Learning to play the Ukulele can be a lot of fun, and it’s even more enjoyable when you can play songs that you already know and love. There are many songs out there that are suitable for beginners on the Ukulele, as they use simple chords and strumming patterns that are easy to learn and play.
By practicing and mastering these songs, you can improve your skills on the instrument and expand your repertoire of songs to play. This will not only help you to become a better Ukulele player, but it will also give you the opportunity to have even more fun playing music on the instrument.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
One of the most popular and easy songs for beginners on the Ukulele is “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. This song uses the C, G, and F chords, some of the most common chords on the Ukulele. The strumming pattern is simple and repetitive, and the melody is catchy and singable. To play this song, start with a down-up strumming pattern and switch between the C, G, and F chords on each measure’s first and second beat. The song also uses a few simple picking patterns, which you can learn by watching this tutorial or even by carefully listening to the song.
C
Well you dawned on me, and you bet I felt it,
G
I tried to be chill, but you’re so hot that I melted
Am
I fell right through the cracks,
F
now I’m trying to get back
“Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King
Another song that is great for beginners on the Ukulele is “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King. This song uses the C, G, and Am chords, which are easy to play and sound great on the Ukulele. The strumming pattern is simple and upbeat, and the melody is fun and memorable. To play this song, start with a down-up-down-up strumming pattern, and switch between the C, G, and Am chords on the first, second, and third beat of each measure. The song also uses a few simple slides and hammer-ons, which you can learn by watching a tutorial or by listening to the song.
F C
F D7 G7
Am
G7 D
C G7 C
Have a look at the lyrics and chords of Hakuna Matata here.
“Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz
Another song suitable for beginners on the Ukulele is “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz (the original song is in G#, enter here to see the lyrics and chords and transpose to C). This song uses the C, G, Am, and F chords, some of the most common chords on the Ukulele. The strumming pattern is simple and soothing, and the melody is beautiful and emotional. To play this song, start with a down-up strumming pattern and switch between the C, G, Am, and F chords on each measure’s first and second beat. The song also uses a few simple arpeggios, which you can learn by watching a tutorial or by listening to the song.
In conclusion, many songs are suitable for beginners on the Ukulele. By practicing and learning these songs, you can develop your skills, expand your repertoire, and have fun playing music on the Ukulele. Some of the most popular and easy songs for beginners are “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King, and “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. You can learn these songs and many more with practice and repetition and enjoy playing the Ukulele for years to come.
