Easy songs to learn to play on Ukulele for beginners
The best and most famous songs with few chords easy to learn to play on the ukulele for beginners, ideal for your songbook.
Play easy songs with few chords on the ukulele
The ukulele is a great instrument, and easy to learn to play, especially if you are already a guitarplayer. It is also a small, portable and cheap musical instrument. Even if you don’t know how to play the guitar, it’s a good option to venture into the world of plucked string instruments for the first time. It is often chosen over a guitar just to get a feel for fretted instruments.
If you still don’t have a ukulele, don’t miss this excellent guide to choosing your first ukulele.
Learn to play easy chord songs for beginners on ukulele
You can play many songs with just the C, F, G, and Am chords, which are very easy to play on the ukulele. These four chords will allow you to play popular songs on the ukulele whether you are a beginner or intermediate ukulele player.
Basic Ukulele Chords
Here, we share a basic Ukulele chords sheet that includes the different chord types: Major, Minor, Major Seventh (minor), Major Seventh Major and Minor Seventh (minor) for C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
For you to learn the nomenclatures, we describe the C chords:
| Chord Type | Major | Minor | Major Seventh (minor) | Major Seventh Major | Minor Seventh (minor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | Cm | C7 | Cmaj7 | Cm7 |
Basic Ukulele Chords Sheet for Beginners
A sheet with all the chords you need to learn to play the Ukulele easily and quickly for all beginner ukulelist. Now you can play the basic ukulele chords.
Visit our tutorial if you want to know more about ukulele chords for beginners: musical theory of how chords are formed.
Introductory video to the Ukulele for beginners
Our friend Justin has a great video if you’re just starting out on the Ukulele.
How to play easy ukulele songs?
The ukulele is a fairly easy instrument to learn to play. Because they’re so small, they require less hand effort, are easy to hold, and only have four strings, which makes things quite simple, especially if you already know how to play the guitar. You can play the ukulele with a pick or with your fingers.
But on the other hand, ukuleles are more restrictive than a guitar. The ukulele is more used to play rhythmic parts and bases with chords. It is much rarer to play lead lines and solos on a uke. But this instrument is excellent to accompany your voice wherever you want to sing.
Also, you might be interested in our selection of the best songs to learn to play the guitar with easy chords for beginners.
What songs can be played on the ukulele?
It is common for people to ask if there are many songs that can be played on the ukulele, and the answer is: all of them! Thus, it is practically any song that can be translated to the ukulele, so that it sounds lively and bright. Of course, on some songs, it will be much better than on others. In this guide to playing easy songs for beginner ukulele players, we have selected famous hits and lesser-known melodies, combining plucked and strummed chords.
The best easy songs to learn to play on Ukulele for beginners
- Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
- I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
- The Beatles – Let It Be
- Vance Joy – Riptide
- Hey Soul Sister – Train
- Lazy Song – Bruno Mars
- Love Yourself – Justin Beiber
- Wonderwall-Oasis
- Someone Like You – Adele
- You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
- One Love – Bob Marley
- The A Team – Ed Sheeran
- Stay With Me – Sam Smith
- My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
- Little Talks – Of Monsters And Men
- Blowing In The Wind – Bob Dylan
- I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
- Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Clocks – Coldplay
- Zombie – The Cranberries
Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Chords: C, Cmaj7, Em, Am, F, F9, G
- Style: Strums
If we talk about Ukulele, it’s hard not to think of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Israel, also known as IZ, was a Hawaiian musician, singer, and ukulele player, and one of the first to popularize the Ukulele with his music. In order to learn more about the world of the Ukulele, you have to listen to his albums of beautiful Hawaiian music on ukulele. There you will find many songs that you can learn, but his version of ‘Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World’ is what immortalized the great IZ. This song was recorded in one raw clean take and gave us an amazing piece to cover.
We recommend that you do not miss our Free online tuner for your Ukulele.
Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
- Chords: G, Am, C
- Style: Strums
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” is probably one of the songs that best suits the bright and cheerful style of the Ukulele. Undoubtedly, a perfect song to play on the Ukulele for beginners with only three chords: G, Am, C, which makes it easy for any ukulele player. In addition, the chord progression is the same throughout the entire song, with which mastering the simple strum it has, you will already have an excellent song to share with friends.
Also, this song is liked by everyone, wherever you play it with your Ukulele everyone will stop to listen to you and also to sing it with you. Which will give you a great experience, be it a party, a gathering, a picnic, or wherever.
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
- Chords: C, G, Am, F
- Style: Strums
Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” is a great easy song to play on the ukulele, its simplified version for beginners still sounds great. As you grow as an intermediate ukulele player, you will be able to learn the full version. “I’m Yours” was written for ukulele, so it will feel naturally balanced with a perfect sound to play the song.
In case you want to play the song in the original key, the chords are G, D, Em, C. To do this, you will need to use the capo on the fourth fret and play with the same chords. Both the strumming and the chord progression and its pattern are easy for any beginning ukulele player.
The Beatles – Let It Be
- Chords: C, G, Am, F
- Style: Strums and Picking Pattern / Arpeggio
The Beatles are the most emblematic and recognized band of all time. Their unique combination of upbeat melodies, chordal vocal arrangements -sometimes inverted- make this band one of the most attractive to play. “Let it be” is a song that sounds great on the ukulele and is really easy to play with only four chords: C, G, Am, F. Also, the strumming to play this song on the ukulele is simple, making it perfect for beginner ukulele players.
Perhaps you are interested in learning how to play the best easy and famous Riffs to play on the guitar for beginners with Tablature.
Vance Joy – Riptide
- Chords: Am, G, C, F
- Style: Strums
This track is a classic among easy songs to play on ukulele for beginners. It is very simple and cheerful with only four chords: Am, G, C, F, and a simple strum, make it an excellent song to learn to play the ukulele.
To play this song in the original key, you’ll need to place the capo on the first fret. But you can play it without the capo by playing it a semitone lower, which will still sound great.
Vance Joy is an intuitive song, with natural chord changes, so it won’t take you long to learn them. Also, a great tip for mastering this song on the ukulele is to really emphasize the second and fourth beats of each measure. Thus, you will make it sound like the original song.
Hey Soul Sister – Train
- Chords: C, G, Am, F
- Style: Strums
This is another song that is played on Ukulele in its original version, which will allow you to sound exactly like the Train song. Surely “Hey Soul Sister” is the most famous Pop-Rock song to be played on ukulele. That initial strum will be immediately recognized by all who hear you, and will draw the attention and enthusiasm of everyone present given the lively, upbeat spirit of this track. “Hey Soul Sister” is four chords played with a somewhat fast strumming, but one that won’t take you long to master even if you’re a beginner on the Ukulele.
Like a lot of songs included in this ukulele song tutorial, this track has all four chords of C, G, Am, F. Our advice is to make sure you play that C chord hard. opening on the first beat of the bar, before maintaining the syncopation of the strumming and the emphasis of each chord change.
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Lazy Song – Bruno Mars
- Chords: C, G, F, Em, Dm
- Style: Strums
“Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars is a great song to play on the Ukulele. This song has a Hawaiian and Funky Reggae style to it which makes it perfect for playing on Uke. In addition, it has a low tempo, relatively easy chords, and easy strumming. Thus, without a doubt, it is one of the most fun and joyful songs that is easy to learn to play on the Ukulele for any beginner.
Love Yourself – Justin Beiber
- Chords: C, G, Am, Dm, F
- Style: Strums
A track by the great Justin Beiber could not be missing, and we chose this great song: “Love Yourself”. This song was written by Ed Sheeran, who has that perfect acoustic style for the Ukulele. You can play it with the capo on the 4th fret, or play it without it like Allen’s tutorial.
In this song you need the Dm, but don’t be scared, it’s very easy to play on the Ukulele, even for a beginner ukulele player. If you play it with a capo, you’ll be playing the G/B, which will allow you to achieve the clear descending progression that Sheeran intended to create on this song.
Wonderwall-Oasis
- Chord: Em, G, D, A, C
- Style: Strums
Wonderwall is the most popular song by the British rock band of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, Oasis. This song everyone knows and loves to play. It’s a super attractive tune that everyone wants to sing along to. There are four chords: C, Em, G, A, which have a very low difficulty.
The song is made up of three parts: 1) Intro and Verses, 2) Pre-Chorus and 3) Chorus. Which makes it a bit more difficult than the previous songs, but it’s still a very easy song to play on the ukulele even for beginning ukulele players.
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Someone Like You – Adele
- Chords: G, D, Em, C, Am
- Style: Picking Pattern / Arpeggio
This song is an excellent track to start with arpeggios. The fingerpicking of this song is very simple, perfect for a beginner ukulele player. Also, the chords of this song are easy to play for anyone new to the Ukulele. The chords are G, D, Em, C, Am.
Our advice is to first master the chords and their changes using a simple syncopated strum. Then, once you feel confident, learn the arpeggio pattern. The important thing in fingerstyle is to pay attention to the force you apply when playing each string, so that it is always the same, except when you want to highlight a particular note. Lastly, avoid snagging the string with the fingers when playing it, it usually happens at first, but you’ll master it over time.
You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
- Chords: C, G, Am, F, Em
- Style: Strums, with plucking in the introduction
James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” is a classic, and what’s more, it’s very easy to play on the Ukulele for any beginner. The interesting thing about this song is not only its 5 easy chords, but also if you want to go a little further, you can learn the pluck of the introduction which is ideal for beginner ukuleles to start taking their first steps.
Also, the strumming patterns of this song for Ukulele are simple but effective. Its tempo is very friendly for any beginning ukulele player.
Also, you might be interested in our guide on the best cheap electric basses for beginners.
One Love – Bob Marley
- Chords: C, Am, G, F
- Style: Strums
This song is a Reggae anthem, an ideal song to play on Ukulele. Bob Marley’s “One Love” is an excellent uke learning track for any beginner. Although strumming seems very simple, it is deceptive, since it is quite common to go over time. So it is important that you pay attention and do not underestimate the strumming. But on the chord side, they are the same ones we’ve been looking at so far: C, Am, G, F, which are easy and perfect for beginners.
The A Team – Ed Sheeran
- Chords: C, Em, G, Am, D
- Style: Strums
This track was one of Ed Sheeran’s first famous songs. “The A Team” also works great on the ukulele and is super easy for any beginner to play. If you want to play it in its original key, you’ll need to put the capo on the second fret, but you can play it without it in a key one tone lower. The speed of the song is ideal for a beginner ukulele player, so let’s play it!
Stay With Me – Sam Smith
- Chords: Am, F, C
- Style: Strums
If you are a beginner and you are looking for an easy song in all its aspects to play on the Ukulele “Stay With Me” is the perfect song. It’s just three simple chords Am, F and C, with a slow tempo and simple strumming. It’s simply hard to find an easier song than this.
Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” is not only very easy to play on the Ukulele, it is also a beautiful song, which makes it great for any beginner. In addition, you can dedicate it to that girl you like so much or your girlfriend.
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My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
- Chords: Am, G, F, C
- Style: Strums
“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, is a romantic and sensitive song, which adapts great to the Ukulele. The chords are easy: Am, G, F and C, and the tempo is slow and the strumming is simple. This makes this song an excellent track to be played on the Uke by students. It won’t take you long to learn this great song on the Ukulele, what it will probably hard for you is to sing it!
Little Talks – Of Monsters And Men
- Chords: Am, G, F, C
- Style: Strums
Taking advantage of the chords of Am, G, F and C we found this great song, easy to play on Ukulele for beginners. Also, this track is slow and its strumming simple, with a great melody. If you want to play this track in its original key, which is A#m, you will need to place the Capo on the first fret. But you can play it without a capo, a semitone lower, that is, in Am. Thus, “Little Talks” by Of Monsters And Men is a song that you will learn in less than you imagine.
Blowing In The Wind – Bob Dylan
- Chords: F, G, C, Am
- Style: Strums
This song is a classic of American Folk music, its acoustic style makes it ideal to play on the Ukulele. Also, it uses the four easiest and most popular chords: C, F, G and Am. The most difficult is the strumming which has quite a bit of speed, but don’t panic, it’s not a big deal.
In the video you will find an excellent version that Jez Quayle played, which makes it look like a song written for the Ukulele. It’s an ideal song to play over campfires, over beers with friends!
Also, you might be interested in our review on the best cheap electric guitar amplifiers for beginners.
I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
- Chords: Em, C, F, G
- Style: Strums
I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons is a folk-pop song that is a great piece to play on the uke. This track has four easy chords for beginners: Em, C, F, G, and the strum is easy to play on your Ukulele. It is a happy and lively song to share with friends, so we encourage you to learn.
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
- Chords: C, Am, F, G, Em
- Style: Strums
Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah is easy to play thanks to its slow tempo, making it easy for any beginning ukulele player to learn. The chords are five: C, Am, F, G and Em, which are easy and popular, which completes this as one of the best songs to learn to play on the Ukulele for beginners.
The biggest challenge you’ll find is adapting to the verses on the simple chord progression. But if you know the song, it will not be difficult for you to learn it.
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Chords: G, C, D, Em
- Style: Strums
Also Blues songs can be played on the Ukulele, and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is an excellent example of this. Also, the four chords it uses: G, C, D and Em are easy to play on the Uke for any beginner. The strumming of it is simple and quick to learn for any ukulele player. That is why we include this track as one of the best easy songs to learn to play on the Ukulele for beginners.
This track features different easy-to-learn sections with different chord sequences. For example, the “sha la la la” part of the chorus is simply: G, C, G, D. Also, the syncopated rhythm adds a unique touch to this great Van Morrison song.
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Clocks – Coldplay
- Chords: D, Am, Em
- Style: Strums and Picking Pattern / Arpeggio
Coldplay’s “Clocks” is an excellent song to learn on the Ukulele, even if you are a beginner. Its ease is that you only need three chords: D, Am and Em. This emotional song allows you to practice arpeggios in an easy and friendly way.
This song is very heartfelt, which will make everyone who listens emotional. Not only that, you will see how everyone will sing with you, who doesn’t know this beautiful song?
Zombie – The Cranberries
- Chords: Em, C, G, D
- Style: Strums
The Cranberries’ “Zombie” has an easy strumming chord base that makes it an excellent choice for beginning ukuleles. Bad Wolves, the American metal band, has made a version of this classic, but on the Ukulele it will become a more melodic and acoustic song than the original.
In this easy version of this song, you will only need the Em, C, G, D chords. The song is straightforward, with a beginner-friendly tempo. So, don’t waste time and learn it.
Conclusion on easy songs to learn on the ukulele for beginners
As you will see, the ukulele is very friendly for beginners in the world of musical instruments, and if you are a guitarist, you will see that it is even easier. If all these simple songs for beginners that we brought you were easy, you can go further and start adding arpeggios, fingerpicking and plucking. Let us know what you would like to learn. Also, as we put above, maybe you’d like to try it on the guitar.
Perhaps, you are a ukulele player but you are also interested in guitar, which is why we recommend this review on the best acoustic guitars for beginners: good and cheap.
Are there any other songs that you are interested in learning on the ukulele for beginners?
We invite you to ask us the song you want to learn to play. Leave us a comment below telling us which of all these great songs you liked the most and found it easier to learn. Also, tell us which one was the most difficult for you to master with your instrument.
