Have your students mastered the basics of ukulele, and are ready for more of a challenge? In this blog post, I detailed five play alongs for beginning students. In today’s blog post, I will detail five more ukulele play-alongs, which are perfect for taking your students’ skills to the next level! Each of these songs introduces slightly more complex chord progressions while still being accessible to upper elementary and middle school students. Whether you’re using these in your music classroom or for individual practice, these intermediate videos will help students develop fluency and confidence in their playing.
Why Use Ukulele Play-Alongs?
Ukulele play-alongs are a great way to engage students while reinforcing important musical skills like rhythm, strumming, and chord transitions. These videos provide:
Visual reinforcement of chord changes
Engaging, familiar songs that keep students motivated
A structured way to practice chord transitions and strumming patterns
Opportunities for differentiation, allowing students to progress at their own pace
Below are five great ukulele play-alongs that introduce a bit more challenge for your students. Make sure to subscribe to Kulea Ukulele and Ukulaliens on YouTube for more play along vidoes!
#1: Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Chords: C, F, Am
This upbeat song is a great introduction to moving between C, F, and Am. Students can simply strum the chords to the beat, or they can add a more complex strumming pattern if they are ready.
#2: Thunder – Imagine Dragons
Chords: C, F, Am
With a steady rhythm and repeating chord pattern, Thunder is a great song for students to build confidence in chord transitions while playing along with a contemporary hit. Like “Best Day of My Life,” students can simply play to the beat, or can try a more advanced strumming pattern.
#3: The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens
Chords: C, F, G
This classic song introduces G major alongside C and F, making it a great next step for students who are ready to expand their chord knowledge beyond Am.
#4: Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
Chords: C, F, G7
Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds is an excellent way to introduce G7, which requires a different finger placement than the standard G chord. The relaxed tempo makes it easier to practice smooth transitions.
#5: Waka Waka – Shakira
Chords: C, F, Am, G
This energetic song challenges students with four chords, including a quick transition to G. It’s a great song for developing dexterity and rhythmic consistency.
Tips for Teaching These Play-Alongs
Break it down: Start with just the chord changes before adding strumming patterns.
Use visuals: Display chord diagrams on the board while teaching the chords, or have students use printable chord sheets.
Encourage singing: Singing along helps students internalize chord changes and phrasing.
Differentiate: Allow students to play a simplified strumming pattern if needed while more advanced players try more complex rhythms.
Looking for more ukulele resources for your music room? Check out this comprehensive bundle, which includes slideshows, worksheets, and more:
These play-alongs offer a great way to keep your students engaged while developing their ukulele skills. Which of these songs will you try in your classroom? Let me know in the comments!
