Could It Be Magic: Ukulele

This arrangement captures the lush romanticism of Manilow's original while distilling it into something intimate and playable on ukulele. The two-page format makes it manageable for intermediate players who want to tackle a recognizable tune with real emotional weight, not just a novelty version of a pop standard.

Romantic and unhurried, with the kind of warmth that made Manilow's version iconic. The arrangement preserves the song's emotional centerpiece while translating it into the intimate, resonant character of the ukulele.

Intermediate ukulele players ready to move beyond strumming patterns into more nuanced accompaniment and melody work. This arrangement works equally well for solo performers, students building a standards repertoire, or ensemble members seeking a dependable pop ballad.

• Shape the melody phrase by phrase rather than note by note; this song lives in its legato quality, so connect your lines even when you're picking individual notes.
• Let the accompaniment breathe. Ukulele chords can easily sound cluttered, so choose moments to drop out slightly and let the melody sing forward.
• The harmonic movement here is what makes Manilow's style distinctive. Pay attention to chord changes and let them color your tone; don't rush through them.

Pair this with other contemporary standards or classic pop songs for a cabaret-style set. It also works beautifully as a solo feature in a ukulele ensemble concert, offering a change of pace and demonstrating that the instrument can handle sophisticated popular music, not just Hawaiian or novelty fare.

• Phrasing and legato melody playing
• Reading and executing voice-leading in chord progressions
• Balancing melody with accompaniment
• Interpreting dynamics and rubato in a pop ballad context