Dear Doctor, I’ve taken up the ukulele and need some ideas for songs to play. Please help.
Ah, the ubiquitous ukulele. Just like today’s coffee shops, or video shops in the 1980s: first there were none, then the odd one appeared, and suddenly they’re everywhere. Ukulele orchestras and ukulele flash mobs are mushrooming, but growing in parallel are the groans of the harrumphing ukulele haters.
Don’t blame the poor little ukulele! It’s not its fault that it is so portable, so easy to play and suits advert soundtracks so. Don’t crucify it on the same cross as the bongo or didgeridoo. Well, not yet, anyway.
The sweet plucking sounds of this four-stringed instrument, developed from the “machete” brought by Portuguese migrants to Hawaii in the 19th century, are easily made with the simplest of finger chords. Once you’ve learned three or four, you’re away. No wonder clubs such as yours are thriving, and also, if it’s good enough for Elvis...
Now for some song ideas. How about starting with those that you can play with just three chords: Walk On The Wild Side by Lou Reed, Lonely Boy by The Black Keys, The Tide Is High by The Paragons, Budapest by George Ezra. After that, it’s time to progress to four chords: Blue Monday by New Order, You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift, Henry Lee by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds feat. PJ Harvey, Wagon Wheel by Nathan Carter. Other very popular uke songs include I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, Amy Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good and Britney Spears’ … Baby One More Time. The Dr recommends that you end your set with a rousing version of AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long (four chords). Now get thee to a strummery.
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