A melody for your ukulele

Make a part for your ukulele

1. Choose a recording, paste a public link or open a MusicXML or MIDI file you have the right to use.
2. For a recording, choose One instrument or voice for a clear solo, or A band or several instruments for a mix. Confirm its price before starting.
3. Select the melody part. In Guitar TAB settings choose Ukulele, then Ukulele for high-G or Baritone ukulele for DGBE. Show Staff and TAB to read the rhythm too.
4. Play a short phrase, check any unplayable notes and move notes to the strings you prefer. Download the PDF or copy the text TAB.

One melody, two ukulele tunings

These four bars come from the checked score of Ode to Joy already used on this site. ScoreStarling converted the same pitches to each tuning on October 26, 2026. Every note fits a string and fret. This is a score-file conversion, not a new ukulele recording or a transcription-accuracy test.

High-G MusicXML · Text TAB · Guitar Pro 5 · Listen to the source melody on guitar

Baritone MusicXML · Baritone Guitar Pro 5 · Sources and conversion checks

Why the fourth string is not the lowest note

In high-G GCEA tuning, the fourth string sounds G4, above the third string’s C4. Reading four lines from bottom to top is therefore not the same as reading pitches from low to high. An open G can also be played at the third fret of the E string. Listen and choose the string that fits the phrase, rather than assuming the lowest fret is always the easiest move.

Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles can use this same high-G tuning. Baritone DGBE is a separate preset. Low-G needs the lower G3 string entered explicitly; do not use high-G fret numbers on it and expect the same sound.

Fit the melody before choosing the fingering

High-G ukulele has no open string below C4. A low sung melody or a bass line can fall below that even when the notes were transcribed correctly. ScoreStarling marks notes no string can play. Move the melody up an octave or transpose it into a playable range, then listen again; do not quietly drop the low notes.

A wide piano chord may also ask for more simultaneous notes than four strings can play. Choose the melody or simplify the voicing before treating the TAB as a fingerstyle arrangement. The transposition tool helps put a part in another key.

A recording or a score file?

If you already have MusicXML or MIDI, open it instead of transcribing the recording again. For a phone recording of your own ukulele, keep the instrument clear and use One instrument or voice. For a full song, choose the melody part after a band transcription, or hum the tune into a separate recording.

One instrument or solo piano costs 10 credits a piece and covers 6 minutes (15 with Plus). A band costs 30 credits a minute, covering 6 minutes without Plus or 30 with Plus. Other features use the same monthly credits. See prices and downloads.

Before you play it

• Check the actual tuning and any capo first. One score keeps one tuning and capo setting per part.
• Read the staff or rhythmic TAB for note lengths. Plain text TAB alone is not a complete rhythm notation.
• Check the fingering by hand. This view does not add bends, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, chord diagrams or strumming directions.
• When using a Guitar Pro or MusicXML download, open it once and check the notes, strings and playback sound before rehearsal.

For six strings see audio to guitar TAB; for a bass line see bass TAB from audio. Our TAB reading guide explains lines, fret numbers and rhythm.