strumming pattern and chord changes. With patience and practice, ‘This Little Light of Mine’ can become a fun, enjoyable song for any ukulele player.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Building on the skills developed from learning ‘This Little Light of Mine’, ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ is a great song for beginner ukulele players to practice.
To strum and sing ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ on the ukulele, use the chord progression G, C, G, C, G, D and play four down strokes per chord. This will help you master the G, C, and D chords.
The song requires quick chord changes, but only two chords are used in total.
To get the most out of the song, watch the video on YouTube for tips and tricks.
With practice, you’ll be able to play this song with ease.
Born in the USA
Playing Bruce Springsteen’s classic hit ‘Born in the USA’, ukulele players of all levels can learn to master two chords: A and Dsus2.
To play ‘Born in the USA’, it is important to use four down strokes per chord.
The Dsus2 chord is simpler to play than the D chord, making it a great option for those just starting out.
As a beginner, it is helpful to practice the strum pattern and chord changes separately before putting them together.
Watching a tutorial on YouTube can help with visualizing the song.
Additionally, it is important to take it slow and practice with patience.
With practice, anyone can learn to play ‘Born in the USA’ on the ukulele.
Jane Says
Following up from ‘Born in the USA’, Jane’s Addiction’s alternative rock hit from 1987, ‘Jane Says’, is another great song for ukulele beginners to learn. Using only two chords, F and G, it’s a great way to practice transitioning between chords.
Strumming techniques for this song can be quite simple; four down strokes per chord works well. You can also use the D-DU-D-D strum pattern, making sure to switch to the F chord for the chorus.
Tips for transitioning between F and G chords in ‘Jane Says’ include focusing on the strumming pattern and not rushing the switch. Keep your strumming on the beat and you’ll be able to switch chords with ease.
With its catchy chorus, ‘Jane Says’ is a great song for ukulele players of all levels.
Let It Be
Continuing on from ‘Jane Says’, The Beatles’ classic ‘Let It Be’ is another great ukulele song for beginners to learn. The chords used are C, F, G, and A minor, and the strum pattern is D-DU-D-D.
To play ‘Let It Be’ on the ukulele, start by mastering the chord changes and strum pattern. Beginners should play slowly and practice until they are comfortable with the chords and strum pattern. It can also help to watch a video of the song on YouTube to get the rhythm and strum pattern down.
With patience and practice, you will soon be able to play ‘Let It Be’ on the ukulele with ease.
I’m Yours
A ukulele-player’s delight, ‘I’m Yours’ is an easy song to learn for beginners. The song uses common ukulele chords such as G, C, D, and Em.
It is a great song to practice strumming techniques with, as the strumming pattern is simple and repetitive. To get the most out of the song, try experimenting with different strumming patterns and tempos.
It is a great way to practice transitioning between chords and to get comfortable with the instrument. With a little practice, anyone can learn to play ‘I’m Yours’ on the ukulele.
Hallelujah
With only four chords, ‘Hallelujah’ is one of the easiest ukulele songs to learn for beginners. It uses the chords C, G, D, and A minor.
To play the song, start by strumming down on the C chord, then up on the G chord, down on the D chord, and finally up on the A minor chord.
For mastering the strumming pattern, practice slowly playing the chords in the correct order, without worrying about the speed. Once you are comfortable with the chord changes, you can start to increase the tempo and focus on the strumming pattern.
To create a fuller sound, try using a combination of down and up strokes, as well as palm muting.
With some practice, you can soon master this timeless song on the ukulele.
Ukulele Basics
Building on the knowledge of how to hold and strum your ukulele, as well as the importance of choosing the right songs for beginners, it is important to understand the basics of playing the ukulele.
When first starting out, it is key for beginners to choose the right ukulele. An appropriate size is important, depending on the age of the player, as well as the quality of the instrument.
Additionally, proper ukulele maintenance is essential for long-term use, such as lubricating the strings and tuning the instrument regularly.
As a beginner, it is also important to develop a practice routine that includes playing scales, chords, and songs. To learn how to play ukulele, read this article.
With patience and practice, a beginner can learn to play the ukulele in no time.
Conclusion
Learning to play the ukulele can be a fun and rewarding experience. With a few simple chords and songs, beginners can quickly master the basics of the ukulele and gain the confidence to continue learning and playing more songs.
With practice and dedication, ukulele players of all levels can gain the skills necessary to make beautiful music. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, the ukulele offers a wide range of possibilities for creativity and expression.
With a little bit of patience and creativity, anyone can play the ukulele and make beautiful music. It’s a versatile instrument that can be played in a variety of musical styles, from folk and pop to jazz and reggae. So grab a ukulele and start strumming – you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!
I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for music with others through this audio blog, and I can’t wait to connect with fellow music lovers from all around the world. Let’s rock on!