5 Easy Ukulele Songs You Can Learn Tonight

The ukulele is a fun, beginner-friendly instrument that’s perfect for quick wins. If you’ve just picked up a ukulele and are itching to start playing, there’s no need to wait. With just a few basic chords, you can strum along to popular tunes tonight!

Here are 5 easy ukulele songs you can learn quickly—and impress your friends and family. Whether you're strumming solo or jamming with others, these songs will help you get started on the right foot.

1. “Riptide” by Vance Joy

• Chords: Am – G – C
• Why It’s Easy: This song uses only three chords throughout most of the song, making it a perfect pick for beginners. It also features a catchy, repetitive rhythm that's easy to lock into. Once you've got the strumming pattern down, you're ready to rock!

Pro Tip: Focus on getting the chord changes smooth, then work on the rhythm. The pattern is simple: down-down-up-up-down, which works for most of the song.

Further Resources: To perfect your strumming and rhythm, check out How to Practice Music Effectively in 20 Minutes a Day for a practice routine that will boost your playing speed.

2. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

• Chords: C – G – Am – F
• Why It’s Easy: This is a classic pop tune with a "feel-good" vibe. The chord progression is simple and widely used, meaning it’s an excellent introduction to basic ukulele chords. The song’s gentle pace allows beginners to focus on smooth chord transitions, especially between G and Am.

Pro Tip: If you’re struggling with the F chord, try playing it with just your first two fingers (avoiding the pinky) until you gain more confidence.

Further Resources: For more on memorizing songs quickly and effectively, see How to Memorize Songs Quickly and Effectively for Performance, which provides tips for retaining lyrics and chords.

3. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

• Chords: C – Am – F – G
• Why It’s Easy: This song features a slower tempo and simple chord transitions, making it a perfect piece for beginners to practice smooth chord changes. It's an emotional and beautiful song, so it's great for practicing control and dynamics.

Pro Tip: Start with the basic chord changes, and then experiment with fingerpicking instead of strumming to bring out the song’s emotional depth.

Further Resources: If you’re new to fingerpicking or want to get better at it, check out Top Free Apps to Learn Ukulele in 2025 to find tools that will help you with learning various techniques.

4. “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic

• Chords: Am – C – G – F
• Why It’s Easy: The repeating four-chord pattern in this song makes it easy to pick up and play. The song's upbeat rhythm will help you keep the tempo steady, and the energetic vibe makes it fun to perform.

Pro Tip: Practice changing chords slowly at first, especially moving between Am and C, to make your transitions crisp and clean.

Further Resources: If you want to build speed and confidence in switching between chords, How to Practice Music Effectively in 20 Minutes a Day provides a structured routine for improving chord changes and finger strength.

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

• Chords: C – Em – F – G – Am
• Why It’s Easy: This iconic ukulele song combines simple chords with a soothing melody that sounds beautiful, even at a beginner’s pace. With its straightforward chord progression, it’s one of the most recognized ukulele songs worldwide.

Pro Tip: Try singing along as you play—it’ll help you find the rhythm and build confidence. Plus, it’s one of those tunes that instantly connects with listeners.

Further Resources: For more tips on memorizing songs for performance, see How to Memorize Songs Quickly and Effectively for Performance to improve your ability to remember lyrics and chords seamlessly.

Quick Tips for Learning These Songs Fast

1. Start Slow: Slow practice helps build muscle memory and ensures you can play each chord cleanly. Once you have the transitions down, gradually increase your speed.
2. Use a Simple Down-Down-Up-Up-Down Pattern: This strumming pattern works for most of the songs listed above. It’s simple, effective, and gives the music a consistent rhythm.
3. Practice Switching Between Two Chords First: Begin by mastering just two chords—say, C and G. Once you're comfortable with those, add more chords one at a time.
4. Sing Along (Even Badly!): Singing along with your playing helps internalize the rhythm and keeps you in time with the music. Don’t worry about being perfect—it’s all about the fun of playing.

Further Resources: To stay consistent with your practice routine, check out Effective 20-Minute Daily Practice Routine and build a daily habit that helps you make quick progress!

Final Thoughts

The ukulele is one of the most accessible instruments to learn, and with just a handful of chords, you can play a huge variety of songs. These five tunes are great starting points for beginners who want to have fun and build confidence quickly.

Remember, progress in music takes time, but the most important part is to enjoy the journey. Keep practicing, stay patient, and soon you'll be playing your favorite songs with ease.

Suggested Read Next:

• Top Free Apps to Learn Ukulele in 2025
• How to Memorize Songs Quickly and Effectively for Performance
• Effective 20-Minute Daily Practice Routine