MODULE 7
SONG 5 - "ODE TO JOY"
Your First Melody! 🎶
In this module, you’ll take your first exciting steps into melody playing with a beautiful and well-known arrangement of “Ode to Joy” — set in a steady 4/4 time signature.
In this module, you’ll take your first exciting steps into melody playing with a beautiful and well-known arrangement of “Ode to Joy” — set in a steady 4/4 time signature.
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven as part of his Ninth Symphony, Ode to Joy has become a universal symbol of celebration, unity, and triumph. It’s been used in everything from Olympic ceremonies to movie soundtracks — and now, you’ll get to bring it to life on your ukulele!
This arrangement is specially designed for beginners, helping you develop precision, timing, and confidence as you learn to play clear, recognisable melody lines.
Let’s get started and make some joyful noise! 🎵
This arrangement is specially designed for beginners, helping you develop precision, timing, and confidence as you learn to play clear, recognisable melody lines.
Let’s get started and make some joyful noise! 🎵
Let's get Warmed up
Each line of the song is broken down into bite-sized sections, allowing you to focus carefully on your finger placement and timing before putting everything together.
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to recap which fingers are used to fret and pluck each string. Then we’ll begin with a quick warm-up to get your hands moving and ready to play.
Taking it slow at first will build your confidence and help you play the full song with ease and accuracy.
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to recap which fingers are used to fret and pluck each string. Then we’ll begin with a quick warm-up to get your hands moving and ready to play.
Taking it slow at first will build your confidence and help you play the full song with ease and accuracy.
ODE TO JOY
Click the button below to download the full “Ode to Joy” arrangement as a PDF. This sheet contains the entire melody, broken down line by line for easy learning.
🎼 Tip: Take your time to work through each line individually (each line contains 4 bars) — get comfortable with the notes, finger placements, and rhythms before attempting to play the whole piece from start to finish.
Once you're familiar with each section, try putting it all together for a full performance!
🎼 Tip: Take your time to work through each line individually (each line contains 4 bars) — get comfortable with the notes, finger placements, and rhythms before attempting to play the whole piece from start to finish.
Once you're familiar with each section, try putting it all together for a full performance!
LINE 1: Starting Simple – A & E Strings Only
In the first four bars, you'll be focusing solely on the A and E strings, which makes this a great introduction to melody playing.
In the first four bars, you'll be focusing solely on the A and E strings, which makes this a great introduction to melody playing.
- Bars 1 to 3 are made up entirely of quarter notes (crotchets) — each note gets one beat, keeping the rhythm simple and steady.
- Bar 4 introduces a bit more variety:
- It begins with a dotted quarter note — this note is held for one and a half beats (a quarter note plus an eighth note).
- That’s followed by a single eighth note (quaver), and then a half note (minim) to complete the 4-beat bar.
LINE 2: Familiar Rhythm, New Twist
Just like Line 1, Bars 1 to 3 in Line 2 are made up entirely of quarter notes, making the rhythm easy to follow. In fact, the melody here closely mirrors what you played in the first line — perfect for reinforcing your finger positions and timing.
However, in Bar 4, while the rhythm stays the same (a dotted quarter note, an eighth note, and a half note), the notes change to create a fresh melodic phrase. This shift helps transition smoothly into the next section — Line 3 — and keeps the piece musically interesting.
Listen closely and enjoy how the melody evolves while the rhythm stays steady!
Just like Line 1, Bars 1 to 3 in Line 2 are made up entirely of quarter notes, making the rhythm easy to follow. In fact, the melody here closely mirrors what you played in the first line — perfect for reinforcing your finger positions and timing.
However, in Bar 4, while the rhythm stays the same (a dotted quarter note, an eighth note, and a half note), the notes change to create a fresh melodic phrase. This shift helps transition smoothly into the next section — Line 3 — and keeps the piece musically interesting.
Listen closely and enjoy how the melody evolves while the rhythm stays steady!
LINE 3: A Rhythmic Twist
Here’s where the melody starts to get more exciting! In Bars 2 and 3, you'll notice the introduction of eighth notes (quavers), adding a lively rhythmic variation that brings more movement and energy to the piece.
Both bars share the exact same rhythm pattern, making it easier to learn and repeat — but keep in mind that the final note of each bar is different, giving each phrase its own melodic flavour.
Take it slow at first, especially when adjusting to the quicker note values. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll really feel the momentum building as the melody starts to dance!
Here’s where the melody starts to get more exciting! In Bars 2 and 3, you'll notice the introduction of eighth notes (quavers), adding a lively rhythmic variation that brings more movement and energy to the piece.
Both bars share the exact same rhythm pattern, making it easier to learn and repeat — but keep in mind that the final note of each bar is different, giving each phrase its own melodic flavour.
Take it slow at first, especially when adjusting to the quicker note values. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll really feel the momentum building as the melody starts to dance!
LINE 4: The Grand Finale 🎉
Welcome to the grand finale! You might notice something familiar here — Line 4 is exactly the same as Line 2, both in rhythm and melody.
That means you already know it — and now’s your chance to play it with even more confidence and expression. Finish strong, enjoy the flow, and celebrate how far you’ve come in this piece!
You’ve got this! 💪🎶
Welcome to the grand finale! You might notice something familiar here — Line 4 is exactly the same as Line 2, both in rhythm and melody.
That means you already know it — and now’s your chance to play it with even more confidence and expression. Finish strong, enjoy the flow, and celebrate how far you’ve come in this piece!
You’ve got this! 💪🎶
PRACTICE EXERCISE: Play Along at 70 BPM
Once you’re feeling confident with each line individually, it’s time to put it all together!
Try playing along with the video below at a steady 70 BPM (beats per minute). This tempo is perfect for practising precision, timing, and smooth transitions between lines.
🎯 Pro Tip: Focus on staying relaxed and consistent — it’s not about speed, it’s about control and musicality.
Hit play when you're ready, and enjoy the satisfaction of playing through the full piece!
Once you’re feeling confident with each line individually, it’s time to put it all together!
Try playing along with the video below at a steady 70 BPM (beats per minute). This tempo is perfect for practising precision, timing, and smooth transitions between lines.
🎯 Pro Tip: Focus on staying relaxed and consistent — it’s not about speed, it’s about control and musicality.
Hit play when you're ready, and enjoy the satisfaction of playing through the full piece!
ODE TO JOY - SONG FACTS:
"ODE TO JOY," was first published in the summer of 1785 and as it is known in German, "An die Freude". It was originally written as a poem by German poet/playwright Friedrich Schiller.
Over 30 years later, it was rearranged into music as part of Beethovens final movement in his Ninth and last Symphony after spending seven years on it from 1818 to 1824. The symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire and is considered one of Beethoven's masterpieces.
"ODE TO JOY," was first published in the summer of 1785 and as it is known in German, "An die Freude". It was originally written as a poem by German poet/playwright Friedrich Schiller.
Over 30 years later, it was rearranged into music as part of Beethovens final movement in his Ninth and last Symphony after spending seven years on it from 1818 to 1824. The symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire and is considered one of Beethoven's masterpieces.
16 FRET STRETCH @ 90BPM
Great work so far!! Remember to take your time and go at your own pace!!
Once you feel confident playing these pieces, why not send us a little video to share on our socials?
Otherwise, onto the next module...
Once you feel confident playing these pieces, why not send us a little video to share on our socials?
Otherwise, onto the next module...