The traditional song Yankee Doodle is a very popular nursery rhyme in the United States. It’s a nice song for music lessons since there is also some history to tell about the song. In this ukulele lesson we will take a closer look at the background of Yankee Doodle and show you how to play it on the ukulele. Since you can play a song on the ukulele either by fingerpicking or by strumming chords, we will teach you both versions. We also offer some free PDF downloads like the sheet music for your practice at the end of the article!
History of Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle is a well-known American patriotic song that dates back to the mid-1800s. It was originally written by British soldiers to mock the American colonists during the French and Indian War. The term “Yankee” was a derogatory term used by the British to refer to the colonists, and “doodle” implied a fool or simpleton. However, the colonists embraced the song and it became a symbol of American resilience and independence during the Revolutionary War. Over time, Yankee Doodle evolved from a satirical tune to a beloved anthem of American pride and unity. It even found its way into a nursery rhyme for young children..
Ukulele Tabs for Yankee Doodle
Each song offers a range of possibilities for performance, from simple versions with basic chords and strumming patterns to more difficult arrangements. Advanced ukulele players may prefer more advanced version, which are challenging them and which also sound richer in terms of the melody. However, when teaching young beginners, it’s important to start with an easy version. First of all, we will learn how to fingerpick the song on the ukulele, so that you get familiar with the melody. This version is pretty easy since we only need to play the first two strings of the ukulele. So we don’t have to worry about the other two strings at all!
Here are the ukulele tabs for playing the nursery rhyme on the first two strings:
We recorded this simple version on the ukulele. Check to see if your playing sounds similar to our recording. You can also slow down the tempo to play along while you practice.
Ukulele Chords for Yankee Doodle
Fingerpicking is a good way to learn how to play the melody of a song. But if you want to sing and play the nursery rhyme at the same time, you should also try to play the song with some simple ukulele chords. You can play the song in different keys. We will play the song in the key of G since it’s also pretty easy to sing the song in this key.
The chords that you need for Yankee Doodle are the basic chords G, D and C.
Here are the chord diagrams for the required chords:
Guitar Chords are illustrated in guitar chords diagram. They are a simplified illustration of the guitar neck and it tells you where to put which finger on which string. Learn more about how to read guitar chords!
If you already know the basic ukulele chords and can change between them easily, learning this song will be a breeze for you! However, if you’re still getting the hang of it, start by practicing the G, D and C chords individually. Then work on the G-D-C sequence by playing it repeatedly with straight downstrokes until it feels natural and effortless.
For beginners, it’s important to approach new songs at a slow pace. Concentrate on making a single downstroke with each chord change, giving yourself enough time to change chords without worrying about complex strumming patterns. This also makes it easier to sing along, since you’re only strumming down once per chord. As you gain confidence, feel free to experiment with more complex strumming techniques.
Ukulele Sheet Music for Yankee Doodle
If you’re comfortable reading sheet music, you are in luck because it’s a fantastic resource for mastering a song, offering detailed insights into the notes, rhythms, and chords. For those just starting out and especially young children, however, sheet music can seem overwhelming, as it requires a basic knowledge of music theory and some skill in reading music. For this reason, many beginners, especially children, find ukulele tabs or chord-based lyrics more accessible and easier to follow.
Guitar Chords are illustrated in guitar chords diagram. They are a simplified illustration of the guitar neck and it tells you where to put which finger on which string. Learn more about how to read guitar chords!
Here is the sheet music for Yankee Doodle:
Free Ukulele Printables for Yankee Doodle
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 the Yankee Doodle on the guitar, piano and recorder.
