What is the Best Kind of Music to Learn on Ukulele or Piano?

When starting your musical journey on the ukulele or piano, one of the first (and most important) decisions is what kind of music to learn first. While your personal taste plays a huge role, certain genres are easier for beginners and can make your learning experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Whether you're a complete beginner or returning to an instrument after years away, choosing the right genre helps you build confidence, retain motivation, and make faster progress.

Why Song Choice Matters for Beginners

It’s tempting to dive into your favorite song or artist right away. But the best path forward is choosing music that matches your current ability level.

Learning an overly complex piece too early—whether it’s a jazz solo or a classical sonata—can lead to frustration. Starting with accessible music that emphasizes repetition, simple structure, and clear melodies helps build foundational skills such as:

• Chord transitions
• Rhythm and timing
• Hand coordination
• Listening and musical intuition

As noted in Practice Makes Perfect – Effective Strategies for Improving Musical Skills, choosing songs that match your skill level can lead to faster improvement and better retention.

Best Music Genres for Ukulele Beginners

The ukulele’s soft nylon strings, compact size, and major-key bias make it a favorite for casual players, singer-songwriters, and educators. Here are some beginner-friendly genres that fit the ukulele perfectly:

1. Pop (Acoustic and Indie Pop)

Modern pop songs often rely on 3- or 4-chord progressions that repeat throughout the song. Many of these use C, G, Am, F—the “four magic chords” on ukulele.

Examples:

• “Riptide” – Vance Joy
• “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
• “Someone Like You” – Adele (simplified)

These songs are melodic, well-known, and great for singalongs—perfect for beginners and buskers alike.

2. Folk and Americana

Folk music relies heavily on acoustic instruments and storytelling. Chord patterns are repetitive, and the tempo is usually moderate, making it easy to follow.

Why it works:

• Builds muscle memory for open chords
• Teaches rhythmic strumming patterns
• Encourages singing along

3. Hawaiian and Island-Style

Naturally, Hawaiian music is at the heart of ukulele tradition. These songs often focus on gentle strumming, laid-back rhythms, and major pentatonic melodies.

Examples:

• “Aloha ‘Oe”
• Traditional slack-key inspired tunes
• Reggae-influenced songs like “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley

4. Children’s Songs and Educational Music

Perfect for younger learners or absolute beginners, children’s songs focus on:

• Repetition
• Clear rhythm
• Simple lyrics

This helps develop ear training and coordination without overwhelming the player.

As discussed in Understanding Chord Progressions – A Deeper Dive for Songwriters, learning common progressions early helps you quickly move into songwriting or improvisation.

Best Music Genres for Piano Beginners

The piano’s wide range and polyphonic nature give it unmatched flexibility. Beginners can start anywhere—from reading sheet music to playing by ear or using chord charts.

1. Classical (Beginner Pieces)

Contrary to popular belief, classical doesn’t have to mean complex. Many beginner-friendly classical pieces are specifically designed for teaching fundamentals.

Examples:

• “Ode to Joy” – Beethoven
• “Minuet in G” – Bach
• “Für Elise” (simplified) – Beethoven

These teach:

• Sight reading
• Finger independence
• Left/right hand coordination

2. Pop Ballads and Contemporary Piano Songs

Pop ballads offer repetitive left-hand patterns (like broken chords or simple octaves) and slow, lyrical melodies.

Great for learning:

• Playing chords and melody simultaneously
• Expression and dynamics
• Pedal control

Examples:

• “Let It Be” – The Beatles
• “All of Me” – John Legend
• “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi

3. Blues and Jazz Basics

The 12-bar blues is foundational for improvisation and pattern recognition. Even early players can learn to jam with basic blues scales and left-hand walking basslines.

Benefits:

• Teaches rhythm and syncopation
• Introduces improvisation
• Encourages creativity

4. Video Game and Movie Themes

• Songs from games like Zelda, Final Fantasy, or movies like Harry Potter and Frozen are melodically rich and emotionally engaging. They often have simple arrangements available for beginners.
• If you're playing without reading sheet music, The Ultimate Guide to Music Reading for Beginners shows how learning to read even basic notation can increase your flexibility as a musician.

Kids vs. Adults: Does It Affect Genre Choice?

Absolutely. Your age and goals will influence what genre feels most approachable and rewarding.

For Kids:

• Short attention spans benefit from quick wins
• Songs with humor, repetition, or familiar lyrics work best
• Ukulele and piano apps like Simply Piano or Yousician can gamify practice

For Adults:

• Adults often want to play music they already love
• Learning chord-based pop or classic rock works well
• Some adults may enjoy learning film scores or acoustic singer-songwriter pieces

Regardless of age, the goal is to find music that feels emotionally rewarding and technically achievable.

Why Your Genre Choice Can Evolve

As you gain skills, your interests and abilities will change. That’s a good thing.

Shifting to new genres introduces:

• New techniques (e.g., fingerpicking, jazz voicings)
• Musical concepts (e.g., modes, modulation)
• Expanded vocabulary for songwriting or improvisation

As explained in Overcoming Plateaus – Strategies for Breaking Through Learning Barriers, changing genres is one of the best ways to reignite your progress if you feel stuck.

Final Thoughts: Choose What You’ll Love Playing

• If you’re learning ukulele, start with folk, island music, or easy pop songs. For piano, try beginner classical pieces, modern ballads, or blues exercises.
• The best genre isn’t the one that sounds most impressive—it’s the one you’ll want to come back to every day. Because in music, consistent practice is everything. The more you enjoy what you’re playing, the more you’ll stick with it—and that’s how real progress happens.