Shake It Off (Ukulele)

Here's how to play Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, a great three chord song on Ukulele!

Here we'll use the chords A minor, C major, and G major plus learning two different strumming patterns, which will enable us to play this full song. The video includes a full song demo - so be sure to play along!

Here we can tune the Ukulele before starting! Tuner notes:

• String 4 - G

• String 3 - C

• String 2 - E

• String 1 - A

Chords - Fretboard finger positions

Using a pick or our first finger, the main strumming pattern for this song can be remembered as: Down - Down - Up - Up - Down (check out alternative pattern at the bottom of this page)

This song uses the same chord progression throughout:

• Twice round on the A minor chord

• Twice round C major chord

• Four times on the G major chord.

• Second finger - 2nd fret - String 4

• Third finger - 3rd fret - String 1

• First finger - 2nd fret - String 3

• Second finger - 2nd fret - String 1

• Third finger - 3rd fret - String 2

Playing tips

• Secure the Ukulele against your body on the inside of the elbow

• Use the side of the fretting hand to support the neck of the Ukulele for chord playing changes

• Position our fingers on the side of the fret closest to us, near to the fret wire

• Use our finger tips to fret the notes in chords, with slightly bent fingers to help all notes sound out

Alternative strumming pattern

This alternative pattern is a fun variation on the other rhythm and can be great to interchange between them to add dynamics to our playing!

We can remember this strumming pattern as:

Down - Down - Up - Down - Up - Down - Down - Down - Up - Down - Up

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