Ukulele for Beginners: Useful Songs to Know

10 Sep 2023 by George Loveridge |

5,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 4 Minutes

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Learning a new instrument is exciting. However, knowing where to start is often challenging. Have no fear! This list of entry-level songs is perfect when looking at ukulele for beginners. Let’s delve into some absolute classics.

Ukulele for Beginners: Useful Songs to Know

The ukulele is the perfect gateway to learning how to play an instrument. Ukulele for beginners is simple, affordable and fun!

In this rundown, we’re going to look at some cool songs that will be essential for your journey as a ukulele player. Whether you’ve been playing for a while or haven’t even had your first lesson yet, we’ve got you covered.

Zombie – The Cranberries

Firstly, we’re going to look at this ’90s grunge whopper from The Cranberries. What makes this song so good to learn on Ukulele?

Thankfully there are just four chords in this song, and on the ukulele, they are Em, C, G & D. Therefore, by picking up this song at the start of your playing, you’ll learn some basic chords. The foundations of playing an instrument.

There are also lots of dynamic changes! Meaning you can play loud in some sections and quieter in others. Either by strumming one chord per bar as whole notes. Alternatively, strumming crotchets, which would be four strums per bar.

Ukulele For Beginners: Zombie

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

Next up, it’s this karaoke corker. Brown Eyed Girl features a very demanding guitar intro. However, for us ukulele players, it’s a great track for ukulele for beginners.

Similarly, we have a basic set of chords throughout the song. This time though, there are different chord orders for the verse and choruses.

This song teaches great time-keeping techniques. Allowing you to improve on changing chords depending on what section you’re playing.

Ukulele for Beginners: Brown Eyed Girl

Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s

Thirdly, we have this mid-naughties bop. Although not very rock and roll, I guarantee that you’ll be humming Hey There Delilah later today!

We’ve got some new chords this time, but this is where we can start to look at our right hand. An often overlooked element of ukulele for beginners.

On each chord of the progression, we want to pick the route note before strumming the chord. For example, on the Gbm chord, we would pick the G string, when our finger is on the 2nd fret. Doing this on each chord will give you the feel of this record.

Ukulele for Beginners: Hey There Delilah

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

Wait, what? Guns N’ Roses on ukulele? Yes! One of the greatest rock songs of all time is compatible when it comes to ukulele for beginners.

The verses and choruses of Sweet Child O’ Mine have just a few chords in.

Verse: D / C / G / D
Chorus: A / C / D / D

Of course, what we really want to hear is that iconic riff! Thanks to the internet, you too can learn the intro riff to this song.

Riptide – Vance Joy

Concluding our list of ukulele for beginners, useful songs to know, is this cult modern classic.

Riptide has been stuck in our heads for 10 years and is a firm favourite amongst ukulele beginners. Utilising just four chords, you’ll be jamming out in no time.

With this tune, our strumming pattern is DD, UDU, down down, up down up. This repeats throughout the song. A little confusing at first but will improve right-hand dexterity when playing your instrument.

Ukulele for Beginners: Riptide

Ukulele for Beginners: What else do you need?

This list has covered some really basic skills needed for ukulele playing. Utilising just a few simple chords can be all that you need. Although, for those wanting to level up, take a look at these:

This bundle from Harley Benton is a great place to start when learning ukulele. Inexpensive and a quality instrument.

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Harley Benton Kahuna-S Turtle

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29.90 € at

Whereas, this Fender Strat style ukulele embodies an iconic design with a spruce top, giving you a nice bright sound. Even with a scratchplate, how cool is that?

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