Itsy Bitsy Spider – Ukulele Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music

The Itsy Bitsy Spider (also known as Incy Wincy Spider) is a well-known nursery rhyme in the western world. It is also very popular in non-English speaking countries, where a translated version is sung or children sing it to learn English in preschool. Children love this song because it has a very catchy melody and you can combine the content of the verses with some nice hand motions. It’s also a great nursery rhyme to learn on the ukulele! Did you know that you can even play the melody on just one string of the ukulele? Well, let’s discover this easy version and much more about the song in this free ukulele lesson. We also offer some free PDF downloads like the sheet music for your practice at the end of the article!

History of Itsy Bitsy Spider

The song’s origins are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with the first known publication appearing in 1910. The simple lyrics describe the journey of a spider as it climbs up a water spout, only to be washed down by rain, only to climb back up again when the sun comes out. This repetitive and rhythmic structure, combined with the accompanying hand movements that mimic the spider’s actions, has made Itsy Bitsy Spider a favorite of young children and educators alike.

The song’s themes of perseverance and resilience are often used to teach children about overcoming obstacles and not giving up no matter what challenges they face. Over the years, Itsy Bitsy Spider has been translated into several languages.

Ukulele Tabs for Itsy Bitsy Spider

We will learn some simple versions of Itsy Bitsy Spider on the ukulele. But remember that you can play any song in a variety of styles, from simple renditions to more complex arrangements. You can play a melody on the ukulele by fingerpicking one string at a time or by strumming chords. We will start with a very simple fingerpicking rendition.

1. Level: Playing only on One Ukulele String

So, let’s take a look at the one string version of the song. This version is perfect for young beginners, as all the required notes are located 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 using either your index or middle finger of your left hand, then pluck the string with your right thumb.

Here are the ukulele tabs for Itsy Bitsy Spider on one string:

Have a listen to the recording below how it should sound like when played on the ukulele on just one string! You can also reduce the speed of the recording to play along while practicing.

And don’t forget, you can play the same pattern on any other string of your ukulele as well. Let’s try for example the 3rd string to have a pretty low version of the nursery rhyme

2. Level: Playing on several Ukulele Strings

While starting with one string is a good and easy way to get started, the same melody can be played on all strings of the ukulele. In fact, it is much more common and efficient to use the other strings of the ukulele. This approach reduces the need for extensive left hand movement along the neck. It also involves more fingers and plucking different strings, which is a great exercise for improving your ukulele skills.

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

This version sounds pretty similar to the first one since it’s still the same melody but you can listen to the recording to check your playing for this version as well.

Ukulele Chords for Itsy Bitsy Spider

Fingerpicking is a good way to learn how to play the melody of a song and to get familiar with it. But if you want to sing and play at the same time the song with your students, you will see that most people prefer to strum a song with chords. And you can play a song in different keys. We will play the song in the key of C.

And to play the song we only need two chords! The chords that you need for Itsy Bitsy Spider in the key of C are the basic chords C, G.

Here are the chord diagrams for the required chords:

Do you already know how to play these basics ukulele chords and you don’t have any difficulty while changing between them? Then you are good to go and to play the song! Otherwise, practice the chords C and G first individually and try to play the sequence C-G over and over with simple down strokes until you can play it without thinking about it. In that way, you will develop a feeling for the chord sequence that you need for the song.

It’s also pretty important for young beginners to start new songs at a slow pace. This means, focus on using only a simple down strum with each chord change. This gives you enough time to change between the ukulele chords without the added pressure of difficult strumming patterns. Additionally, singing along is simpler when you strum down only once per chord change. Once you’re comfortable, you can try out other strumming patterns.

Ukulele Sheet Music for Itsy Bitsy Spider

Are you familiar with reading sheet music? If so, you are lucky because sheet music is an excellent resource for this song. It gives you a complete overview, including the notes, rhythms, and chords. However, for those just starting out, sheet music can be a bit challenging since it demands some knowledge of music theory and practice in reading it. This is why ukulele tabs or chorded lyrics are often a better choice for kids and beginners.

Here is the sheet music for Itsy Bitsy Spider:

Free Ukulele Printables Itsy Bitsy Spider

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 play Itsy Bitsy Spider on the guitar and piano.