Spooky Strumming Made Simple at Musicmaker Dublin



Doooo come in........ out Ukulele's aren't haunted at all, promise.

October’s here, the nights are drawing in, and somewhere in the distance… a ukulele cackles.

There’s something wonderfully mischievous about playing spooky tunes on a ukulele — that bright, happy tone colliding with Halloween’s ghoulish spirit. Whether you’re planning a classroom sing-along, a costume party performance, or just want to freak out your neighbours with unexpected spooky cheer, these five easy Halloween songs will get you haunting in harmony.

And if your uke’s still missing a string or your tuner’s gone to the dark side, fear not — Musicmaker Dublin has everything from fresh Flight ukuleles to gig bags, capos, and tuners to keep your ghostly groove going strong.



A perfectly normal Friday night.

1. “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.

Who you gonna call? Four easy chords and you’re busting ghosts before the chorus hits. The upbeat rhythm suits the ukulele perfectly — keep your strumming light and snappy for that bouncy ‘80s energy.

Pro tip: Use a palm mute on the downstrokes to give it that punchy, percussive drive. Bonus points if you yell “GHOSTBUSTERS!” dramatically at your friends mid-song.




2. “Monster Mash” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett

It was a graveyard smash — and it’s a ukulele classic! These beginner-friendly chords make it perfect for kids or anyone looking to start their first spooky jam.

Use a swing strum to give it that campy, monster-movie groove. This one’s always a hit at Halloween parties — bonus if you can pull off a mad scientist voice for the verses.




3. “This Is Halloween” – The Nightmare Before Christmas

A touch trickier, but absolutely worth it. The ukulele brings a mischievous brightness to Danny Elfman’s dark carnival tune. Play it a little faster than the original and it sounds like something straight out of a Tim Burton luau.

Check out this sweet fingerstyle tutorial.




4 . “Thriller” – Michael Jackson

Yes, it works on uke. In fact, it slaps on uke. The groove stays strong with a simple down-up strum, and that iconic bass line can be faked with percussive muting on the lower strings.

Try layering in some simple percussion (like a shaker or a tapping friend) for full Halloween dancefloor energy. And if you can pull off the Vincent Price laugh? You win Halloween.

Here's a pretty darn comprehensive tutorial.




5. “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell

It’s funky, it’s paranoid, and it fits perfectly in the uke’s range. That looping chord pattern makes it easy to memorise, and the minor progression gives just enough spooky flavour to keep it in Halloween territory.

This one’s brilliant for group singalongs — easy to jam on, impossible not to bop along to.




BONUS TRACK by VASKO at UKULELECHEATS.COM!

And now, a little Irish Halloween bonus from one of our favourite uke legends — Vasko from UkuleleCheats.com

Vasko has a fantastic tutorial on “Zombie” by The Cranberries, and it’s the perfect moody anthem to add to your spooky setlist.

Simple chords, haunting melody, and just the right dose of Irish melancholy — ideal for strumming around the fire when the moon’s high and the ghosts are listening.

The song’s slow, pulsing rhythm fits beautifully on ukulele, and Vasko’s easy-to-follow breakdown will have you playing it in no time.

Want to see Vasko in person? Get you tickets to our exclusive clinic in Musicmaker on the 11th of November HERE.




Halloween Ukulele Essentials at Musicmaker Dublin


Come by Musicmaker Dublin this spooky season to get your uke Halloween-ready. Whether you’re performing at a party or serenading skeletons at home, we’ll set you up with the perfect instrument, accessories, and tips to make your playing boo-tiful.


Browse all our awesome Flight Ukuleles HERE.