This is one of those iconic riffs, them ones where you wish you would be able to play but you are too frightened to try it. That was me up until a few weeks ago. I have played some of The Smiths songs on a ukulele before and they are very tricky. Which is a testament to Johnny Marr really.
What Are We Learning To Play?
Below is a video of what you will be able to play by the end of this post.Â
Ukulele Tabs
You want to start using your first finger on the 4th fret and your middle finger on the 5th fret. Moving down to the 2nd & 4th is going to be much easier this way. Then you can use your ring finger on the 5th fret of the A string.
A|-4-4--2-2--5---4-2---2/4--7-7--7--4----|
E|-5-5--4-4--5-X----5--4/5---------4-7p4-|
C|-------------------------6------4------|
G|---------------------------------------|
A|-------4---------2---------------------|
E|-----5---------5-------5-------7-----7-|
C|-6--6-6--6---6-----6-6---6--6/8--8-8---|
G|---------------------------------------|
A|-4-4--2-2--5----4-2-----2/4---7-7-7----|
E|-5-5--4-4--5-X------5---4/5------------|
C|----------------------------6----------|
G|---------------------------------------|
If you enjoyed this post, you may be interested to see my ukulele arrangement of The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead album.Â