That's The Way (I Like It): Ukulele

This arrangement captures the infectious groove and call-and-response energy that made the original a global phenomenon, and it translates beautifully to ukulele. Students immediately recognize the song, which means they're motivated from the first read-through, and the funk rhythms provide excellent practice in locking into a tight pocket.

Pure kinetic energy. The arrangement bounces with the unmistakable warmth of 1970s soul-funk, driven by a hypnotic rhythmic hook that makes you want to move. It's joyful, unpretentious, and irresistibly grooving from the first measure.

Ukulele students who thrive on contemporary and popular music will connect immediately with this track. It works equally well for intermediate players looking to develop funk and disco vocabulary, or for ensembles seeking a high-energy, crowd-pleasing number with genuine swing.

• Nail the syncopation in the main riff by subdividing the sixteenth-note feel; don't rush the off-beat accents that give the groove its swagger.
• Keep the dynamic energy consistent even when playing rhythmically simple passages. The strength of disco lies in unwavering groove, not in complexity.
• Layer the strumming texture by varying your attack between the main hook and the filler sections. Lighter touch on the verses builds contrast before hitting harder on the chorus.

Open a concert with this as an instant mood-lifter, or slot it into a popular music showcase alongside other funk and disco gems. The three-page length keeps it manageable for a quick learn while still feeling substantial, making it ideal for a mid-year program when students have developed their reading fluency.

• Syncopated rhythmic accuracy in disco and funk idioms
• Maintaining groove consistency across dynamic sections
• Call-and-response phrasing and song form
• Articulation control for rhythmic definition
• Listening and locking into a pocket with ensemble partners