Ukulele Tutorials • Beginner Friendly

Riptide by Vance Joy Ukulele Tutorial

"Riptide" by Vance Joy is a classic anthem for ukulele players everywhere. If you've been looking for an incredibly catchy and easy song to play on the ukulele, this is the one!

The chords for this song are pretty simple and straightforward. We'll learn the basic progression, a versatile strum for the verses, and how to kick things up a notch with the famous Island Strum during the chorus.

The Essential Chords

We mainly rely on Am, G, and C. The only trick here is when we get to the bridge, you'll need to throw in an F chord as well.

A Minor

G Major

C Major

F Major

Strumming Patterns

You can actually repeat the simple strum throughout the entire song if you want! However, when you hit the chorus, it sounds fantastic if you switch to the Island Strum.

1. The Verse Strum

Use this simple strum down and up motion for the verses to keep the rhythm driving forward.

2. The Chorus (Island Strum)

When the chorus hits, open up the sound using the classic "Island Strum" pattern to give it that upbeat, bouncing feel.

Play-Along Song Sheets

Follow along with these sheets for the lyrics and chord changes, or click the yellow button at the top to download the full PDF from my Patreon to practice anywhere.

DifficultyBeginner
TuningGCEA
TechniqueChords / Strumming
ChordsAm, G, C, F

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Comments:

@Rhebarb

2/26/2026

Just started and this has been the best tutorial for someone like me who hasn't got a clue thank you so much ❤

@RaysUkulele

Awww, I'm so happy to hear that! Keep going!

@Rhebarb

@RaysUkulele❤ I will! I've actually learned the strumming part thanks to you I just now have to figure out how to sing at the same time, I don't know how you do it 😭

@VedantMukeshPurohit

2/22/2026

it all went good, until i started singing

@chantaldijkstra545

2/3/2026

You do c cord twice??

@LillieOrozco

1/20/2026

Thanks! This is absolutely helpful, I struggle with the strumming a lot but this video helped a lot to kind of get it. I can do it in the beginning (when you teach it) but in the song I can not change to the island one lol my brain doesn't compute!

@davidgood1072

11/23/2025

Thank you so much for this!!

@johncorley8024

6/26/2025

Im new too. Which finger(s) to i strum up with?

@RaysUkulele

Just the tip of your pointer finger

Read more (1 replies)

@kylie_hardinghfj1

6/11/2025

o.m.g. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT WAS MY DREAM TO PLAY ON INSTRUMENTS AND THIS TUTORIAL IS SO CHEAP AND GOOD TYSM!!

@jjsmama401

6/7/2025

A little slower PLEeeeese. 😅

@Jacey-LeeSchilder

5/29/2025

Why is this hard 😅😢

@RaysUkulele

You got this! Just take it slow and practice it a few mins a day for a few days 🙂

Read more (1 replies)

@OnePieceOfSlicedBread

5/18/2025

Its so hard to change chords especially gmajor😢Edit: welp I learned it like pretty easily now

@DanielLalbiakhlua

Fr😭🙏

Read more (1 replies)

@ksometimesf

4/12/2025

hi! i just got my uke today and ive been trying to learn how to play riptide and came across your video. you mae it so easy to understand however im having issues transitioning from Am to G, any tips? i really wanna learn this.

@RaysUkulele

Thanks so much, and congrats on getting your uke!! G is definitely tricky when you first get started and especially when you’re trying to do that transition in the song. One thing that helps me with tricky chord transitions is to just go back and forth between the two of them over and over. If you do that, in a couple days your muscle memory will build up and it will become easy! You got this 💪

Read more (1 replies)

@Antimist1c

4/9/2025

Is it am for all 5 then switch or am for first 4 then switch please I need help

@rsimpkins1601

2/11/2025

Tripped on this ..Been looking for a UKE class….all my UKEs are broke ..KYN. Glue undone tuners fail

@RaysUkulele

Uh oh! Try gorilla glue epoxy and let it set for 24hours with weight or a clamp

Read more (1 replies)

@amber.bailey

1/27/2025

1st son I’ve ever learns on the uke

@Edgehog-69

1/8/2025

Thank you man. I found my instrument

@RaysUkulele

Love it!

@leif1075

@RaysUkuleleWAIT ISSUE THISXDEPENDS ON THE TUNING OFCTHE UKE..Why didntvyou clarifycthst?? Minecis a C majorcUke so I think the fingering is different?

@leif1075

@RaysUkuleleNO PLEASE IT'S PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE BEYWEEN A CHORD ANDCG CHORD ESPECIALLY WITH THOSE FINGERINGS SO FAST..PLEASE DAMMIT UT DOESNT WORK

@MBYT17

11/12/2024

cool

@RaysUkulele

Thanks!

Read more (1 replies)

@demetriusdemarcusdemarious9424

10/19/2024

Most w tutorial I’ve ever seennnnn I learned in like, half an hour + I started ukulele today!

@RaysUkulele

Great job! That’s awesome!! 🎉🎉

@demetriusdemarcusdemarious9424

@RaysUkulele tysm!

@kevinquito7186

9/12/2024

Pore avocado 😢 1:59

@allanaalberto9730

7/27/2024

I love your channel. You made me learn this song in 4 days as a complete new beginner. I will always be grateful for that

@RaysUkulele

Thank you so much! 😊

Read more (1 replies)

@deepakjmathew9410

7/23/2024

I find it soo hard to strum properly especially upward😭😭

@RaysUkulele

Aww you can totally do it, just start very slowww. Practice strumming up and down slowly and try keeping your finger sort of loose

@deepakjmathew9410

Thanks mahn ❤❤

@deepakjmathew9410

I able to do really good within a day lmao

@alexandruyanni

Practice practice practice 👌

@leif1075

@alexandruyanniPLSASE HELP FUCK DAMMIT IM TOO ANGRY AND TIRED AND DEPRESSED TO PRACTICE TGAT HARD HOW CAN I SWITCH BWTWEEN THE FIRST 2 CHORDS EASUKY..ITS TOO FAST COME ON

@jayden1944

6/28/2024

Thanks for the Tutorial 👍. Are you playing this song on a tenor ukulele or is this concert Ukulele? I like the sound 😃

@RaysUkulele

Thank you!! This is a tenor ukulele 🙂 I really like it, except I do think my concert is a bit easier to play because the frets are not as widely spaced as the tenor ukulele and I’m actually most used to playing a soprano

@jayden1944

@RaysUkulele Thank you for your fast answer. Since 3 months I was thinking about to get me a tenor ukulele. I also like the sound of a soprano ukulele, but I'm struggling with the small fretboard. So in April I have baught a baritone ukulele (large fretboard, just like a small guitar and sounds like a guitar - d-g-b-e ), but I miss the typical ukulele sound🏝️(g-c-e-a). That's why I needed to decide to buy a concert uke or a tenor. After I watched some your Tutorials today with your ukulele and you wrote me its a tenor uke, I will buy a tenor next week too 😃. Please keep on making your tutorials, they are helping a lot to learn a song. Greetings from Germany

@Fivestarmichelinnnnn

6/3/2024

Can you please make a tutorial on the riff I’ve been facing many problems coz of that😭

@josiasoliveira7236

5/28/2024

Muito bom, estou tentando aqui

@nufaistikmalah9927

5/23/2024

I'm just starting to play ukulele while looking for how to play it on YouTube, and I found your video you have such a nice explanation 😊

@RaysUkulele

Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊. You’re going to love playing the ukulele!

Read more (1 replies)

Riptide by Vance Joy Ukulele Tutorial

The Essential Chords

Strumming Patterns

1. The Verse Strum

2. The Chorus (Island Strum)

Play-Along Song Sheets

Lesson Details

Gear & Setup

Ray's Ukulele YouTube

Recent Ukulele Tutorials

Comments:

@Rhebarb

@VedantMukeshPurohit

@chantaldijkstra545

@LillieOrozco

@davidgood1072

@MichealCayangcang

@christinemarie007

@iandunican78

@VietAnh-lop-Ho

@noodlewiggler2013

@johncorley8024

@johncorley8024

@kylie_hardinghfj1

@jjsmama401

@Jacey-LeeSchilder

@OnePieceOfSlicedBread

@ksometimesf

@Antimist1c

@rsimpkins1601

@amber.bailey

@Edgehog-69

@MBYT17

@demetriusdemarcusdemarious9424

@kevinquito7186

@allanaalberto9730

@deepakjmathew9410

@jayden1944

@Fivestarmichelinnnnn

@josiasoliveira7236

@nufaistikmalah9927