It’s summer! A time to unwind, breathe and do things that bring us happiness! One of my favorite things to do to relax is play ukulele but it’s so hard to make time to play during the school year. Join me for a challenge that is simply for your enjoyment and fun – a 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!
It’s the DAY ONE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! We’re starting with a relatively easy song using the chords C, F, and Dm! How many of you have taught or played Best Day of My LIfe? This is a great song to follow up with to reinforce that Dm chord! Have fun & BE HAPPY!
It’s DAY TWO of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Since the ukulele originated from Hawaii, I thought we might learn a traditional Hawaiian song! Aloha ‘Oe was written by Queen Lili’uokalani in 1878. Chords included are C, F, G7, and C7. For more information and a translation of the song, click here. For more information about the history of the ukulele, click here.
It’s DAY THREE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. It’s time for a little pop music and a new chord! Today’s song is Havana by Camila Cabello. It uses the chords F, Am, and E7. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY FOUR of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. In honor of the 4th of July (for those of us in the United States), I offer a patriotic folk tune. This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie uses three simple chords: C, F, G7. Be safe and have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY FIVE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is in direct response to yesterday’s 4th of July celebration and a great challenge for more advanced players. You’ll Be Back, from Hamilton, uses the chords: C, C maj7, Cm, D, D7, Em, G, G7, Am, and Am7. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY SIX of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! How are you holding up? Let’s step it back to an easier song today! A Beatles classic, Let it Be, uses the chords C, F, G, and Am. The chords move a bit quicker – 2 strums per chord, but you’ve got this! Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY SEVEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is meant to get you dancing! Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake uses the chords C, F, Am, and a Bb for a little extra practice! Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY EIGHT of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song is a great example of 12-bar blues! Hound Dog by Elvis Presley uses the chords C, F, and G. Need an extra challenge? Try finger picking the chords instead of strumming! Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY NINE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Need a little inspiration today? Today’s song is Rise Up by Andra Day! It uses the chords C, F, G, and Am. Have fun singing & strumming friends!
It’s DAY TEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! How are you holding up friends? Today’s song is Believer by Imagine Dragons. It used the chords Am, F, G, and E7. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s DAY ELEVEN of the Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Lost Boy by Ruth B. My choir sang this as one of their student choice pieces at our spring concert and I found the ukulele play along shortly thereafter! It uses the chords Em, C, G, Am, and D. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s DAY TWELVE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel. Learning how to fingerpick the opening chords provides an added challenge for our more advanced players. It uses the chords Em, G, D, C, and Emadd9 ????. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s DAY THIRTEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song is a simple challenge (in case you’re still working through yesterday’s song!) . It’s Linus & Lucy from Vince Guaraldi trio. Fun little song using the C, Cm, F, and G chords. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s DAY FOURTEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! We’re half way through! Today’s song is Shut Up and Dance with Me by Walk the Moon! It uses the chords C, F, G, and Am but the chords move quickly! Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s DAY FIFTEEN and “we’re half way there!” Hopefully, you’re not livin’ on a prayer! ???? We’re going back to the 80s today with Bon Jovi today. The chords used in this song are G, C, D, Em. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY SIXTEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. We’re going country today! Today’s song is Meant to Be by Bebe Rexha (feat. Georgia Florida Line). It uses the chords C, Dm, Am, F & G. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY SEVENTEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Happier by Marshmello and Bastille. It uses the chords C, Cmaj7, D, Em, and G. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY EIGHTEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman. From fingerpicking to new chords, there’s something to challenge everyone. It uses the chords C, D, D7, Em, G, Am, A7, B7, and Cadd9. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY NINETEEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is I’m Still Standing (originally by Elton John, from the movie Sing). t’s a great example how a melody can move between major and minor from verse to chorus. It uses C, G, G7, A, Ab, Bb, Cm, Fm, and Gm! Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! In honor of the release of the new Lion King movie, our song is Can You Feel the Love Tonight (original). It uses the chords C, Dm, D7, F, G, Am, and Bb. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-ONE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today, I’m featuring my FAVORITE band – Dave Matthews Band! Ants Marching uses the chords D, G, Em, A7 sus (Em chord with 1st finger up). There’s an opportunity to explore a little improv via fingerpicking too! Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-THREE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Apparently, this is going to be barred chord week. ???? . Today’s song is High Hopes by Panic at the Disco. It uses the chords: F, Dm, Bb, Bbm, C, A, and Am. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-FOUR of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Just Give Me a Reason by Pink ft. Nate Ruess. Still working on those barred chords! This song uses the chords C, D, D sus4, Em, G, A, Am, and Bm. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s day TWENTY-FIVE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Let’s celebrate Christmas in July with All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. It uses the chords C, Cm, D7, Em, E7, G, Am7, B7. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-SIX of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. We’re finishing our barred chord week with Africa, by Toto (not Weezer). It uses the chords C, Dm, Em, Eb, F, Gm, Am, and Bb. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-SEVEN of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song is Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. It uses the chords A, A7, Bm, Em, D, and G. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY TWENTY-EIGHT of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. Today’s song is House of Gold by Twenty One Pilots. We’re working on strumming patterns this week. The song uses the chords C, F, G, A7, Am, Dm, and Bbm.
It’s DAY TWENTY-NINE of our Summer Ukulele Challenge. We’re working on strumming this week! Today’s song is Eight Days a Week by the Beatles. It includes the chords C, D, D7, F, G, G7, Am. Have fun singing & strumming!
It’s DAY THIRTY of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! Today’s song is Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen! It’s got it all – fun strumming pattern, fingerpicking, funky chords! This is a fun challenge! It uses the chords C, D, Dsus4, E7, F, G, A, and Bb. Have fun singing and strumming!
It’s our LAST DAY of our Summer Ukulele Challenge! I hope you’ve had fun on our journey together! Our final song is one of my son’s favorites (thank you Boss Baby movie!) . It’s Blackbird by the Beatles! It’s quite a challenge and will keep you playing beyond today! Have fun singing & strumming!
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