‘Ukulele Tabs

‘Ukulele tabs are a great way to learn songs. They are easy to use and don’t require any special music knowledge to read. You can learn a bunch of songs quickly using ‘ukulele tabs. A word of warning though: While they are very convenient, tabs can quickly become the lazy way to learn a song. Remember that you can always learn more about the music by figuring the song out by ear.

‘Ukulele Tabs for Hawaiian Songs:

Ain’t No Way by Malino

‘Ama ‘ama by Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole (Instrumental version)

Bandito Tyler by Aldrine Guerrero*

Country Road by Paula Fuga and Jack Johnson

Crazy G based on Jake’s live version*

Glass Ball Slack Key (Turkey in the Straw) by Herb Ohta Jr.

Guava Jam by The Ka’au Crater Boys*

Hawai’i by Ohta-San (submitted by Glenn Reither)

Ho’onani I Ka Makua Mau (The Doxology) – Traditional

How Can I Get Over by Pure Heart*

Kiss You in the Morning by Kalaeloa

Ku’u Hoa by Robi Kahakalau*

Ledward Kaapana Tribute - MIDI File - Slack-key ‘ukulele medley

Little Rock Getaway by Bryan Tolentino*

Lovely Hula Hands by Troy Fernandez

Memories of You by Herb Ohta Jr.†

Pahala We Go by Herb Ohta Jr. and Daniel Ho

Pandanus by The Peter Moon Band

Sand Castles by Herb Ohta Jr.†

Sophisticated Hula by Sol K. Bright*

TNC by Troy Fernandez*

Together by Herb Ohta Jr.

Touch – Jake Shimabukuro****

Uke Talk by James Hill*

‘Ukulele Boogie by Brittni Paiva

Picking Vamps - ‘Ukulele tabs for Hawaiian vamps in the keys of C, G, and F.

‘Ukulele Tabs for Mainstream Songs:

21 Guns by Green Day

Amazing Grace – Traditional (in harmonics – a la Victor Wooten)

Ave Maria - Traditional

Better Together by Jack Johnson

Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen by Carlos Santana

Breakdown by Jack Johnson*

Bugler’s Dream (Olympic Fanfare)

Cavatina – (low G version) – tabbed by Glenn Reither

China Grove by The Doobie Brothers (low G)

Csardas by Brittni Paiva

Daughters by John Mayer

Dreaming With A Broken Heart by John Mayer

Desperado by the Eagles*

Eucalipstick by James Hill*

Europa by Herb Ohta Jr.*

Every Breath You Take by The Police*

Gently Weeps – Jake Shimabukuro****

Going to California – Led Zeppelin*

Happy Birthday – Traditional

Heaven by the Los Lonely Boys

Here Comes the Sun by Jennifer Perri

I’m yours by Jason Mraz

If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson

Imagine by John Lennon*

Jeopardy - Theme show tune

Love of my Life by Carlos Santana

M*A*S*H Theme

Message in a Bottle by The Police

Oye Como Va by Carlos Santana

Samba Pa Ti by Carlos Santana

Sir Duke as played by Herb Ohta Jr.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Arr. by Glenn Reither

Song for Cheri by James Hill*

Song of Storms from the Legend of Zelda video games

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (low G)

Star Wars: Main Theme and Vader’s March by John Williams

The Star Spangled Banner – Low G by Francis Scott Key*

Sunshine of my Life by Stevie Wonder

Super Mario Bros. by Koji Kondo (all parts)

Sweet Home Alabama as recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd*

Tico Tico by Herb Ohta Jr. (low G)

Victory by Eric Johnson (low G)

Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer (low G)

Short ‘Ukulele Tabs/Intros/Ideas:

Sometimes I’ve got a piece of a song tabbed out for my own reference or students, but it’s not all the way finished. Instead of waiting to post it, I just put it up on a page of “’ukulele tab excerpts”. Check it out for bits of “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix, “One” by Metallica, “Living in Paradise” by Daniel Ho, and more!

• Short tabs, Intros, Ideas

‘Ukulele Tab Books:

Here are some of the few tab books I’ve seen around:

• The IZ Songbook Collection - Many of Iz’s best songs - White Sandy Beach, Hawai’i 78, Over the Rainbow, Wing Beneath my Wings, and more. The ‘ukulele tab is written on 6 lines (for guitar), but you just ignore the two empty ones.
• Uke ‘An Play Rock – Songs by Green Day, The Doobie brothers, Micheal Jackson, IZ (rock?), and more.
• Uke ‘An Play The Rolling Stones
• Fingerstyle Solos for ‘Ukulele by Mark Nelson
• Discovering The ‘Ukulele – Semi-beginner lesson book with a selection of Hawaiian songs by Herb Ohta Jr. and Daniel Ho. Great layout and song presentation.
• Exploring The ‘Ukulele – Intermediate lesson book with a selection of Hawaiian songs by Herb Ohta Jr. and Daniel Ho. Great layout and song presentation.

In an interview with Jake Shimabukuro I asked about an “official tab book” and he said that it is in the works! [9/19/11: he's been saying that for a few years now!]

Other ‘Ukulele Tab Related Stuff:

• How to figure out songs for yourself
• Blank ‘Ukulele Tab Sheet (for tabbing out your own songs)
• How to Read tab
• How to Use Powertab
  
• Powertab Legend
• Scales

About the Tabs:

Most of my ‘ukulele tabs were made with Powertab editor 1.7. and then converted to PDF. (If for some reason you would like the Powertab file for one of my ‘ukulele tabs – the ones without the “*” – please let me know and I will send it to you.) Download Powertab here. All others were created in Word or notepad using font: Courier New.

Credits:

While I wish I was as productive at making ‘ukulele tabs as it looks from this page, alas I am not. Many of the tabs included here are links to other people’s awesome work.

* – ‘Ukulele Tabs transcribed by Dominator – The King of Tabs!

**** – ‘Ukulele Tabs transcribed by Edmund Whitehead

† – ‘Ukulele Tabs courtesy of Herb Ohta Jr. – Thanks Uncle!