As a teacher, summer is my time to relax, renew, and do things that bring me joy! One those things that bring me joy is playing my ukulele. During the school year, it’s hard to make time to play for my own enjoyment, so prioritizing it during the summer is so important. Please join me for a challenge that is simply for your enjoyment and fun – the Summer Ukulele Challenge! Each day, I’ll post a link to a song. Simply take a few minutes in your day and play through the song. Songs will range in skill level from easy to difficult, so there’s something for everyone! Check back daily for a new song!
Day One
It’s Day One of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Sunflower by Post Malone, as featured in the Spiderman movies. It uses the chords C, F, and Dm.
Day Three
It’s Day 3 of the Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song at first glance may seem simple with just C, F, G, and Am, but this is great for middle school students.
Day 5
It’s Day 5 of the Summer Ukulele Challenge. Another great song for your upper el/MS students! Stand By Me uses the chords C, F, G7, and Am. Enjoy!
Day 7
Today’s song is I Ain’t Worried by One Republic. It uses the chords C, G, Am, and Em. I hope you’re having fun learning some new tunes with me!
Day 9
Let’s stay with that Bb chord a little longer! Today’s song is an oldie but goodie by Fleetwood Mac. Go Your Own Way uses the chords C, F, Dm, and Bb.
Day 11
Today’s song is Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. It uses the chords C, D, D7, Em, and G and even has a little finger picking section at the beginning!
Day 13
It’s Day 13 and we’re going back to the Bb chord. I’m really not trying to be “Mean” but we learn through repetition! Mean uses the chords F, Bb, C, and Dm.
Day 15
When you want (or need) to Rick Roll your middle school students… Never Gonna Give You Up uses the chords F, G, Em, and Am!
Day 17
Today’s song is an oldie from the original Top Gun Movie. Danger Zone, by Kenny Loggins, uses the chords Em, D, C, A, and G. Have fun!
Day 19
It’s Day 19 of the Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is The Scientist by Coldplay. It uses the chords C, D, Em, G, and Gsus2.
Day 21
Today’s song is Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran. It uses the chords Am, C, Cmaj7, Dm, Em, F, and G. Have fun singing and strummin’ along!
Day 23
Today’s song is from The Weekend. Blinding Lights uses the chord Dm, Am, C, and G.
Day 25
Why not celebrate Christmas in July with Mariah Carey’s song, All I Want for Christmas is You. It uses the chords C, Cm, D, E7, Em, G, Am, and B7.
Day 27
Today’s song is When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars. This one’s a bit of a challenge with lots of chords, but the chorus is pretty easy to play along if it seems too hard.
Day 29
Today’s song is A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. Too many chords to list – this one is meant to challenge and stretch you! You can do it!
Day 31
It’s the FINAL DAY of the Summer Ukulele Challenge! You did it! And your reward? Everybody Gets a Kitten! No really, that the name of the song by Jeremy Messersmith. It uses the chords C, Dm, F, and Bb.
Day Two
It’s Day 2 of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song is a favorite of my own students. Using C, F, and Am, it’s a great song to introduce Am!
Day Four
It’s Day 4 of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Iko Iko is the perfect ukulele play along for your beginners as it uses only the C & F chords. Have fun singing & strumming!
Day 6
Today’s song is Rise by Jonas Blue. Using the chords C, F, G, and Am, this is a great song to practice moving quickly between each chord! Have fun with this one!
Day 8
We’re dipping our toes into a new chord today – Bb! This “easy” version of Can’t Stop the Feeling uses the chords C, F, Am, and Bb! You can do it!
Day 10
It’s Day 10 of the Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Have It All by Jason Mraz. It uses the chords C, D, G, and Em.
Day 12
Today’s song is Stay by Rihanna ft Mikky Ekko. This is one will keep you on your toes! It uses the chords C, F, G, Am, and Dm. Have fun strumming!
Day 14
Let’s stay with that Bb chord just a bit longer! The Addams Family theme uses the chords Bb, Cm, and F. Have fun strumming!
Day 16
I’m sharing a song from one of my favorite bands, the Dave Matthew’s Band. Sweet uses the chords C, F, G, Am, Dm, Csus4, and Am7.
Day 18
Who doesn’t love Harry Styles? Today’s song is As it Was. This upbeat tune uses the chords C, D, G, and Am. Have fun strumming!
Day 20
You might not know this song, but your students do, thanks to TikTok! If I Were a Fish, written by Corook, uses the chords F, Bb, C, Dm, and Gm. Have fun with this one!
Day 22
We’re going old school today with a song from Journey! Don’t Stop Believin’ uses the chords F, C, Bb, Am, and Dm. And for the record, there’s no “South Detroit.” Lol!
Day 24
Today’s song is by Feel it Still by Portugal the Man. It’s a quick & fun one using the chords Dm, F, Gm, and Bb!
Day 26
Andy Grammer’s song, Keep Your Head Up, is just what I needed today! It uses the chords C, Dm, Em7, F, G, and Am7.
Day 28
I have to admit, I abandoned my planned song when I saw this “peach” of a song pop up on YouTube. Peaches, by Jack Black, uses the chords C, Em, E7, F, G, and Am.
Day 30
We’re almost done! Today’s song is You Are the Reason by Callum Scott. It uses the chords C, Em, F, Fm, G, and Am.
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