Somewhere Over the Rainbow Ukulele: The Song
Intro: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Ukulele
C – Em – F – C
C – Em – F – G7
Verse 1
C
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Em
Way up high,
F
And the dreams that you dream of,
C
Once in a lullaby.
Verse 2
C
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Em
Bluebirds fly,
F
And the dreams that you dream of,
G7
Dreams really do come true.
Chorus
C
Someday I’ll wish upon a star,
Em
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
F
Where trouble melts like lemon drops,
C
High above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me.
Verse 3
C
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Em
Bluebirds fly,
F
And the dreams that you dare to,
G7
Why, oh why can’t I?
Bridge
C
Well, I see trees of green and red roses too,
Em
I’ll watch them bloom for me and you,
F
And I think to myself,
C
What a wonderful world.
Outro
C
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Em
Way up high,
F
And the dreams that you dream of,
C
Once in a lullaby.
G7
Why, oh why can’t I?
Chord Diagram for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
To help you better understand the chord shapes, here are the basic diagrams for each chord used in the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow ukulele:
READ THIS ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Ukulele Chord Chart
C Major (C)
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—3—|
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—0—|
|—0—|—0—|—3—|—0—|
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—0—|
- Place your third finger on the 3rd fret of the A string.
E Minor (Em)
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—0—|
|—0—|—0—|—2—|—3—|
|—2—|—0—|—3—|—0—|
|—0—|—2—|—0—|—2—|
- Place your second finger on the second fret of the G string.
- Place your third finger on the third fret of the A string.
- Place your first finger on the second fret of the C string.
F Major (F)
|—1—|—2—|—0—|—0—|
|—0—|—1—|—0—|—1—|
|—1—|—0—|—2—|—0—|
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—0—|
- Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Place your second finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
- Place your third finger on the 3rd fret of the C string.
G7
|—0—|—2—|—0—|—0—|
|—0—|—2—|—1—|—0—|
|—2—|—0—|—0—|—2—|
|—0—|—0—|—0—|—0—|
- Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Place your second finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Place your third finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
If you’re a ukulele enthusiast and want to learn how to play the timeless classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, you’re in the right place. This beautiful song, popular for its soothing melody and heartfelt lyrics, is not only a joy to listen to but also a pleasure to play on the ukulele. The good news for beginners is that this song uses simple chords and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it an ideal piece to start with on your ukulele journey. Whether you’re an experienced player or just getting started, this comprehensive guide will help you learn “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the ukulele, covering all the essential chords, strumming patterns, and techniques needed to play this iconic tune.
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In this guide, we’ll break down the ukulele chords, offer tips on strumming and finger placement, and provide a clear, step-by-step approach to playing the song. By the end, you’ll not only know how to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, but also understand the fundamentals of playing the ukulele effectively, making this song a delightful addition to your repertoire.
Understanding the Chords for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Before you dive into the song, it’s important to get familiar with the basic chords that make up the song’s structure. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” uses just four chords throughout the entire song: C, Em, F, and G7. These are foundational chords for many ukulele songs, so learning them will give you a strong foundation to play other tunes as well.
Here’s a breakdown of each chord and how to play them:
C Major (C)
The C Major chord is one of the simplest and most commonly used chords on the ukulele. It has a bright and clear sound, which suits the melody of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow“ perfectly.
- How to Play:
- Place your third finger on the third fret of the A string.
- Let the other strings (G, C, and E) ring open.
- Place your third finger on the third fret of the A string.
This chord is easy to play and provides a great foundation for beginners.
E Minor (Em)
The E Minor chord has a more melancholic, deeper sound compared to the major chords, giving the song a bittersweet feel at certain points.
- How to Play:
- Place your first finger on the second fret of the C string.
- Place your second finger on the third fret of the A string.
- Place your third finger on the fourth fret of the E string.
- Leave the G string open.
- Place your first finger on the second fret of the C string.
The Em chord adds a nice depth and emotion to the song’s progression.
F Major (F)
The F Major chord is another commonly used chord in many ukulele songs. It has a rich, full sound and works well to connect the C and G7 chords.
- How to Play:
- Place your first finger on the first fret of the E string.
- Place your second finger on the second fret of the G string.
- Keep the C and A strings open.
- Place your first finger on the first fret of the E string.
G7 (G7)
The G7 chord is often used in Hawaiian and jazz music, adding a bit of tension before resolving back to C. It gives the song a more bluesy or jazzy feel, especially in the transition sections.
- How to Play:
- Place your first finger on the first fret of the E string.
- Place your second finger on the second fret of the C string.
- Place your third finger on the second fret of the A string.
- Keep the G string open.
- Place your first finger on the first fret of the E string.
Chord Progression for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
The chord progression for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is simple and repetitive, making it a perfect song for beginners to practice chord transitions and strumming. The progression throughout the song follows this structure:
Verse and Chorus Chord Progression
C → Em → F → C
C → Em → F → G7
Bridge Chord Progression
C → Em → F → C
C → Em → F → G7
These chords repeat throughout the song, so once you’re familiar with the progression, you’ll be able to play through the entire song without having to worry about complex changes. The simplicity of the chord structure makes it easier to focus on the strumming and timing.
Strumming Pattern for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
A consistent strumming pattern is essential for maintaining the flow of the song. For beginners, a simple Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up (D-D-U-U-D-U) pattern will work perfectly with the song’s gentle rhythm. Here’s a breakdown of how to play it:
Strumming Pattern:
Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up
- D (Downstroke): Strum down on the strings.
- D (Downstroke): Another downward strum.
- U (Upstroke): Strum up on the strings.
- U (Upstroke): Another upward strum.
- D (Downstroke): Strum down again.
- U (Upstroke): Finish with an upward strum.
This pattern is simple but effective, and it complements the laid-back vibe of the song. If you find it challenging at first, try practicing the strumming pattern slowly until you feel comfortable. Gradually speed it up to match the tempo of the song.
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How to Play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on Ukulele
Step 1: Learn the Chords
Start by learning the C, Em, F, and G7 chords. Once you can switch between these chords smoothly, you’re ready to play the song. Take your time with each chord until you feel comfortable playing them.
Step 2: Practice the Chord Transitions
The key to playing this song well is smooth chord transitions. Practice moving between C, Em, F, and G7 without pausing. Start slow, and once you’re confident, gradually increase your speed to match the tempo of the song.
Step 3: Add the Strumming Pattern
Once you’ve mastered the chord changes, add the Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up strumming pattern. Start slowly and ensure that each strum is in time with the chords. As you get comfortable, you can speed it up to match the song’s rhythm.
Step 4: Sing Along and Play
Now that you’ve got the chords and strumming pattern down, try singing along with the song while playing. This will help you build your muscle memory for the chord changes and rhythm. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
Tips for Playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
- Focus on Smooth Transitions: The key to playing this song well is making smooth transitions between the chords. Don’t rush—take your time and make sure you’re pressing each string down cleanly.
- Practice with a Metronome: To keep your rhythm steady, practice with a metronome or a backing track. This will help you stay in time and maintain consistent strumming.
- Use Fingerpicking for a Soft Effect: Once you’re comfortable with the song, you can experiment with fingerpicking instead of strumming. This will give the song a more delicate and soft feel.
- Slow Down at First: If you’re struggling with chord changes, slow the tempo down. Don’t rush; focus on getting each chord change clean before picking up the speed.
Ukulele Chord Chart for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Here’s a quick reference table of the chord fingerings for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”:
| Chord | G String (Top) | C String | E String | A String (Bottom) |
| C Major | Open (O) | Open (O) | Open (O) | 3rd fret (●) |
| E Minor | 2nd fret (●) | Open (O) | Open (O) | 3rd fret (●) |
| F Major | 2nd fret (●) | 1st fret (●) | Open (O) | 1st fret (●) |
| G7 | Open (O) | 2nd fret (●) | 1st fret (●) | 2nd fret (●) |
Conclusion
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a beautiful and iconic song that sounds incredible on the ukulele. With its simple C, Em, F, and G7 chord progression and straightforward strumming pattern, it’s the perfect piece for ukulele beginners to practice. As you get more comfortable with the chord transitions and strumming, you’ll be able to add your personal touch to the song,
whether through fingerpicking or slight rhythmic variations.Remember, the key to mastering any song on the ukulele is practice. Take your time with each chord, work on the transitions, and soon you’ll be playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” like a pro. Happy strumming!
