How to Play Riptide Ukulele Chords: Strumming Pattern, and Tips

The chords are Am, G, and C which repeat for most of the song, there is also an F in the song, we'll take a look at all of them. It mostly follows a down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern. One thing to point out is that Vance uses a capo on the first fret on the album version but plays it without a capo live.

As an Aussie teacher, you'd be right in thinking that Riptide is a common request for the Ukulele. I personally have a love/hate relationship with it but it's a great song to learn. If you're looking to learn how to play it on the ukulele, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll break down the ukulele chords riptide contains, the strumming pattern, and some tips for playing the song just like Vance Joy himself.

What are the chords for Riptide?

The chords for "Riptide" are relatively simple. The song mostly uses Am, G, and C, with a few F chords thrown in later on. Vance Joy plays the song with a capo on the first fret on the album version but as I mentioned, he plays it without a capo live. Here's a chord chart to help you follow along:

If you're new to reading chord charts, check out our guide on how to read guitar and ukulele chord charts.

Check out at the bottom of the article for the Full riptide chords and tab!

Variations in the Strumming pattern

While the main strumming pattern is fairly consistent throughout the song, there are some variations to be aware of:

• Intro: The song starts with two down strums on the Am chord, followed by a quick up-down-up.
  

• Verse: In the verses, you can mix up the strumming a bit to create some variation. For example, Vance throws extra strums on the eighth notes occasionally live.
  

• Chorus: The strumming pattern in the chorus is more staccato than the rest of the song. You'll do a quick down-up-down on each chord, followed by a short pause before moving on to the next chord. It has some muted strums in there. Check out the video as its slightly more difficult to master!
  

The strumming pattern for "Riptide" follows a down-down-up-down-up pattern, as you can see above. The numbers are the count and the dots are the "and" beats, also known as the off beats. The tricky part is getting the timing right, especially at the faster tempo of around 150-155 bpm.

When to Change Ukulele Chords Riptide

Here's an example of the first verse and first chords, with the chords above the word you would change chords on. This is common online to allow you to sing along while playing once you can play all those chords without looking! Check out at the bottom for the Full riptide chords and tab!

Tips for Playing "Riptide" on Ukulele

Here are a few additional tips to help you play "Riptide" like a pro:

• Use stickers to help you find the right placement for the G chord. Many beginners find this chord tricky at first.

• Start by practicing the song at a slower tempo and gradually work your way up to the full speed.

• Concentrate on getting the timing of the strumming first, don't stop if you make a mistake, and try and pick it back up in the next bar.

• If you're playing along with the album version, make sure to use a capo on the first fret.

What is the original tuning for Riptide?

Riptide is in standard ukulele tuning - GCEA. On the studio version of the song, Vance plays it with a capo on the first fret (half a step higher) than he usually plays it live.

Resources for Learning Ukulele

If you're just starting out on the ukulele, "Riptide" may seem a bit daunting. But with practice and some guidance, you can master the song and become a skilled ukulele player. Here are some resources to help you get started:

1. Ukulele Tabs - This website offers tabs for "Riptide" and thousands of other songs, making it easy to follow along with the chords and lyrics.

2. Ukulele Tricks - This website offers courses and tutorials for ukulele players of all levels, from beginners to advanced players. They also offer a free eBook with ukulele tips and tricks.

3. YouTube - There are countless ukulele tutorials on YouTube, including several for "Riptide." Watching and following along with a video can be a helpful way to learn the song.

4. Private Lessons - If you're struggling to learn "Riptide" independently, consider taking private lessons with a ukulele teacher. They can offer personalized guidance and help you improve your playing skills.

With these resources and plenty of practice, you'll be playing "Riptide" like a pro in no time.

"Riptide" by Vance Joy is a catchy and fun song on the ukulele, pretty hard to sing though! With just four chords and a moderately simple strumming pattern, it's accessible to even beginner players. Mastering the down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern and practicing the variations can add interest and dynamics to your playing. And with the right resources and plenty of practice, you can become a skilled ukulele player and add "Riptide" to your repertoire. Don't forget to check out a couple of videos of Vance playing it to see how he changes the vibe!

Some other things you might enjoy!

Somewhere over the Rainbow for Ukulele

Harry Potter for the Guitar and Ukulele

Guitar vs Ukulele

Seven Nation Army Tabs - Guitar and Drums

Riptide Chords - Play along!

[Am] I was scared of [G] dentists and the [C] dark,
[Am] I was scared of [G] pretty girls and [C] starting conversations,
[Am] Oh all my [G] friends are turning [C] green,
[Am] You're the magicians [G] assistant in their [C] dreams.

Ah [Am] Ooh, [G] ooh [C] ooh Ah [Am] Ooh,
[G] ooh and they [C]* come unstuck

[Am] Lady, [G] running down to the [C] riptide,
[C] Taken away to the [Am] dark side, [G] I wanna be your [C] left hand man.
[Am] I love you [G] when you're singing that [C] song and,
[C] I got a lump in my [Am] throat 'cause [G] You're gonna sing the words [C] wrong

[Am] There's this movie [G] that I think you'll [C] like,
[Am] This guy decides to [G] quit his job and [C] heads to New York City,
[Am] This cowboy's [G] running from [C] himself.
[Am] And she's been living [G] on the highest [C] shelf

Ah [Am] Ooh, [G] ooh [C] ooh Ah [Am] Ooh, [G] ooh and they [C]* come unstuck

[Am] Lady, [G] running down to the [C] riptide,
[C] Taken away to the [Am] dark side, [G] I wanna be your [C] left hand man.
[Am] I love you [G] when you're singing that [C] song and,
[C] I got a lump in my [Am] throat 'cause [G] You're gonna sing the words [C] wrong

[Am] I just wanna, I just wanna [G] know,
[C] If you're gonna, if you're gonna [F] stay,
[Am] I just gotta, I just gotta [G] know,
[C] I can't have it, I can't have it [F] any other way

[Am] I swear she's [G] destined for the [C] screen,
[Am] Closest thing to [G] Michelle Pfeiffer [C] that you've ever seen, oh

[Am] Lady, [G] running down to the [C] riptide,
[C] Taken away to the [Am] dark side, [G] I wanna be your [C] left hand man.
[Am] I love you [G] when you're singing that [C] song and,
[C] I got a lump in my [Am] throat 'cause [G] You're gonna sing the words [C] wrong

[C] I got a lump in my [Am] throat [G] 'cause you're gonna sing the words [C] wrong.