The ukulele’s cheerful tones have captivated musicians and music lovers alike with its unique ability to make any song sound like a tropical vacation. From beginner strummers to seasoned players everyone’s looking for that perfect easy song to master on their tiny four-stringed friend.
Learning the ukulele doesn’t have to feel like rocket science. With just a handful of basic chords and simple strumming patterns anyone can transform into a beach-side entertainer. The best part? There’s an endless collection of popular songs that sound amazing on the uke and don’t require advanced techniques or complicated finger gymnastics.
Ukulele Songs Easy
Popular songs with simple chord progressions create an ideal starting point for beginner ukulele players. Here’s a curated selection of easy-to-play songs that use 3-4 basic chords:
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Uses G, C, Am, F chords
Features a straightforward strumming pattern
Maintains the same progression throughout
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Incorporates C, Em, F, G chords
Contains slow chord transitions
Perfect for single-string picking practice
“Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
Features C, G, Am, F chords
Includes basic down-strumming
Repeats consistent chord patterns
“Hey Soul Sister” by Train
Uses C, G, Am, F chords
Offers practice with island strumming
Contains memorable melody lines
“Riptide” by Vance Joy
Requires Am, G, C chords
Teaches dynamic strumming techniques
Demonstrates chord progression variations
Song Title
Chord Count
Difficulty Level
Time to Learn
I’m Yours
4 chords
Beginner
1-2 hours
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
4 chords
Beginner
2-3 hours
Count on Me
4 chords
Beginner
1-2 hours
Hey Soul Sister
4 chords
Beginner
2-3 hours
Riptide
3 chords
Beginner
1 hour
Each song provides opportunities to practice essential ukulele techniques while playing recognizable melodies. These selections focus on basic chord shapes C, G, Am, F which form the foundation for countless popular songs.
Essential Chords Every Ukulele Player Should Know
Learning ukulele starts with mastering fundamental chord shapes that form the basis of countless songs. These essential chords enable players to perform a wide range of music while building finger strength and dexterity.
Common Two-Chord Songs
The simplest ukulele songs use just two chords, making them perfect for beginners. Songs like “Jamming” by Bob Marley alternates between C and G7 chords throughout the entire piece. “Six Days on the Road” uses C and F chords in a steady rhythm pattern. “Stand By Me” incorporates C and Am chords to create its memorable melody. These two-chord combinations create complete songs while helping players develop muscle memory for smooth transitions between chord changes.
Popular Three-Chord Progressions
The C-F-G7 progression forms the foundation of numerous popular songs across multiple genres. “Sweet Home Alabama” uses D-C-G for its signature sound. The Am-F-C combination appears in “House of the Rising Sun” creating its haunting melody. Pop hits like “I’m Yours” utilize the G-C-Am progression to establish their catchy rhythms. These three-chord sequences unlock hundreds of recognizable tunes while teaching essential finger positioning techniques for chord transitions.
Classic Children’s Songs for Ukulele
The ukulele’s bright sound makes it perfect for playing children’s songs. These timeless tunes feature simple chord progressions that beginners master quickly.
Nursery Rhymes
Traditional nursery rhymes translate beautifully to the ukulele with their straightforward melodies. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” uses just two chords (C and G7) in a repetitive pattern. “Row Row Row Your Boat” incorporates three basic chords (C, G7, F) while teaching steady strumming techniques. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” features a C-F-G7 progression that builds finger dexterity. Other beginner-friendly options include “Baa Baa Black Sheep” “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” plus “London Bridge” each using familiar chord shapes like Am C F G.
Disney Favorites
Disney songs adapted for ukulele create an engaging practice experience. “A Whole New World” from Aladdin uses C G Am F chords in a memorable sequence. “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid combines C and G7 chords with a fun island rhythm. “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King features three basic chords (C F G) in an upbeat pattern. Other accessible Disney tunes include “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story plus “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana which use standard chord progressions C Am F G that beginners learn early.
Pop Songs That Are Easy to Play
Popular songs adapted for ukulele create instant recognition while building essential playing skills. These modern hits feature straightforward chord progressions that translate beautifully to the ukulele’s bright tone.
One-Direction Songs
One Direction’s catalog includes several ukulele-friendly songs perfect for beginners. “What Makes You Beautiful” uses just four basic chords: C, G, Am F. “Little Things” features a gentle fingerpicking pattern with C, Em G. “Story of My Life” incorporates Am, F, C G in a repeating pattern that’s ideal for practicing chord transitions. These pop hits maintain their catchiness on ukulele while helping players master fundamental techniques.
Ed Sheeran Hits
Ed Sheeran’s acoustic-based songwriting style transfers naturally to the ukulele. “Perfect” employs a simple chord progression of G, Em, C D. “Thinking Out Loud” relies on D, Em, G A for its memorable melody. “Shape of You” transforms into an upbeat ukulele tune using Am, F, C G. Players can start with basic strumming patterns then progress to more complex rhythms as their skills develop. Each song provides opportunities to practice chord changes while playing recognizable melodies.
Folk Songs Perfect for Ukulele
Folk songs provide an excellent starting point for ukulele players due to their straightforward chord progressions and memorable melodies. The simple structure of folk music pairs naturally with the ukulele’s warm, inviting tone.
Traditional Folk Songs
Traditional folk songs create an authentic connection to musical heritage through the ukulele. “House of the Rising Sun” features a repeating pattern of Am, C, D, and F chords that builds finger dexterity. “Greensleeves” incorporates Am and G chords in a gentle sequence perfect for practicing timing. “Scarborough Fair” uses just three chords – Am, G, and C – in a circular progression that helps develop muscle memory. “Danny Boy” showcases the Em and D chords in a flowing melody that enhances strumming techniques. “Amazing Grace” demonstrates how four basic chords – C, F, G, and Am – combine to create timeless music.
Modern Folk Favorites
Modern folk songs translate beautifully to the ukulele’s intimate sound. “The Lumineers’ Ho Hey” uses a basic C-F-G chord progression with an engaging rhythm pattern. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz blends G, C, and Am chords in an upbeat tropical style. “Little Lion Man” by Mumford & Sons features Em, G, and C chords with dynamic strumming variations. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s combines C, Em, and F chords in a gentle fingerpicking pattern. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show rotates through G, D, Em, and C chords in a catchy sequence that’s perfect for group singing.
Tips for Learning New Ukulele Songs
Practice sessions gain structure with a methodical approach to learning new songs. Here are proven techniques to master ukulele songs efficiently:
Start with the Chord Progression
Write down all chords in sequence
Practice transitions between each chord pair
Master the changes before adding strumming
Break Down the Song Structure
Learn verse chords separately from chorus
Focus on one section at a time
Connect sections after individual mastery
Master the Strumming Pattern
Count rhythm without playing chords first
Tap the pattern on the ukulele body
Add simple down strums before complex patterns
Use Technology Tools
Record practice sessions for self-evaluation
Utilize chord chart apps for quick reference
Download metronome apps for rhythm practice
Apply Progressive Learning
Start at 50% song tempo
Increase speed in 10% increments
Reach full tempo only after clean transitions
Focus on Finger Placement
Position fingers close to fretboard
Maintain curved finger form
Keep thumb centered on back of neck
These techniques create a solid foundation for learning songs at any skill level. Consistent application of these methods transforms challenging pieces into manageable segments for steady progress.
Strumming Patterns for Beginners
Basic strumming patterns form the rhythmic foundation for ukulele songs. The down strum pattern creates a steady beat using single downward motions. A common pattern alternates down up down up strums in 4/4 time.
Here are 3 essential strumming patterns for beginners:
Island Strum: D DU UDU
Perfect for songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Emphasizes beats 1 2& 3&4
Simple Calypso: D DU UD
Works great with “Hey Soul Sister”
Creates a bouncy tropical feel
Basic Waltz: D DU D
Ideal for folk songs like “Amazing Grace”
Follows a 3/4 time signature
To practice strumming patterns:
Start slowly with just down strums
Add up strums gradually
Use a metronome at 60-80 BPM
Focus on keeping steady rhythm
Practice transitions between patterns
The rhythm notation uses:
Symbol
Meaning
D
Down strum
U
Up strum
–
Rest/pause
These patterns complement the basic chords covered earlier while providing rhythmic variety for beginner-friendly songs. Adding dynamics through softer gentle strums versus stronger accented beats creates musical expression even with simple patterns.
Getting started with the ukulele has never been easier thanks to the wealth of beginner-friendly songs available. From timeless folk tunes to modern pop hits anyone can find something that matches their musical taste and skill level.
The key to success lies in starting with simple chord progressions basic strumming patterns and songs that feel approachable. With consistent practice and the right learning techniques even complete beginners can quickly build their repertoire of enjoyable songs.
So grab a ukulele pick a favorite tune from this collection and start the musical journey today. The cheerful sound of this versatile instrument will make learning fun while creating beautiful music along the way.
