Hey Soul Sister (Ukulele)

Here's how to play 'Hey Soul Sister' by Train, a simple four chord song on Ukulele.

Here we'll use the chords C major, G major, A minor and F major using a capo and a strumming pattern with swing, which will enable us to play this full song. The video includes a full song demo - so be sure to play along!

Before we start, take a look here at how we can tune the Ukulele. Here are the notes below:

• String 4 - G

• String 3 - C

• String 2 - E

• String 1 - A

Chords - Fretboard finger positions

These four chords, in this order, are some of the most popular chords ever and allow us to play a whole host of songs!

• Third finger - 3rd fret - String 1

• First finger - 2nd fret - String 3

• Second finger - 2nd fret - String 1

• Third finger - 3rd fret - String 2

• Second finger - 2nd fret - String 4

• Second finger - 2nd fret - string 4

• First finger - 1st fret - String 2

Strumming exercise

For this strumming pattern we play:

Down -> Down -> Up -> Down -> Up - Down -> Up

But we need to incorporate a swing to our rhythm - Think a bounce feel and how a swing rhythm has a less of an even feeling (gaps between each beat) as a straight rhythm.

For our strumming exercise, try to:

• Mute your Ukulele strings with your chord playing hand (lightly, just to stop the vibrations)

• Use the first finger and strum slightly in front of the sound hole rather than directly over it

• Use a swing rhythm, with our Down -> Down -> Up -> Down -> Up - Down -> Up pattern

• Lift off early before changing chords on the last up-strum, so the next chord lands on beat 1

Chord playing tips

• Use our finger tips, with fingers curling over to help us fret our chords and sound out the individual notes

• Place our fingers on the side of the fret closest to us

Need more help than this video provides? Check out Andy's comprehensive online Ukulele Course here.