Have you just got a Ukulele?

You can play these songs right now - even if you're a beginner!

Although I'm a guitar teacher, I think the ukulele is a great first instrument if you're new to playing. :) It was the first thing I learned to play - but I don't remember much! I was a kid. Now, I have loads of fun playing the ukulele with my daughter Vivi, and she loves to sing along with it... Anyway, I'm glad you're here - and I hope you enjoy playing the uke as much as I do!

So, in this quick lesson, we'll check out 10 super easy songs to play on the ukulele - even if you've just unpacked it and are a complete beginner! We'll look at 2-chord songs only - and the big news here is that those songs only require two chords - C and F. Even better? Each chord only requires one finger. Easy peasy, eh? :)

We'll also learn simple strumming patterns and tricks in the tutorial, but check out these ukulele lessons if you want to dig deeper.

1-Finger Chords on the Ukulele

We'll learn how to play the C and F chords on the ukulele in this quick lesson. You'll only need to use your first finger, and you'll strum all the strings! Here's what you'll do:

Put your first finger on the third fret of the thinnest string to play the C Chord. Strum down - you've just played a C Chord on the ukulele!
To play the F Chord, move that same finger up one string. You'll press the first fret and get your F Chord.

Technically, you're playing a Fadd9 Chord, which is even easier than a regular F Chord on the ukulele but sounds just as good. Especially on the songs, you're about to learn! Ready? Let's take a look.

My Top 10 Easiest Ukulele Songs

All the following songs use only the 2 easy 1-finger chords we just learned! All you have to do now is sort out the chords' order and the strumming pattern's groove! This video tutorial will help you out with that. :)

So here's the list:

Easy Ukulele #1: Give Peace a Chance - John Lennon

To place this Lennon & Yoko Ono classic, you'll start by playing the C Chord for the entire verses, and then you'll play that F add 9 for the chorus.

Easy Ukulele #2: Born in The USA - Bruce Springsteen

Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen uses the same chords as the previous song: C and F. The strumming pattern changes everything here - and a great way of getting it right is by playing along with the original recording. Or use my video lesson and your musical memory! :)

Easy Ukulele #3: Dance the Night Away - The Mavericks

Dance the Night Away is one of the first songs we learn in my Beginner Guitar Course - it's very easy and fun to sing along with. :) And yep - we're keeping the very same chords here: C and F, and you'll play each chord for one bar.

Playing these songs is easier than you thought, eh?

Easy Ukulele #4: Feelin' Alright - Traffic

Once again - we'll change our strumming pattern, keep the same C and F chords, and voilà: you've got Feelin' Alright by Traffic on the ukulele. Another song you can play using only one finger!

Easy Ukulele #5: Bad Liar - Selena Gomez

Any pop lovers around? Bad Liar by Selena Gomez sounds great on the ukulele - and once again: you'll need that same chord progression: C to F!

Easy Ukulele #6: You Sound Good To Me - Lucy Hale

You'll keep the C and F chords to play this crazily easy song! You can use real simple strumming or mix it up a bit. Work on it if you're feeling confident, and you'll get the original recording vibe.

Easy Ukulele #7: Boys 'Round Here - Blake Sheldon

Same chords to play this country song on the ukulele! You'll start with a C chord and then get into that Fadd9 chord too. Play along with the original recording, or check out the video tutorial to sort out the chord progression.

Easy Ukulele #8: Molly's Lips - Nirvana

This grunge classic requires faster chord changes. But c'mon - you can do that! It's super easy, as each chord only requires one finger!

Easy Ukulele #9: Blowin' Smoke - Kacey Musgraves

The chords stay the same here: a C chord and a Fadd9 chord. There are some changes in the strumming pattern and chord progressions, but you'll be able to sort that out. :)

Easy Ukulele #10: Lively Up Yourself - Bob Marley

Yeah - this one needs some palm-muting to sound just like the original recording. If you're a complete beginner, that might feel awkward when you first start.

But hey, you've gotta start somewhere, and this Bob Marley song is a great one to practice that reggae feel on the ukulele.

Do you want to learn more? I've got a free Beginner Ukulele Course for you. Happy playing!