Under My Thumb: Ukulele TAB

This collection captures the melodic and rhythmic essence of some of rock's most essential songs, translated beautifully for ukulele. The TAB notation makes these iconic riffs accessible to ukulele players who might otherwise think the instrument couldn't handle Stones material, while the 76-page collection gives you genuine concert repertoire with immediate audience recognition.

Nineteen essential rock songs translated into an instrument known for lighter material, which creates an unexpected tension that makes each performance feel fresh and slightly defiant. The ukulele's warm, punchy tone recontextualizes these classics without losing their swagger.

Ukulele players with intermediate to advanced reading skills who want to build a setlist of songs with genuine rock credibility. This book works equally well for solo performers building a recital program and for players in ukulele ensembles looking for repertoire with musical substance.

• Study the recorded versions before tackling the TAB; these arrangements preserve specific rhythmic feels and dynamics that make each song distinctive. The swagger of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' demands a different attack than the precision required for 'Paint It, Black.'
• Pay attention to percussion and rhythm patterns in the original recordings. Ukulele can carry these songs solo, but understanding the full arrangement informs where you might add fingerstyle texture or percussive muting.
• Use a capo strategically. Several of these songs sit in keys that benefit from capo placement on ukulele, which adjusts both the playability and tonal character of the instrument.

Feature one or two selections as a recital closing act or opening number; a single Stones song on ukulele often gets a bigger audience reaction than listeners expect. You might also use this collection as a curriculum bridge, introducing intermediate students to rhythmically sophisticated repertoire that builds technique while maintaining genuine musical engagement.

• Reading TAB notation with rhythmic accuracy
• Translating guitar-based riffs to ukulele voicing and technique
• Managing tempo and groove consistency across 19 distinct song structures
• Developing dynamic control and tone variation within a limited harmonic range
• Building left-hand endurance and finger independence