Ain't Misbehavin' (from The Daily Ukulele) (arr. Liz and Jim Beloff): Ukulele

The Beloffs have chosen a tune with genuine swagger and character. This arrangement captures the easy confidence of a classic jazz standard while keeping the ukulele part approachable, making it ideal for players ready to move beyond beginner repertoire without getting bogged down in technical demands.

Cool, poised, and slightly mischievous. The tune carries the swagger of a performer who knows exactly what they're doing and doesn't need to overstate it. There's a lightness here that comes from genuine musical confidence rather than simplicity.

Intermediate ukulele players who want to expand beyond traditional Hawaiian repertoire into the jazz and blues standards that shaped popular music. This works well for ensemble contexts where you need a solid comping player or for solo performers building a setlist with genuine personality.

• Lean into the relaxed pocket of the blues feel; resist the urge to rush the rhythm and instead let each measure breathe with intention.
• Pay attention to the dynamic shape across the single page so that any repeated sections don't flatten into sameness.
• Listen closely to how the chords stack to find moments where you can add subtle emphasis through fingerstyle dynamics rather than strumming harder.
• Sing or hum the melody while playing the accompaniment to internalize the tune's character and ensure your rhythmic choices support the vocal line.

Pair this with other standards in a casual performance or coffeehouse setting where the audience appreciates familiar melodies with fresh instrumental color. It also serves as a gateway into jazz history conversations, letting students explore how this tune has traveled across genres and instrumentation.

• Comping with jazz voicings in a blues context
• Maintaining a relaxed rhythmic pocket without rushing
• Navigating chord changes through standard jazz progressions
• Balancing melody awareness with accompaniment responsibility