1. How to Play Ukulele Taylor Swift Easy for Beginners

Embrace the captivating melodies of Taylor Swift’s music with the enchanting ukulele. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a budding enthusiast, this guide will empower you to strum the chords and sing along to your favorite Taylor Swift hits. With its compact size and user-friendly design, the ukulele offers an accessible gateway into the world of music making. As we embark on this musical journey, you’ll discover the essential techniques, easy-to-follow instructions, and the joy of creating your own Taylor Swift melodies.

The first step in your ukulele adventure is to familiarize yourself with the instrument’s basic anatomy. The ukulele typically consists of four strings, tuned from low to high as G, C, E, and A. The body of the ukulele is made of wood, and the neck is divided into frets. To create a chord, you’ll need to press down on multiple strings with your fingers, while strumming the strings with your other hand. Remember, practice and perseverance are key in mastering any instrument. With consistent effort and dedication, you’ll soon be strumming along to your favorite Taylor Swift songs with confidence and ease.

Now, let’s dive into the enchanting world of Taylor Swift’s music. Her songs are a treasure trove of beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with people around the globe. Whether you’re a fan of her country roots or her pop anthems, you’ll find that the ukulele is the perfect companion to accompany her music. As you progress, you’ll not only learn how to play Taylor Swift’s songs but also gain a deeper appreciation for her songwriting brilliance. So, pick up your ukulele, strum along, and let the music of Taylor Swift fill your heart and soul.

Basic Chords for Taylor Swift Songs

Learning to play the ukulele is a fantastic way to enjoy Taylor Swift’s music. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there are several chords that are used frequently in her songs. Let’s dive into the basics and explore these chords so that you can start strumming along to your favorite melodies.

C Major

The C major chord is the foundation of many Taylor Swift songs. It’s simple to play and adds a bright, cheerful tone to your music. To play the C major chord on the ukulele, follow these steps:

Place your index finger on the first fret of the second (A) string.
Place your middle finger on the second fret of the third (C) string.
Strum all four strings, avoiding the first (E) string.

Remember to keep your fingers close to the frets and apply light pressure to ensure the strings ring clearly.

Chord	Diagram
C Major

Finger Positioning

To play the ukulele, you need to know how to position your fingers. The most common way to do this is to place your index finger on the first fret, your middle finger on the second fret, and your ring finger on the third fret.

Using Your Left Hand

To fret the ukulele, you will use your left hand. The first thing you need to do is to place your thumb on the back of the ukulele neck, behind the fretboard. Your fingers should be curled so that the tips of your fingers are resting on the strings.

Using Your Right Hand

To strum the ukulele, you will use your right hand. The most common way to strum is to use a down-up motion. To do this, hold the pick between your thumb and index finger and strum the strings in a downward motion, followed by an upward motion.

Strumming Patterns

Once you have your fingers positioned, you can start strumming. There are many different strumming patterns that you can use, but some of the most common include:

Down-up: This is the most basic strumming pattern and consists of a downward motion followed by an upward motion.
Up-down: This strumming pattern consists of an upward motion followed by a downward motion.
Down-down-up: This strumming pattern consists of two downward motions followed by an upward motion.

You can also use your strumming hand to add accents to the music. To do this, simply strum the strings more forcefully on the beats that you want to emphasize.

Strumming Pattern	Description
Down-up	A downward motion followed by an upward motion.
Up-down	An upward motion followed by a downward motion.
Down-down-up	Two downward motions followed by an upward motion.

Easy Fingerpicking Techniques

Fingerpicking is a fundamental technique in playing the ukulele that allows you to create beautiful melodies and accompaniments. Here are some basic fingerpicking techniques to get you started:

Thumb Upstroke

Use the tip of your thumb to pluck the strings in an upward motion. Typically, the thumb is used to pluck the bass strings (4th and 5th strings).

Index Downstroke

Use the tip of your index finger to pluck the strings in a downward motion. The index finger is commonly used to pluck the melody notes (2nd and 3rd strings).

Middle Finger Downstroke

If you’re comfortable, you can incorporate your middle finger to pluck strings in a downward motion as well. This allows you to play more complex patterns and add richness to your fingerpicking.

Finger Positioning and Movement

When fingerpicking, keep your thumb and fingers relaxed and close to the strings. Use your wrist and forearm to guide the movements, rather than your fingers. This will help you achieve a smooth and fluid technique.

Rhythmic Patterns

Experiment with different rhythmic patterns using the fingerpicking techniques mentioned above. Try alternating between thumb and index finger, or adding in your middle finger for more intricate rhythms.

Practice and Patience

As with any musical skill, practice and patience are key. Dedicate time to practicing fingerpicking, gradually increasing the complexity of your patterns. Over time, you’ll develop a strong fingerpicking technique and expand your ukulele playing abilities.

Finger	Movement	Strings Typically Played
Thumb	Upstroke	Bass strings (4th and 5th)
Index	Downstroke	Melody notes (2nd and 3rd)
Middle	Downstroke (optional)	Adds complexity and richness

Playing “Love Story” on Ukulele

Tuning: G-C-E-A

Strumming Pattern: D-DU-U-D

Chords:


G	C	D	Em

Verse 1

G C
We were both young when I first saw you

G C
I close my eyes and the flashback starts

G C
I’m standing there outside your door

G C
I’ve never seen you smile like that before

Verse 2

D Em
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

D Em
I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run

G C
You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess

G C
It’s a love story, baby just say “Yes”

Chorus

C G
This love is good, this love is bad

D Em
This love is alive back from the dead

C G
This love is hopeless, this love is blind

D Em
This love is something else and it’s all mine

Tuning Your Ukulele

To play Taylor Swift’s songs, your ukulele should be tuned to standard GCEA tuning. To do this, use a ukulele tuner or tune your ukulele manually by following these steps:

Tune the first string (A string) to the note A (440 Hz).
Tune the second string (E string) to the note E (329.6 Hz).
Tune the third string (C string) to the note C (261.6 Hz).
Tune the fourth string (G string) to the note G (392 Hz).

Cover “Shake It Off” with Simple Chords

Chords Used: Am, C, G, F

This upbeat song is a great choice for beginners to learn ukulele. It uses only four basic chords: Am, C, G, and F. The strumming pattern is simple and easy to follow.

Picking Pattern

The picking pattern for “Shake It Off” is down-down-up-up-down-down. This means you will strum down twice, then up twice, then down twice again. This strumming pattern will help you create a catchy rhythm that keeps the song moving.

Putting It All Together

Once you have learned the chords and strumming pattern, you can start putting it all together. Start by playing the Am chord and strumming the picking pattern. Then, switch to the C chord and strum the picking pattern again. Continue alternating between the Am and C chords until you reach the chorus. During the chorus, you will play the G and F chords. The chords and lyrics for the first part of the song are:

I shake it off, I shake it off

Heartbreakers gonna break

I shake it off, I shake it off

Learning “Wildest Dreams” with Fingerstyle

Fingerstyle is a fundamental technique in ukulele playing that involves using the fingers of your picking hand to pluck individual strings, creating a rich and intricate sound. For “Wildest Dreams,” you’ll need to master the following fingerpicking pattern:

Thumb	Index	Middle	Ring
B-string (down stroke)	A-string (down stroke)	D-string (down stroke)	G-string (up stroke)

Practice this pattern slowly and deliberately until you’re comfortable with it. Once you’ve mastered the pattern, you can start applying it to the chords and melody of “Wildest Dreams.”

For the chord progression, you’ll need to know the following chords:

The strumming pattern is relatively simple: down, down, up, down.

To put it all together, start by playing the Am chord while simultaneously plucking the fingerpicking pattern. Then, transition to the C chord and continue the fingerpicking. Repeat this process for the G, F, and Dm chords. The melody notes will be played on top of the chords, using the fingerpicking pattern.

Here’s a breakdown of the strumming and fingerpicking pattern for the intro:

Measure	Chord	Strumming	Fingerpicking
1	Am	Down, down	B-string, A-string, D-string, G-string
2	C	Up, down	B-string, A-string, D-string, G-string
3	G	Down, down	B-string, A-string, D-string, G-string
4	F	Up, down	B-string, A-string, D-string, G-string

Essential Ukulele Tuning for Taylor Swift Songs

To accurately play Taylor Swift songs on the ukulele, proper tuning is crucial. The standard ukulele tuning, known as GCEA, is most commonly used for her songs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieve this tuning:

Tune the A String

Tune the second string (the one above the thickest string) to “A” using an electronic tuner or a reference pitch.
Tune the E String

Tune the fourth string (the thinnest string) to “E” using the same method as for the A string.
Tune the C String

Tune the third string (the one below the thickest string) to “C” by fretting the A string at the third fret and aligning the pitch with the open C string.
Tune the G String

Tune the thickest string to “G” by fretting the C string at the third fret and aligning the pitch with the open G string.
Double-Check the Tuning

Play a G chord and ensure that all the strings sound in harmony.
Practice and Adjust

As you play, the ukulele may go slightly out of tune. Use a tuner or tuning app to make minor adjustments as needed.
Alternative Tuning

For some Taylor Swift songs, an alternative tuning known as “Low G” may be required. In this tuning, the G string is tuned down one whole step to an “F.”

Standard Tuning	Low G Tuning
GCEA	FCEA

Tips for Beginners: Holding and Caring for Your Ukulele

Holding Your Ukulele

Hold the ukulele in your lap, with the sound hole facing your body. Rest your left forearm on the back of the neck, and place your thumb on the back of the neck, near the fretboard. Use your fingers to press down on the strings.

For a more secure hold, you can use a ukulele strap. This will help to keep the ukulele in place, especially if you are playing while standing up.

Caring for Your Ukulele

Here are some tips for caring for your ukulele:

Store your ukulele in a cool, dry place.
Avoid exposing your ukulele to extreme temperatures.
Wipe down your ukulele with a soft cloth after each use.
If your ukulele gets wet, dry it off immediately with a soft cloth.
Do not use any harsh chemicals to clean your ukulele.
Get your ukulele professionally inspected and adjusted once a year.

Additional Tips for Beginners

Here are some additional tips for beginners:

Start by learning a few basic chords.
Practice strumming and fingerpicking patterns.
Be patient and don’t give up.
Find a ukulele teacher or online course to help you learn.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different playing techniques.
Have fun!

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble playing your ukulele, here are a few things you can try:

Make sure that your ukulele is in tune.
Check your finger placement on the strings.
Try using a different strumming or fingerpicking pattern.
If you are still having trouble, consult a ukulele teacher or online forum.

Troubleshooting Issue	Possible Solution
Ukulele is out of tune	Use a tuner to tune your ukulele.
Fingers are not pressing down on the strings correctly	Make sure that your fingers are placed directly behind the frets.
Strumming or fingerpicking pattern is not working	Try using a different strumming or fingerpicking pattern.

Chord Progression

The chord progression for “Lover” is simple and easy to follow. The main chords used are G, D, C, and Em. The song follows a strumming pattern of down-down-down-down-up.

Playing Tips

When playing “Lover” on the ukulele, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, use a soft touch when strumming to avoid overpowering the chords. Second, pay attention to the timing of the strumming pattern. The downstrokes should be evenly spaced, and the upstroke should be quick and light.

FAQs about Playing Ukulele Taylor Swift Easy

What size ukulele is best for beginners?

A soprano ukulele is a good choice for beginners because it is the smallest and easiest to play.

What strings should I use on my ukulele?

For beginners, nylon strings are a good choice because they are softer on the fingers.

How often should I practice playing the ukulele?

The more you practice, the better you will become. Aim for at least 30 minutes of practice each day.

Can I learn to play the ukulele on my own?

Yes, there are many resources available online and in books that can help you learn to play the ukulele on your own.

What are some good songs for beginners to learn on the ukulele?

Some good songs for beginners to learn on the ukulele include “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and “You Are My Sunshine.”

How can I improve my ukulele playing skills?

There are many ways to improve your ukulele playing skills. You can take lessons from a qualified teacher, practice regularly, and listen to recordings of professional ukulele players.

What are some tips for playing ukulele Taylor Swift songs?

When playing Taylor Swift songs on the ukulele, it is important to pay attention to the strumming pattern and the timing of the chords. You should also use a soft touch when strumming to avoid overpowering the chords.

What are some good resources for learning to play the ukulele?

There are many resources available online and in books that can help you learn to play the ukulele. Some good resources include YouTube videos, online ukulele courses, and ukulele magazines.

Resources for Further Learning

For those interested in deepening their ukulele skills and exploring Taylor Swift’s music further, there are numerous resources available:

How to Play Ukulele: Taylor Swift’s Easy Songs

Playing the ukulele is a great way to add music to your life. It’s a relatively easy instrument to learn, and there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, you’ll be happy to know that there are many of her songs that are easy to play on the ukulele. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to play three of her most popular songs: “Love Story,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Shake It Off.” So grab your ukulele and let’s get started!