How to Write a Song on the Ukulele: A Beginner’s Guide to Chord Melody

This course is intended to introduce you to the steps required to write your own chord melodies. Chord Melody allows one to play the melody and the chord simultaneously. Rather you wish to write an original song or an arrangement of a song, these steps can be applied to either.

When we think of music at its simplest form we have three parts: Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm. Each of these parts is vital to chord melody. Throughout this guide we will be referencing “DayDreaming” (demo song) and deconstructing the three parts to explain how the song was written.

This course is also available as a packaged lesson download, if you wish to own it: eBook and Video Lesson Package

Module 1 Learning Our Demo Song: "DayDreaming"
View the complete performance and learn the song with a step-by-step video lesson, tablature/notation, and access the on-screen tab viewer.
Unit 1 Performance and Lesson
Unit 2 Lead Sheet
Module 2 Song Analysis
We will be deconstructing the three parts of music (Melody, Harmony, & Rhythm) in our demo song in order to explain how the song was written.
Unit 1 eBook
Curious about the benefits of Premium Membership? Try it for FREE!

Challenge Sep 2024

Search Lessons

Recent Lessons

“Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones – Learn to fingerpick and sing Norah Jones’ signature song, which won three Grammys in 2003, including Song of the Year.

“Arabian Nights” by RC101 – This Eastern-sounding ukulele duet will level up your lead and rhythm playing chops!

3 Tips to Make Your Ukulele Playing Sound Better! – In this session, you’ll learn essential techniques to enhance your ukulele playing and achieve a more polished sound.

“A Duet from the Heart” by RC101 – Learn a charming duet for ukulele and acoustic guitar.

Kakariko Village – We’ve arranged this beautiful song from The Legend of Zelda as a beginner-friendly duet.