15 Easy Ukulele Songs to Play for Beginners

Quick Summary 

Easy ukulele songs for beginners use only three or four chords C, G, Am and F. Best beginner options include Count on Me, I’m Yours, Stand By Me, Tum Hi Ho and Kal Ho Naa Ho. You can choose either a Hindi or an English song to get started. Choose a slow song, learn one shape at a time and when you combine it with a down-down-up-up-down-up strum pattern, you’ll be playing your first song after just 15 minutes of practice each day for a week or two!

Introduction

Ukulele in hand but don’t know what to play? Don’t worry! The ukulele is a fun, comfortable, portable, and beginner-friendly instrument, so it is a common one to start with. The problem is, you need to pick the first song! A lot of new players attempt to learn a song that is too quick and involves lots of chords, so the ukulele just becomes a lovely decoration on the wall.

Here’s the top 15 easy ukulele songs to the rescue of that. You get 15 songs, 5 in English and 10 from Hindi cinema, all with a handful of chords at a slow speed, of course. A difficulty level, strumming pattern and practice tip to go along with each song, so you can choose an old love, and learning that starts to become fun.

15 Easy Ukulele Songs to Play for Beginners

1. Count on Me : Bruno Mars (English)

• Chords: C, Em, F, Am, G
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Slow tempo and a repeating chord loop.
• Practice tip: Practise the C to Am change 10 times before adding the strumming.

This is one of the most popular beginner ukulele songs because the chords change slowly and the melody is easy to sing along with.

2. I’m Yours : Jason Mraz (English)

• Chords: C, G, Am, F
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Only four chords repeat through the whole song.
• Practice tip: Play the four chords slowly with no singing first.

If you want simple ukulele songs that sound cheerful right away, this is a great one. The C, G, Am, F loop is also used in hundreds of other songs, so you are learning a pattern you will use again and again.

3. Riptide : Vance Joy (English)

• Chords: Am, G, C (some versions add F)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up (keep it light)
• Why it is easy: The chord pattern is short and repeats.
• Practice tip: Slow the song down to 70% speed while you learn the rhythm.

Among easy songs to learn on ukulele, Riptide is a favourite because it was written for the instrument. The rhythm is a little quicker, so give it a few days of practice.

4. Stand By Me : Ben E. King (English)

• Chords: C, Am, F, G7
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: A classic four-chord progression at a steady pace.
• Practice tip: Count “1-2-3-4” out loud while you strum.

This old classic is useful for ukulele chords for beginners because it introduces the G7 chord, which you will meet often in later songs.

5. Can’t Help Falling in Love : Elvis Presley (English)

• Chords: C, Em, Am, F, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Slow, steady down strums
• Why it is easy: A slow ballad that gives you time to change chords.
• Practice tip: Let each chord ring fully before moving to the next.

A slow song is kind to new fingers. Because of that, this belongs on any list of easy ukulele songs for your first month.

6. Tum Hi Ho : Arijit Singh (Hindi, Aashiqui 2)

• Chords: Am, F, C, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: One repeating four-chord pattern throughout.
• Practice tip: Hum the tune while you strum, so your hands learn the song’s timing.

Looking for beginner ukulele songs in Hindi? Start here. The chord loop is simple, and most people already know the melody by heart.

7. Kal Ho Naa Ho : Sonu Nigam (Hindi)

• Chords: C, G, Am, Em, F
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Slow tempo with predictable chord changes.
• Practice tip: Learn the chorus first, as it repeats the most.

This emotional song works well as one of the simple ukulele songs for beginners because the slow pace gives you time to place each finger.

8. Agar Tum Saath Ho : Arijit Singh & Alka Yagnik (Hindi, Tamasha)

• Chords: Am, F, C, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Slow down strums, then Down, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: The same four chords you already learnt, in a slower mood.
• Practice tip: Practise changing from F to C without looking at your hand.

If you want easy songs to learn on ukulele that feel dramatic and moving, this one is a good pick. Strum slowly and let the chords ring.

9. Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam : DDLJ (Hindi)

• Chords: C, G, Am, F
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: A bright, familiar melody on the most basic chords.
• Practice tip: Play along with the original song once you are confident, to build your sense of rhythm.

This evergreen romantic song is great for ukulele chords for beginners practice. Most families in India know it, so you will have an audience ready.

10. Kabira : Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (Hindi)

• Chords: Am, F, C, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Calm tempo with repeating chords.
• Practice tip: Start with a single downstrum on each chord, then build up to the full pattern.

Many players find this among the most satisfying beginner ukulele songs. It sounds rich even when played simply.

11. Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage : Arijit Singh (Hindi, Kabir Singh)

• Chords: Am, F, C, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Slow Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: A gentle tempo and a chord loop you already know.
• Practice tip: Strum each chord once per beat first, then add the pattern.

This is one of the most loved beginner ukulele songs from recent years. Because the pace is slow, you get time to place every finger properly.

12. Kaun Tujhe : Palak Muchhal (Hindi, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story)

• Chords: C, G, Am, F
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Soft melody with the most common four-chord loop.
• Practice tip: Play the loop four times without stopping before adding the singing.

If you want simple ukulele songs that sound sweet and soft, this one is a lovely choice. It also helps you practise smooth chord changes.

13. Tum Se Hi : Mohit Chauhan (Hindi, Jab We Met)

• Chords: Am, G, F, C
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Repeating chords and a relaxed, steady rhythm.
• Practice tip: Practise the F to C change slowly, since it appears the most.

Looking for easy songs to learn on ukulele that feel nostalgic? This 2000s favourite is a good pick, and many people already know the tune by heart.

14. Pehla Nasha : Udit Narayan & Sadhana Sargam (Hindi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar)

• Chords: C, Am, F, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down, Down-Up
• Why it is easy: Light, bouncy rhythm on the basic chords.
• Practice tip: Keep your strumming hand loose so the song sounds light and happy.

This evergreen 90s song is great for practising ukulele chords for beginners, because it uses the same C, Am, F, G shapes you learnt earlier in a new rhythm.

15. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga : Kumar Sanu (Hindi, 1942: A Love Story)

• Chords: C, Am, F, G
• Difficulty: Easy
• Strumming pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
• Why it is easy: A familiar melody that follows a simple, repeating pattern.
• Practice tip: Sing along softly while you strum, so your voice and hands stay in time.

A classic like this is perfect when you want easy ukulele songs that your parents and grandparents will enjoy too.

What Makes These Easy Ukulele Songs Good for Beginners?

Not all hit songs are good for beginners. These easy ukulele songs were selected because they have a handful of commonalities:

• Only 3 to 5 chords: Learn them in a day or two.
• Slow or medium tempo: You have plenty of time to change chords without getting in a panic.
• Repeating chord patterns: Play one loop and most of the song has been covered.
• No barre chords: All of the chords in this song are played with easy finger shapes.
• Familiar melodies: You’ve heard the song before and your ear will let you know if it doesn’t sound right.

Ukulele Chords for Beginners: 4 Chords You Should Learn First

On a four-string ukulele (G-C-E-A tuning), these four shapes will get you through most any tune.

Chord	Finger placement
C	Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Other strings open.
Am	Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Other strings open.
F	Index finger on the 1st fret of the E string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
G	Index finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E string.

How to practise them:

1. Pluck your strings, strum once and make sure they all sound out brightly.
2. Alternate between two chords very slowly (try C – Am) for one minute.
3. Next, test the entire circle: C Am F G.

To avoid a buzzy sound, try playing closer to the fret wire and keep your fingertips arched.

Beginner Ukulele Songs Comparison Table

Song	Language	Chords	Difficulty	Pace
Count on Me	English	C, Em, F, Am, G	Very easy	Slow
I’m Yours	English	C, G, Am, F	Very easy	Medium
Riptide	English	Am, G, C	Easy	Medium-fast
Stand By Me	English	C, Am, F, G7	Easy	Slow-medium
Can’t Help Falling in Love	English	C, Em, Am, F, G	Easy	Slow
Tum Hi Ho	Hindi	Am, F, C, G	Easy	Slow
Kal Ho Naa Ho	Hindi	C, G, Am, Em, F	Easy	Slow
Agar Tum Saath Ho	Hindi	Am, F, C, G	Easy	Slow
Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam	Hindi	C, G, Am, F	Very easy	Medium
Kabira	Hindi	Am, F, C, G	Easy	Medium

Easy Songs to Learn on Ukulele in Your First Week

Here’s an easy plan that takes about 15 to 20 minutes a day.

• Day 1: How to hold and tune the ukulele. Practice C and Am.
• Day 2: Learn F and G. Play slowly, and reverse the order from C, Am, F to G.
• Day 3: Practice the down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern on one chord.
• Day 4: Play the C Am F G progression in its entirety with your picking pattern.
• Day 5: Choose your opening song (Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam or I’m Yours) and learn the verse.
• Day 6: Learning the Chorus, joining the Chorus with the Verse.
• Day 7:Play the entire song beginning to end at a slow pace and record yourself.

If you get a bit behind don’t worry. Everyone has their own pace and short daily practice is more effective than one long session.

Ukulele Chords for Beginners: 5 Chords That Unlock Most Songs

When your hands feel good and loose, these five chords will unlock most of the songs in this list and a whole lot more:

1. C:the home chord for most beginner tunes
2. G (or G7): gives songs their forward pull (G7 is used in Stand By Me)
3. Am: the soft, emotional chord common in Hindi songs
4. F: the chord that balances the loop
5. Em: used in Count on Me, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Can’t Help Falling in Love

Em uses the index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string and ring finger on the 4th fret of the C string. It is difficult at first so take it slowly and build up. 

Simple Ukulele Songs by Mood or Goal

Not sure what to play first? Choose by what you want from your practice:

• Want a quick win? I’m Yours or Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam
• Want a calm, slow song? Can’t Help Falling in Love or Kal Ho Naa Ho
• Want something emotional? Tum Hi Ho or Agar Tum Saath Ho
• Want to practise rhythm? Riptide
• Want to learn a classic? Stand By Me
• Want to sing with friends and family? Count on Me or Kabira

Conclusion

You do not need to know music theory to begin. With four basic chords, a simple strumming pattern and a song you love, you can start playing within days. Pick one song from this list, practise it slowly, and add a new one each week. Easy ukulele songs are a friendly way to build your confidence, and your fingers will get faster over time.

Keep your sessions short, enjoy the process, and be patient with yourself. And if you ever wish to sing along while you strum, we are here to help! At Artium Academy, our music courses include Western vocals, Hindi film music and more, so you can learn to sing the songs you love at your own pace.

Want to sing your favourite songs with confidence? Book your free 1:1 trial class with Artium Academy today.

Looking for more beginner-friendly music guides? Explore more blogs from Artium Academy.