Five Halloween Riffs and Intros

Here’s a selection of short Halloween-suitable bits and pieces for you to work up for the big day.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

A post shared by @ukulelehunt on Oct 16, 2017 at 12:18pm PDT

Those chord stabs are so great. Instantly recognisable even on ukulele. The bass line is a bit ridiculous on uke though!

Buy it on iTunes

Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams

A post shared by @ukulelehunt on Oct 22, 2017 at 10:39am PDT

This is a supremely creepy song. The riff is in C minor but uses an Ab note (an augmented fifth) which creates the uneasy, dissonant feel.

Buy it on iTunes

Charlie Daniels Band – The Devil Went Down to Georgia

A post shared by @ukulelehunt on Oct 19, 2017 at 11:12am PDT

This is hellish to play on ukulele. If the devil were challenging me he’d definitely get my soul. You’re going to have to put in a lot of practice if you want that golden ukulele.

Buy it on iTunes

Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper

A post shared by @ukulelehunt on Oct 20, 2017 at 9:07am PDT

I was expecting this one to transfer to uke more easily than it does. It’s a bit fiddly to play (make sure you move your hand down the fretboard for the A-string, 5th fret or you’ll be stranded) and it requires a capo at the fifth fret.

Buy it on iTunes

Harry Belafonte – Jump in the Line (from Beetlejuice)

A post shared by @ukulelehunt on Oct 13, 2017 at 10:19am PDT

Jump in the Line was originally written by calypso legend Lord Kitchener and first recorded by Woody Herman. But it was Lord Flea’s mento version that Harry Belafonte took inspiration from. Belafonte popularised the song and it got another boost when it was used in the iconic scene from Beetlejuice.

Buy it on iTunes