Are you ready to learn to play the ukulele? Starting with simple and fun songs is one of the best ways to practise. At TuCuatro, our beginner-friendly ukulele lessons show you how the instrument can be a gateway to socializing and connecting with other music lovers.
At TuCuatro, we teach easy ukulele songs for beginners that help you build confidence and rhythm step-by-step. So this article will highlight three popular, easy ukulele songs that you can start practicing and learning right now.
Each song keeps it simple, just a few easy chords and strums that sound great right away. Use these tunes as a stepping stone to learn more complex songs that you’ll enjoy playing.
Before we jump into the songs, let’s take a quick look at who we are at TuCuatro, a music classroom where anyone can learn ukulele, cuatro, or guitar at their own pace. The platform provides structured lessons, video demonstrations, and personalized feedback from expert instructors. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, TuCuatro offers a supportive community and a clear learning path. Here we go, let’s explore these easy ukulele songs for beginners:
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole cover
- “Riptide” by Vance Joy
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Join TuCuatro today and continue your ukulele journey with dozens of interactive courses, curated songs, and a vibrant community of learners.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole cover
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is one of the most iconic ukulele songs for beginners. The song, made famous by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, was later reimagined by Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole using a gentle ukulele arrangement. Its simple chord progression makes it a perfect starting point for new players, and TuCuatro includes this piece in its beginner lessons.
This song allows you to focus on the chord changes and build strumming confidence. It uses simple chords; the strumming pattern is gentle and repetitive. To learn the chords, you can use a simple up-down pattern, don’t overcomplicate it at first. Once you’re ready, try to do a more advanced strumming pattern, like the one below:
Also, the melody of this song is beautiful and iconic, making it a great song to have in your ukulele repertoire.
“Riptide” by Vance Joy
The second song on our list is “Riptide” by Vance Joy. This beginner-friendly ukulele song is popular because of its catchy chorus and upbeat rhythm. It’s a fun tune to play and sing along with, and it’s part of the TuCuatro beginner curriculum. When our students first strum ‘Riptide,’ there’s always that big grin — it’s the moment you realize, ‘Hey, I’m really playing music!
While the strumming pattern is slightly more challenging than the first song, it’s still manageable for beginners. Use the rhythm guide below to practice the pattern and improve your technique.
The upbeat melody of this song is catchy, making it enjoyable to practice repeatedly. When you play a tune you love, you’re more likely to stick with your practice and improve quickly.
Because it’s a crowd-pleaser, having “I’m Yours” in your repertoire will impress friends at parties and gatherings.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – Easy Ukulele Song for Beginners
The third song, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, is another favourite among ukulele players. With its upbeat tempo and laid-back vibe, this tune is a great choice for both beginners and seasoned musicians.
This song features a simple chord progression and a catchy melody. The chords are easy to learn, and the tune is so contagious that you’ll want to play it whenever someone asks you for a song. TuCuatro’s lessons break down the chords and strumming patterns to help you master it quickly.
Summary of the three famous ukulele songs
Why these three songs in particular? “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is the most popular song among ukulele players, you need to learn it. “Riptide” by Vance Joy is a bit more challenging but a solid option for parties, and “I’m Yours” melody is catchy, the chords are easy and people love it!
These are just a few well-known songs that can be played on the ukulele. There are many other great songs out there that you can try learning on the ukulele, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find the songs that you enjoy playing the most.
And if you’re looking to get started with playing these songs, be sure to check out the TuCuatro lessons on ukulele! Our lessons are designed to help you learn the basics and beyond, so you can play the songs you love, improve your ukulele skills and expand your musical knowledge.
