Oppo, what songs should I learn on my ukulele?

"E. Julius" (soonerfrommi)
02/16/2015 at 17:24 • Filed to: Ukulelelopnik

Yes I play the ukulele like a god damn hipster, but I didn't have room for any of my guitars when I came to France so it's all I could bring. I like to take song suggestions from other people to break out of my usual styles of music, so suggest away! Preferably good songs to play on the beach/boat this summer but not a strict requirement.

DISCUSSION (27)

Alex B > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:28

Well, pop songs are good to play in public because if people know them they might sing along and everyone would have a hella good time. I recommend break free by Ariana Grande. I don't know what's possible on the ukulele, but just a thought.

HammerheadFistpunch > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:29

My wife has been learning somewhere over the rainbow by brother iz. Low hanging fruit? you bet, but its a good tune.

E. Julius > Alex B
02/16/2015 at 17:29

Hahaha I am a HUGE Ariana fan and already have that one under my belt. Awesome suggestion though!

E. Julius > HammerheadFistpunch
02/16/2015 at 17:30

Forever the most popular tab/chord chart on any ukulele site ever.

HammerheadFistpunch > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:31

yup. still sounds nice.

Mercedes Streeter > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:32

Through the Fire and Flames by Dragonforce. ;)

Übel > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:33

http://www.ukulele-tabs.com/uke-songs/jake… this is one of my favorites

lonestranger > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:33

Tapas > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:33

99 Problems by Jay Z.

Since the original song doesn't have a ukelele or ukelele-like sounds, you tell your friends you put your twist to it. Just stand there when the entire song is playing and keep telling people your part is coming up.

Keep them listening to the song allll the way to the end. Then when the song ends, put your little flourish with the ukelele and take a bow....to a group of friends that just stare at you agape, wondering if you were dropped on your head as a baby.

E. Julius > HammerheadFistpunch
02/16/2015 at 17:34

True

E. Julius > Mercedes Streeter
02/16/2015 at 17:36

Haha somebody has actually done it apparently!

A bit over my head at the moment ha

RazoE > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:36

Popular song out right now that rocks a ukelele is Vance Joy - Riptide

Alex B > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:37

Me too! I've been trying to learn break free on the piano, I don't have it completed yet, but close. :)

E. Julius > lonestranger
02/16/2015 at 17:38

This. One hundred percent this. This song makes a few people I know pretty thirsty when they hear it, so I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

E. Julius > RazoE
02/16/2015 at 17:38

Haven't heard it but I'll search it on youtube

Spaceball-Two > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:39

Metallic One.

ttyymmnn > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:46

There can be only one.

lonestranger > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 17:54

I imagine it'd take quite a bit of practice.

E. Julius > lonestranger
02/16/2015 at 18:07

It's actually not too difficult, I'm playing the intro at about 70% speed currently. It sounds complicated, but since you play one note when you put your finger down and a different note when you lift it up your fingers only have to move for ever two notes. Just have to practice slow and build up to speed. The uke fretboard is pretty cramped though so the scale does take a bit of focus.

OPPOsaurus WRX > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 18:12

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 20:58

I suggest this or Cowboys from Hell

Shoop > E. Julius
02/16/2015 at 21:15

Some heavy metal or hard Rock.

Also smoke on the water

E. Julius > Shoop
02/16/2015 at 21:20

Somebody suggested Thunderstruck, which I found awesome, so I'm working on that. Does that count?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > E. Julius
02/17/2015 at 18:28

I missed this thread when it went up. I actually bought a six-string uke when I was on a trip to Germany, and found myself trying stuff from the Who's Tommy, mostly. Of course, this was with the uke detuned out of A all the way to E so it was like a guitar with loose-ish strings...

E. Julius > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
02/17/2015 at 18:32

Oooh a six string uke sounds fun. Is that the same as a guitarlele? I almost bought one of those in September so I could practice my guitar chords. Not looking forward to having to build my chops my back up when I get back…

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > E. Julius
02/17/2015 at 18:34

Yamaha Guitalele. At the time I bought it, Yamaha wasn't selling it in the states, not sure if that's still the case. Bought it in Erfurt in a little corner music shop. Still got it.

E. Julius > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
02/17/2015 at 18:37

Awesome. Honestly I should have bought the one I came across. It was was used but in good condition for a good price. Alas, I was still adjusting to big city life and hadn't gotten over the cost of living/exchange rate/VAT sticker shock yet, so I had no idea if it would throw my budget outta wack. Looking back, could have gotten it no problem : /