Bewitched: Ukulele

This standard gives ukulele students an elegant entry point into jazz repertoire without requiring advanced harmonic literacy. The melody sits naturally on the instrument and the rhythmic character of the piece rewards attention to phrasing and swing feel, making it an excellent vehicle for developing interpretation beyond simple note reading.

The piece carries a bittersweet sophistication. It's romantic without being saccharine, playful in its acknowledgment of love's spell, and delivered with the urbane charm that defines the Great American Songbook.

Intermediate ukulele students who have solid time feel and basic chord facility will find this accessible yet rewarding. It works equally well for jazz ensemble singers looking to expand their standard repertoire or for teachers building a jazz curriculum on the ukulele.

• Shape the melody with gentle rubato in the verses; the swing rhythm tightens in the refrain and gives you a chance to lock into the groove.
• Pay special attention to the rhyming moments where Hart's lyrics fall, as they often align with natural phrase boundaries that should breathe.
• Let the warmth come from your tone production rather than from playing louder; this song lives in intimate dynamics.

Pair this with other Rodgers and Hart standards in a jazz standards showcase, or feature it as a solo performance piece in a recital. It also works nicely as a bridge between classical ukulele repertoire and contemporary jazz styles, making it useful when you want to introduce ensemble players to swing and interpretation.

• Reading and performing swing rhythm and triplet subdivisions
• Maintaining a steady tempo while executing flexible melodic phrasing
• Interpreting jazz standards with attention to style and harmonic context
• Building dynamic control and tonal variety in intimate musical settings