Don't: Ukulele

Students recognize this song immediately, which means they'll bring genuine enthusiasm to learning it. The ukulele arrangement distills Sheeran's songwriting to its emotional core, making it an accessible entry point for players who want to learn contemporary material that feels relevant to their lives.

Reflective and intimate, with a conversational vocal melody that sits naturally on the ukulele. The arrangement respects the song's emotional vulnerability while showcasing the instrument's warmth and resonance.

Ukulele students at the early-intermediate level or above who want to play recognizable contemporary music. Teachers seeking repertoire that bridges the gap between method book material and songs students actually want to play will find this valuable.

• Pay attention to the dynamics marked in the score; the song builds gradually, so resist the urge to play loudly from the start.
• Work the chord changes slowly at first, making sure the transitions are clean before increasing tempo.
• Listen to the original recording to internalize the phrasing and subtle rhythmic choices that give the song its character.

Include this on a concert featuring student soloists or as part of a popular music showcase. It pairs well with other contemporary singer-songwriter material and gives ukulele students a spotlight performance that audiences recognize and appreciate.

• Chord transitions between common pop voicings
• Dynamic control and phrasing in contemporary arrangements
• Connecting instrumental performance to song interpretation