When learning chords for ukulele, when starting to learn them it is best to focus on memorizing just the chord names instead of trying to memorize chord diagrams – this will develop muscle memory more easily and make learning these chords simpler overall.
Remember, though, that ukulele strings are tuned an octave higher than their guitar counterparts – this means any guitar tabs you find will need to be translated for use on a ukulele.
F Major
F Major is often one of the first ukulele chords many beginners learn, as it’s an easy chord to finger while still sounding great and being strung easily.
Like its guitar equivalent, ukulele chord charts feature vertical lines to represent strings and dots representing frets; an “0” indicates which string should remain open.
When playing barre chords, be mindful to place your fingertips close to the fretboard so as to not mute any strings. Practice each strum until your fingers form muscle memory and can play them without reference to charts.
A Major
Ukulele chords, much like guitar chords, consist of multiple notes played simultaneously. Like its guitar cousin, ukulele chords contain both major and minor tones; major chords evoke positive emotions while minor ones create sadness or melancholy feelings.
Ukulele chord charts resemble guitar ones in terms of design; vertical lines represent each string from G to C to E to A and horizontal dots indicate finger placement for playing specific chords. A solid circle represents fretting while an open one indicates which strings should be played “open”, without fingered playing.
Chord shapes used on guitar are replicated on the ukulele with each chord played one octave higher. Just be mindful not to unintentionally muted strings that should have been opened by your fretting hand!
B Major
This chord is easy for ukulele novices to master, starting with making sure that no fingers touch or muffle any strings; any muffled sounds could mean either that your fingers haven’t properly aligned with the frets, or you haven’t applied enough pressure.
The thick line at the top represents the nut of an instrument and each small circle or letter “o” indicates which strings should be played open. Practice playing chord shapes until your fingers develop muscle memory for these moves.
C Major
C major is one of the first chords most people learn, as its simplicity sets you up to learn many songs quickly and easily.
As with other tonal chords, this one consists of the first, third and fifth notes from a C major scale – that means when you place your finger on fret 3 of the bottom string it gives C chord.
As well as its general uses, a barre chord requires you to swivel or pivot your wrist away from the neck in order to form.
D Major
The D major chord has an identical structure on both ukulele and guitar. Two fingers are used on string 4, leaving open its lower string (string 2). Music theory dictates that each note’s scale degree name (tonic, supertonic, mediant or subdominant) determines its chord shape.
Chord diagrams depict a small grid that represents the frets and strings of your ukulele. The top horizontal line indicates where to hold your fingers at the nut; vertical lines represent G, C, E and A strings in order; dots or numbers indicate where fingers should be placed to create desired chords on fretboard; while any open circles above nut should remain unfretted.
E Major
If your ukulele features good intonation throughout its neck, this E chord should be easy to play. It features a type of chord known as a barre chord which uses one finger to simultaneously press down multiple strings at once.
Chord charts represent chord progression on an ukulele as a grid with four vertical lines representing its four strings: G, C, E and A. Horizontal lines indicate frets while dots or letters represent which string should be played open if applicable.
G Major
G Major chord is one of the most well-known in music and is used widely across genres and subgenres. It serves as the official key for both God Save The Queen and New Zealand’s national anthem and is often found in country, rock metal and classical genres.
Chords for any given key (or scale) are formed using triads and the G major chord is an example. We all recognize its familiar jangly sound in songs or musical pieces played using it; many instruments also support its playing.