There’s nothing quite so sweet as a classic ukulele song for a wedding! Start practicing now and by the time wedding arrives, you’ll be ready to share your music with friends and family. From traditional favorites to contemporary options, there’s a little something for everyone.
1. “I’m Yours,” by Jason Mraz (2005)”
5 chords – C G Am F D
Click for chords
Most of the song is just four chords, and the pattern repeats again and again.
2. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” by Charlie Reid and Craig Reid as The Proclaimers (1988)
3 chords – D G A
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This one is fun to play loud at a wedding! Again, if you’re finding it difficult to play and sing at the same time, practice those two elements separately — until they’re smooth on their own — before putting them together.
3. “Lava,” by James Ford Murphy for the Pixar animated short (2014)
3 chords – C G7 F
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Here, you’ll have a bit of time between chords, but pay attention to the rhythm because one change happens faster than the others. Become familiar with the song before playing it.
4. Somebody to Love,” by Valerie June (2013)
3 chords – C G F
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Simple to pick up, this song repeats itself, allowing players to really get comfortable with the lyrics and chord changes. If you have a banjolele, it will sound great on that, too, and work with picking or strumming!
5. “Shake It Off,” by Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback (2014)
3 chords – G Am C
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Am and C chords become second nature quickly, and G will become easier the more you play it at a wedding.
6. “My Girl” by The Temptations
5 chords – C, F, Dm, G, G7
“My Girl” is another great song that brings familiar chords and fingerpicking together. The fingerpicking is very simple, making this one of the easiest arrangements on this list!
7. “Let Her Go” by Passenger
Tab only
Don’t be afraid to learn how to play Let Her Go by Passenger on your ukulele! This song will probably take a while for you to put together, but it’s possible – even if
you’re a complete beginner. The key is to start slowly, learn a few notes at a time, and keep playing over and over, gradually adding a few more notes. You’ll be
astonished at the way this song sounds once you’ve got it down – and so will your friends!
8. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John
Tab only
Click for another version with lyrics
Play one note at a time until you get a feel for this beautiful Disney favorite. If you’d like to challenge yourself, you can try this more complicated version!
9. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
9 chords – C, Em, Am, F, G, G7, B7, A7, Dm
Just about everyone knows this famous Elvis tune. It’s slow and relaxed, making for easier chord changes and a lovely sound.
10. “Aloha Oe,” by Queen Liliuokalani
4 chords – C, F, G7, C7
It’s very easy to play “Aloha Oe” on the ukulele, as it offers a very slow tempo. Learn the words and sing along to bring out the melody!
11. “Amazing Love” by Hillsong
4 chords – C, F, Am, G
It’s easy to play Hillsong’s Amazing Love on the Ukulele, as there are just four chords to put together. Learn the words if you don’t know them already. Once you’re singing along, the melody will stand out.
Common Beginner Chords
You really could choose any chord as your first ukulele chord, and learn them in any order, but many beginning ukulele players start with 1- and 2-finger chords, and with songs that contain just a few chords total, before moving on to more fingers and more chords.
It’s very common for a ukulele player to start out by learning the 1-finger shapes of C, C7, Am, and A7 chords.
These are frequently followed by F and/or A chords (2 fingers). G and G7 chords are 3-finger chords considered crucial by most players, as is the D chord. Em is another one I encourage you to learn early on.
Eventually you’ll want to add D7 and E7, D7, B-family chords, and the much-maligned (but so worth learning!) E chord.
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