Beginning our lessons, we’re going to start off by playing some major chords. To do this, simply press down all 4 strings at once – this forms a major chord!
A major chord only requires three notes to learn, making it relatively simple. You’ll see in the chord diagram some open circles on top of a thick line – these represent open strings which shouldn’t be compressed down too tightly.
A Major
Strummed alone, an A major chord sounds vibrant and exuberant; when combined with other chords it creates the atmosphere for any song’s chord progression.
As with C, playing this major chord shape on ukulele is extremely straightforward: simply place your second (middle) finger at the second fret of g string, with your index finger touching first fret of c string; leaving other strings open as needed.
Note that this chord does not constitute a power chord – which adds the seventh note from any scale to the standard major triad formula – but once you master this one, more complex shapes can be developed using this same technique.
B Major
B major chords are one of the most frequently found in ukulele music. As major triads, they contain three notes – root note, major third and perfect fifth – which combine to produce their distinctive sound and happiness.
To create this chord, start by barricading all strings with your index finger at the second fret and placing all three middle fingers at different frets (4-3-2-2). Next, place all four ring fingers on C strings at 3rd and 4th frets (4-3-2-2).
Understanding what a semitone and whole tone are can make playing chords much simpler, since these concepts will enable you to visualize the distances between notes on your ukulele fretboard more clearly. A semitone refers to distance between two pitches while whole tones comprise two semitones – making playing chords on an ukulele easier!
C Major
C major is an ideal starting chord to use on ukulele. Being composed of just three notes, it is simple and versatile enough for use across melodies. Furthermore, C major’s easily memorizable scales and chords often form part of beginner lessons.
As ukuleles feature fewer frets than guitars, it’s essential that when learning new scales on them it takes into consideration how your fingerboard operates and thus how easily you can navigate the fretboard. Doing this allows for increased comfort as you navigate along your fretboard.
Consider approaching your fingerboard through whole and half steps as the ideal approach, to understand how scales work and why some are shifted up or down an octave. This approach allows for maximum freedom when exploring various voicings and fret configurations for every chord.
D Major
Chord variations such as D major are essential in expanding your repertoire of ukulele songs. By practicing these variations, you will become aware of how different finger placements affect sound and quality of chords.
For this variation, use a partial barre with your index finger on each of the top two strings and fret two (left to right). Your second and third fingers should remain on strings 4, 2, and 1 respectively before strumming the open A string.
One variation of the D chord uses only your index and middle fingers, forgoing any need to play the fourth string at all. This version may be better suited for beginners who may have trouble aligning all three fingers of their hand properly together or who are having difficulty avoiding muting open A string chords.