Need Songs for Middle School Ukers

franulele · Sep 30, 2009

Hi UUers!

I use the ukulele in my school music classes, and am looking for some fun songs to do with my middle schoolers (11-13 yrs old). They really like jamming along with a recording, so if you know of any tunes where that is possible, it would be great!

Song requirements:
1, Easy vocal part & range
2. Easy to play on the ukes- music class is 40 min per week & these ukes can't go home
3. Lyrics appropriate for school

Here's what we've done so far:

Love Potion #9 (they're awesome at this!)
Ring of Fire
I Can See Clearly Now

All suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Franulele

Ahnko Honu · Sep 30, 2009

"Little grass shack", and "Hukilau" are fun pre WWII hapahaole songs easy to learn, and sing along to.

Skrik · Sep 30, 2009

franulele said:
3. Lyrics appropriate for school

This means that "Friggin' in the Riggin'" is right out, no?

Seriously, I have my kids singing Ramones's stuff. They love it, and it's simple three-chord backing.

MDUke16 · Sep 30, 2009

How about...

- Build Me Up Buttercup (Foundations)
- If You Want to Sing Out (Cat Stevens)
- Blowin' In the Wind (Bob Dylan)

Just a couple of ideas.

RevWill · Sep 30, 2009

Who doesn't like Three Little Birds by Bob Marley? And it's only three little chords!

cornfedgroove · Sep 30, 2009

man, pick songs they know from popular music somewhere. we all started cuz we wanted to play certain songs, and that kept us motivated. Getting a book and learning a song you dont know or care about has no appeal to me, and probably less to a middle schooler.

learn

Delilah - plain white t's
about anything Taylor Swift

check their ipods...ask the kids for suggestions on what they want to learn. Most songs are basic progression with moderate vocal range.

Great idea...let them take some ownership in it, I think you'll multiply the interest and it will pay dividends for long term love of music.

Luna · Oct 1, 2009

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"?

Ken · Oct 1, 2009

Any songs by the Beatles would probably be a good choice too. What with Beatles Rock Band out I'm sure some of those middle schoolers will recognize the band and the songs.

http://www.beatlesite.info/

ukedude14 · Oct 1, 2009

honey baby by three plus
easy picking.

Brad Bordessa · Oct 2, 2009

It's so overdone, but "I'm Yours" is always a hit.

Gaby · Oct 3, 2009

Golden oldies:

Day-O (Banana boat song)
Twist and shout

UkéDan · Oct 3, 2009

check their ipods...ask the kids for suggestions on what they want to learn. Most songs are basic progression with moderate vocal range.

Yeah ASK Them. That's how dem gott me into dis evil Ukulele thing back in 1976...
Seriously, sound their groove and adapt.

Click to expand...

bnicholas26 · Oct 3, 2009

piebald - the king

schubs · Oct 3, 2009

"Hey Ya" by OutKast is an easy one thats fun to play.

franulele · Oct 12, 2009

Thanks for the many wonderful song suggestions!

The big hits (so far) have been:

Ring of Fire (Cash)
Love Potion #9 (Searchers)
I'm Yours (Mraz)
1 2 3 4 (Plain White Ts)
I Like It I Love It I Want More of It (McGraw)
Or Song (Swift)
Flying Purple People Eater

I have many more song requests yet to go through as well as some tunes of my choosing to help my students build skills. Eventually I'll post the collection for any Middle School teachers out there.

Need Songs for Middle School Ukers

franulele

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Ahnko Honu

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Skrik

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MDUke16

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RevWill

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cornfedgroove

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Luna

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Ken

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ukedude14

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Brad Bordessa

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Gaby

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UkéDan

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bnicholas26

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schubs

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franulele

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