Use your fingers to build a major chord by first identifying its scale degrees. For instance, an A major chord includes its tonic note as well as minor third and perfect fifth tones (scale degrees I through V respectively).
Note the chord chart and note the thicker horizontal line that represents the nut. Small circles above it indicate open strings which should be played without fingerpicks.
C Major
C Major is often the first major chord anyone learns to play on ukulele. This straightforward open-string tetrachord only includes notes C, E and G – it makes remembering four-note patterns much simpler! All major scales can be divided into two major tetrachords for ease of playing.
Fingering C is straightforward: your index finger on the lower string at the 3rd fret, with your ring finger placed on A string at 2nd fret and using partial barre with index fingers touching top two strings at 2nd fret and your ring finger reaching up to the 4th fret of A string.
A Major
Amaj chord is an essential element in any ukulele player’s repertoire. Consisting of root, major third and perfect fifth notes (1 – 3 – 5), it corresponds with scale A Major as the seventh triad chord from A Major scale.
Its bright and happy sounding chord is often utilized in songs as an indicator of optimism or to create tension within them. Furthermore, this chord can serve as an excellent transition or tension builder during songs.
Finding songs where this chord is used and practicing it will be the easiest way to learn it, as this will enable you to understand its fingerings and how best to move it around the neck.
G Major
G major is an often-heard chord in various types of songs, particularly rock music and certain dance music styles such as Trap and Dubstep.
As with other major scales, G features one sharp note (F#). This means the distances between notes contain both whole steps and half steps.
Chords in any key are created by creating triads from its notes; for instance, in G major, this would consist of three notes; B at its root position, D as minor third and F# as perfect fifth.
To play a G major chord, place your index finger on the second fret of the C string, middle finger on A string’s second fret and ring finger on E string’s second fret; then strumming all four strings four times before proceeding onto your next chord.
B Major
At this stage in your ukulele journey, B major may be leaving your left hand feeling cramped and restricted. Perhaps its intricate chord progressions have overwhelmed you or have simply given up the attempt of creating clean chords in this key.
Every chord has its own personality and characteristics; this applies to all scales including B major.
Chords are composed according to specific rules, and each chord has a distinctive sound which affects how it resonates with its key of origin. In this instance, B major is distinguished as being “strongly colored and signalling wild passions”.
E Major
E Major is a tonal chord made up of E, G#, and B; like all tonal chords it forms a triad that includes three notes played simultaneously. All major triads have respective minor chords to complement them.
This chord is one of the most frequently used on ukuleles and can be found in 44% of songs analyzed in Hook Theory. From energetic songs that drive audiences wild to emotive remembrances of lost love, this versatile chord adds excitement and energy to any progression.
Beginners may find this chord difficult to master; therefore, practice must take place slowly and carefully. If it feels overwhelming, break it apart into individual parts and concentrate on them one at a time.
F Major
F Major is a seven-note scale and most chords will end on one note that is one octave higher from their starting point – this process, called rounding, makes the scale sound complete and makes chords sound fuller.
F Major is a difficult chord for beginners to master on the ukulele. To play it effectively requires using a mini barre with your first finger positioned flat on string 1 supported by thumb on the back of neck of ukulele; this keeps fingers from locking together while playing this chord and avoids mistakes while building finger dexterity and flexibility.