Defying Gravity (from Wicked): Ukulele

This arrangement captures the soaring ambition of the song while keeping technical demands manageable for ukulele players at intermediate levels. Students recognize it instantly, which means you'll get genuine engagement and buy-in from day one of rehearsal.

Soaring and defiant, with the infectious optimism of someone discovering their own power. The melody sits naturally on ukulele, and the harmonic progressions give you room to really sing through the instrument.

Ukulele students who want to tackle a show-stopping solo that connects to pop culture they actually care about. It works equally well for classroom ensembles looking to add contemporary Broadway material to their repertoire.

• Find the emotional arc of the lyrics as you practice; this song lives or dies on conviction, not technical flash
• Lock in the rhythm section early if you're playing with other ukuleles or accompaniment, since the momentum builds progressively
• Shape the phrases to breathe naturally rather than cutting them short, allowing the sense of defiance and liberation to land

Feature this as a solo spotlight in a ukulele ensemble concert, or pair it with other Broadway selections for a themed program that bridges theater and instrumental music. It also works beautifully as an encore piece when you want to send students and audiences home energized.

• Sustaining longer melodic lines without rhythmic subdivision
• Dynamic control across a wide range of the ukulele's registers
• Connecting emotional intention to phrasing and breath
• Managing tempo consistency through building intensity