The Things We Did Last Summer (from The Daily Ukulele) (arr. Jim Beloff): Ukulele

Beloff's arrangement captures the nostalgia and swing of this standard while staying within the comfortable reach of intermediate players. The two-page format respects the ukulele's voice without forcing it to do too much, and the melody sits naturally under the fingers where players can really sing the tune.

Wistful and warm, with the kind of gentle swing that makes you think of evenings and reflection. The melody moves with an easy elegance that the ukulele handles beautifully, never overwrought but never diminished.

This arrangement works for intermediate ukulele students who have solid chord shapes and can navigate jazz-inflected melodies. It's also perfect for ensembles that want to include ukulele in a pop or jazz program without oversimplifying the material.

• Let the rhythm breathe in the verses. The ukulele works best when you're not rushing the tempo, especially on the syncopated figures that define the jazz vocabulary here.
• Shape the phrases by listening to how the melody wants to resolve. Notice where the harmony suggests you should lean, and let that guide your phrasing and dynamics.
• Anchor your chord changes with precise fingerwork so the harmonic rhythm feels intentional rather than stumbling from one position to the next.

Pair this with other standards from The Daily Ukulele series to build a cohesive set, or use it as a solo feature that bridges between your group's classical and contemporary repertoire. It's compact enough to slot into a spring concert without requiring substantial rehearsal time.

• Interpreting jazz chord symbols and substitutions
• Phrasing melodic lines with swing feel and articulation
• Balancing melody and accompaniment on a single instrument
• Reading and executing rhythmic notation with syncopation