Log In My Account Join Upgrade Premium VIP Beta Tester Free Trial
Menu Search Join VIP Beta Tester Premium
 

Home ❯ Songs ❯ Jimmy Buffett ❯

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

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 298 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

Browse Related Lessons

Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Recently Added
Most Popular
Beginner-Friendly
Browse by Artist
Browse by Song Title
Browse by Song Year
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

Featured Courses

Guitar for Beginners

A guide to getting started with guitar! Everything you need to know to begin your journey. Choosing a guitar, other gear you'll need, fretting notes & chords, learning your first songs, and more.

14 lessons

View

Beginner Chord Guide

A guide to the must-know chords you'll need when getting started with guitar! The quickest way to learn major chords, minor chords, the chords in each key, and more.

22 lessons

View

Reading Music for Guitarists

Learn to read tabs, chord charts, fretboard diagrams, strumming patterns, and more! This course explains how to understand all of these must-know notation styles.

6 lessons

View

Blues Starter Kit

A guide to must-know elements of beginner blues guitar! I'll walk you through the essential topics, showing you fun things to play along the way.

18 lessons

View
Christmas Songbook
Strumming & Rhythm
Learning Lead Guitar
Fingerstyle & Travis Picking
Practical Music Theory
Major Keys
Minor Keys
Double Stops
Diagonal Pentatonics
Walk Ups & Walk Downs
Using a Capo
CAGED Shapes
Practice Tips
Barre Chords

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Interactive fretboard map! See the patterns behind every scale in any key.

View

Capo Captain

An easy way to calculate key & chord combinations, for any capo location!

View

Key Master

See and hear the notes, chords, scales used in each of the most common keys.

View

Blank Tabs

Free PDF templates to download, print, and write out your own guitar tabs!

View

Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!

Recent Lessons

  • Dec 19, 2025

    "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues

    Learn how to play this 1987 Christmas classic from The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl. This isn't one I knew of until a few years back, when several Song Notes members sent it in. It's now one of my all-time favorites, and I'm excited to share it with you today.

  • Dec 12, 2025

    "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole

    Chestnuts roasting on an open fire begins this all-timer of a Christmas tune... which I'll teach you to play! My lesson includes a simplified arrangement, as well — for those of you who want to avoid barre chords.

  • Dec 4, 2025

    "If I Needed You" by Emmylou Harris & Don Williams

    After many member requests, I'm happy to share my step-by-step lesson for this fingerstyle classic from Townes Van Zandt (taught in the style of Emmylou).

  • Nov 21, 2025

    Learn to Play "Hey Joe", Step-by-Step

    Let's dive into this classic from the 1960s! I teach an acoustic version inspired by Billy Roberts, who first recorded this song in 1962 (a few years before Hendrix). Tons of fun!

  • Nov 15, 2025

    Songs Using the One-Four-Five Chords

    A round-up of all the song lessons I've made using the most common chords in any major key: the one, four, and five! Including a new 3-page PDF guide, which will help you recognize the 1-4-5 chords at a glance.

  • October 31, 2025

    "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" by The Hollies

    Learn to riff & strum along with this 1971 classic from The Hollies! The intro in particular is some of the most fun I've had learning a new riff in quite some time.

  • October 24, 2025

    "Dust in the Wind" Intro Fingerstyle, Step-by-Step

    I break down the 16 measure introduction to this all-time classic from Kansas, walking you through things step-by-step. Whether you want something simple or advanced, I've got you covered.

  • Oct 18, 2025

    "America" by Simon & Garfunkel

    Learn to play this 1968 hit from S&G's Bookends album. Pure key of C goodness, with some of the most fun & beautiful walkdowns you'll find on acoustic guitar.

  • Oct 8, 2025

    Rhythm Deep-Dive: "Wild World" by Cat Stevens

    I answer an audience question about tempo, counting, and beats per minute (BPM) — with a spceific look at this classic from Cat Stevens. Is it played at 75bpm or 150bpm? I explain how both can work, depending on how you strum.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

← back to homepage