Ex's & Oh's: Ukulele

This arrangement captures the irreverent swagger of the original while sitting comfortably on the ukulele, giving students a chance to play something genuinely fun and recognizable. The four-page format balances accessibility with enough musical substance to keep intermediate players engaged, making it useful for recitals, informal performances, or simply motivating students who've grown tired of traditional method book material.

Sharp and sassy with an undercurrent of humor. The song's original attitude translates to the ukulele as bright, rhythmically driving, and surprisingly full of personality. There's a playfulness here that makes the instrument feel fresh and current rather than retro.

Intermediate ukulele students who want to expand beyond classical repertoire and tackle contemporary pop with real cultural relevance. This works equally well for young players building confidence in ensemble settings or older students exploring songwriting through analysis of modern hits.

• Keep the energy propulsive without rushing. The rhythmic groove drives the song, so lock in a steady tempo from the first measure and hold it throughout.
• Lean into the attitude of the lyrics when you play. The music thrives on a confident, slightly cheeky delivery rather than precious or overly polished phrasing.
• Pay attention to any dynamic markings or accent patterns that shape the verses differently from the chorus. These details prevent the four pages from feeling one-dimensional.
• If the arrangement includes strumming patterns, practice them slowly as a separate exercise before integrating them with the melody and chord progression.

Program this as a solo feature or group ukulele ensemble piece at informal concerts, spring recitals, or casual performance showcases where contemporary repertoire fits the vibe. It also works beautifully as a bridge between traditional and modern material when you're trying to show students that ukulele spans multiple genres and eras.

• Rhythmic accuracy in syncopated passages
• Chord transitions at moderate to quick tempos
• Balancing strumming technique with melodic clarity
• Reading contemporary notation and performance style cues
• Sustaining energy and musicality across pop song structure (verse, chorus, bridge)