Seems Like Old Times (from The Daily Ukulele) (arr. Liz and Jim Beloff): Ukulele

The Beloffs have a gift for choosing standards that breathe naturally on ukulele, and this one sits perfectly in the instrument's sweet spot. The arrangement respects both the song's nostalgic character and what makes ukulele special, giving students a chance to play a genuine classic without fighting against the arrangement.

Warm, familiar, tinged with wistfulness. This is the sound of looking back fondly, of a melody that feels like it's always existed. On ukulele, it takes on an intimate quality, as if you're sharing a memory rather than performing.

Ukulele students ready for standards beyond children's songs, whether they're working toward a mixed-instrument ensemble or building a solo repertoire. Teachers looking for accessible but genuinely musical material that doesn't patronize intermediate players.

• Let the melody sing through clearly; this tune relies on its straightforward beauty rather than complexity, so articulation and phrase shaping matter more than technical flash.
• The chord changes in a standard like this are part of the story. Mark them in your part so you're not discovering them mid-performance.
• Find the tempo that lets the lyrics breathe if you're singing along, or that keeps the tune moving without rushing if it's purely instrumental.

Pair this with other jazz standards or American songbook classics in a casual recital or coffeehouse-style concert. It works equally well as a solo feature or as part of a ukulele ensemble set, and it's substantial enough to anchor a program without requiring a full accompaniment.

• Reading single-line melody with chord symbols
• Interpreting jazz standard harmony
• Phrasing and expression in a melody-driven context
• Tempo flexibility and rubato
• Playing standards with historical awareness