When you're teaching yourself how to play ukulele, finding some common sheet music and practice pieces is a good place to start.

I was also a self-taught student, and I personally prefer English repertoire. Below I will share some English song scores and practice repertoire that I commonly use during my self-study of ukulele. I hope it will be helpful to you.

1. Classic three-chord song:

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a classic three-chord song in ukulele learning. The reason why it is so popular and classic is that There are many reasons. I personally went through the process of learning this song, so let me share why it is so important in ukulele learning.

The lyrics of this song are very simple and suitable for beginners. The song tells a story full of dreams and hopes, an emotion that can touch everyone's heart. The vocabulary in the lyrics is not large and the language is relatively simple, making it easy to remember and sing. This is a great advantage for beginners as they can focus on the mechanics of playing and singing without having to worry about complex lyrics.

This song uses the basic three-chord chord, including C, Em and Am chords. These three chords are the entry-level chords for ukulele learning and are the first chords for almost every ukulele beginner. By learning these chords, beginners can build a foundation for playing, laying a solid foundation for learning more complex chords and pieces in the future.

Another important feature of this song is that its melody is very beautiful and suitable for playing on a ukulele. The ukulele is a lightweight instrument perfect for playing upbeat melodies. The melody of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is full of sweet and joyful emotions, and when played on a ukulele, it produces an intoxicating sound that makes people feel peaceful and joyful.

I still remember learning this song. At the beginning, I knew nothing about ukulele chords and fingerings, but through repeated practice of C, Em and Am chords, I gradually became proficient. As I practiced, I found that I was getting better and better at switching between these chords without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Upgrade your chord library:

"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen: "Hallelujah" contains a series of different chords, including C, Am, F, G, etc. . These chords are considered basic chords in ukulele learning and are required by almost every ukulele learner. Therefore, learning to switch between these chords smoothly in this song is equivalent to exercising your chord library and laying a solid foundation for future performances.

I remember when I first tried to play "Hallelujah", the chord switching was a challenge for me. Switching from one chord to another took time and practice, but with repeated attempts, my fingers became more nimble and I could switch faster and faster. Not only did this improve my playing speed, it also allowed me to play other songs more smoothly now that I had mastered these basic chords.

The melody and song structure of "Hallelujah" are also very helpful for practicing fingering and fluency. Some notes in the song require rapid switching between different chords, which helps train your fingers to move quickly and accurately. I remember practicing over and over a melody in a song that involved a quick switch from a "C" chord to an "Am" chord. With constant practice, my fingers became more nimble and I was able to play this melody more smoothly.

"Hallelujah"'s rhythmic feel and emotional depth also make it ideal for improving your playing speed and fluency. The song has a soft, rhythmic melody that allows you to gradually increase the speed of your playing without feeling too nervous. Additionally, the emotional depth of the songs fueled my passion for music and made me more motivated to practice and improve my playing.

3. Practice chord switching:

"Stand by Me" by Ben E. King: This is a good song for practicing chord switching, using Am, F, C and G and other chords. "Stand by Me" is a relatively simple song that uses some basic chords including C, Am, F, G, etc. These chords are ideal for ukulele beginners because they are relatively easy to pick up. These were some of the first chords I learned when I first started learning the ukulele, and "Stand by Me" has them all, so it's a great place to start.

"Stand by Me" has a relatively slow melody, which gives you plenty of time to switch between chords. When learning the ukulele, chord switching is often one of the biggest challenges for beginners. However, since the tempo of this song is relatively slow, you can slow down and gradually practice the chord switching to ensure that each chord sounds clearly and accurately. This gradual practice method is very helpful in building stable chord switching skills.

I still remember when I first started learning this song, I practiced the chord switching part over and over again.

The process of switching from one chord to another took time, but with repeated practice, my fingers became more flexible and the switching became smoother. Not only did this help me play the song better, but it also gave me a solid foundation for future ukulele playing.

Finally, "Stand by Me" is a song full of emotion and song. As you learn to play it, you'll find yourself immersed in the music, which helps boost your motivation and interest. This emotional connection can inspire you to invest more time and energy into practicing and improving your chord switching skills.

4. Improve your sense of rhythm:

"Count on Me" by Bruno Mars: This is a simple song, suitable for exercising your sense of rhythm. Try playing and singing it and keeping a steady time signature, "Count on Me" has a very defined rhythm that's easy to follow. The tune of this song is light and cheerful, with a simple beat that makes it easy for you to feel the rhythm of the music. Having a sense of rhythm is crucial when playing the ukulele, as it helps you hit each note accurately, ensuring the music is smooth and harmonious.

"Count on Me" contains some basic rhythm patterns, which is very beginner-friendly. By practicing these basic rhythm patterns, you can gradually build up your own sense of rhythm. I remember when I first learned this song, I would practice some of the bars over and over again, especially the recurring parts. This helps me better understand rhythmic structures in music and become more confident when playing.

Learning to play "Count on Me" can also exercise your finger flexibility. There are some quick chord changes in this song that require your fingers to move quickly and accurately. This kind of finger coordination and flexibility is essential in ukulele playing, and by practicing these chord switches over time, you can improve your finger technique and improve your playing.

"Count on Me" is a very emotional and exciting song that will spark your interest and motivation. As you play this song, you may find yourself falling into the music and unable to help but follow its rhythm. This emotional connection helps you focus more on developing your rhythm sense as you enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction that the music brings.

Beibei has something to say:

No matter which music scores and practice pieces you choose, remember that self-study is a gradual process. It may feel challenging at first, but stick with it and you'll see progress.

At the same time, it is also recommended that you explore some ukulele tutorials and videos, which can provide useful tips and guidance to help you better learn on your own.

I wish you success in your self-taught ukulele journey!