Are you lost when looking for easy songs to learn on a ukulele? Ukulele is one of the most accessible and fun instruments to learn! As a music teacher and ukulele practitioner myself, I know exactly how rewarding it can be. But if you don’t believe me, you can also check these 2017 case studies published by Sage Journals: ‘A smile on everybody’s face: a multiple case study of community ukulele groups’. Here you can find out how exciting and interesting it is to learn ukulele and how it can make the entire community happier. But many people don’t know where to start. This is why I came up with these 50 easy ukulele songs you can learn in hours. Read on for this ‘mega list’ I’ve created just for you!
There are a few factors to look for in a song to decide if it’s easy enough. Whether you’re looking on your own or wondering why I chose the ones below, these factors may be helpful to you. Number Of Chords - The first and most important factor in what makes a simple ukulele song are the number of ukulele chords. There are a surprising number of songs out there using 2 chords. But 2 chord ukulele songs aren’t the only way to go. Songs up to 4 chords are pretty simple to learn too. In some cases, even songs with more ukulele chords can still be easy if some of these other factors are in place. But a good 2 chord ukulele song will always be easier than one with more. 2, 3, or 4 chord songs tend to be the gold standard for simple ukulele songs. Types Of Chords - You also need to look at the types of chords played on the ukulele. The easiest ukulele chords to play are ones that use fewer fingers and are closely shaped with each other. These ukulele chords are considered easy to play:
Look for beginner ukulele songs with these chords in them. But it is possible to change the key if these chords aren’t the ones being used. This may make it a little harder to sing, but you will be able to play it much easier.
Chord Changes - Another important factor to watch for is how often and in what order the chords change. Here’s another way to think about it: A song using 4 ukulele chords (C-A minor-F-G) over and over will be easier to play than a 3 chord song where the order and speed of the chord changes is all over the place. But this factor can be worked around with practice. One of the best ways to practice tricky chord changes is to loop certain sections of the song. When you loop a section, you play it over and over (starting slow and then speeding up gradually) until you can play it well without effort. Just like with piano songs, Solfeg.io can be of big help with its covers of popular ukulele songs that allow you to set up loops and change how you practice.
Repetition - There are some songs out there with interesting strum patterns and tricky chord changes, but these songs become easy due to how the song just repeats these difficult elements. A good example of this is the song, All Along The Watchtower. Some people may struggle to move to the G major chord quickly, but because the song is A minor-G-F-G the entire time, it becomes simple. Form - Form in music refers to the different sections and their order of a song. For example, a typical popular ukulele song form is: Introduction, First Verse, Second Verse, Chorus, Third Verse, Chorus There are songs with more sections, different ones, or even smaller form. A song with a complicated form will take longer to learn the different sections, but simple forms can be mastered easier.
Popularity - A popular ukulele song will always be easier than another song where all other factors are equal. This is because you probably know the song well. When you can hear a song in your head well, you will play it better.
Here’s the giant list of 50 beginner ukulele songs. That being said, not all of these songs are made equal. For each song, I’ll describe the # of chords and chords used as well as give it a difficulty score out of 10 with 1 being easy and 10 being difficult. Pro-tip: Even if the normal chords sound too difficult, you can always switch the chords to another key to make them easier to play. The more important thing to look for is the number of chords.
This Bob Dylan song was famously covered by Jimi Hendrix, but despite its historic performers, it’s quite simple to play the ukulele. It only uses 3 chords over and over again: Am, G, and F. These ukulele chords are among the first you’ll learn on ukulele.
Difficulty: 2/10
Yes, the song that’s taken the world by storm is a simple ukulele song to play. In fact, it’s a 2 chord ukulele song! The entire song just alternates between E and A. A is simple, but E can be tricky. You can always just play C and F to get a similar effect for a much easier ability. The hardest part is matching the words with the chord changes, but Solfeg.io’s visual track lets you see how they line up better.
Difficulty: 1/10
Learn to play with solfeg.io app
Vance Joy’s Riptide is one of the most popular ukulele songs around. The song’s ability to grow with you as you improve makes it a great one to learn. It only uses four chords: A minor, C, F, and G. As you improve, you can add more complicated strumming patterns or solo playing to spice it up. Play along with Solfeg.io’s track to feel like a rock star. Difficulty: 2/10
Learn to play with solfeg.io app
The 90s band, Deep Blue Something, and their class tune makes a great popular ukulele song. Most adults know the chorus and most of the verses. It uses three chords: D, G, and A. D can be tricky, but one you should learn earlier on in your uke playing. Use Solfeg.io to slow down the song, so you can play along slowly and master those chord changes. Difficulty: 3/10
Learn to play with solfeg.io app
This Beatles classic and titular track of their final album release is one of the most popular songs ever, let alone on the ukulele. The song itself uses four chords: C, G, A minor, and F. The chord changes are repetitive with a slight change in the chorus. Difficulty: 2/10
Looking up this iconic ukulele song may make you panic. At first glance, it seems to use a ton of chords, but it’s easy to simplify so anyone can play. Your main chords for the Somewhere Over The Rainbow part are C, F, G, and A minor. They also suggest E minor (which can be tricky), but you can actually replace this chord with a G for a similar function. The Wonderful World part has more chords, but you can save this for later when you’ve gotten more practice. Difficulty: 2-4/10
This Bob Marley protest song has been a favorite easy ukulele song for quite some time. The message it sends is powerful, and the singing part is simple but lovely. The song uses 3 chords: A, D, and E. These can be substituted with C, F, and G if you need to. The difference in the chorus and verse is subtle, but creating loops with Solfeg.io while you practice will be helpful. Difficulty: 3/10
The Credence Clearwater Revival classic is a perfect beginner ukulele song. And everyone will join in on the chorus when you play. It only uses three chords: C, F, and G7 (which can be played as just G). Difficulty: 2/10
Billie Eilish is taking the pop world by storm with her lyrics and musical tastes. For those looking to learn one of her songs, this 4 chords one will require a little more effort to learn, but if you know it, you’ll get it fairly quickly. The song uses 4 chords: A minor, C, E, and E minor. The two E chords can be tricky, but don’t give up. Create a loop with Solfeg.io and practice until you get it. Difficulty: 5/10
U2’s anthem is a 2 chord ukulele song. You can play this one within minutes rather than an hour. The two chords are C and F. There are two of the easiest to play on uke. Difficulty: 1/10
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts wrote many songs, but their most popular was this one. This iconic rock song is easy for the uke. As with many rock songs, it only uses a few chords. In this case, they use 3: D, G, and A. Solfeg.io can help you get used to the track if you’re unfamiliar. Difficulty: 2/10
This Pixar short from before the movie, Inside Out, is heartwarming and simple to play. Most kids will recognize this song instantly. The original version uses some variations on standard chords, but you can get away with using only C, F, and G without any problems. The chorus and verse are in a different order, but not difficult to learn. Difficulty: 3/10
The Snail Song is a children’s tune which is sure to please any kid. It only uses 3 chords: E minor, B, and A minor. These chords can be tricky for new players, but the song is otherwise simple. Slowing down the Solfeg.io track for practice will be a huge help. Difficulty: 4/10
Frozen’s world-shattering anthem, Let It Go, is actually a pretty easy song to play on ukulele as well. It only uses four different chords: E minor, C, G, and D. The E minor chord can be a little tricky, but the rest of the song is so repetitive and catchy, you won’t have to work hard to learn it. Difficulty: 3/10
Winter Walk is a children’s song focused on wintertime. The song is short, but this makes it a great beginner ukulele song. It only uses three common chords: D minor, G, and C. Because you may not know this song, you should definitely take advantage of Solfeg.io’s play-along track. Difficulty: 2/10
Flo Rida’s hit is a good popular ukulele song to impress your friends and family. It only uses the same 4 chords over and over: A minor, F, C, and G. Difficulty: 3/10
One Republic’s Counting Stars has one of the catchiest melodies ever written. For ukuleles, it seems like everyone loves learning to play it. It actually uses 5 chords: A minor, C, G, F, and D minor. However, D minor can be subbed out with an F major chord. Difficulty: 3/10
This children’s song on Solfeg.io is perfect for Halloween time. It only uses 3 chords: B, E minor, and A minor. The chords may take some practice, but the song is so repetitive that once you’ve got it under your fingers, it plays itself. Difficulty: 4/10
Train’s popular song actually features the uke in its original recording. This is one of the songs credited with bringing mainstream popularity to the ukulele. In the original it only uses 4 chords: A, B, Db minor, E. But, the chords can be changed to C, G, A minor, and F to make it very easy. Difficulty: 2 or 7/10
This song by young Dutch DJ Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan can be a fun one to play on the uke. It’s a four-chord song, although the chord are difficult: D, B minor, F# minor, E. You can learn these with some effort though. If you wanted, you could also play an F, D minor, A minor, and G respectively to make it much easier. Use the Solfeg.io learning tracks to help master the fun strumming patterns. Difficulty: 4/10
Ellie Goulding’s hit is an easy ukulele song. Its normal chords are Bb, C, D minor, and G minor. In the original key, the chords require some practice, but are achievable. The preset loops in Solfeg.io’s track will be of huge help with this one. Difficulty: 4/10
Adele’s heartfelt ballad is actually a simple ukulele song if you look at it. The song is fairly repetitive and the melody is iconic. It uses 5 chords: G, D, E minor, C, A minor. However, you could away with replacing E minor with G and A minor with C if you had to. Difficulty: 3/10
Joe Jonas opened his band DNCE with this hit. Solfeg.io can help learn this with the clickable chord charts right on the window. This chord uses 4 chords: E minor, B minor, A minor, C. Difficulty: 4/10
Viva La Vida by Coldplay is one of the easiest popular ukulele songs to play. It only uses 4 chords: C, D, G, and E minor. Solfeg.io can help you align the strumming pattern and chords with the powerful lyrics with its aligned visuals that follow the song as it plays. Difficulty: 3/10
This fun song by a Japanese rock group, One OK Rock, only uses 4 chords making it a great beginner ukulele song. The chords used are C, D minor, F, and G. It doesn’t get much easier than these chords. Difficulty: 2/10
Imagine Dragons just puts out great songs. They are almost universally loved despite their aggressive sound. The song, Believer, only uses 4 chords: A minor, F, E, and G. The E major chord is tough at first, but you can look at the chord fingerings for help on Solfeg.io’s learning tracks. Difficulty: 3/10
One of the great things about Bob Marley songs is how he meant them to be learned easily and sung by all. It’s very repetitive which makes it a simple ukulele song to learn for beginners. There are 4 chords: C, G, F, and A minor. Difficulty: 2/10
Shakira’s song from Zootopia is a great example of a popular ukulele song. It only uses 4 chords: C, F, G, and A minor. This song isn’t hard by any means, but you can still set up loops with Solfeg.io for help. Difficulty: 2/10
For all the same reasons as before, Radioactive is another one by Imagine Dragons which makes an easy ukulele song. This song only uses 4 chords: A minor, C, G, and D. For this one, you may want to consider altering the sound levels of the different parts to hear the song in different ways; this helps you get a better, detailed picture of the song. Difficulty: 3/10
Few popular songs on ukulele sound as good on the small instrument as this Bruno Mars hit. This tune uses 3 chords: A minor, F, and C. The low number of chords and repetitive changes make this a simple ukulele song. Difficulty: 1/10
As a personal fan of the Lumineers, I was excited to see this one of Solfeg.io’s list. I immediately opened it up and started playing around. This song uses 4 chords: C, F, A minor, and G. Difficulty: 2/10
You may be noticing a pattern with pop tunes like this one by Rihanna. It only uses 4 different chords: C, F, A minor, and G. Many pop tunes use these chords in different orders for their songs. Difficulty: 2/10
Shawn Mendes is one of the newer artists and songwriters making a big splash on the music scene. This heartfelt song uses the same 4 chords we’ve come to expect from many songs: A minor, G, F, and C. Difficulty: 2/10
Sam Smith’s song uses 4 chords to play: F, D minor, A minor, and G. This song is already slow which makes it easier to play. But if you’re struggling, Solfeg.io can help by looping the parts you’re having trouble with. Difficulty: 2/10
Ed Sheeran is one of the giants in the songwriting world, and one of the reasons for that is how he takes 4 chords and makes them into something special. The 4 chords used in this song are F, C, A minor, G. This one is a sweet one to sing to someone you love. Difficulty: 2/10
If Ed Sheeran is a giant, Shawn Mendes will be right up there soon. His popular song, Stitches, is one of the biggest one around now. But you can play this song with 4 easy chords: A minor, G, C, and F. Difficulty: 2/10
This children’s song is one of the best beginner ukulele songs you can learn. It’s a 2 chord ukulele song using F and C. That’s it! Difficulty: 1/10
Of Monsters And Men is a modern folk group gaining some mainstream popularity of late. Their biggest hit, Little Talks, uses the standard 4 chords: A minor, F, C, and G. Difficulty: 2/10
US’s pop song is a 4 chord song you can use Solfeg.io’s many features to help you learn. The four chords it uses are: D, A, B minor, and G. These chords can be tricky, but the program’s slowdown and loop feature can help a lot. Difficulty: 4/10
Jonas Blue’s Rise is another one you can find on Solfeg.io. This song only uses the main 4 A minor, G, C, and F chords. One way Solfeg.io can help with this one is by reducing the volume on the piano and guitar. This lets you gain some independence in your playing by supplying all the chords yourself. Difficulty: 2/10
As a 3 chord song, this UB40 hit makes a simple ukulele song. All you need to do is play C, F, and G on repeat. Difficulty: 1/10
The X Ambassador song makes for good practice with beginner ukulele players. It uses 4 chords: B minor, G, D, and A. As another Solfeg.io one, you can easily isolate a specific part of the song structure for practice if you need to. Difficulty: 4/10
On a list of 50 songs, I tried to limit my Beatles selections, but I couldn’t let this Ringo Starr. It’s a blast to sing and an easy ukulele song. It uses 4 chords: A minor, C, F, and G. Difficulty: 2/10
Bob Dylan, who tops the Rolling Stones magazine’s 100 greatest songwriters of all time, wrote this tune with beautiful lyrics and a simple chord structure. The song only uses 4 chords: F, C, A minor, and G. Difficulty: 2/10
Though the original chord structure of Imagine on ukulele may use a lot of chords, the beautiful and well-known song is slow and repetitive. It uses 6 chords (the most on our list): C, F, A minor, D minor, G, and E. This is a lot, but Solfeg.io’s learning track will really help. I also couldn’t avoid including this song despite its higher level because it sounds simply awesome on ukulele. Difficulty: 5/10
Another CCR hit, this song uses 5 chords: C, G, E minor, A minor, and F. But you can replace E minor with G if needed. Difficulty: 4/10
Ben E. King’s song (famously covered by John Lennon) is a great sing-along tune. Plus, it only uses the same 4 chords in repetition the entire time. 4 chords used: C, A minor, F, and G. Difficulty: 2/10
Jason Mraz and his hit, I’m Yours, is a fun and popular ukulele song. This song uses 5 chords: C, G, A minor, F, and D. Despite one more chord than normal on this list, Solfeg.io can help by cutting out all the other sounds besides piano and guitar and playing along. Difficulty: 4/10
Well, it’s hard not to have Beatles tunes pop up on a list like this because their songs are so iconic and relatively simple to play. This song only uses 3 chords: C, F, and G7 (although just G can be used). If you want, you can try to learn the iconic harmonica lick too. Difficulty: 1/10
Lynyrd Skynyrd made this song simple in its melody and chord structure to help it stick in people’s ears. Its opening riff is one of the most well-known guitar parts ever played. On ukulele, it only uses 3 chords: D, C, and G. If you wanted, you could also start to learn the riff on ukulele as well. Difficulty: 1/10
I hope you enjoyed this list of 50 easy ukulele songs for beginners you can learn in hours. Performing music is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can pick up, and the ukulele is one of the easiest (and most joyful) ways you can do it. It just takes the right simple ukulele songs and good practice tools like Solfeg.io to help you out.
Written by Zach VanderGraaff
