Best Easy Fake Book for Ukulele (2026): 5 Picks

For a player who wants familiar songs without a teacher at the elbow, the best easy fake book for ukulele is a songbook with melody, lyrics and chords in friendly keys. This list compares fake books and songbooks for standard and baritone ukulele, plus a book for young beginners and a big general collection. The picks below are ranked by fit for easy playing, contents and value.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Uke Fake Book by Leonard	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Daily Uke Leap Year by Beloff	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Daily Uke Baritone by Beloff	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Pop Songs for Kids by Leonard	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Fake Book for C by Leonard	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Uke Fake Book by Leonard

Hal Leonard Corp.·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A spiral-bound fake book with over 400 songs arranged with melody, lyrics and chord diagrams in standard G-C-E-A tuning, for beginners and advanced players alike.

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Pros

• Over 400 songs with melody, lyrics and chord diagrams
• Spiral-bound edition in a compact 5.5 by 8.5 inch size
• Suits beginners and advanced players per the listing

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• No chord chart section stated
• No baritone tuning option stated

2

Daily Uke Leap Year by Beloff

Jim Beloff·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A spiral-bound songbook with 366 songs, one for every day of the year including February 29, with melody, lyrics and chord grids in ukulele-friendly keys, plus a Ukulele 101 introduction and chord chart.

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Pros

• 366 songs, one for every day including February 29
• Melody, lyrics and chord grids in ukulele-friendly keys
• Spiral binding lets pages lie flat, plus Ukulele 101 and chord chart

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• February 1, 2018 publication date
• No baritone tuning option stated

3

Daily Uke Baritone by Beloff

Jim Beloff·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A spiral-bound fake book with 365 songs in DGBE tuning for baritone ukulele, with melody, lyrics and chord grids and a Ukulele 101 section.

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Pros

• 365 songs for baritone ukulele
• DGBE chord grids for baritone tuning
• Spiral-bound format with Ukulele 101 section

Cons

• Baritone DGBE tuning only, not standard G-C-E-A
• No reading age or grade level stated
• February 1, 2018 publication date

4

Pop Songs for Kids by Leonard

Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A songbook of 30 pop favorites arranged in simple chords and lyrics for young beginners learning their first songs.

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Pros

• 30 pop favorites in simple chords and lyrics
• Written for young beginners and early learners
• 104 pages, a short book for first songs

Cons

• Only 30 songs, the fewest in this list
• No reading age or grade level stated
• No spiral binding stated

5

Fake Book for C by Leonard

Hal Leonard Corp.·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A spiral-bound fake book with over 1200 songs arranged with melody, chord symbols and complete lyrics for C instruments, in its fifth edition.

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Pros

• Over 1200 songs with melody, chord symbols and complete lyrics
• Fifth edition, spiral-bound for stage, studio or classroom
• 808 pages, the largest collection in this list

Cons

• Arranged for C instruments, not ukulele-specific
• No ukulele chord grids stated
• February 1, 1994 publication date, the oldest here

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More picks to compare

• Daily Ukulele To Go by BeloffFor players who want 365 songs in a portable 5.5 by 8.5 inch size.Check on Amazon
• 21 Easy Songs for UkuleleFor players who want 21 easy tunes in 48 pages.Check on Amazon
• It's Ukulele Time by ManusFor beginners learning the basics with melodies and lyrics included.Check on Amazon
• 31 Easy Ukulele Songs by HacheFor kids and adults learning with TABs, chords and strumming patterns.Check on Amazon
• Ukulele Song Book OneFor adults and children: 25 folk and traditional songs with lyrics and chord tabs.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five picks lists a reading age or grade level.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best easy fake book for ukulele

Match the tuning to the ukulele

Standard ukulele books use G-C-E-A tuning, and the Leap Year Edition and the 632-page fake book name it. The Baritone Edition uses DGBE tuning instead, so it fits a baritone ukulele rather than a standard one.

Check the song count against the goal

A daily book suits a player who wants a new song every day: the Leap Year Edition holds 366 songs and the Baritone Edition holds 365. A first book suits a player who wants a short start: Pop Songs for Kids holds 30 songs. For a first book, see the best ukulele book for beginners picks and the best music books for ukulele lists.

Check the binding and the edition date

Spiral binding lets pages lie flat: the Leap Year Edition, the Baritone Edition and the 632-page fake book are all spiral-bound. Edition dates run from February 1, 1994 for the C instruments book to January 1, 2020 for the 632-page fake book and Pop Songs for Kids.

Before you buy

• Check the edition date: the picks run from February 1, 1994 to January 1, 2020.
• Check the tuning: standard books use G-C-E-A, while the Baritone Edition uses DGBE.
• Check the binding: spiral-bound books lie flat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a beginner start?

Start with a book that names beginners in its listing, like the Leap Year Edition, which includes a Ukulele 101 introduction and chord chart, or Pop Songs for Kids, which uses simple chords and lyrics.

Does a baritone ukulele use the same book?

No. Standard books use G-C-E-A tuning, while the Baritone Edition uses DGBE tuning, so match the book to the instrument.

Which book has the most songs?

The C instruments fake book lists over 1200 songs, but it is arranged for C instruments, not ukulele. Among the ukulele books, the 632-page fake book lists over 400 songs.

Still deciding? Our top pickUke Fake Book by Leonard

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Related lists

See every Workbooks and Homeschool list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: best ukulele book for beginners, best music books for ukulele, homeschool curriculum.