It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Sammy Turton, otherwise known as 4StringBoy online. He’s an exceptional ukulele player that immediately caught my attention with his intricate and interesting fingerstyle uke arrangements. We share a remarkably similar taste in music so I thought it would be a great idea to get him on the site …
Fingerstyle Ukulele – 6 Easy Songs You Can Learn Right Now Read More »
My introduction to this song was not the Lynyrd Skynyrd version. I first heard it on a CD that Kerrang! magazine put together called High Voltage – A Brief History of Rock. Loads of bands did cover versions of some classic rock tunes. One of them happened to be Simple Man performed by Deftones. The …
I would say the album that this song is from is my favourite Paramore album. It was a gigantic leap from their early punk/emo days but its one I’m happy they made. The songs just seem so much more refined and better crafted. Let’s learn to play Hard Times on the ukulele. What Are We …
This is one of those songs that I instantly recognised when it came on the radio but I would have zero ideas who the artist was. It wasn’t until I was digging through Spotify’s Feel Good playlist looking for songs to arrange on the uke that I discovered who it was. I then went on …
Feist is known for her humongous hit 1,2,3,4 that seemed to penetrate radio stations in the mid-00s. She also had a lot of success with Mushaboom that equally dominated tv shows and adverts. You may not know the artist but you will undoubtedly recognise the song. Let’s learn to play it on the ukulele. What …
You really begin to appreciate Stevie Wonders musical output when you learn that this song came from his fifteenth album. At that point in time, he hadn’t even released Songs In The Key Of Life yet either. Arguably one of the finest albums from the 70s. The killer riff is instantly recognisable so let’s learn …
These guys arrived to the music scene at just the right time for me. I had freshly turned 18 so going out on a Saturday night with my mates was my only concern. This tune would be rinsed like mad in the clubs and I didn’t mind one bit. Let’s learn to play Golden Skans …
For me this seems to be most ukulele-esque Slayer song. I mean, we could probably try and learn to play Reign In Blood but does anybody even enjoy moving their fingers that fast. Im using a low G for this but it stills sounds reasonable with a high G too. What Are We Learning To …
This is one of them songs that makes me want to get on a motorbike, find a long stretch of road and crank this song up. It’s got a killer intro riff that sounds borderline perfect on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you will be able …
Easily one of the most recognisable piano intros and arguably one of the best songs to come out of the 70s. I had probably heard it before in the background somewhere, but this song really touched me when I saw it on the Almost Famous film. There’s a scene where the band is cruising through …
The guitar prince himself continues to amaze me with his astounding back catalogue. He is an absolute baller on the 6 string so transferring his music onto the 4 string is often difficult. This song, however, was effortless. Let’s learn to play Waiting On The World To Change on the ukulele. What Are We Learning …
One of my unusual obsessions as a teen was The OC. When your a teen growing up in the grim north of England, the sun and beaches of California are somewhat appealing. It also had a killer theme tune. Let’s learn to play Phantom Planets one-hit-wonder California on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To …
I’m one of those people that can’t help but say “Shakira, Shakira” whenever her name is mentioned. Much like I would whenever somebody says Jason Derulo, you know what I’m talking about 🤣. The intro to Hips Don’t Lie is funky as so let’s learn to play it on the ukulele. What Are We Learning …
They were the giants of the nu-metal era, and for good reason. Linkin Park had a real knack for articulating the many emotions you feel throughout life. For me, it took years of listening to them to understand why. They also know their way around a riff or two. Let’s learn to play Numb, Faint …
Learn to Play 3 Linkin Park Songs on the Ukulele Read More »
I first discovered these guys when iTunes gave away Mansard Roof as the free single of the week (Remember when they used to do that?). I was instantly hooked, the pop sensibility merged with the afro rhythms and obvious Paul Simon influence made them a perfect fit for me. This song pretty much compounds everything …
Hold the phone, I just realised this is the first time I have played some Bob Dylan on the ukulele. How on earth has that happened. I listened to his music so much as a teenager. Back when CD shops were a thing I would spend a lot of my time in them pursuing albums. …
I always thought The Strokes had this effortless coolness about them. Everything they put out seems to ooze it. Especially the album that You Only Live Once is from. It had the quick and catchy riffs of the first two albums but they also introduced an arena-size sound too. One big regret of mine is …
They quickly became one of my favourite bands when I first heard them a few years ago. What I admire the most about Twenty One Pilots is the overall artistry beyond the music. They create worlds just to sing about them, and that’s freaking cool to me! Let’s learn to play Holding on to You, …
Learn to Play 3 Twenty One Pilots Songs on the Ukulele Read More »
Interestingly, this song has nothing to do with Kashmir in India at all. Led Zep frontman Robert Plant wrote it while driving on what he described as a “never ending road” in Morocco. Imagine that, back when rockstars didn’t have smart phones to indulge them on these long tour journeys. Let’s learn to play it …
My first introduction to Blondie was during their second wave when they released Maria in 1999. It reached the number one spot in the UK charts, a position they hadn’t occupied in almost 2 decades. It wasn’t until my teen years that I delved into blondie some more and I discovered them to be one …
There may be about 5 songs in the world that instantly put a smile on my face and can change my mood. This generational anthem is undoubtedly one of them. Maybe it’s due to me being 9 years old when it was released, the boulders of real-life hadn’t found their way onto my shoulders yet. …
One of my favourite Weezer licks and it sounds borderline perfect on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you will be able to play by the end of this post. Ukulele Tabs This is a fantastic song to learn as we are incorporating lots of different techniques. …
Any fan of Iron Maiden remembers hearing Fear Of The Dark live at Donnington for the first time. It was a bonus track on a Greatest Hits album that me and my mate went halves for as teenagers. Fast, technical and emotive playing. Enough to make an aspiring guitar playing like myself at that age, …
Blink-182 have been pigeonholed by critics, on numerous occasions, as a teenage band, and of being juvenile. I wouldn’t say it’s a valid criticism at all. Blink-182’s hilariously awkward tales of adolescent love and childish adulthood are a craft in itself. They clearly have an ear for a catchy melody and a killer riff. Let’s …
I’m not sure where and when I first heard this song but I know it was around the time I started learning to play the guitar. My ears immediately started twitching when I heard that wonderful dual harmonising guitar lick. I pretty much sprinted to my acoustic. Let’s learn to play it on the ukulele. …
One of my fondest memories as a teenager was larking about in the pub that my mates parents ran after school. They would close it for an a few hours and we could be allowed to watch sky tv on the big screen, play pool and drink loads of coke. That was when i first …
I was somewhat of a later bloomer to KoRn. They were absolutely getting listened to in my circle of friends but I never gravitated towards them. It wasn’t until I was able to see them live that I really started to appreciate them. They create some serious energy at their shows and goddammit they are …
Whether you heard from the classic Tarantino flick Pulp Fiction or the foot-stomping Black Eyed Peas Pump It. There’s no doubt about it, its an earworm of melody. Let’s learn to play the signature riff of Misirolou on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you will be …
This is a great finger picking pattern to learn as although it looks complicated. its not super difficult for even the greenest of players. Once you master it, it sounds delightful. What Are We Learning To Play? Ukulele Tabs Firstly, let’s assign the fingers on our strumming hand. Use your thumb for the top two …
I have always found Blink 182 lend themselves really well to the ukulele. When you strip away all the goofiness and silliness, they wrote some fantastic songs. That becomes very evident when you play them very minimally on just a four stringed ukulele. Let’s learn to play my favourite song of theirs, The Rock Show …
I love Soul music and absolutely nobody epitomised it as much as Aretha Franklin did. Her astonishing run of hits from the late 60s earned her the title as The Queen Of Soul. Originally recorded by Otis Redding, Aretha and the producer rearranged the song and turned the lyrics to be from the perspective of …
The music video used to frighten the hell out of me. I thought the man in the bed was some kind of monster or beast like figure. Turns out it’s a war veteran/victim who just wants his pain and suffering to end. Another example of an extremely well crafted Metallica song. Let’s learn to play …
This is one of those songs that I have always avoided as I just thought it would be so simple and naff on the ukulele. I was wrong. The harmonies on the opening lick are just so tasty and it works perfectly on the uke IMO. We have an open C note and if you …
I have always said if I could be immediately proficient on any instrument. By that I mean if I could wake up with 50 years of experience on the instrument of my choice. It would absolutely be the harp. I have always loved the delicate but intricate sounds they create. I’m a huge joanna Newsome …
Aha Shake Heartbreak simply solidifies the thoughts among many (myself included) that the Kings Of Leon are the best rock band to have come out of America for a long, long time. It’s chock-full of lively, driving songs, awash with Caleb’s Southern, twangy drawl, Nathan’s snappy and precise drumming and Matthew and Jared’s solid basslines …
For a lot of the UK followers who are a similar age to me. They will have most likely first heard this song on the Tetley’s teabag advert 🤣. Bill Withers and a cup of tea in the morning is a winning combination so thank you Tetley’s for bringing it into my life. Let’s learn …
This song is originally played on a plucky sounding synth so it works super well on the ukulele. I’m a huge fan of these and I’m gagging for another album from them. For now though, let’s revisit some of their old work and learn to play Lane Boy on the uke. What Are We Learning …
Another song that I discovered from music television back in the day. Most of the music to this song was written while Pantera was hungover during a soundcheck. The lyrics were later added in the studio and they are about lead singer Phil Anselmo’s chronic back pain. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is …
Made famous by that super cool animated video in the late 90s which was actually animated by the band themselves. Its a chord progression but there’s some super unique chords involved. Let’s learn to play it on a ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you will be able …
Grammy award-winning The Black Keys know how to write a good riff, there’s no question about it. One of my favourites is Gold On The Ceiling, a thunderous foot-stomper that’s begging to be played. Let’s learn to play it on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you …
I have Instagram to thank for introducing me to this song. I asked for suggestions of what to play and this came up. I’m glad somebody did as its such a vibe. I love the guitar work and it translates really well to four strings. Let’s learn to play Texas Sun on the ukulele. What …
Another song that I had never heard until somebody on here suggested it to me. I jumped over to YouTube and see it got 50,000,000 views. I press play and I’m exposed to one of the most beautiful acoustic guitar riffs I have ever heard. It sounds equally good on the ukulele too so let’s …
I was lucky to be already a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers before they released the By The Way album. So I was able to experience the hype for it when it was released. They released the title track as a single first and my and mates would split our thumbs open trying …
This is quite possibly my favourite song from the 80s. I initially became aware of this band due to hearing them on one of the GTA: Vice City radio stations. Lets learn to play it on the ukulele. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of what you will be able to …
Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule The World Read More »
I recently discovered an old playlist called “Indie Stuff 2005”. Man, what a decent era in UK music. Guitar bands owned the charts and sublime debut albums like Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm were coming out left, right and centre. Banquet is a certified banger. What Are We Learning To Play? Below is a video of …
It’s quite sad listening to this song sometimes. It sounds so happy but the lyrics are written by somebody so desperately clinging on for life due to their severe depression. One so strong that they would later end their life. It’s so bizarre that it has gone on to become one of those “feel good”songs …
The most iconic Beatles riff of all time? Theres a strong argument for it. Its fairly straight forward to play but there is a little bit of hand twisting to get it right. Every finger on the fretting hand is been used, its spread across three strings and its rather nippy. So I wouldn’t call …
I have said it before and I will say it again. Blink-182 don’t get enough credit for their songwriting. When you strip away all the humour and silliness, you are left with some phenomenal compositions, melodies and harmonies. I Miss You is the perfect example of that. Let’s learn to play it on the ukulele. …
I couldn’t have been happier to see this monster of a song be introduced to a whole new generation of people over on TikTok recently. I wouldn’t have even been in double digits when it was released in the 90s but that guitar intro has stayed in my head ever since. Let’s learn to play …
I have my mum to thank for my introduction to The Eagles. She’s not a massive fan or anything but she got me this CD called “The Best Air Guitar Anthems Ever” when I was a kid and learning to play the guitar. She saw it advertised on TV and one of their marketing tactics …
In this section, we will cover everything you need to know about starting to play the ukulele.
