You’ve Got a Friend In Me Ukulele Play Along

For educational use. Optimized for GCEA ukulele. Key of C. Lowered a minor third from the original.
As performed by Randy Newman.
I have wanted to arrange this for some time. Another video play along showed chords that didn’t match the music (!). Randy Newman is incredible, and the original chords are tough on ukulele. I lowered the key to make it work better for ukulele, and there are some chords that I chose that work-but are definitely not the original chord (D#dim and Dm in the intro). That said, these chords work with the recording-and could be taken away from the recording and performed live. I might make a chord sheet for this one.
Dedicated to my friend and college roommate, David, who loved Toy Story. Incidentally, one of my sons is named Andy and had both Woody and Buzz (we didn’t name him after Toy Story...going for the full name “Andrew”)
Video created on the iPad Pro using Luma Fusion. The ukulele chord font is Chordette for Education, available at ukefarm.com.
Check out the Ukulele Video Play Along Podcast, where I talk about ukulele education and my own ukulele experiences. Available on Apple Podcasts and Google Play.
Are these ukulele resources valuable to you? If so, consider following my blog at ukestuff.info, and becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/cjrphd. There is a master list of all similar play along videos at ukestuff.info.

[@esmay.rodriguez]

C dim7 is murdering me at the moment😂

[@ukeplayalongs]

Just keep at it. Think of 3/4 of it as the G7 with other fingers.

[@somewhereonlyweknoworag9338]

I just play C

[@piamatsuno3883]

same here

[@chrisschlenz0747]

Try barring the second fret with your first finger and then add fingers 2 and 3

[@KusumoAlimin]

Same here my hands hurt

[@coal3077]

C dim7: hey My fingers: OH MY GOD- Me: **sweating intensifies**

[@ukeplayalongs]

Just slow it down and have fun. No sweating necessary! 😀

[@reaperxc_2050]

same 😂😂

[@clay3006]

If you use your first finger to bar the second fret and play the notes on the third fret with your second and third finger it is pretty simple, just have to practice switching back and forth from a bar cord which is the trickier part.

[@juanmelendez7372]

So true I can do that chores either

[@shannonclarke2523]

I've been playing ukulele for only two weeks and it took me a few days to learn c dim7 I practice 3 to 4 hours a day

[@pandaprincess9]

For anyone having trouble with the Cdim7, I think about it like: use the fingering for a G chord, move it over, and add your pinky. When I thought about it like that it really helped!

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks for the comment!

[@Batman-zy3dn]

😮 how did I not notice that? 😣

[@jamesyoungpark]

I play it like G7 (moved down a fret) and use my thumb on the G string

[@alejandroterzado2068]

that helps a lot actually thanks

[@welp2751]

This was so freaking fun, thanks ❤❤❤

[@rhyleemace7846]

My favorite part of the whole song is C E7 and Am of “your going to see our destiny” idk why but it’s so fun!!

[@ukeplayalongs]

It's just a good tune overall. Very catchy, great message.

[@noram6780]

THIS IS SO FUN TO PLAY!!!

[@ukeplayalongs]

Agreed!

[@aprilf.6927]

I love love love this video! Toys are getting closer closer and in the end they are all together as friends. how lovely editing 😃. Also, I like how cdim7 sounds:)

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thank you 🤗

[@conner2811]

Awesome, thanks for making!

[@ukeplayalongs]

You are very welcome!

[@lindasuehundley6864]

This is so much fun! I think I’ll teach to my kiddos so we can sing it to start off school assemblies! Thank you!

[@ukeplayalongs]

You are very welcome!

[@kungfu3229]

For a beginner hard as hell lol

[@ukeplayalongs]

Yes! While it can make the singing sound even stranger, don't forget that you can use the "gear icon" on KZbin to slow down a video and preserve the pitch.

[@emilybenages6515]

I was so happy to find this. Many of the play along songs become too easy once you have been playing for a minute. Cdim7 is one of my absolute favorite chords😂

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks! When you’re ready, go tackle “When She Loved Me.”

[@catherinequigley6376]

i see you with your adorable little bouncy cursors changing for all the different characters!!! amazing!

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks for noticing the details!

[@miles5786]

For y’all struggling: slow it downnn! Or practice the chords without the music. It helps for me so much so after an hour or two of trying I can play the song completely

[@ukeplayalongs]

Glad to hear it!

[@wallflora]

I couldn't find a good fingerstyle tab, but this is just as fun to play!

[@ukeplayalongs]

I've seen tab of the song in a few places; I'm a singer so the ukulele usually acts as accompaniment for me.

[@sabrinaguilherme114]

DDU

[@matiashidalgo]

this is great!!.thank you so much!

[@ukeplayalongs]

You are very welcome!

[@lolno6665]

I AM SOOO HAPPY I FOUND THIS thanks dude it's Soo much easier!!

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thank you. I have a tutorial video and personal sing-along of this song on my other channel...kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXPeWBudtaNpsk

[@aliciabarger1934]

What a fun song! It's sooooo challenging. I've been teaching myself to play the ukulele (I started on April 1st!) Your videos are great!

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks for the nice comments. I have a bunch of friends who also make videos, such as Ukulaliens and Andy Ramos, if you haven't seen their work. We have a master list of songs...which I need to update...which is available at ukeplayalongs.com

[@zuneraatiq6324]

song brings back memories

[@ukeplayalongs]

Yep!

[@willEyeAmm]

Iconic

[@noram6780]

C dim 7 is VERY fun!!![ To play ]

[@kyliecoomes217]

Such a good song👍👍

[@ukeplayalongs]

Agreed!

[@technicaleq725]

love this video come back to it daily , challenged myself to learn it without turning the speed down

[@ukeplayalongs]

I love to hear that! Best wishes to you!

[@roxiethecockapoo1138]

I find DDU works for most of the songs. For the longer parts, (such as the two chords on 1:24), you can either repeat DDU if you prefer, or DDUUDU also works.

[@matthewhubbard2584]

Thanks a lot! Perfect tempo for me!

[@ukeplayalongs]

You are very welcome!

[@juliaa259]

For anyone struggling to learn this song, I’ve been repeating this song over and over again trying to learn it. First step get the chords down. Second step get the chords down with a single strum strumming pattern. Then once you are satisfied you can put in your own strumming pattern and boom you learned the song.

[@ukeplayalongs]

Yep! Don’t worry about strumming!

[@enigma5177]

The intro chord transitions at tempo from Am to Cdim7 then from C to D#dim to Dm tried to kill me at first three days ago...but what doesnt kill me makes me stronger...one hour a day three days later and ALOT of self-inflicted snickering at the audacity of a relative beginner like to even try this and I'M ALIVE!!!....SUCH a fun learning experience...now to sing the lyrics without offending anyone....😆...THANK YOU for this👍😁👍

[@ukeplayalongs]

You are very welcome!

[@biamano8578]

D-DU D-DU sounds good 👍

[@ukeplayalongs]

Whatever works for you!

[@p00f_01]

NOT ME WAITING TO LEARN THIS TO SHOW MY CLASS😎

[@ukeplayalongs]

It works very well on ukulele!

[@RogerKnottFayle]

Great. Slightly challenging. Excellent song.RN is a deceptive songwriter where the chords are not as simple as the sound at first.

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks. It’s further challenged by the need for a key change to make it somewhat accessible to more players on ukulele. Not too long ago, someone took exception to the chords I had used-but I left things the way they were.

[@patricelemee5558]

I realize it's a couple years old but just in case somebody is still watching, is there a printable version of this somewhere? Thanks.

[@ukeplayalongs]

Reach out to me via the e-mail that is listed on the contact area of this channel!

[@phyllismorris94]

This song is wonderful but not doable for me with my 15 months of ukulele practice. My pinky is too weak. I am not able to use it to make a chord. But, I am pleased that I just learned to play "Blue Bayou" on ukulele in the easy chord of C. I substitute C7 for the undoable Caug9 in the one spot it is used.😮

[@ukeplayalongs]

Yes, this is a more difficult song. You might want to visit ukeability.org to search for play along videos that you can play with the chords you know.

[@thelunarwolf9060]

This video saving me gonna play this lovely song for a friends graduation

[@ukeplayalongs]

That's a lovely choice. Just don't sing, "When she loved me" from Toy Story 2 (That play along posted a couple of weeks ago).

[@thelunarwolf9060]

ukeplayalongs yeah that would be interesting although I’d love to learn it but one song at a time

[@gcjoy1]

Well thank you very much you know Dennis is not here but he really does like this song you’ve got friend me my fiance really loves it ❤

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks!

[@kkaraboo8]

i subd to you because of this song

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks!

[@reni_ayv]

E7 and C dim7: yoo My fingers: oh sheesh My brain: how the heccc am I supposed to do this Me: **sweating intensifies**

[@ukeplayalongs]

Don’t forget about the gear icon in the lower right hand corner of the KZbin video window. You can slow down a song so it is easier to practice.

[@reni_ayv]

@@ukeplayalongs yeah ik about that but it doesn't work for me cause I cant watch videos on my phone so I have to watch them on my TV (I connect my phone to my TV) so that's why I can't slow it down KZbin is just broken

[@sennapels5307]

I did it in two times so actually its Really easy and cdim7 isnt that hard.. Thank you!❤️

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thank you and congrats!

[@sennapels5307]

ukeplayalongs just A question.. what is the hardest song on your channel to play?

[@LMNevada]

I have struggled with the Cdim7 for several months, can't figure anyway to get it in this piece. Finally use a bar chord and away I go. More than one way to get it on tempo;

[@ukeplayalongs]

I have a tutorial for this on my other channel if you want to take a look. It’s an older video in a different style than what I do now.

[@LMNevada]

d7

[@anneseah7867]

Like it

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks!

[@user-kl6mr8qj2u]

Where i can find the tabs? I didnt find in the discription.

[@ukeplayalongs]

I generally don't offer a chord sheet for the videos. On my new videos I am offering tutorial notes (not the same thing). I did eventually make one for this video, but I'm a little hesitant to make it public. I made a tutorial video for this play along, and the copyright holder claimed my performance of the song...

[@miles5786]

Yes this is years old but do you have a recommended strumming pattern?

[@ukeplayalongs]

I have a full tutorial for this. My tutorials have changed a lot...but what I taught still works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXPeWBudtaNpsk Because this channel cannot be monetized, I put all of my "own" material on my second site.

[@joaquina.5695]

i just started and i already got lost ☠️ ITS FUN THO

[@ukeplayalongs]

You can slow it down with the gear icon.

[@caryssa5806]

love this but that c dim7 lawdd

[@ukeplayalongs]

You'll get it with practice!

[@piamatsuno3883]

@ukeplayalongs it is kinda hard to play is there any way you can make a simplified version?

[@ukeplayalongs]

Not if you want it to sync with the audio.

[@piamatsuno3883]

@@ukeplayalongs that's all right I've been practicing anyway

[@roxiethecockapoo1138]

Word of advice: Do not attempt in 2x speed. As fun as it looks...it's impossible 😳

[@okangel]

I'm 7 months late, but it's really not that hard. As long as you can quickly change the chords and are creative with the strumming pattern, it becomes pretty fast but playable!

[@juanmelendez7372]

I got some of it right but not really much

[@ukeplayalongs]

You can always slow it down with the gear icon! There are a lot of chords.

[@camilagarcia5406]

I see that everyone has a hard time with C dim7 and it's strange because it's so easy for me. Of course I do not say that it is for everyone but with practice it is achieved 😉

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks for the positive advice!

[@bradhamilton1518]

I think the second chord of the verse is a G+

[@ukeplayalongs]

That certainly works. It's too bad that KZbin doesn't allow us to update videos.

[@worldwidewebofwillowsweird722]

if anyone is having trouble with C dim, just play D# dim

[@ukeplayalongs]

I'm not sure that would sound right...but, whatever works for you!

[@piamatsuno3883]

Me: Ooh... I love this song! C dim 7: hahaha I am so hard I will defeat you! Me: uh-oh....

[@ukeplayalongs]

It’s a sign to practice more.

[@piamatsuno3883]

@@ukeplayalongs yeah... guess so

[@Aer2002_]

How should I strum this?

[@ukeplayalongs]

You can check out what I did here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXPeWBudtaNpsk

[@Aer2002_]

Thanks

[@theuker3102]

❤

[@ukeplayalongs]

Glad you like it!

[@annanovitasetyarini5825]

Let me ask permission to use this cover to be music background of school's footage. Thank you.

[@ukeplayalongs]

I don’t own copyright, if you look at the video-on any of the music on this channel. So I cannot grant you permission to use it. If you want to use it, Disney will simply claim the content and attach ads to your video and then take all revenue (well, what KZbin sends them). This channel earns no revenue and cannot be monetized because of the play along music.

[@yannekephilips9717]

What's the strumming pattern and stuff please?

[@reginaramirez4842]

D D U U D U

[@ukeplayalongs]

Please note that there is a tutorial video linked in this video (in a card) as well as the clickable link in the description, talking about how to play the song.

[@devakigarrido956]

I don’t find it

[@hayleystephens9246]

Hii what’s the strumming pattern ? :))

[@ukeplayalongs]

I have a tutorial--in a very different style than I make today--on my sister channel, KZbin.com/ukestuff, if you would like to see it. Generally D DU D DU, in a shuffle, works well fr me.

[@hayleystephens9246]

ukeplayalongs thanks so much

[@dcuti5539]

Dud I am soooo good at this

[@ukeplayalongs]

I can't tell...is that sarcasm or a comment of proud achievement? 😄

[@angiechoi2312]

lol is there a music sheet with the lyrics and the notes

[@ukeplayalongs]

Not from this generation. New songs are added to Ukutabs.com eventually.

[@jeffersonferry9842]

Whats the struming pattern?

[@ukeplayalongs]

I generally play D DU D DU. I have a full tutorial on my other channel, KZbin.com/ukestuff

[@definitelynotsolidsnake]

the video wasnt loading for a bit, so I clicked off tab and I got a giant scare because my volume was all the way up

[@ukeplayalongs]

Sorry!

[@definitelynotsolidsnake]

@@ukeplayalongs its ok, I enjoyed the video non the less!

[@ttoommxxmmoott]

What is the strum?

[@ukeplayalongs]

There’s a full tutorial on this channel’s sister channel, UkeStuff, if you want to look for it.

[@ljacebro.n]

I dont know how to play the ukulele but i just watched this

[@ukeplayalongs]

Thanks for watching. Maybe it's a sign that you need to learn how to play ukulele?

[@Laylacosmic]

I can't play c dim7 omfg

[@ukeplayalongs]

The great part about the dim7 chords is that 2 of the 3 versions (in the first position on the ukulele) have the same exact shape (e.g. 1212) and diminished 7th chords have (at least 4 different names each (check out ukebuddy.com for an example). And you can then play diminished chords all the way up the neck of the ukulele (it's a movable chord shape). So, if you have to play a diminished chord, and you can't remember which is which, you can try one of the 3 basic shapes (0101, 1212, 2323) and if you're wrong, you can quickly change (making it sound like jazz). So it's a good shape to learn. Keep at it.

[@kieransavage210]

If you play g chord, one string down and add your pinky on the third fret, I find it easier to think about

[@planethemp4902]

@@kieransavage210 WOAH ... BAM ... Thank you!

[@yanmarcosnieves7966]

pretty good but really hard

[@ukeplayalongs]

Keep practicing...you'll get it. Sorry about the sound of the voice...it is transposed to be easier to play on ukulele!

[@rippeter1965]

Anyone got a idea for good strumming pattern?

[@ukeplayalongs]

DDUDDU

[@viperbite3086]

Ads for “educational only”

[@ukeplayalongs]

Just so you know...this channel is NOT monetized and cannot be monetized. There are a few of us making these videos, and we are allowed to use the original music through agreements between the copyright holders and KZbin...but the copyright holders are allowed to place ads and track data on the videos. As creators, we don't see a cent from it, but the ukulele world gets free material to use (to be honest, out of our personal labor and time) with the cost being ads that run before or in the video. For the end user, I think that's a pretty good trade-off vs. not being able to use the music at all (which was the old way things happened on KZbin)

[@Whoos_chely]

the cdmi 7 is a pain🤯🥺😂

[@ukeplayalongs]

Practice makes permanent!

[@adityawahyuningtyas]

Hahaha so im not the only one being kicked in the ass by that Cdim7 😂😂

[@ukeplayalongs]

It’s a useful chord; you can play it with a barre chord, but I find it easier with all four fingers.

[@adityawahyuningtyas]

@@ukeplayalongs yahh, tried that already. And you're right, it's easier with all fingers 😂

[@emilyguerra9067]

Is there a strumming pattern or is it all strumming down at the beat?

[@ukeplayalongs]

i have a tutorial on my sister channel of this one. It's an old tutorial at this point...they've changed a lot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmXPeWBudtaNpsk

[@choweepets4707]

Everyone is complaining about the C dim7 but for me a D chord is harder... 😂 just me?

[@ukeplayalongs]

There are a few ways to go about the D chord. I play it like a G7 in the space of one fret...which also allows for a change to A or A7 pretty easily (very common with D).

[@choweepets4707]

Thanks so much!

[@jarjarv6568]

Dude it’s so fast, I can’t keep up

[@ukeplayalongs]

It is at the original tempo. Use the gear icon in the KZbin window to slow it down.

[@1442GlennLane]

Vocals are muffled....shame.

[@ukeplayalongs]

That’s the natural result of lowering the pitch-C is the easiest key to approach the song. If you like, you can put a Capo at the 3rd fret and play the same chords there and be in the same key as the original.