As Tears Go By: Ukulele TAB

This collection transforms some of rock's most iconic riffs and melodies into material that ukulele players actually want to perform. The TAB arrangements preserve the character of the originals while acknowledging what works on a four-string instrument, giving students a genuine entry point into classic rock without simplification that strips away the music's attitude.

Swagger and attitude translated to four strings. These songs arrive with a sense of cool that the ukulele doesn't often get to explore, mixing driving rhythms with moments of restraint and space. You'll feel the pull of blues-inflected melodies alongside pop hooks sharp enough to stick with you for days.

Ukulele students who have moved beyond beginner chord-strumming and want to tackle songs with real musical sophistication and cultural weight. Players comfortable reading TAB and tackling songs with varied rhythmic structures will find plenty of challenge and reward here.

• Study the original recordings before diving into TAB. Hearing Jagger's phrasing and the original guitar textures will inform your tempo choices and help you understand where the rhythmic pocket sits.
• Pay close attention to the rhythm notation alongside the TAB. These songs often sit in the pocket in subtle ways that TAB alone won't reveal; the combination of both systems is your complete picture.
• Experiment with percussive techniques on the body of the ukulele during quieter passages or intros. Many of these songs benefit from added texture that a straight strumming approach won't provide.
• Consider which songs to extend with loops or layering if you're performing solo. Several tracks work beautifully as practice material for building arrangements that don't rely on backing tracks.

Program a handful of these alongside original ukulele repertoire in a mixed recital setting to show the range and credibility of the instrument in rock contexts. They also work beautifully as supplemental solo material for intermediate students building confidence, or as starting points for students interested in arranging and adapting songs for ukulele.

• Reading TAB in conjunction with standard notation
• Navigating varied rhythmic patterns and syncopation
• Translating guitar-based arrangements to ukulele voicings
• Developing dynamic control across multiple song styles
• Connecting melody, rhythm, and lyrical phrasing