10 Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners

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Looking for some easy ukulele songs for beginners?

Once you’ve learned a few basic ukulele chords, the next step is the fun part—learning to play actual songs!

The ukulele is one of my favorite instruments for beginners because you really don’t need to know dozens of chords before you can start making music. With just a few basic chords and an easy strumming pattern, you can play all kinds of familiar songs.

I’ve gathered 10 easy ukulele songs for beginners that are recognizable, fun to sing, and approachable for someone who is just getting started.

These aren’t complicated arrangements designed to show off your ukulele skills. They’re simple songs meant to help you practice changing chords, develop a steady strumming rhythm, and—most importantly—enjoy playing music!

I’ve also created a printable 10 Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners songbook with the chords, lyrics, chord diagrams, and simple playing tips all together in one place.

Start With a Few Basic Ukulele Chords

You don’t need to memorize every ukulele chord before you begin playing songs.

In fact, many beginner ukulele songs use just three or four chords.

Some of the most useful chords to learn first are:

C • F • G • G7 • Am

Once you’re comfortable moving between a few of these basic chords, you can play a surprising number of songs.

If you’re brand new to the ukulele, start with my Beginner Ukulele Chord Chart. (Also included in the song book.) It shows you how to play the basic chords and is a handy reference to keep nearby while you practice.

Then start putting those chords to work!

How to Practice Beginner Ukulele Songs

When you’re learning a new song, don’t worry about playing it perfectly the first time.

Start by looking through the song and identifying the chords you’ll need. Practice moving between those chords a few times before adding the lyrics.

Next, try playing the song with one simple down-strum per beat. Keep your rhythm steady and concentrate on making clean chord changes.

Once that feels comfortable, experiment with a more interesting strumming pattern.

You can also slow the song down as much as you need. Speed comes later. A slow song with steady rhythm and clean chord changes will sound much better than rushing through it!

10 Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners

For this collection, I wanted songs that were more than simply easy. I wanted familiar songs that people would actually enjoy playing and singing.

These traditional and classic songs are a great place to begin.

1. Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace is a wonderful first ukulele song. The melody is familiar, the tempo can be slow, and you have plenty of time to move your fingers between chords.

It’s especially good for practicing smooth chord changes without worrying about keeping up with a fast song.

Beginner tip: Start with one strum on each chord change before trying a steady strumming pattern.

2. Take Me Out to the Ball Game

This one is just plain fun!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game is familiar to almost everyone, which makes it easier to learn because you already know how the melody is supposed to sound.

It’s a fun one to pull out during baseball season, too.

3. When the Saints Go Marching In

If you want something upbeat, try When the Saints Go Marching In.

The repeating melody makes this a good song for practicing a steady strumming pattern. Once you’ve learned the chord progression, you can concentrate more on rhythm and singing while you play.

4. Home on the Range

Home on the Range has that classic campfire-song feel that works beautifully on the ukulele.

Because the melody moves at a comfortable pace, beginners can focus on changing chords smoothly and keeping their strumming relaxed.

This would be a great one to play outside around a campfire!

5. Down by the Riverside

Down by the Riverside is another great song for working on rhythm.

It has plenty of repetition, which is exactly what you want when you’re learning an instrument. Instead of constantly figuring out what comes next, you can settle into the chord progression and practice keeping a steady beat.

6. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

The beautiful, familiar melody of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot sounds lovely on the ukulele.

This is another slower song that gives beginning players time to think about their next chord change. Try playing it gently with simple down-strums before adding a more complicated pattern.

7. Shenandoah

This is one of my personal favorites.

Shenandoah is a beautiful traditional American folk song, and its slower tempo makes it especially nice for beginning musicians.

It’s also a good reminder that beginner music doesn’t have to mean children’s music. You can learn simple songs that are genuinely beautiful to play and sing.

8. Oh! Susanna

Oh! Susanna is cheerful, recognizable, and fun to strum.

It’s a great song for practicing transitions between a few basic chords while maintaining a consistent rhythm.

Once you’ve mastered a slow version, try increasing the tempo.

9. Happy Birthday

This may be one of the most useful songs you’ll ever learn!

Knowing how to play Happy Birthday means you’ll have an excuse to pull out your ukulele at birthdays and family gatherings all year long.

And because you already know the melody by heart, you can concentrate on your chords rather than learning a new tune at the same time.

10. This Little Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine is upbeat, repetitive, and fun to sing as a group.

The repetition makes it especially friendly for new ukulele players, and it’s a great song for practicing a steady strumming pattern.

Printable Easy Ukulele Songbook

Want all ten songs together (+ a chord chart),  so you can actually sit down with your ukulele and play?

I created a printable 10 Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners songbook to go along with this post.

The printable songbook includes:

• 10 familiar beginner-friendly songs
• lyrics with ukulele chords
• chord diagrams for the chords used in each song
• a basic ukulele chord reference

Print the songbook, put it on a music stand, grab your ukulele, and start playing!

Tips for Learning Ukulele Songs

If you’re brand new to playing songs on the ukulele, remember that you don’t have to do everything at once.

Learn the chords first.

Practice switching between them.

Then add a simple strum.

Then add the lyrics.

And only after all of that feels comfortable should you worry about adding a more interesting strumming pattern or playing faster.

A song played slowly and steadily is still music!

It also helps to practice for short periods regularly rather than trying to master everything in one long practice session. Even ten minutes a day can make those awkward chord changes start to feel much more natural.

What Are the Easiest Ukulele Songs to Learn?

The easiest ukulele songs tend to have only a few chords, predictable chord changes, a familiar melody, and plenty of repetition.

That’s why traditional folk songs, spirituals, and familiar sing-along songs can be such good choices for beginners.

If you already know the melody, you don’t have to learn the tune and the instrument at the same time. You can focus your attention on your fingers and your strumming.

As your skills improve, you’ll be ready to tackle songs with additional chords, quicker transitions, and more complicated strumming patterns.

Keep Learning the Ukulele

Once you’ve worked through these songs, don’t stop!

Try changing the strumming patterns, playing at different tempos, or singing while someone else plays along with you.

And keep my Printable Ukulele Chord Chart nearby as you begin learning songs that introduce new chords.

The best way to get better at playing the ukulele is simply to play it often—and that’s a whole lot easier when you have songs you actually enjoy playing.