Latin music is known for its infectious rhythms, vibrant melodies, and rich cultural heritage. If you're an aspiring ukulele player with a passion for Latin sounds, you're in for a treat! In this article, you find Latin style songs that are not only enjoyable to play on the ukulele but also offer a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Latin music. Let's dive in and discover the beauty of each song.
In this section, we'll explore Latin style songs that are perfect for strumming and picking along on your ukulele. These songs will get you moving with their infectious rhythms and catchy melodies.
An absolute classic, "La Bamba" is a joyful Mexican folk song that Ritchie Valens turned into a global sensation. The song has the beginner-friendly chords C, F, and G. Experiment with different strumming patterns and try to emulate the rhythm of the song. Take it a step further and try to figure out the intro riff by ear and learn to play it.
A collaboration between Latin music artists, "Corazón Espinado" combines Santana's rock-infused sound with Mana's Latin pop sensibilities. Use muted strums and other percussive elements to create the song's captivating groove on the ukulele.
"Havana" combines modern pop with Latin influences. Its memorable intro sets the stage for a playful song that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Havana, Cuba. The song's chords Gm, Eb, and D7 are not the most common ones but still beginner-friendly. The songs works great for both strumming and picking. The syncopated rhythm can be a challenge, especially if you want to sing along.
"Bésame Mucho" is a timeless Latin bolero, known and loved by audiences worldwide. Its gentle melodies and romantic lyrics make it a perfect choice for expressing emotion through the ukulele. The song lends itself to using different strumming techniques such as rasgueados and rolling fingers and mixing it with plucking individual or multiple strings.
"La Camisa Negra" by Juanes is an upbeat and playful song that will get your ukulele grooving. It's an excellent choice for practicing percussive techniques and plucking multiple strings at once. The chord shapes and some quick changes can be challenging.
Santana's "Oye Cómo Va" is a Latin rock anthem that blends infectious rhythms with Carlos Santana's signature guitar style. Using only the tow chords Am and D make it seem deceptively easy, but the syncopated rhythm is quite a brain-twister.
"Bamboleo" is an exuberant and energetic song by the Gipsy Kings, known for their flamenco-inspired music. It works great with lively Rumba strumming patterns and is quite fast, yet fun to play.
"Hijo De La Luna" is a hauntingly beautiful song by the Spanish group Mecano. Its ethereal melodies and poignant lyrics tell a captivating story, making it a wonderful choice for ukulele players looking to add a touch of mystery and introspection to their repertoire. This ukulele arrangement has very quick chord changes and several not so common chords.
For those seeking a more intricate and melodic approach, this section offers fingerstyle arrangements of Latin style songs on the ukulele. All these are low G ukulele arrangements by Yujiro from Ukulele Time, who has an incredible output and almost 800 arrangements on Youtube at the time of writing. I learned a few of them and they were very challenging for me. If you're interested in something a bit easier, check out my etude Meñique Andaluz.
The theme song from the hit series "Narcos," titled "Tuyo," is a mesmerizing and sultry tune. Its moody atmosphere and captivating chord progressions are captured really well in this arrangements.
Featured in the movie "Desperado," "Canción Del Mariachi" is a powerful and passionate song that fuses flamenco and mariachi influences. Another great and difficult to play arrangement that captures the spirit of the song. I learned the iconic intro. The whole arrangement would be a very long-term project, but maybe I'll try some day.
"Chan Chan" is a masterpiece by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, encapsulating the soul of Cuban music. Its infectious rhythms, intricate melodies, and rich harmonies are beautifully adapted to the ukulele in this arrangement. Again very challenging and certainly beyond what I can do now. There is a high G ukulele arrangement of Chan Chan by Helmut Bickel, that is more accessible and sounds great too.
"La Llorona" is a haunting Mexican folk song, and the collaboration between Ángela Aguilar and the legendary Chavela Vargas adds a powerful and emotive touch. A beautiful arrangement that moves from a comparatively simple melody into a sophisticated and rhythmic chord melody.
Exploring the Latin style songs listed above on the ukulele opens a world of musical richness and cultural diversity. From the infectious rhythms of La Bamba to the haunting melodies of La Llorona, each song brings something unique to the table. Embrace the spirit of Latin music, let your fingers dance across the ukulele instrument, and immerse yourself in the captivating sounds of these Latin treasures. Happy playing!