Rock Songs Lessons
American Pie by Don McLean
Easy song with a lot of chords and arrangement.
Song Difficulty: 4
Here Comes The Sun ukulele by The Beatles Part 1
This Here Comes The Sun ukulele arrangement is an interpretation of the Beatles classic attempting to combine the most recognizable parts from the original recording. To do this we have to combine strumming with single note picking.
Song Difficulty: 5
Son Of A Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
In this lesson we will learn this classic Dusty Springfield song with a very recognizable intro riff.
Song Difficulty: 4
Ripple by The Grateful Dead
In this lesson we will be learning a folk / bluegrass tune by the Grateful Dead. The song's intro is challenging in that you play the melody within the chord changes. This is common in folk and bluegrass. Once you get through the intro its smooth sailing. The song uses just 5 simple chords, G, C, D, Am, and A.
Song Difficulty: 5
House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals
In this lesson we will be learning House of The Rising Sun. We will be learning a fingerstyle version as well as a strummed version. The chords used are Am, C, D, F, and E7.
Song Difficulty: 3
Honey Pie by The Beatles
Great tune for ukulele with its old ragtime feel. Lots of chords in this one but nothing terribly difficult.
Song Difficulty: 4
The Scientist by Coldplay
In this lesson, learn to play The Scientist by Coldplay.
Song Difficulty: 3
Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Learn Wildflowers by Tom Petty. This great acoustic tune transfers nicely to the ukulele. Relatively easy to play.
Song Difficulty: 3
Peaceful Easy Feeling by The Eagles
Simple tune with 4 chords. E, A, B, and F#m. The strumming pattern is pretty much the same throughout.
Song Difficulty: 3
Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
This tune consists mostly of a riff based out of D and E. Other chords used are A and Bm.
Song Difficulty: 4
Yesterday by The Beatles (Chord Melody Style)
In this lesson we will be learning Yesterday in chord melody style. Chord melody style is accomplished when both the melody and chords are played at the same time.
Song Difficulty: 6
Simple Man by Lynard Skynard
Simple Man is an easy 3 chord song. The arrangement repeats through the entire song.
Song Difficulty: 2
Free Fallin by Tom Petty
Great beginner song for ukulele. Just 3 chords and the arrangement never changes. Chords are F, Bb, and C
Song Difficulty: 2
Twist and Shout by The Beatles
Simple 3 chord song. The song is in the key of D and uses the chords D, G, and A. Ashley will be using some different barre chord forms rather than the typical open chords you might be used to.
Song Difficulty: 3
Learning To Fly by Tom Petty
This is an easy one. Just 4 open chords - F, C, Am, G. The song uses the same 4 chord progression throughout.
Song Difficulty: 2
Cassidy by The Grateful Dead
The song is based in E and uses basic chords for the most part. The challenging part of this tune is the opening melody line played fairly high on the ukulele. Fun to play with the mix of chords and single note riffs.
Song Difficulty: 5
Bad Moon Rising by CCR
Easy 3 chord song. All you need to know for this one is G, C, and D. For arrangement we just have a verse and chorus section that alternate.
Song Difficulty: 2
Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison
Learn the iconic Roy Orbison song and its very recognizable opening riff on ukulele. The song is based in A and contains mostly simple open chords.
Song Difficulty: 3
Nights in White Satin by Moody Blues
Nights in White Satin is written in 6/8 time signature and requires relatively simple chord knowledge and strumming capabilities.
Song Difficulty: 3
Knockin On Heavens Door by Bob Dylan
Simple uke tune using just 4 chords. G, D, Am, and C. Applies the same chord progression throughout the entire tune
Song Difficulty: 2
Hound Dog by Elvis
Easy 3 chord bluesy rock n roll tune. C, F7, and G
Song Difficulty: 3
Cold Cold Cold by Cage The Elephant
This song requires knowing Gm, F, Bb barre chord, and D. We will cover the chords for all the parts plus the strumming pattern.
Song Difficulty: 3
Mr. BoJangles by Jerry Jeff Walker
Try this classic acoustic folk song adapted for ukulele.
Song Difficulty: 4
Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles Part 2
Here Comes The Sun Continued
Song Difficulty: 5
Yer So Bad by Tom Petty
In this lesson we will be learning Yer So Bad by Tom Petty. This tune uses basic uke chords - Am, D, G, C, Em. Strumming pattern is pretty much the same throughout
Song Difficulty: 3
Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
In this lessons we will learn Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi. The intro involves finger picking technique. The chords in the verse and chorus are basic open chords.
Song Difficulty: 5
Hotel California by the Eagles
In this lesson we will be learning the classic Hotel California by the Eagles. This tune uses finger picking technique in the intro.
Song Difficulty: 4
Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead
In this lesson we will learn Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead. Fairly simple tune applying mostly open chords.
Song Difficulty: 3
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
In this lesson we will be learning Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Song Difficulty: 4
The Weight by The Band
In this lesson we will be learning The Weight by The Band. Easy tune in the way of chords, but does have a somewhat challenging single note lead intro.
Song Difficulty: 4
Imagine by John Lennon
In this lesson we will learn Imagine by John Lennon. This song makes use of another good finger picking technique.
Song Difficulty: 3
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
In this song study lesson we will be covering James Taylor's Fire and Rain. Great tune with some sing note picking melody lines in the intro.
Song Difficulty: 4
Let it Be by the Beatles
In this lesson we will be learning Let It Be by the Beatles. The song uses C, F, G, and Am chords.
Song Difficulty: 1
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
In this lesson we will be learning the classic Eric Clapton tune Wonderful Tonight. In this song we will be applying the single note picking technique and also be learning how to bend strings. The chords for this song are basic.
Song Difficulty: 2
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
In this lesson we will be learning Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. This song makes use of G, C, D, and Em chords as well as a nice melody line in the intro.
Song Difficulty: 2
Soul Sister by Train
In this lesson we will be learning Soul Sister by Train. Please note that this tune requires an alternate tuning that will be demonstrated in the lesson.
Song Difficulty: 2
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Learn how to play this classic Neil Diamond tune. Relatively simple song with just a few chords in key of B
Song Difficulty: 3
Me and Bobby McGee - Joplin
In this lesson, I'll show you how to play all the chords for Janis Joplin's 'Me and Bobby McGee.' This includes the key change and outro jam section.
Song Difficulty: 4
Creep by Radiohead
Learn this easy 4 chord song by Radiohead. The chords used are G, B, C, and Cm. Some knowledge of movable barre chords is required.
Song Difficulty: 3
Tequila Sunrise Lead
In this lesson you will learn how to play the solo from the Eagles tune, "Tequila Sunrise." This is the lead part that occurs in the middle of the song.
Song Difficulty: 5
Moondance by Van Morrison
In this lesson we will be learning Moondance by Van Morrison. Chords and strumming pattern are covered.
Song Difficulty: 3
All Apologies by Nirvana
In this lesson we will be learning a ukulele version of Nirvana's All Apologies.
Song Difficulty: 4
Love Me Tender by Elvis
In this lesson we are going to learn Love Me Tender in a chord melody style. Chord Melody is the technique of playing both the melody and chord structure at the same time.
Song Difficulty: 6
Tequila Sunrise - Eagles
In this lesson you will learn how to play the Eagles song, "Tequila Sunrise." This is a fairly simple song but it has quite a few chords. There is also another lesson that covers the solo separately.
Song Difficulty: 5
Atlantic City by Levon Helm / Bruce Springsteen
In this lesson you will learn hot to play a song written by Bruce Springsteen as it was played Levon Helm and The Band. It uses just 4 chords with a basic arrangement.
Song Difficulty: 3
We're Going To Be Friends by The White Stripes
In this lesson we will be learning We're Going To Be Friends by The White Stripes. This song uses just 4 simple chords, G, C, D, and A.
Song Difficulty: 3
Wonderwall - Oasis
In this lesson, I will show you the uke version of Oasis's 'Wonderwall'. The chords in this version are approximations for the guitar chords chosen to best represent the harmony and sound of the original.
Song Difficulty: 5
Space Oddity - David Bowie
In this lesson we will learn the ukulele version of David Bowie's first hit from 1969, Space Oddity. It's actually quite pretty on the uke so enjoy!
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Song Difficulty: 4
Ex's and Oh's by Elle King
Ex's & Oh's is an uptempo pop-rock song that blends elements of alternative rock, blues rock, and rockabilly. Chords needed for this tune include Em, B7, G, D, C, and A.
Song Difficulty: 3
Tequila Sunrise by The Eagles
For this song you will need to know a G, Am, A7, D, Em, C, E7, Bm, and B7. Some of these are barre chords. The trickiest part about this tune is the rhythm pattern in the intro and breaks. But , nonetheless a great song to learn on ukulele.
Song Difficulty: 4
City Of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie
City Of New Orleans is a fairly straight ahead tune but is done originally in the key of F#. This makes it a little more difficult because we will have to use mostly barre chords. There are 7 chords total and uses a fingerstyle pattern.
Song Difficulty: 5
Never My Love by The Association
In this lesson we will be learning Never My Love by the Association. The song consists of a lot of chords and a few melodic riffs. To be in tune with the original recording it will require a capo at the first fret or tuning your ukulele a half step up.
Song Difficulty: 5
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
Lean on Me by Bill Withers is a piano tune in the Key of C. We are going to learn this on ukulele as close to the piano part as possible. This will require C, Dm, Em, F, and G7 chords
Song Difficulty: 4
Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette
In this lesson we will be learning Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette. Super simple from an arrangement standpoint with just two sections to learn, a verse and a chorus. Chords used are G, C, Am, F, D, Bm, A, Bb.
Song Difficulty: 3
I Get Around by The Beach Boys
In this lesson we will be learning the Beach Boys classic I Get Around. The song has a lot of chords because of the key change from G to G#. The chorus is relatively simple playing straight 8th notes with relatively easy chords. The verse is a little more complex with the sliding chords and riff. Definitely worth the challenge!
Song Difficulty: 5
Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young
In this lesson we will be learning Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young. The song is made up of 3 parts, main riff, verse, and bridge. Fun song to play with the alternating main riff and lazy chord progression. Strumming is a simple 8th note pattern. Chords needed are D, Am7, C, G, A, and Gm7
Song Difficulty: 4
Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield
In this lesson we will be learning Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield on ukulele. Chords required for this song are D, A, Bm, G. F#, B, and Abm.
Song Difficulty: 5
Lights by Journey
Lights by Journey is made up of basically 2 parts. Neil Schon uses a lot of Hendrix style chords putting the 3rd on the bottom of a major chord to create a progression with some melodic lines mixed in. We will attempt to accomplish this same concept as best we can with the 4 string ukulele.
Song Difficulty: 5
Don't Stop Believing by Journey
Don't Stop Believing by Journey is made up of 2 different sections, a verse and a chorus. The song uses just 5 chords throughout, E, C#m, B, G#m, and A. The verses are relatively simple with a light 8th note strumming pattern. The chorus section has a bit more challenging rhythm applying chord stabs with dead note time keeping.
Song Difficulty: 4
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
Crazy Little Thing Called Love is in the key of D. Chords needed are D, G, C, Bb, E, E7, A7, and F The intro and verses use a D to Dsus4 type riff with a swing feel. The chorus is played with a triplet feel making the rhythm a bit tricky.
Song Difficulty: 5
Last Kiss by Pearl Jam
In this lesson we will be learning Last Kiss by Pearl Jam. This is a great tune for beginners as it consists of just 4 basic chords throughout. The chords are G, C, D, and Em. The strum pattern is simple and the same throughout the tune.
Song Difficulty: 2
Me And Julio Down by the Schoolyard by Paul Simon
In this lesson we will be learning Me And Julio Down by The Schoolyard by Paul Simon. The song consists of just 4 chords, A, E, D, and G. The challenging part of this song is the rhythm. There is a consistent 16th note strum pattern with dead notes that creates a percussive sound throughout. There is also some Time Signature changes going from 4/4 to 2/4.
Song Difficulty: 5
Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
In this lesson we will be learning the heavy guitar driven song Black Dog on ukulele. We will cover all the guitar riffs and the vocal melody in the verses.
Song Difficulty: 5
Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles
In this lesson we will be covering Can't Buy Me Love by the Beatles in its entirety including the guitar solo. Other than the guitar solo this is a pretty easy tune with basic chords and strumming patterns. Chords used are Em, Am, Dm, G7, C, C7, and F.
Song Difficulty: 4
Have You Ever Seen The Rain by CCR
Have You Ever Seen The Rain is played in the key of C and uses open chords C, G, F, Am with some transitional chords in the chorus. We will be covering the arrangement along with a couple strumming pattern options.
Song Difficulty: 3
Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts
In this lesson we will be studying Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts
Song Difficulty: 4
Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix
In this lesson we will be learning Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix on the ukulele. Chords used are Em, G, Am, Bm, C, F, and D. Fun song to play on uke with some room for creative interpretation.
Song Difficulty: 5
Ophelia by The Band
In this lesson we will be learning Ophelia by The Band. The song has a distinct ragtime, New Orleans feel. The song uses quite a few chords and incorporates an offbeat rhythm for the versus. We also have a few guitar oriented riffs to learn. Great, challenging tune to play and study.
Song Difficulty: 4
Hotel California (Chord Melody)
In this lesson we will be learning a chord melody version of Hotel California on ukulele. Chord melody style involves playing both the chords and the melody to get a more complete representation of the song.
Song Difficulty: 5
Sugaree by The Grateful Dead
In this lesson we will be studying Sugaree by the Grateful Dead. The song is in the key of E major or B Mixolydian. We will be covering the chord progression as well as the strumming pattern.
Song Difficulty: 4
Daydream Believer
In this lesson we will be learning Daydream Believer by The Monkees. It is in the key of G making the chords used pretty familiar. The challenge here is the quick changes that happen before the chorus. Otherwise pretty simple tune combining some fingerstyle technique with standard strumming
Song Difficulty: 3
No Matter What by Badfinger
In this lesson we will be learning No Matter What by Badfinger. The song consists of basically 2 sections that repeat. There are 2 guitar parts on the original recording and we have combined the 2 parts into 1 ukulele part containing the most recognizable lines. The part includes a lot of melodic arpeggio play on the A major and Bm chords. This will be the most challenging part of the song. A well written song with great chord progressions and melodic lines.
Song Difficulty: 5
Patience by Guns N Roses
In this lesson we will be learning Patience by Guns N Roses. Be sure to tune your ukulele down a half step to be in tune with the original recording. The chords used are basic open chords for the most part, but apply a melodic line within. The strumming pattern is pretty simple.
Song Difficulty: 4
Heaven by Los Lonely Boys
In this lesson we will be learning Heaven by Los Lonely Boys. We will be covering the melodic intro in detail and the chord structure to the entire song. The song consists mostly of two chords, Am and G. Keep in mind, to be in tune with the original recording you need to tune down a half step.
Song Difficulty: 5
Hey Jude by the Beatles (Chord Melody Style)
In this lesson we will be learning a fingerstyle, chord melody version of Hey Jude by the Beatles. This will require a lot of different chord voicings to get the melody and harmony together. Beautiful piece of music when you get it all down!
Song Difficulty: 5
The Joker by Steve Miller Band
In this lesson we will be learning the Joker by Steve Miller Band in the original key of F. The song is just 3 chords, F, Bb, and C. The intro and verses consist of a classic riff / melody line originally played on Bass. The chorus is a simple arrangement of just the 3 chords strummed.
Song Difficulty: 5
Ohio by CSN&Y
In this lesson we will be learning Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. The song needs just 4 chords, D, C, F, and Gm7. The song starts with a riff within the D, C and F chords using some hammer ons while strumming. From an arrangement standpoint, the song is just 2 parts, verse and chorus.
Song Difficulty: 4
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
My Sweet Lord is a challenge on ukulele because of the key that it was originally played in. To match that key it requires almost all barre chords on the ukulele. And if that was not challenging enough there is a key change in the song! So we have to learn all these barre chords for the 2nd key as well. Great song to learn to expand your knowledge of chords on the uke.
Song Difficulty: 5
Friend Of The Devil by The Grateful Dead
In this lesson we will be covering the Grateful Dead tune Friend of the Devil. The tune actually lends itself well to the ukulele with its heavy stringed instrument sound. The song was performed in the key of G making for easy open chords on uke. You will need to know G, C, D, and Am. The intro, with its descending bass line, will be played fingerstyle.
Song Difficulty: 4
Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones
In this lesson we will be learning Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones. The song is in the key of G and pretty straight ahead. Chords used are G, Am, Bm, D and some variations of the D such as sus chords.
Song Difficulty: 3
Willin by Little Feat
In this lesson we will be learning the Little Feat song Willin. The song is in the key of G and uses a lot of different chords. In the chorus there is some interesting time signature changes. Chords are G, Dadd11, Em, D, C, Am, and Bm.
Song Difficulty: 4
Proud Mary by CCR
In this lesson we will be learning Proud Mary by CCR. The arrangement is simple and consists of the chords C, A, G, F, D, and Bm.
Song Difficulty: 3
Maggie May by Rod Stewart
In this lesson we will be studying the basic chord structure to Rod Stewart's Maggie May. The song is performed in the key of D which makes for pretty easy chord fingerings on ukulele. The chords you will need to know are D, A, G, Em, and F#m. There are basically 3 sections to the song, a verse, solo section, and intro/outro.
Song Difficulty: 3
Danny's Song by Loggins and Messina
In this lesson we are going to study a ukulele version of Danny's Song by Loggins and Messina. Since it is played fingerstyle on guitar in the original version we are going to transpose this fingerstyle as well for ukulele. We are also going to cover a strumming pattern that you can play in the choruses or even the verses if you choose. The chords used are D, Bm, E7, A, C, and G.
Song Difficulty: 4
Whiskey in A Jar by The Dubliners
In this lesson we will show you a very simple Irish folk song called Whiskey in a Jar by The Dubliners. Just 4 chords and a simple strumming pattern in this one.
Song Difficulty: 2
With Or Without You by U2
With or Without You is a simple 4 chord song. Chords used are D, Dsus4, Bm, and G. Using a simple barre on the 2nd fret, you can play the entire song without moving positions. The strumming pattern is a simple straight 8th note pattern.
Song Difficulty: 3
One by U2
In this lesson we will be learning One by U2. The song is in C and uses 4 basic chords, Am, D, C, and G. We will be learning a basic version to play during the versus, but also an intro that tries to mimic the guitar played by the Edge.
Song Difficulty: 4
While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
We are going to be learning this song in the key of Gm because of the simplicity of the chords on uke. The original Beatles recording is in Am. You can play in Am by simply using a capo at the 2nd fret. There are a lot of chords in this because of the verse being in G minor and the chorus being in G major.
Song Difficulty: 4
Passenger Side by Wilco
In this lesson we will be learning Passenger Side by Wilco. The tune is played in the key of C and uses C, Csus4, F, Am, and G.
Song Difficulty: 3
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
In this lesson we will learn Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. The tune is played fingerstyle in the key of Eb. Because of the key the song requires the use of a lot of barre chords up a little higher on the neck.
Song Difficulty: 4
Old Man by Neil Young
In this lesson we will be learning Old Man by Neil Young. From a chord standpoint it is pretty easy. The song is in the key of G so we need, G, F, C, Am7, D and also a Dmin9 for the intro. The challenge here is going to be getting the rhythm and groove.
Song Difficulty: 5
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell
In this lesson we will be learning Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi. The song consists of a I - IV - V (E, A, and B) chord progression for the most part. The tricky part about this tune is Mitchell's intricate rhythm playing. She keeps her strum hand going in an 8th note fashion accenting and muting various strums.
Song Difficulty: 5
Rocky Raccoon by The Beatles
In this lesson we will be learning the Beatles' classic Rocky Raccoon. Just 4 chords in this one with a simple strum pattern and easy arrangement. The chords, while only 4, are going to played a little different in an effort to get the descending line cliche that happens on the original acoustic guitar. The chords are Am7, D7, G, G7, and C
Song Difficulty: 4
Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys
In this lesson we will be learning the classic Beach Boys classic Wouldn't It Be Nice. We will be covering all parts including the melodic intro which is finger picked. There are 10 chords used in this song but nothing too crazy.
Song Difficulty: 5
Baby I Love You Way by Peter Frampton
In this lesson we will learn Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way. The song is in the key of G. We have G, C, D, Am, Em,E, and D/F#. The strumming pattern is pretty consistent throughout the tune with some slight variances in the line cliche in the intro.
Song Difficulty: 4
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
In this lesson we will be learning Wish You Were Here on ukulele! The song is in the key of G so the chords are fairly easy. We need to know G, Em, C, D, A, Am. The song is constructed of just 2 parts. The intro and verses. The intro consists of a chord progression with little melody lines sprinkled in. The verse is just a series of chords. Great song and fun to play on ukulele!
Song Difficulty: 4
Respect by Aretha Franklin
In this tune we will be studying Respect by Aretha Franklin. Its in the key of C. The key thing in grasping this tune is getting the rhythm and strumming pattern.
Song Difficulty: 3
Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys
Don't Worry Baby is a simple tune from an arrangement standpoint. However, because of the key (E) and the key change up to F# it requires the use of a lot of barre chords. Great practice for barre chords and learning the theory behind the key change.
Song Difficulty: 4
Piano Man by Billy Joel
In this lesson we will be studying a uke version of Billy Joel's Piano Man. The song is in 6/8 and in the key of C.
Song Difficulty: 4
A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin
In this lesson we will be learning A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. The song is in the key of C.
Song Difficulty: 4
Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of by U2
In this lesson we will be learning a ukulele version of Stuck in A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of by U2.
Song Difficulty: 4