Count on Me by Bruno Mars is an ideal starter song for ukulele players because it pairs slow tempo with a handful of open chords, steady harmonic motion, and a sing-along melody you can learn quickly.
Why Bruno Mars’ Count on Me is a perfect beginner ukulele song (easy chords, steady tempo)
The tempo sits around a relaxed 76–84 BPM, which gives you time to place each chord without rushing.
The harmony uses mostly open-position chords — think C, Am, F, G and simple minor variations — so you can use familiar fingerings and focus on timing and singing.
The song repeats short, predictable progressions, so you practice the same changes over and over and see fast improvement.
Tabs commonly use the keys C, G and Bb to match different vocal ranges: C is singer-friendly for most altos, G raises the overall pitch for lighter voices, and Bb lets lower voices sing comfortably while keeping simple shapes with a capo.
Clear, printable ukulele tabs and chord chart for Count on Me (Bruno Mars)
Core chords and quick diagrams (GCEA string order; 0 = open, numbers = fret):
C = 0003 · Am = 2000 · F = 2010 · G = 0232 · Em = 0402 · G7 = 0212
Suggested capo positions: no capo for C, capo 2 for D (if you need brighter sound), capo 5 for G-sounding shapes if you want to keep simple shapes while singing higher.
Printable tab snippet for the intro (basic arpeggio, in C):
A|———0—–0–|
E|——0—–0—–|
C|—0————–|
G|0—————–|
Basic chord chart for verse/chorus (one bar each, repeat):
| C | Em | Am | F |
Provide a printable PDF of this chord chart and the full tab on your lesson page or as a downloadable sheet to keep on hand while you practice.
Step-by-step chord progression walk-through for verse, chorus, and bridge
Verse pattern (steady, one-bar changes) — common version: C — Em — Am — F. Change on the downbeat of each bar; keep bass note steady on string G or C to smooth motion.
Chorus pattern — typical play: C — G — Am — F. Move from C to G using the open G shape (0232) for a full tone that supports the vocal hook.
Bridge suggestions — many tabs simplify to: Em — F — C — G repeated with a softer dynamic, then build back to the chorus.
Alternate voicings to smooth switches: slide your F from 2010 to a partial F (x-0-1-0) to avoid big moves; use Em7 (0202) instead of Em to keep the upper strings ringing and make C→Em7→Am transitions cleaner.
Simple strumming patterns and rhythm options that match the recorded feel
Pattern A — Beginner down-stroke (count: 1 2 3 4): Down, Down, Down, Down (one chord per bar). Use this to lock timing.
Pattern B — Basic down-up groove (count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &): D – D U – U D U. Accent beats 1 and 3 for the mellow pocket.
Pattern C — Island-style relaxed pattern (count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &): D – D U – U D U with a slightly muted slap on beat 3 for percussive feel; keep hand loose and use wrist motion.
Right-hand tips: keep a light thumb or felt pick for warmer tone; palm-mute slightly on the downstrums to reproduce the soft recorded vibe; vary dynamics between verse (soft) and chorus (a bit louder).
Play the vocal melody on ukulele: single-note tabs and easy fingerstyle arrangement
Chorus hook single-note tab (key of C) — compact and playable on one octave; read strings as GCEA left to right:
A|–0-0-2-3-2-0—0-|
E|——————-|
C|——————-|
G|——————-|
Simple fingerstyle pattern for whole-song accompaniment (arpeggio pattern, repeat per chord): Thumb on C or G string, index on E, middle on A; pluck T-I-M-I for steady motion.
Combine melody with chords by playing the melody note on the A or E string while keeping the chord tones ringing on C and G strings; target the melody on the higher strings and simplify bass notes when necessary.
Beginner-friendly simplified version vs full arrangement: which to choose
Start with the stripped-down three- or four-chord loop (C, Em, Am, F) and the basic down-stroke pattern; that gets you to a singable performance within hours.
Move to the full arrangement only after you lock the changes and rhythm; add arpeggios, the chorus melody, and optional harmony fills in stages.
If you plan to record or perform solo, add the melody or a simple bassline to fill space; for a group or duet, the stripped-down chord version often fits best.
Common chord substitutions and voicings to suit different vocal ranges
Swap Em for Em7 (0202) to add color and keep transitions smoother into Am.
Use G7 (0212) instead of G when you want a stronger pull back to C; G/B (0023 with thumb or partial finger) gives a descending bass feel between C and Am.
Transpose quickly by shifting all shapes up a step and adding a capo to maintain familiar fingering; prefer capo over barre chords for beginner-friendly singing.
Capo guide and transposition shortcuts for Count on Me
Quick capo rules: place the capo at the fret that lets you sing the melody comfortably while keeping simple chord shapes.
Common shifts (song originally often played in C):
– No capo: C shapes = song in C.
– Capo 2: play C shapes, sounds like D.
– Capo 3: play C shapes, sounds like Eb (useful to avoid Bb shapes).
– Capo 5: play C shapes, sounds like F — helpful for higher voices while using open shapes.
Transposition tip: move each chord up one semitone per fret; use a capo on the shortest move that brings the key into your comfortable singing range.
Troubleshooting: common mistakes and quick fixes when learning the tab
Muted strings: press closer to the fretwire, not in the middle of the fret, and keep thumb placement relaxed behind the neck.
Fuzzy fretting: lift excess tension in your left-hand wrist and use the pads of your fingers, arching cleanly over adjacent strings.
Sloppy strumming: practice the pattern slowly with a metronome, count out loud, and mute strings while drilling to focus on rhythm alone.
Timing issues: cut the song into two-bar sections and loop each until finger motion becomes automatic before increasing speed.
Practice plan: 7-day schedule to learn Count on Me on ukulele
Day 1 — Chord shapes only: 20 minutes switching between C, Em, Am, F at 60 BPM.
Day 2 — Strumming basics: 20 minutes with Pattern A and Pattern B at 70 BPM; add tempo increases in 2–5% steps.
Day 3 — Progression practice: play verse and chorus loops for 30 minutes; start soft, add dynamics.
Day 4 — Add melody: learn the chorus hook tab and play it slowly alongside the chords for 30 minutes.
Day 5 — Combine parts: alternate verse/chorus and practice transitions; record one run-through to identify weak spots.
Day 6 — Performance rehearsal: full song at target tempo (~80 BPM) with dynamics and at least three clean takes.
Day 7 — Dress rehearsal: simulate performance or video; focus on consistent tempo, clear vocals, and confident starts.
Creative variations and cover ideas for YouTube or live gigs (fingerstyle, harmony, capo hacks)
Fingerstyle solo: use a thumb-driven alternating bass on G/C strings and play melody on A/E for a full-sounding solo cover.
Duet idea: one player holds the chords with a soft island strum while a second doubles the chorus melody or sings harmony a third above.
Loop pedal approach: record a simple percussive strum loop, then layer a melody and harmony on top for a one-person-band effect.
Recording and performance tips for clean ukulele covers and videos
Mic placement: for small-body ukes, place a condenser mic about 8–12 inches from the 12th fret, angled toward the soundhole for balance; reduce proximity to avoid boominess.
If using a pickup, blend DI with a mic signal to retain body and detail; add a touch of high shelf and mild compression for vocal presence.
Performance cues: start with eye contact or a small count-in, use a consistent tempo device (click or metronome in-ear if needed), and end with a clean final chord to finish confidently.
Where to find legal backing tracks, printable tabs, and downloadable resources
Licensed backing track and sheet music providers: Hal Leonard, Musicnotes, Sheet Music Direct, and Karaoke-Version offer paid, legal downloads that match the song closely.
Free resources: look for official artist uploads or publisher-backed chord pages; avoid reposts that claim full tablature without rights.
Always prefer PDFs from established publishers or links to licensed chord/lyric sites when sharing tabs to avoid copyright issues.
Brief copyright and licensing basics for publishing tabs or uploading covers
Recording and posting a cover: streaming platforms and YouTube handle composition licensing differently; YouTube uses Content ID and publisher agreements but may still require claiming revenue or licensing.
Distributing recorded audio covers (downloads or streaming sales) typically requires a mechanical license; services such as Easy Song Licensing or other mechanical licensing agents can secure that right.
Publishing full tablature is riskier than linking to licensed chord sheets; creating and posting your own tablature can infringe unless you have permission from the rights holder.
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FAQ — quick, direct answers for high-intent queries
Is Count on Me easy on ukulele?
Yes. It uses mostly open chords played in slow time, which makes it highly accessible for beginners.
What chords do I need?
The basic set: C, Em, Am and F; optional colors: G or G7 and Em7 for smoother voice leading.
Can I play without a capo?
Absolutely. No capo is required to play the standard C key version, but use a capo to change pitch quickly for your vocal range.
