ABC Song – Ukulele Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music

The ABC Song (also often called the Alphabet Song) is a popular nursery rhyme around the world because it has been translated in many other languages translated as well. It’s often sung in kindergarten and preschool to teach children the alphabet. And it has a very catchy melody, which most of the children already know from other favorite songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Baa Baa Black Sheep. In this free ukulele lesson, we are going to discover a bit more about the background of this song and show you how to play easy versions of it on the ukulele. We also offer some free PDF downloads like the sheet music for your practice at the end of the article!

History of the Alphabet Song

The melody of the Alphabet Song is derived from the 1761 French tune Ah! vous dirai-je, maman. The same melody has been used in other popular songs, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. The lyrics for The Alphabet Song were first published in the United States in 1835 by Charles Bradlee, who adapted the familiar melody to the English alphabet. The song quickly became popular in American schools and homes as an engaging way for children to learn their ABCs. Over time, it has been incorporated into numerous educational programs and materials, solidifying its place as a fundamental learning tool.

Ukulele Tabs for ABC Song

Each nursery rhyme can be played in a variety of ways, from simple renditions with basic chords patterns to more complex arrangements. For the beginning, we’ll start with simple arrangements in a pitch that is comfortable for most people to sing, with a special focus on beginners and children. First, we’ll learn how to fingerpick the melody on a single string of the ukulele. Once you’ve mastered that, we’ll move on to fingerpicking across multiple strings. Finally, we’ll delve into playing the nursery rhyme with some easy ukulele chords and simple strumming patterns to ensure you have a well-rounded approach to performing the song.

1. Level: Playing only on One Ukulele String

Let’s start with a simple fingerpicking version of ABC Song. You can actually play the entire song on just one string of the ukulele. This approach is perfect for young beginners because all the notes you need are on a single string. It helps them focus on plucking one string and moving only one finger along the fretboard. To start, press down on the first string with either the index or middle finger of your left hand, then pluck the string with your right thumb.

Here are the ukulele tabs for the ABC Song on one string:

And how does it sound when you are playing the melody on one string? Does it sound correct? If you are not sure, you can check out our recording below or reduce the speed of the recording to play along while practicing.

And did you know that you can play the same pattern on any other string of your ukulele as well. Try for example the 3rd string to have a pretty low version of the nursery rhyme

2. Level: Playing on several Ukulele Strings

Starting just learn a melody on just one string of the ukulele is a great way to begin, but you can also play the same melody across all the strings on the ukulele. In fact, this method is more common and often more efficient. Playing also the other strings of the ukulele minimizes the need for extensive left-hand movement along the neck, making transitions smoother and more fluid. While this approach requires the use of more fingers and the ability to pluck different strings, it’s an excellent exercise for improving your overall ukulele skills. Additionally, it allows you to access a wider range of notes and create richer, more varied sounds in your music.

Here are the ukulele tabs for playing the nursery rhyme on the first three strings:

Have a listen to the recording below. It sounds pretty similar to the first version.

Ukulele Chords for the ABC Song

You can fingerpick a melody or strum it with chords. And if you want to sing a song and play it at the same time, you will see that most ukulele players prefer to strum a song with chords. You can play the song in different keys. We will play the song in the key of C.

The chords that you need for the ABC Song are the basic chords C, F and G.

Here are the chord diagrams for the required chords:

If you’re already familiar with basic ukulele chords and can change between them easily, learning this song will be a breeze for you! However, if you still have troubles with the required chords, start by practicing the C, F, and G chords one at a time. Then, focus on repeating the C-F-G sequence with simple downstrokes until it becomes second nature. This repetition will help you internalize the chord progression needed for the song.

For young beginners, it’s important to approach new songs slowly. Start by playing a simple down strum with each chord change. This approach gives you plenty of time to change between chords without the stress of complex strumming patterns. It also makes it easier to sing along for beginners because you only have to down strum once per chord change. Once you’ve mastered this, you can experiment with more complex strumming patterns to add variety and depth to your playing.

Ukulele Sheet Music for the Alphabet Song

If you’re already familiar with reading sheet music, you should use it in order to play the song. Sheet music tells you everything from pitches and rhythms to chords. Sheet music provides a rich and precise guide that captures all the nuances of the music. But for those just starting out, sheet music can be overwhelming, especially if you’re still getting the hang of music theory and note-reading. This is why ukulele tabs or chord charts with lyrics are often the first choice for beginners and kids. They are much more accessible and straightforward, making the learning process smoother and more enjoyable.

Here is the sheet music for the Alphabet Song:

Free Ukulele Printables for the ABC Song

Feel free to download the chords, tabs, and sheet music as a free PDF for your practice sessions or ukulele lessons!

Interested in instruments other than the ukulele? You can also find a free lesson on how to the Alphabet Song on the guitar and piano.