Learn and play a simple ukulele mashup by combining chords from three favorite songs, practice strumming patterns, and perform for family.


Step-by-step guide to learn a ukulele song mashup
Step 1
Sit in a comfortable chair and hold your ukulele the right way so the neck points left and the body rests on your lap.
Step 2
Tune each string of your ukulele using your tuner or tuning app until the strings sound correct.
Step 3
Pick three favorite songs you know and want to mash together.
Step 4
Look up a simple chord progression for each song on your chord chart and write the main chords in your notebook.
Step 5
Choose two simple chords from each song that sound good together to use in your mashup.
Step 6
Arrange the six chosen chords in a fun order in your notebook to make your mashup sequence.
Step 7
Choose one simple strumming pattern to use for the whole mashup like down down up up down up.
Step 8
Set a slow steady tempo to practice with by tapping your foot or using a metronome app.
Step 9
Practice switching between each pair of chords in your mashup slowly until your fingers move smoothly.
Step 10
Practice your chosen strumming pattern slowly while holding one chord so your hand feels steady.
Step 11
Play the full chord sequence while using your strumming pattern at the slow tempo.
Step 12
Gradually increase the speed a little as you get comfortable until the mashup flows nicely.
Step 13
Play your mashup for your family as a mini concert and enjoy their applause.
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a tuner, metronome app, or a printed chord chart?
Use a free smartphone tuner app to tune each string, a free web metronome or simply tap your foot for tempo, and look up online ukulele chord diagrams to copy the main chords into your notebook.
My chord changes are slow and messy โ how can we fix that step?
When you practice switching between each pair of chords slowly, isolate just two chords, place your fingers into the next chord 'pre-shape' before you strum, and keep the metronome slow until your fingers move smoothly.
How can this activity be adapted for younger or older children?
For younger kids, simplify step 5 by choosing only two songs and two simple chords total, use stickers in the notebook and a very slow tempo with adult help tuning, while older kids can add extra chords, faster tempo increases, or a simple melody over the mashup.
What are easy ways to enhance or personalize our ukulele mashup?
After arranging the six chosen chords, personalize the mashup by varying the chosen strumming pattern for different song sections, trying a capo for a different key, adding a short vocal line, and recording your mini concert to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to learn a ukulele song mashup
Facts about ukulele basics for kids
โก Jake Shimabukuro helped popularize fast fingerstyle ukulele playing around the world with viral performances.
๐ A mashup blends pieces of songs by matching keys and chord progressions โ transposing helps different tunes fit together.
๐ต Just four chords (C, G, F, Am) can be mixed and matched to play hundreds of pop songs โ perfect for mashups.
๐ธ Standard ukulele tuning is G4โC4โE4โA4, often with a bright reentrant (high) G string.
๐ถ The ukulele came to Hawaii in the late 1800s with Portuguese immigrants and quickly became a Hawaiian icon.


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