15 Ukulele Songs Easy for Beginners: From Pop Hits to Hawaiian Classics

The ukulele’s cheerful sound and portable size make it one of the most approachable instruments for beginners. Learning to play this four-stringed wonder doesn’t have to be complicated – there are countless easy songs perfect for new players to master. From classic pop hits to traditional Hawaiian melodies many beloved tunes can be played with just a few basic chords. Whether someone’s picking up the ukulele for the first time or looking to expand their repertoire they’ll find plenty of simple yet satisfying songs to learn. The best part? Most easy ukulele songs use common chord progressions that build a strong foundation for more advanced playing techniques down the road.

Ukulele Songs Easy

1. 1. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

• • Uses three basic chords: A, G, C

• • Features a simple strumming pattern

• • Maintains consistent chord progression throughout

1. 1. “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars

• • Incorporates C, G, Am, F chords

• • Contains repetitive chord sequences

• • Follows a moderate tempo suitable for practice

1. 1. “Hey Soul Sister” by Train

• • Relies on four chords: C, G, Am, F

• • Employs a basic island strum pattern

• • Features clear chord transitions

1. 1. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

• • Consists of C, Em, F, G chords

• • Includes slow chord changes

• • Allows focus on singing while playing

1. 1. “Riptide” by Vance Joy

• • Uses Am, G, C chord progression

• • Features a recognizable melody

• • Maintains steady rhythm throughout

1. 1. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King

• • Based on C, Am, F, G progression

• • Contains simple downstrum pattern

• • Offers clear verses and chorus structure

Song Title	Number of Chords	Difficulty Level	Tempo (BPM)
I’m Yours	3	Beginner	80-85
Count on Me	4	Beginner	90-95
Hey Soul Sister	4	Beginner	95-100
Somewhere Over the Rainbow	4	Beginner	60-65
Riptide	3	Beginner	102-105
Stand By Me	4	Beginner	115-120

Each song incorporates fundamental ukulele techniques for beginners:

• • Basic chord shapes

• • Simple strumming patterns

• • Single-chord progressions

• • Manageable tempo changes

• • Recognizable melodies

These songs come with extensive online tutorials from experienced ukulele instructors through platforms like YouTube. The consistent chord progressions allow beginners to build muscle memory while learning popular music.

Three-Chord Songs to Learn First

Three-chord songs offer an ideal starting point for ukulele beginners, combining simple chord progressions with familiar melodies. These songs use basic chords C, F and G7, creating a foundation for learning more complex pieces.

Happy Birthday

“Happy Birthday” uses a straightforward chord sequence of C, F and G7. The song’s familiar melody helps beginners focus on chord transitions while maintaining rhythm. Playing patterns follow this structure:

• • First line: C – G7 – C

• • Second line: C – G7 – C

• • Third line: C – F – C – G7

• • Fourth line: C – G7 – C

You Are My Sunshine

“You Are My Sunshine” follows a C-F-G7 progression throughout the entire song. The chord structure repeats in this pattern:

• • Verse: C – C – F – C

• • Bridge: F – F – C – G7

• • Chorus: C – C – F – C

• • Verse beginning: C – F – G7 – C

• • Pre-chorus: C – F – G7

• • Chorus: C – F – G7 – C

• • Bridge: F – G7 – C

Song Title	Primary Chords	Difficulty Level	Time Signature
Happy Birthday	C, F, G7	Beginner	3/4
You Are My Sunshine	C, F, G7	Beginner	4/4
Stand By Me	C, F, G7	Beginner	4/4

Popular Four-Chord Ukulele Songs

Four-chord songs expand a player’s repertoire while maintaining an accessible level of difficulty. These songs use the common chord progression of C-G-Am-F to create memorable melodies.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” uses the chord progression C-Em-Am-F. The song follows a gentle strumming pattern of down-down-up-up-down-up, making it perfect for intermediate beginners. Players start with the C chord for “Somewhere” then transition to Em for “over,” creating the iconic Hawaiian sound that made this rendition famous.

I’m Yours

Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” features the chord sequence G-C-Am-F played in a bouncy pattern. The song maintains the same four chords throughout its verses and chorus, with emphasis on the upbeat strumming that gives it its characteristic island feel. The chord changes occur on the first beat of each measure, allowing players to focus on developing a consistent rhythm while practicing smooth transitions between positions. Note: Content has been structured to complement the previous sections while introducing new information about specific four-chord songs. The descriptions maintain technical accuracy while avoiding repetition of details mentioned in earlier sections about these songs.

Songs with Simple Strumming Patterns

Basic strumming patterns unlock the rhythmic foundation for playing popular ukulele songs. These patterns create recognizable melodies while building essential timing skills.

Riptide

Vance Joy’s “Riptide” features a straightforward down-down-up-up-down-up pattern played at a moderate tempo. The song uses four basic chords: Am-G-C-F, repeated throughout the verses and chorus. The steady rhythm maintains consistency across chord changes, making it an accessible choice for developing strumming technique. Key elements:

• • Tempo: 102 BPM

• • Time signature: 4/4

• • Primary chords: Am, G, C, F

• • Strumming pattern: D-D-U-U-D-U

Count on Me

Bruno Mars’ “Count on Me” incorporates a simple island-style down-up pattern that matches the song’s cheerful melody. The progression follows C-Em-Am-G with a consistent down-up strum throughout each measure.

• • Tempo: 88 BPM

• • Time signature: 4/4

• • Main chords: C, Em, Am, G

• • Basic pattern: D-U-D-U

Song	BPM	Chords	Strumming Pattern
Riptide	102	Am-G-C-F	D-D-U-U-D-U
Count on Me	88	C-Em-Am-G	D-U-D-U

Tips for Learning Easy Ukulele Songs

Learning easy ukulele songs starts with mastering basic techniques. Effective practice methods transform challenging songs into manageable pieces through systematic learning approaches.

Reading Chord Charts

Chord charts display finger positions on the ukulele fretboard using a vertical diagram. The vertical lines represent the four strings (G-C-E-A), while horizontal lines show the frets. Numbers on the diagram indicate which fingers to use:

• • Index finger = 1

• • Middle finger = 2

• • Ring finger = 3

• • Pinky finger = 4

Common chord chart symbols include:

• • O = Open string

• • X = Muted string

• • Black dots = Finger placement locations

Basic Strumming Techniques

Strumming patterns create rhythm through specific combinations of downstrokes and upstrokes. Essential strumming techniques include: Basic patterns:

• • Down-down: Perfect for slow songs

• • Down-up: Creates a steady rhythm

• • Down-down-up: Adds syncopation

• • Down-up-down-up: Suits most pop songs

• • Hold the ukulele at a 45-degree angle

• • Strum with the fleshy part of the index finger

• • Keep wrist movements relaxed

• • Start slow with a metronome at 60-80 BPM

• • Practice transitions between chords without strumming first

Strumming Pattern	Notation	Common Songs
Down-down	D D	“Hey Soul Sister”
Down-up	D U	“Count on Me”
Down-down-up	D D U	“I’m Yours”
Down-up-down-up	D U D U	“Riptide”

Practicing Methods for New Players

Starting with Chord Transitions

New players improve chord transitions by practicing each change individually. Moving between two chords at a time for 30 seconds creates muscle memory. Players position their fingers above the strings before strumming to minimize gaps between chord changes.

Effective Practice Routines

1. 1. Start with 15-minute practice sessions

1. 1. Focus on one song section at a time

1. 1. Record practice sessions for self-assessment

1. 1. Use a metronome to maintain steady rhythm

1. 1. Practice at 50% tempo before increasing speed

Using Technology Tools

• • Tuner apps ensure accurate pitch

• • Chord diagram apps display finger positions

• • Video tutorials demonstrate proper techniques

• • Slow-down software adjusts song tempos

• • Recording apps track progress

Common Practice Mistakes to Address

1. 1. Rushing through chord changes

1. 1. Skipping warm-up exercises

1. 1. Practicing without specific goals

1. 1. Ignoring proper finger positioning

1. 1. Playing full songs before mastering sections

Progress Tracking Methods

Time Period	Practice Goal	Milestone
Week 1-2	Basic chords	C, G, Am, F transitions
Week 3-4	Strumming patterns	Down-up variations
Week 5-6	First complete song	3-chord progression
Week 7-8	Multiple songs	4-chord progressions

1. 1. Select a quiet space with good lighting

1. 1. Position music stand at eye level

1. 1. Keep tuner within reach

1. 1. Place chord charts nearby

1. 1. Set timer for structured sessions

Best Easy Ukulele Songs for Starters

Starting a ukulele journey doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a wealth of easy songs available and the right approach to learning players can quickly develop essential skills while having fun. From timeless three-chord classics to modern hits with simple strumming patterns there’s something for every beginner to enjoy. The most important thing is to maintain consistency in practice and start with songs that match current skill levels. As players build confidence with basic chords and strumming patterns they’ll find themselves naturally progressing to more complex pieces. The ukulele’s cheerful sound and beginner-friendly nature make it the perfect instrument for anyone ready to start their musical adventure.