With only four basic finger patterns to learn, this Stand By Me uke tutorial will be a walk in the park, even for beginners.
Learning to play “Stand by Me” on the ukulele is a great milestone for any beginner. With just four chords and a few simple finger movements, you’ll have a classic tune under your belt in no time. In this lesson, we’ll walk through everything you need—from the chords to the strumming and even the iconic bassline—to help you sound like a pro.
Here’s a free PDF download: Click here to grab a printable PDF containing the strumming patterns, chord diagrams, and lyrics to follow along with this lesson… Fingerstyle TABs included!
Why “Stand by Me” Is a Great First Song
“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King is one of those timeless songs that works beautifully on ukulele. It’s slow-paced, emotionally rich, and uses a chord progression that loops throughout the entire song. That makes it easy to learn, but still satisfying to play. It’s also a great piece to practice transitions, rhythm, and musical expression.
Ukulele Chords for Stand by Me
We’re simplifying the song by playing it in the key of C major, which is both easier to sing and friendlier on your fingers than the original key of A.
You’ll only need four chords for this version:
- C: 0-0-0-3
- Am (A minor): 2-0-0-0
- F: 2-0-1-0
- G7: 0-2-1-2
This progression loops through the entire song, which means once you get it down, you’re golden.
Ukulele Strumming Patterns: Easy to Advanced
You’ve got options here depending on your comfort level. Let’s start with the basics and build up.
1. Simple Down-Strums (Beginner-Friendly)
Just play one down-strum per beat.
Great for singing along and focusing on chord changes.
C – Am – F – G7
2. Rhythmic Down-Strums With Accents
Try emphasizing certain beats:
Down – Down – Down – Down-up
This adds a nice groove and keeps things steady.
3. Island Strum (For Intermediate Players)
This is the classic:
Down – Down-Up – Up – Down-Up
(Count it as 1 – 2& – & – 4&)
It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it gives the song a relaxed, flowing rhythm that pairs perfectly with the melody.
How to Play the Stand by Me Ukulele Bassline
Want to spice things up? Try playing the song’s recognizable bassline on your uke. It’s a great way to train your fingers and ear.
Here’s a simplified version of the bassline:
- Start on the third fret of the second string (G note)
- Move to second fret of the first string
- Then third fret of the first string
From there, you walk the notes down or up depending on the part of the verse.
You can play this on its own, or even have a friend play it while you strum the chords. It’s a great way to collaborate in a uke group or just add more texture to your solo playing.
Full Play-Along Chord Chart
Here’s how the chords line up with the lyrics. Just loop the pattern:
[C] When the night has come
[Am] And the land is dark
[F] And the moon is the
[G7] Only light we'll [C] see
… (and so on).
The same progression continues throughout the verses and chorus. Once you’re comfortable, you can try playing along with the recording or join a play-along video.
Final Tips for Playing Stand by Me on Ukulele
- Start slow: Focus on clean chord changes first.
- Add rhythm later: Once you’ve got the basics, try adding in more complex strumming.
- Play with others: It’s a great group song and sounds amazing with bass and harmonies.
- Keep practicing: If you want to tackle the full bassline or experiment with fingerpicking, this is a great song to expand your skills.
Wrap-Up
That’s it for today’s tutorial on how to play “Stand by Me” on ukulele. With just four chords, you’ve now got a soulful classic ready to play anytime. Whether you’re strumming by yourself or playing with friends, this song is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Got a ukulele topic or song request you’d like us to cover next? Drop a comment and let us know!
John Allnutt
Writer & Ukulele TeacherJohn has been teaching music since 2008 and resides in Richmond, Kentucky with his wife Laura and dog Sam. In his spare time he enjoys growing and cooking food, roasting coffee, playing board games, and spreading joy through playing and teaching music.
