Do You Hear What I Hear: Ukulele
Do You Hear What I Hear Sheet Music Preview

Do You Hear What I Hear: Ukulele

As performed by Gloria Shayne

Item: 35-DS00175102
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$3.99
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 2
SKU: 35-DS00175102

More about this title

About the Artist: Gloria Shayne

Gloria Shayne co-wrote "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with Noël Regney in 1962, creating one of the most enduring Christmas songs in the American repertoire. Originally conceived as a plea for peace during the Cold War, the song transcends its era through its simple, profound melody and message of hope. Shayne's gift for melody writing produced a carol that works across countless arrangements and instrumental settings, making it a staple in music classrooms and holiday programs worldwide.

Why we love this

This ukulele arrangement captures the song's gentle, accessible quality while keeping the familiar melody intact for young players and audiences. The two-page format respects beginners' attention spans without oversimplifying, and the ukulele's warm timbre suits the carol's meditative character beautifully.

What to expect

The piece carries a sense of quiet wonder and peaceful longing. The familiar melody unfolds with warmth and directness, inviting both player and listener into a moment of reflection and sincerity that feels timeless, even intimate.

Who it's for

This arrangement serves ukulele students from beginner through early intermediate levels, as well as music teachers seeking a meaningful Christmas piece that doesn't require extensive technical demands. Choir directors and elementary music teachers can also use it as a companion piece to vocal arrangements or as an instrumental interlude in holiday programs.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melody with slight rubato in the opening phrases to let the lyrics breathe; the ukulele benefits from unhurried pacing that emphasizes the song's contemplative mood.
  • Balance dynamics carefully between the melody and any harmonic accompaniment so that the iconic tune remains the clear focal point.
  • Sustain whole notes fully and allow natural decay rather than dampening prematurely; this lets the ukulele's resonance complete the phrasing.
  • Consider fingerstyle over strumming for a softer, more controlled articulation that matches the carol's quiet reflection.

How to use it

Perform this as a solo number during a holiday concert intermission, allowing the ukulele's mellow voice to offer a contemplative moment between more festive selections. It also works beautifully as accompaniment to a soloist or small vocal ensemble, or as a class piece for ukulele ensembles seeking repertoire that resonates emotionally with audiences.

Skills your students will build

  • Legato phrasing and melodic shaping on ukulele
  • Sustaining and managing decay across measures
  • Reading and interpreting two-page arrangements
  • Playing with emotional intent rather than purely technical accuracy

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