Margaritaville (ukuele)

by Jimmy Buffett • Lesson #19 • May 25, 2016

About this lesson

Here’s an ukulele lesson teaching you how to play Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett. I’m a huge Buffett fan, and when learning the uke I fell in love with playing this song. I think ukulele tuning actually works quite well for capturing the vibe of the intro riff, which I’ve included tabs for. Enjoy!

Looking for a Margaritaville Guitar Lesson?

I’ve got one! Check out lesson #598, linked below. This lesson includes a link to a suggested lyric & chord sheet, if that’s what you’re after.

How to Play "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett

★ Instructional PDF

Ukuele Chords used

This song needs only three chords. They are:

----0----   ----2----   ----0----
----2----   ----3----   ----0----
----2----   ----2----   ----1----
----2----   ----0----   ----2----
    D           G           A

While you can add variations to the above chords as you please, the most common variations you’ll want to practice are these:

----0----   ----3----
----2----   ----2----
----0----   ----2----
----2----   ----2----
    D7          D7

Strumming Pattern

At the very least, you’ll want to emphasize the 2nd and 4th beat. D = down-strum, > = accent.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
    D       D
    >       >

Taking it a step further, use the common D-DU-UDU pattern, while continuing to emphasize the 2nd and 4th beat. U = up-strum.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
D   D U   U D U
    >       >

Finally, you can add a chunky muted strum to the 2nd and 4th beat (indicated by the x below). These continue to be down-strums, but are further emphasized via the chunky & muted strum.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
D   x U   U x U
    >       >

Intro tab

Here’s the tab of the intro melody. Note, I’m also showing the implied chords to be played with each measure. I recommend you move your hands into these chord positions first, and figure out how to play the melodic notes second.

---0--0--0-----0-----0--0--0-----0------2--2--2--0------------
---2--------3--------3--------3---------0-----------3-----2---
---2-----------------2------------------1-----------------2---
---2-----------------0------------------2-----------------2---
   D                 G                  A                 D

                                  ...then, stay on D for a bit

Other strumming fills

Base “D” verse strum / “Nibblin’ on sponge cake…”

---0-------------0----0-------------0----0---
---2-------------0----2-------------3----2---
---2-------------2----2-------------2----2---
---2-------------2----2-------------2----2---
   D           Dsus2  D           Dsus4  D

Base “A” strum / “…Strummin’ my six string…”

---0----------0--------0-----
---0----------3--2-----0-----
---1----------1-----0--0h1---
---2----------2--------2-----
   A          A7       A

Transition into chorus / “D” strum within chorus

---0-------------0----0-------------0----0---
---2-------------3----2-------------3----2---
---2-------------2----2-------------2----0---
---2-------------2----2-------------2----2---
   D           Dsus4  D           Dsus4  D7

Chorus ending / “But I know, it’s my own damn fault”

---0---2--0-----------0--0----------
---0---------3--------2-----3--2----
---1------------------2-------------
---2------------------2-------------
   A                  D

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Margaritaville (ukuele)

About this lesson

Looking for a Margaritaville Guitar Lesson?

Ukuele Chords used

Strumming Pattern

Intro tab

Other strumming fills

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Browse Related Lessons

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Guitar for Beginners

Beginner Chord Guide

Reading Music for Guitarists

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Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

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Key Master

Blank Tabs

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Recent Lessons