Most new ukulele players don’t realize that you can play hundreds of songs with just a couple ukulele chords.
In fact, in the free ukulele lesson book Your First Ukulele Lesson and Then Some, I teach you how to play songs using these “must-know” ukulele chords.
In this lesson, you discover eleven important ukulele chords for beginners.
As you may have already seen, we’ve been working on building up a ukulele chord library, with hundreds of chords in several different variations. But, as a newer or beginner ukulele player, which ones do you really need to know?
We’ll be looking at the most essential and common ukulele chords. All these chords are in the first position, or first variation, meaning that these chords are located between the first five frets. The frets are the vertical edges that lay across the fretboard.
Here are the eleven must-know ukulele chords for beginners ordered from easiest to hardest to play. Click on any one of the pictures to see it in our chord library.
C major
Suggested fingering: Use your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the bottom string.
A minor
Suggested fingering: Use your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string.
F major
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 1st fret of the second string and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the top string.
G major
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 2nd fret of the third string, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the second string, and your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom string.
A major
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 1st fret of the third string and your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string.
E minor
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom string and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the third string.
D minor
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 1st fret of the second string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the third string.
F#/Gb minor
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 1st fret of the third string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the second string.
D major
Suggested fingering: Use your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string, ring finger on the 2nd fret of the third string, and your pinky on the 2nd fret of the second string.
E major
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger on the 1st fret of the top string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom string, and your pinky on the 4th fret of the third string.
B minor
Suggested fingering: Use your index finger to bar the bottom three strings on the 2nd fret and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the top string.
Questions & Comments
Are you getting stumped on how to play a chord? Post a comment below.
I love your articles they are explained in such detail..I am not entirely clear how to achieve low g in tunning…mine uke is a tenor with normal gcea tunning..Thanks in advance
Pattie, I’m glad you like the articles! 🙂 Low G tuning is still a normal GCEA tuning, but the G string is tuned down an octave, hence “low G.” Check out this other article I wrote for a more in-depth explanation: http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-tuning-how-to-tune-your-ukulele/
Hey Brett, this website is great and you’re doing an excellent job for people who want to start playing ukulele. I have a question: Are this chords meant for GCEA ukulele or gCEA ukulele? please answer me.
Hey Tulio, they work for both tunings 🙂
thank you! 😀 just bought my first ukulele today
I am having trouble playing D minor and D major cause I can’t get my fingers to over lap the way they have to. Are there any other ways to play the chords?
Try pressing down two of the strings with the same finger.
Hi Brett,
Your tutorials are just great for beginners! Very clear.
I use low G tuning exclusively for playing jazz chords. I find the easiest way to achieve it is to
simply rearrange a normal set of strings in order of thickness making the fattest string the low G and the skinniest one the high A. I hope that night help some of your students who ask.
Thanks again. I’ll send beginners your way.
Glen Rose / jazzyukulele.com
Thanks for the comment and tip, Glen!
Do you have any thoughts about how someone with average to small hands can accomplish some of the chords that require a stretch. I don’t think my hands are unusually small but I have trouble reaching e and b minor, for example. Part of it is just getting used to strange positions for the fingers. Any tricks?
Ty, it does take awhile for your fingers to stretch out a little. Over time your fingers will develop muscle memory for those harder chords. E and B minor are hard chords to play. One thing I do for chords I have trouble with is finding a variation of the chord that might be easier to play. You can use our chord library for some variations.
thanks. just that little bit of encouragement helps! I’m just starting but a little overwhelmed by how to sing and match chords and keep a rhythm. I’m probably a little too eager I guess. ;p
Brett, I started your lessons last January, got frustrated and went on “sabbatical” in about June and am now starting over. Just purchased your new lessons. I like the extra finger picking lessons. I’ve decided that’s the best way to go since I do not sing well. In response to Ty and small hands I have had the same concerns. My fingers seem short compared to some guitar and uke players I have seen. What is a short scale uke as suggested in one of the comments? I also like being able to vary the finger positions for difficult chords.
Hi Judd, a short scale ukulele is one where there is a smaller width or space between each fret, which can be beneficial for smaller hands or fingers. If you have smaller hands and fingers, I’d recommend trying out a soprano ukulele before worrying about a short scale ukulele.
Or….use your thumb a LOT. 😉 I do. No shame in it.
Lol, I am so desperate that I am considering it for the E major chord, I can reach all the others but that one!!
There’s another way to play Emaj that I find requires less of a stretch. Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your pinky middle and ring fingers on the 4th fret of the other 3 strings. It’s a little bit of a higher pitch, but definitely a-ok. Especially if you have low G tuning.
I believe that makes it E7. I use it instead of E major though as it much much easier and also sounds better imo!
Try playing the E7 but blocking the third string so it doesn’t sound. I have little hands – works for me 🙂
E is tricky, especially if your following a typical chord diagram with your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers all squeezed into the 4th fret, if you’ve had any guitar experience i suggest using your third finger to bar the top three and your first to hold the second fret on the 4th string
Hope this helps 🙂
Get a short scale uke.
The diagrams and finger positions are very helpful and clear. Just started learning on a Kala Concert (KA-CE) and it actually sounds like music! Thanks, and keep up the good instructions.
Just subscribed. You have a great way about teaching. Love the lessons keep up the great work. One I am woking on is Jack Johnson’s Breakdown. Any advise or a lesson would be appreciated.
Patrick
Ukulele novice but avid player.
Thanks, Patrick! I’m always looking for new songs to teach and post on the website, so I will keep that one in mind. I love Jack Johnson.
Thank you. I am a lefty but i can still work it out. Do you have any music on left handed.
Fay, all the chord charts for songs you come across on the site can be played by right or left handed players. I’ve heard a lot from left handed folks lately! Very cool. I’m a lefty, but I learned how to play right handed.
I am a left handed player and have a tenor ukulele tuned to low g. I am a new beginner and need a few basic lessons for left handed players and set up. Can you give me any advice? Do you offer lessons for lefties?
Bob, unfortunately, I don’t have any lessons on the site right now for left handed players. You aren’t the first person to ask though. I’m going to do some searching online to see if I can find anything. If I do, I’ll make post on it!
I’m lefty but play guitar and uke as a righty. Not really much of a problem to do it.
I’m the same.
Lefty playing righty only cause there is very little out there for us right minded players. Its not so bad took some getting use to but Its starting to feel natural. Just a lot of practice and determination. keep your chins up fellow lefties… you’ll get there one way or the other.
I’m a lefty and just got a ukulele. I simply restrung my ukulele so strings are in the same order as the right handers and then everything is mirror image.
Then there is not need for “separate” lessons.
AMEN! Lefties unite!
Never really understood this. I play guitar and uke and I’m a righty. My struggle was always ( and still is) due to the fact that I seemed to be asking my lazy left to do much more intricate work than it was used to…. I’ve always secretly thought that these instruments must’ve originally been designed by a lefty – truth is it’s probably an equally difficult skill to master whichever camp you’re in…
You’re spot on, Chuck. I’m actually left-handed, but I play ukulele right-handed. It’s going to be a challenge no matter what you’re dominant hand is.
I’m with Chuck! I’m a totally green right-handed beginner, and it seems I’m asking my non-dominant hand (the left) to do the more difficult work! I think my right hand could manage the chords better than my left does. At present, I can’t even make my fingers make most of the chords at all. 🙁 And I have small, relatively long fingers, which should be an advantage.
So lefties, you may have the advantage (for a change)!
I don’t know what the problem is for lefties.I am left handed and reverse the strings.After strings settle down,sounds great with absolutely no problems.
love the articles just started playing and im already learning form your site! Thank you so much!
Sweet! You are welcome. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Brett, thanks for the great website. A friend directed me to it after I purchased my first Uke. I’ve wanted to learn to play for about a year but have been a little intimidated since I have no musical gifting–at all! I love the Uke though so I’m going to give it a go. I have a pretty basic uke so I hope it’s good for me to learn on.
I’ve started with learning the basic chords–any other suggestions?
Kim, thanks for your comment. I’m glad you like the website. You are off to a good start so far! If you haven’t already, you might download my free ukulele lesson book too. It has some strumming patterns and songs you can learn. You might also check out my free video lesson on ukulele strumming patterns for beginners. Hope these help! 🙂
I requested the first lesson book yesterday, but still have not received it. I want to check it out before I order your uke lessons.
Hi Rosy, I just sent you an email with a link to download the free lesson book! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy!
Is there an alternate fingering for E major? My fingers won’t bend right! Please, let there be an alternate way…
For alternate fingerings of chords, check out the Ukulele Tricks chord library.
Thanks for the great site, Brett! It’s tough for me, I’ve only just received my first uke from my mum for my birthday, and I’m loving it so far. I’ve had many surgeries on my hands and fingers over the years for an arthritic condition, so it’s a bit of a stretch quite literally, but hey – only the cat has to hear me at the moment. She can take the door if she doesn’t like it!! I’ll be in touch, and let you know how I go!
thankyou for doing this it is wonderful for beginners. I don’t read music and it makes it so much easier to know where chords go on the fret board.
Would like more on spanish strumming with words and a video of the music for the strum and chords etc.
thanks once again for your precious time and expertise
clare
Thanks, Clare! I welcome your ideas and definitely take all of them to mind. 🙂
Brett,
thanks for your ‘low’ down…I think you are hot 😉
+1
Hey there,
Thank you so much for posting these cords, I am brand new to playing the ukulele and it helped a lot 🙂 Just out of curiosity though, why don’t you have a G7 on this list?
All the best
Chris
Because if I included G7, it wouldn’t be 11 ukulele chords anymore. Hah 🙂 I had to limit it someway so the video wasn’t too intimidating for beginners. G7 is a GREAT chord to know though if you are just learning ukulele. If anyone is interested, you can view the finger position for the chord at the chord library located here.
hey B … i really am making a lot of progress , thank you for simple and straightforward approach , one thing though , i sure would find it useful to see the finger position # on the red dot in your diagrams as opposed to have to clumsily read text as i stumble to next chord change … just saying…
That’s a great idea. I will keep this in mind for future lessons!
Fantastically useful Brett. To be able to see each cord fingering is so helpful and the diagram on the web page adds to the reinforcement. Thanks so much.
Graeme, you are very welcome! I’m happy to hear this is helpful to you.
Very nice. I’ve been cheekily substituting E7 for E because it’s so much easier to play and it usually sounds fine. This is probably quite a bad habit though, eh?
Hey Fergus, it’s probably not the best habit 🙂 E7 will work for a lot of songs as a substitution but it will sound funny in some keys because it’s a dominant 7th chord and the 7th in it isn’t always found in the key you are playing in.
Thanks! I found this video really helpfull, one thing I don’t quite understand though is how you barre a chord on the lower strings but not the top strings (so barred on the ones closest to me!). I have pretty small hand so that might be my main problem but I was wondering if you had any advice. xxx
Victoria, I can tell you’re asking a great question, but I’m a bit confused on what you’re asking specifically. Are you talking about chords like the D chord where you have to barre the top three string? Maybe if you rephrase your question I will be able to help. 🙂
Yes what I meant was for example in E major I can’t quite seem to get my hands round the corect fingering as only three of the strings are barred. I hope thats clearer! 🙂
Ouch. My fingers hurt. Am I pushing too hard? Or will I get less sensitive? And other than the “bar” how do I get two fingers in one fret?
Grant, that sounds completely normal. If you’ve just picked up the ukulele, your fingers will need some time to build callouses on the ends of them so they don’t hurt so much when you press down on the strings. With some consistent practice, you’ll notice it get easier after a week or so.
As for getting two fingers in one fret, you will have to really experiment with it. My fingers are really big and on smaller ukuleles it’s impossible for me to play a D chord without barring the strings. You will have to find what works best for you and your fingers and your ukulele.
I have a soprano uke, and some of these chords (like D major and B minor) are impossible for me because i have fat, short fingers fingers… Would a concert or tenor ukulele help with this issue..?
Joe, a tenor ukulele might work better for you. On a tenor ukulele, the frets are going to be spaced apart a bit more which means you have more room for your fingers. I would visit a music store and try playing a tenor ukulele to see if that feels better for you.
thank you very much mr ukuleletricks , iam a beginner , i need some lesson 🙂
Well, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome 🙂
Brett…I do not know how to thank you for this wonderful website, you tube links and lesson book!
Am a complete beginner (picked up my first uke on Monday after promising myself I would learn for a while) and was following a DVD tutorial which started off pretty simple and beginner friendly before progressing without explanations or tips for improvement.
Have been listening to your tutorials all morning and printed off the lesson book, everything is seeming a lot clearer and I am itching to get home and have some quality time with my new best friend.
Thank you so much again, you have created something so special and magical here which clearly is spreading smiles and inspiration all over the world. Some seriously good karma has to be heading your way dude.
Diolch yn fawr iawn (bit of Welsh for you)
Cate
Cate, what an awesome comment! Thanks for sharing my friend. Best of luck to you and be sure to share that magic and joy with others! Let me know if you have any questions.
wow thanks! Learning a new instrument can be tough but it really helped to have a friendly face to help out 🙂 Any suggestions for someone with double jointed fingers? (haha) Its a strange problem I know but since I have double jointed fingers they want to collapse whenever there is alot of pressure on more than one finger at a time so the chords that require more than one or two fingers are sometimes alot harder for me to get a good sound out of. Let me know if you’ve got any tricks 🙂 thanks again!
-Vanessa
Vanessa, that’s such an interesting and great question! You know… I’ve never had anyone ask me this before. I really don’t know what to tell you. I do wonder though if you searched for chords in the chord library, if you were able to find variations of a chord that were easier to play. I’m not sure though. You might also invest in a capo which would allow you to use the same chords that you find are easy to play and then change the key by moving the capo around the fretboard. This might give you some creative options.
Is there anyone else out there with double jointed fingers that plays ukulele?! What tips do you have for Vanessa?
I just worked for a long time on it. I focused really hard whenever I played on keeping my fingers curved. Do you know how the top section on your firgers cansort of “click” away from the rest? Use this to your advantage. Keep your fingers like they are on point. This is different from most ukulele players, because they are usually very loose. You will have to sacrifice the cool look on being on a beac in Hawaii, but you will play fine, and I think it’s worth it. Please keep up with ukulele to prove to the nonbelievers that people with this horrible disease CAN be normal. Thanks, Vanessa, I hope your question is answered.
Brett
Your explanations make understanding how the chords are formed much easier for a beginner. I am having trouble understanding how to form
Am+7; and Gsus7. Please help. Sandra
Sandra, thanks for your comment!
To play a Gsus7: 0213
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the second to top string. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the second to bottom string. Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the bottom string. Let the top string ring out open.
To play an Am7: 0000
This is the easiest chord in the whole wide world. Just let all the strings ring out completely open! 😀
I have most of the chords down, but I don’t know when to transition from going from say a A7 to a G7. any advice?
Hey Nate, are you talking about knowing when to switch a chord in a song or when you are strumming? If so, you might take a look at my strumming pattern lesson video here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-strumming-patterns-for-beginners/
If not, I might be misunderstanding your question. Just let me know.
its kinda of hard to get my pinky to the top on the b major since my pinky is so small.
Your videos are so helpful! I just have one question. I’m learning how to play I’m Your’s by Jason Mraz & I’m learning all the chords to the song first before the strumming pattern. But the thing is, I don’t know what the strumming pattern is. It sounds pretty stupid, I know, but if you know what it is, could ya help me out by telling me?
Haley, I’m so glad to hear the videos have been helpful! I actually teach Jason Mraz’s song “I’m Yours” in my video lesson course Ukulele Strumming Tricks. It’s actually a pretty simple strumming pattern. It’s all down up eighth note strums to a count of four. You mute the strings for pretty much all the beats except the 2nd and 4th. This gives it a cool rhythmic pulse to the song!
Thank you!
Hi my ukulele sounds quite a lot higher than yours (but still in the right key). Is it maybe because i’m not holding the strings down hard enough or do you have a bass ukulele or something?
Thanks x
This is because I’m tuned to a low G tuning. This means my top G string is tuned down an octave. This makes my ukulele sound lower. It also might be because I have a tenor ukulele. It’s possible if you have a smaller ukulele than me it might sound brighter in tone.
hi Brett,ELI here,new in your group,totally new playing uke,love simplicity of videos,i am glad to book with you. here comes a but! when practicing with the graffics i felt like a brain teaser to figure out the notes,at first i assume pictures are a mirror image to practice,then realize i am side to side with your pictures,is anybody else feeling similar confusion? or is it just a matter of getting around this right-left brain issue.
thankyou.
Hey Elias, if you are playing the ukulele right handed, the graphics are a view as if you were looking at the fretboard with the ukulele sitting in your lap. So for example, the string on the top is the bottom string on the ukulele, and the string on the bottom is the top string of the ukulele.
Hey Brett, I’ve signed up for your lessons becuase I found the free videos awesome, You are a great
teacher!
I sent in numerous emails to try get the free ukulele lesson book but never got a reply. Could you send me that resource? thanks, Erin
Hey Erin, so sorry about the delay with the free ebook. I could have sworn I sent you an email with the link. Have you tried checking your spam filter? I just sent you another email, so check that out. Let me know if you don’t see it.
Hey Brett,
Same here, I’ve checked my spam filters and nothing on the lesson book. I’ve still been using the videos and the tip of my index finger has gone numb…. maybe a bit too much practice? My problem is my fat fingers resting on and muting the strings on certain chords. Thanks for a great website and I’m going to soldier on and practice hard.
Hi Gene, I just sent you an email with information about the free lesson book. I hope that works for you!
It sounds like you’ve been practicing quite a bit! With your dedication, you’ll be a pro in no time. 🙂
I have the problem of accidentally muting strings sometime. When I find this for certain chords, I try to isolate which note I’m muting by plucking each individual string. Once I isolate the trouble string, I can usually reposition my fingers in a way that allows the chord to ring clearer. Then, I just practice trying to maintain this position.
Be sure to give your fingers a little bit of rest too. With a lot of practice, your fingers will feel a little weak, which will mean it’ll be harder to press on the strings, which can mean that strings end up muted that aren’t suppose to be muted.
I need help on BM7 .
I’d love to try to help! What is giving you the most trouble when you try to play this chord? It’s a tough chord to play.
Hey Brett,
Thank you for this, very helpful.
I have what might be a strange question. What are you doing with your thumb? I feel that part of the problem I am having is not having enough support/leverage provided by the thumb on the left hand. How do you place your thumb on the back of the neck?
That’s a great question, Sarah.
Where my thumb is at depends a lot on the chord I’m playing. For common chords like C, F, G, Am, D7, G7, etc., I normally just let the neck of the ukulele rest in the “V” where my thumb and index finger meet. This means the back of the ukulele is pushing up against the lower part of my thumb.
However, for some chords (e.g. E, B, C#m) I really have to use the ball of my thumb to apply pressure on the back of the neck. This allows me to press down as hard as I can for those chords to get the notes to ring out clearly. When I use the ball of my thumb, I’m very intentional about making sure the body of the ukulele is stabilized on my leg or stomach so it won’t take a dive on me.
Hi I am confused with e minor? The instructions say to use your index finger on the 2nd fret of the top string??? Isn’t the diagram showing that the index finger should be on 2nd fret of bottom string?? I thought that
bottom string would be “a” string
2nd string=e
3rd string=c
Top string=g
Thanks camilee
Hey Camilee, you are right! This was a typo. I have gone back and edited it. Thanks for catching that!
thats a bite hard but helpful
So in other word i need help to make my fingers comfortable
Practice. 🙂 Your fingers need time to build muscle memory. That only comes with time and repetition. It will get easier!
I’m new to the uke.
This may sound strange but I’m having trouble keeping my middle finger on the A string when “attempting” to play the G chord. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Hey Sal, welcome to the world of playing uke. Welcome to the site.
I’m trying to figure out advice to give you for your G chord. How is your finger slipping off of the string?
Brett
Its actually my middle finger lifting off the A string ….not making constant contact
Thanks
Sal
Hmmm, before trying to strum the chord, I would just practice playing the chord with the right position. You may need to apply more pressure on your middle finger to stay down on the string. It can take time to build up callouses on your fingers, so if the ends of your fingers are sore give it a little bit of time.
Brett
It may be me. My finger tends to lift off the a string when playing the G chord.maybe its not bending enough at the top finger joint. It is not at all comfortable playing that chord. If i make good contact with my ring finger on the E string ( so it does not mute the string below)my middle finger does not make good contact with the A string. Maybe its the positioning of my fingers or dexterity. Hard to explain.
Thanks Sal
Hi Sal, that’s very interesting. One idea I do have is to try “barring” the G chord. What I mean is to take your index finger and barre the bottom three strings on the 2nd fret. Then, place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string. Essentially, it’s the same way to play the chord, just a different finger position. That position might work better for your fingers.
Brett
Thanks! Worked great.
Sal
Just one small question — what do I do with my thumb? Is it supposed to always be on upper back of the neck to provide support for the pressure my fingers are giving? Some times it just seems that it makes to so hard for my fingers to make it all around the neck to the top strong. (Yes, like most it seems — I have small hands.) In the video sometimes it seems your thumb is not part of the grip at all.
Thanks
Hi Kathie, as you can see from the videos, my fingers are pretty long. 🙂
The best spot for your thumb to be is to put the ball of your thumb right on the back of the neck of the ukulele. For one, this allows you to get some good pressure on the neck so you can press down on your chords well. For some chords, you might even have to position the ball of your thumb on the lower side of the neck so you can reach with your fingers to the top string.
Hi Brett
Barring the chord is working out well. Thanks again.
Any tip on getting better control of the neck? Is it my thumb position putting pressure on the neck?
Thanks ……learning is much easier with all the lessons,tips etc.
Sal
Hey Sal, so glad that barring the chord is working out well.
You’ll find that chords tend to be easier to play when the ball of your thumb is applying pressure on the back of the neck of the ukulele. This allows you to grip chords well so all the strings ring out clearly.
However, what I find is that because the ukulele is a small instrument, it’s hard to stabilize at times when you’re switching chords. Maybe you’ve found that to be true. For this reason, for a lot of my chords, I like to have my ukulele neck resting in the “V” of where my thumb and index finger meet. This allows the neck to be supported and stabilized. For most chords, I find that I am still able to fret them this way. For some barre chords, I will sometimes have to adjust back to having the ball of my thumb applying pressure, but by default, I like to let the neck rest in the V of my fingers.
The fingering for the E minor is wrong.
It’s not wrong. It’s just a different way to play the chord.
Check out the ukulele chord library for more chord variations:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-chords/
I am a lefty that plays left handed and I see the cords the way they should be for me so I can’t use a left handed cord book, it confuses me. My uke’s are custom made for me left handed. But I can also play upside down using a right handed ukulele. That is how I first started to play but seldom do that any more.
Wow, All I’d like to say is thanks! I play guitar and that came super easy to me, so i thought i’d try the ukulele. I bought it early today and already learned so much from this site! Thank you so much! 🙂
Welcome, Maddie! 🙂
Hi Brett, you are a phenomenal teacher. Clearly, you love the uke and have a passion for helping people. I especially appreciate your help with reading music. I’ve always been intimidated by sheet music, but your approach has me hopeful that I can actually learn! Anyway, my question is, how can a baritone uke player (I just got one last week) take advantage of your phenomenal chord resources? My strings are tuned to DGBE. Many thanks. -PC
Hey PC, thanks for your comment. My chord resources are tailored towards ukuleles tuned to standard tuning. A baritone ukulele is tuned like the bottom four strings of the guitar. The best thing would be to look up guitar chords and pay attention to the fingering for just the bottom four strings. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything tailored towards the baritone ukulele. I hope to in the future.
why dont uke players use their thumb to play the d chord? i go to a uke group and a few of use thought it a good idea but the teacher says not o do it that way. is there some reason for that? it seems heaps easier to me.
Hey Julie, are you talking about wrapping your thumb over the 2nd fret on the ukulele to barre the top three strings? It’s not an entirely bad way to go, but the problem it creates is that it can be difficult to transition and set up for some chords that come after that chord in a song. That would be the main reason I wouldn’t recommend it.
thanks, that makes sense. your way of playing d major is much easier for me. the class i go to, the teacher says to lay the index finger across the four strings pressing dow the three that make d maj and sort of raising to finger on the string not required. this is indeed a challenge for hands so ive sdopted your way its heaps better. great website, loads of help, thanks.
For some reason I can’t reach the b
Well I just started playing the ukulele… And so far the only chords I know are G major, C major, F major, and C7…. so far it’s working but I need help learning how to tune my ukulele… Email me please
Hey Haley, check out this post on tuning your ukulele here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-tuning-how-to-tune-your-ukulele/
Hi Brett,
Making slow progress. I did notice some confusion in the fingering discussion for G Major as outlined in lesson 4 and 11 must know ukulele cords. There’s a difference in the descriptions of the 3rd finger placement. I believe the correct description is in lesson 4
Good catch, Gerad. I have edited the description for this “11 Must Know” lesson. It should be correct now. Thank you!
For the LIFE of me, I can’t reach the E major chord with my pinky. (I have VERY small hands) Is there a different way or a “cheat” that I could use?
If you are trying to E position in this lesson above, I would recommend to try this position:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-chords/?chord=E&quality=major&variation=3
You’ll still have to stretch a little bit, but it’s a stretching in a different way. Let me know how this works for you.
thanks for the hint! Your videos are really fantastic. You’re a natural at teaching. So glad i found your site!
Thanks so much, do you have any other tips or anything i should know?
None that I can think of right now. 🙂 I’d recommend reading through as many comments as you can on each of my lessons. There is some great material in the comments section that I think you could benefit from as well. As always, feel free to post any questions. 🙂
This is the 2nd instrument i play, it’s really hard to learn a new instrument thank you for teaching me i think your a really good musician
ps i also wrote the last one
Thank you so much! This website is fantastic! I am just a beginner and this site is really helping me!
How do you do the B Minor? I am a little lost.
Hi Julia, what part is confusing you?
I am learning and this site seems to be good for both beginners and intermediate players. Good reinforcement of the basics which is key to good playing of any insturment.
i just got my ukulele but am struggling to write chords for a song what shall i do
Hi Yona, are you trying to figure out the chords for a song you want to learn how to play?
Hey, thank you so much for these great videos and tutorials. They truly do help. I’m having problems getting the G Chord to sound correctly. I can play C major, F major, E minor and A minor, but G major is killing me.
Hey Nick, what’s the G chord sound like? Whenever a chord isn’t sounding right to me, I try to isolate the problem. Usually, it can be a finger that is accidentally muting a string and I just need to move my finger over. If my fingers don’t bend a certain way for a chord, sometimes it can help to figure out another way to play a chord. For example, some folks find it easier to barre the bottom three strings on the 2nd fret with your index finger and use your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the second to bottom string to play a G major chord. Isolating the problem and then experimenting is one of the best ways to figure out a better way to play it. Patience is also important too because it takes time for your fingers to get used to where they should go for certain chords. 🙂
what kind of ukulele is good for a beginner? i want to buy a ukulele. i don’t know which ones are good for a beginner. what characteristics of a ukulele should i consider? thanks! 🙂
Awesome. I do wish you had a quick PDF download of this. You have so many other valuable PDF’s, would love to have a chords sheet for on the go.
I’m just getting into Ukelele so thanks so much for teaching it in a way that I understand (: Haha
i like this site its really helpfull
Thanks, Bob! I’m glad you’re finding the site helpful.
Are there any alternate ways to play E Major?
dear brett
i am 9 year old who is wondering if there is any easer lessons.
i started to play when my school had a music class
please respond
jadon
Hey Jadon, have you tried my ukulele lesson book in the sidebar? I recommend that as a great starting place.
Hi I’m having trouble playing the B minor when I play it it no sound comes out! HELP!!
I am having trouble with these chords shown. ( There is only two.) 1. B minor, and D major. Can somone help me? ( And go easy with it, because, I am just a beginner.) Please? 🙂
For B minor, use your index finger to barre (hold down) all four strings on the 2nd fret. Then, while you’re doing that, place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the top string. This requires a bit of strength and some stretching so give yourself time.
For D major, I like to use my middle finger to barre the top three strings on the 2nd fret, while letting the bottom string ring open. Alternatively, place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the top string, ring finger on the 2nd fret of the second to top string, and your little finger on the 2nd fret of the second to bottom string.
Hi Brett,
Great site. I got your free ebook. Do you have any other beginner songs in the format you did twinkle twinkle. I find it easy to follow. Or do you have any instruction on reading ukulele sheet music? For beginners. I bought my uke a few days ago only.
Thanks,
Madhava
Hi Madhava, I have some fingerpicking songs that use sheet music and ukulele tab here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-fingerpicking-nursery-rhymes/
any idea on where i could find the chords for the viva la vida cover by the dirty heads? i like the way it sounds and cant find the chords for it
Brett,
I am very confused. Can you tell me why the picture of the Uke with the dots on which strings to cover is upside down from what we are actually supposed to do. For instance, to play C major, we are told to use our ring finger to hold down the bottom string on the 3rd fret. However, the picture has the dot on the top string 3 fret. I have been trying to learn to play on my own and to make things even more difficult I am playing left handed. Can you help me wrap my brain around this so I can then figure out how to wrap my brain around playing left handed in a right handed world. I did give playing right handed a serious try and failed miserable for about 3 weeks until I switched the swings and went “natural). Thanks for all your help. You are really great!
Hi Mary, this is a great question. Try to imagine the fretboard diagrams as if you are holding the ukulele normally and looking over and down at the fretboard. In this way, the top string in the diagrams is the bottom string of the ukulele and the bottom string in the diagrams is the top string of the ukulele.
I’m a left hander too (although I play ukulele right handed), so I understand how much your brain is having to invert things around. If you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask! 🙂
This is great! The lessons are well explained and i love it. Learnt some thing from your lessons and they were pretty effective. Keep up the good work! Thank you for sharing this knowledg with everyone and teaching the newbies. 😉
You’re very welcome! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I’m a little confused. I was in a ukelele band at school (40yrs ago). I have decided to start playing again so was googling for uke advice and found your site. Enjoying reading stuff then clicked onto cord positons. OMW I will have to start learning all over again! We used 5 or 6 main cords I remember them as being G D7 D A7 Em F#7 B7 we used GCEA to tune our uke’s but none of your cords are in the positions I used. Our teacher used to write the music for us, tunes I remember were Five foot Two, Kum Ba Ya, Aura Lee, Leaning on the lampost, alexander rag time band (substitued to Breakfield Childrens Band), do you think he made the cords up or what???
Hey Shirley, great questions! The same common chords, such as G, D7, C, etc. can be played in multiple positions across the ukulele fretboard. There isn’t necessarily always a right or wrong way to play the same chord, so don’t be afraid to pull from what you learned 40 years ago! I recommend checking out the chord library as well, to see different ways to play common chords:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-chords/
I’m a righty but for some reason I play instruments lefty. It seems like I worked around that with this article, but I can’t know for sure as I’m not sure quite how the chords are supposed to sound. I compared each chord with the corresponding note on the piano and it sounded about equal. Are the two instruments supposed to sound the same? Or?
Hi Julia, the chords between a ukulele and piano should sound the same in terms of pitch (that is if the ukulele is tuned to the piano). The timbre (texture or tone) of the piano is quite different than the ukulele so it’s possible the chords sound slightly different in that sense. Does this answer your question?
Brett, thank you! Gave up trying the guitar a while ago, begged the universe for a ukelele, and it finally came to fruition. My biggest problem is patience, and attention as I’m teaching myself. I’m getting better with transitioning, and singing simultaneously. I also find my finger alignment to be out of sorts, your video was extremely helpful, 11 all the better. (; Thank you man, since I’ve watched this video I’ve almost finished a song. I’ll make sure to credit you when I have my EP finished! 😛
Hey Paige, definitely shoot me an email when your EP is finished. I’d love to take a listen! Best of luck to you 🙂
Thank you very much for everything, Brett. I love your page. Greetings from Spain
i’m very confused! the diagram for c major shows the positioning at the top of the 3rd fret and yet calls it the bottom string. WHY??? How am i supposed to know what to do?
Hi Charlie, the perspective of the chord diagrams is as if you are holding the ukulele and looking over the neck down at the fretboard. In this way, the top line in the ukulele diagrams is the bottom string of the ukulele and vice versa. Please let me know if I can help answer any other questions.
I’m 10 years old and I need to learn how to play Jingle bells by November 20th. I need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Jordan, I’d love to help you out. What part do you need help with?
Cool website dude. I just bought me a new ukelele today and picked up the chords easyaz following your instructions. Shot Bro!!
E? why would you post E? E shall forever die in a fire!!!!
Muahahaha 😀
I was just wondering what strings you have on your uke? I bought my first ukulele yesterday and it has Nylon strings.
Thank you Brett!
Your site is beautiful
I found your site when I started with mi uke and I learn very good from this site!
Thank you!
My fingers absolutely will not bend in the right way for B minor and E major. Brett (or anyone else), did you have trouble getting your fingers to arch over strings to only press the G/C strings? I’ve always had stiffness in my left hand, and I’m trying to figure out if this is a problem that I can fix with practice or if I’m physically impaired.
I am having some issues because of a larger hand. Especially with the D chord. Any advice?
Hi Brett, thanks for this information.. .well this is very good… but somehow, i wanna know if ever that there are power chords on using uke? hahaha =)
I got my ukulele from” santa” and was so excited to getto play it. I actualy learned 7 of the 11 chords on this page in about an hour! I cant wait to actually play a song. Thanks sooooooo much for this website. Keep up the good work.
Hi Brett,
Wish you a very happy new year. I just wanna tell you that its really a great stuff that you have on this site. I really got a lot outta this and I feel I have improved a lot and I used your chords for the Christmas carols. Loads of thanks. God bless you.
I have trouble with B minor– I have a really small hand and I have trouble stretching to the 4th fret and barring with my other finger on the second fret. I’m like, “whoa! My hand doesn’t go like that!”
It’s just weird ’cause I’m primarily a viola player and it’s a little strange manipulating your hand like that when the muscle memory in your hand is telling you to tuck the ukulele under your chin and drag a bow across it! 🙂
Any tips?
Hi JustMe, what finger are you using to reach the 4th fret of the top string? I would recommend trying to ‘double barre’ the 2nd fret where you lay your index finger across it and then lay your middle finger on top of your index finger for added pressure. Then, use your little finger to fret the 4th fret of the top string.
Oh, thanks! I’ll work on it. Thanks again for al the tips and everything. I come to this site a bunch – it’s useful! 🙂
Thanks! These were very helpful! I just started playing about a month ago i gotta say, what a fantastic instrument!
I just wanted to say thank you for having such a wonderful resource and website to learn. I just started ukulele today and I already know a ton of chords!!! I’ve been doing scales and practicing chord changes all afternoon! I’ve been using the E-book that you wrote and its taught me a lot already, however when I went to watch the video, I had been playing the cords correctly as far as finger positioning but my uke sounded nothing like yours in the video. do you think i am out of tune or is it just because I don’t have the exact same uke or strings?
Thanks!
-Danielle
I just got a new really cheap uke. It’s plastic and doesn’t sound so good.
Thanks for the site and the instructions. I’m just new to the ukulele, and am wondering how I will ever move smoothly from one chord to the next. I’m having particular trouble with D major. I just can’t fit my three fingers in a row on those three strings. Either my fingers are too big, or my uke is too small.
I got my uke a while ago, and haven’t found the time to play it. I’m trying to pick it back up, but I absolutely suck at strumming. Any suggestions?
Sorry to sound so dumb. But when I practice my chords I have my tuner clipped on and all of the major chords ring true. But some of the minor and dominant don’t. I appear to be hitting all positioning correctly.
Looking closer and trying harder it D minor is showing as F and E minor is showing as F. Mmmmmm! What you think? Do I just need to practice more.
Sorry trigger happy. D min as F and E min as G.
Hi Roger, your tuner will only pick up the “loudest” note. A tuner isn’t able to synthesize the individual notes in a chord to figure out what chord is sounding. For example, the reasons ‘F’ is showing up for a D minor chord is because there is an ‘F’ note in a D minor chord: the 1st fret of the second to bottom string. In E minor, there is a ‘G’ note, which is the top open g-string.
Thanks Brett! This is another great ressource in complement to MArk’s http://www.ukulele-chords.com website. Can I ask you why do you include the F# in this list ? Is it that useful ?
can i tune to a open chord like a steele guitar and bar the frets for my chords?
Hi JW, what you want is “slack key tuning”. I have a brief description about it here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-tuning-how-to-tune-your-ukulele/
Thanks Brett. This is how I will learn to play my vintage Swagerty “Singing Treholipee” Ukulele.
-Ray Swagerty
Charleston, SC
I have a soprano ukelele and I’m having a significantly hard time playing the Bm chord and barring the three strings with my index finger and then the last string with my middle finger and the chord still sounding good. Any tips?
Hi Beth, rather than using your middle finger for the last string, try using your ring finger instead. It looks like I misprinted my instructions originally.
I am confused. How do you “bar” a note
Hi Helga, great question. A barre is a technique where you use a single finger to fret or hold down multiple strings to play a chord. For example, for a D7 chord, you use your index finger to press down (or barre) all four strings at the 2nd fret.
I received a ukelele recently for a gift. I love it and am practicing daily.
I am very good with woodworking and varnish. The uke is pretty, but unfinished. I know that varnishing a violin is a disaster. Stradivarius’ laquer has never been reverse engineered.
So the question is…can I varnish my unfinished uke? Would it hurt the sound or otherwise have a negative impact?
Thanks! I got my ukulele about a year ago but i never really started playing it until now. This website had so much good information that really got me going. Thanks for everything!
What do the red dots mean on the brown “head”?
Hi Tomasz, these represent open strings that should ring out in the chord.
Thank u!
Hi Brett,
Thanks for all the hard work and time you’ve invested in this, but just to let you know that as a ‘Lefty’ having some relevant chord diagrams would be appreciated even if it’s a separate pdf download. Thanks
Jon
hey canu plzz tell me the difference in chords Aminor and Emajor according to there sounds and what is the similarity in both the chords
Hi Paras, I recommend taking a look at this article I wrote to give you an idea of the differences between chords in theory and sound:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/major-minor-diminished-augmented-chords-explained/
Hi Brett,
I love this website, it’s perfect! I was just wondering if you had any tips on playing barre chords? I’ve been teaching myself guitar for some time and have the same issue on guitar as well. Is there a particular technique to improve this or is just more and more practice? Thanks!
Hi Steph, for your barre chords, you mostly want to use your index finger to press down and lay across the strings. You might wrap your middle finger over the top of your index finger to apply even more pressure on the barred strings. Additionally, ensure that the ball of your thumb is pressing firmly on the back of the neck of the ukulele to really get some good pressure on the strings.
Barre chords are definitely tricky because they require a fair amount of strength. Keep practicing and in time you are sure to see improvement.
Ahh thank you! I can see an improvement already!
Hi Brett,
What is it called when you play a string and you move it up and down?
Hi Brett, thank you for all…I really like to learn with your videos/
Sometimes I find very interesting tutorial but for a uku tenor, mine is a little one, a soprano … I wonder, can I use tenor chords to play with my uku soprano or do I need to make a kind of tone transposition? In fact I don”t know if there are different tone per ukulele? (actually I play saxophone despite the fact that I m bad on musical theory/ and you know that we can’t use the same score for tenor and alto, we need to change the tone so, is that the same thing for ukulélés? could you help to understand this?
Natalie from Paris
Hi Natalie, great question about the transposing. Typically, soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles are tuned the same in standard ukulele tuning: g-C-E-A. Because of this, the chord positions translate just fine between the ukuleles and sound in the same pitch. However, this doesn’t work the same with a baritone ukulele. Since a baritone ukulele is tuned D-G-B-E (like the bottom four strings of a guitar) the chord positions you learn for ukuleles in standard tuning will sound in a different key when played on a baritone ukulele.
Hi Brett, what songs do you write?
Hi Hannah, thanks for asking. A lot of the songs that I’ve written are worship songs for my local church to sing. Unfortunately, most of these I don’t have “officially” released. Songwriting is something I really enjoy but haven’t pursued it for profit or wanted to push it very hard. Over the past couple years, I’ve done a couple co-writes with other people like the talented Larisa Grisham and my brother Ian McQueen who is extremely talented and released a record a couple years ago that is available on iTunes.
Hi Bret,
great website – i just got my ukulele today after checking on here for a good starter model and now am trying to learn the basics.
I have a suggestion based on my immediate interaction with your website – are you able to add to this page corresponding images of what each of these chords look like on a tab? Because its a jump of concept from these fret images to the tabs – and i know id find it useful to be able to see them matched up in one place rather than one page showing the fret images, and another the tabs. especially because the tabs i have seen – eg twinkle twinkle little star, does not have the corresponding chord written underneath. i dont know if thats because there not actually chords – as the song is using plucking… but i feel like that would be a useful addition to the beginner pieces.
🙂
Hi Nezzy, thanks for the comment! Often times tabs don’t have the chords written above because more often than not you are just playing a couple notes from a chord, such as in “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. Sometimes there are notes called “passing tones” that go in between chords, so it could become unclear in the tab to say that an entire measure of music is a particular chord position, since there might be notes played right next to a chord that aren’t notes found in the chord.
Hey there Brett this question isn’t exactly about the chords but it is about ukuleles. i tune my ukulele in tune and its fine but when i play a chord is out of tune. Do i need new strings or am i not pressing down on the strings right? thanks x
Hey brett, I have been looking around your site, well done on that. But i have a quick question. I made my uke, by myself, and i am having a problem with the C string. Its super twangy. Anything I can do to fix this, or do i just need to buy a Uke? I actually dont play, it was a project in my woodshop class and I thought what the heck, Im gonna make a Uke. And If i need to/should purchase a brand made one, what brand, and where? Thanks!!
Hmmm, I wonder if there isn’t enough tension on the string. You are certain you are using a standard-tuned ukulele string set? If you’re looking to get a new ukulele, I recommend checking out this page here with some recommendations:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/5-best-ukuleles-to-buy-for-beginners/
I dug up my grandma’s old uke from the garage, and later figured out that it is a baritone uke. Is there different fingering for baritone than the standard ukuleles? If so, could you recommend a website for me to find the equivelent fingerings?
Thanks!
hi I am always having trouble with g chord
Hi,
Just looking at the E Major and Minor chord shapes, they don’t seem to be correct.
Hi Steve, for many chords, such as E major and minor, there are a variety of ways to play them across the ukulele fretboard. For this lesson, I tried to pick the easiest, beginner-friendly variations of the chord. Most commonly, you’ll see E minor as 0432 and E major as 4442. To see more variations, please feel free to browse the ukulele chord library here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-chords/
Brett,
I trying to learn “Let there be peace on earth” and it calls for using the B7 chord. If I just barre the second fret I usually get a pretty good sound but the minute I on the third string third fret it sounds terrible. Any suggestions on how to keep the barre when I add the other finger?
Hi William, great question. For the B7, and for the note that falls on the third string 3rd fret, what finger are you using? I’d recommend using your index finger for the barre and trying out your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the third string. You might also use your middle finger to press down on top of your index finger as it barres the strings to hold it down.
I would like to know how many sharp chords can be played on a ukulele. A written guide would help to show me exactly where they are!
Trying to play G major but i think my hand is too small to reach all the frets?
I am having trouble with the bar on D7. I can’t get all the strings to ring clearly. I am hoping that with practice my index finger will strengthen. In the meantime I am using index middle and ring fingers on the top three strings and my pinky on the bottom string 3rd fret. A bit of a scrunch but at least I can get the strings to ring clearly. I am working on blues fingerpicking #1 and I really love the melody. Thanks for a great site. Any tips on that D7 bar?
Dawn, as you mentioned, time and practice to build up strength will help. Also, make sure the ball of your thumb is firmly planted on the neck for that extra leverage. Additionally, make sure your barre is as close behind the fret as possible. You might also check out my lesson on barre chords here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/improve-barre-chords-on-ukulele/
this helped me do my H/W 🙂
Hi there, I was just wondering if you could explain the difference between major minor chords and sharps and flats? Also if you know of any good websites to get a visual of how to play all the different notes – majors, minors, sharps, and flats.
Hi Juna, check out my lesson here for an introduction into the topic:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/major-minor-diminished-augmented-chords-explained/
Hey! Just wanted to say, love your demonstration! You make this so easy. Good job 🙂
Thanks a lot. I also got an ukulele book in Chinese, but didn’t undertand how to play it until i got ur book.
I am finding it really hard to play the chords that have more than one finger on one fret such as a ‘B’. Are there any tricks to achieving these chords as I am feeling a little clumsy and uncoordinated.
Hi Christine, you might check out my lesson on improving barre chords for some tips and tricks with chords like this:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/improve-barre-chords-on-ukulele/
Hi. I’ve just found your site and it is very helpful. My daughter was given a ukulele for her birthday but I’m doing my best to learn too 🙂 I have a couple of questions… If the Frets are the vertical pieces across the neck of the ukulele, do we position our fingers on these for the chords or on the space between them? Also, why do the frets get closer together towards the body of the ukulele? Thanks!
Hi Heidi, typically, you place your fingers in between the frets, but for the best sound, I recommend focusing on pressing down as closely behind the fret as possible to ensure that the string rings out clearly. There is an elaborate science and math equation behind why the frets get closer together towards the body of the ukulele. It has to do with allowing the ukulele to be properly intonation and producing the right pitch as you go higher. Unfortunately, I’m not very math savvy, so I can’t explain much more than that 🙂
I have small hands and short fingers and I just cannot play the E major and B minor chords because I can’t manage the spread. I also find barring difficult.
thanks a lot Brett, your lessons and the book was all that it took me to learn ukulele. though i am just a beginner, in less than a week i can play four songs on it, not with the same speed though. but i just wanted to thank you, all that you give really is necessary and sufficient. thanks a lot, man.
Thanks Brett for your tips and lessons, it really helped me to get a start on playing the ukulele.
Is there another way to play Bminor? I have small fingers and I can’t spread my fingers nor bar the strings.
Getting ready to buy my first ukelele with a $$ Christmas gift. I want to enjoy singing with my little grandchildren. I have a very little music background … what kind should I buy? Thanks.
My wife bought me a Brunswick Mahogany Soprano Ukulele for Christmas. My problem is trying to play some chords where the fingers are very close together. D minor for example, I just can’t make my 58 yr old fingers twist to get into the small fret space. Any ideas?
Tony
Hello. My hands are not particularly big but i can’t do the D major chord because i tend to mute the bottom string or hit the medal thing that changes the fre (name of that? :D). Any good advice?? – Btw loved the artikel very good for a beginner on the uke 🙂
it’s so hard for my fingers to hold still and not touch the other strings grrr /)>.<(\
I am trying to find out the easiest way to play A+5 ? i have looked at a few sites but still cannot find it. Can you help Viv B
Hi Viv, A+5 is an A augmented chord, sometimes just referred to or written as A+ or Aaug. The easiest way to play it on ukulele would be 2110.
I went thru the chords for the first time with you. I’m going to have to try maybe 3 at a time to start with. Practice practice practice.
Thank you for showing me these chords, I am 8 years old, and I know they will help me to learn. Ben
I circled these chords in my BARITONE ukelele book, AND would love to see the same instruction books for the bari uke. Seeing all of these great books for the soprano, concert and tenor ukes is frustrating to those of us who want to sing a bit lower!
Brett, this makes me so sad; help!
Since baritone ukes are tuned differently (which I just learned from your site thankyouverymuch), does that mean finger placement for chords is different to?
Hi Brett, I need some advice on improving finger dexterity. I am actually pretty good but for the life of me I just cannot master the E and Bm chords. I have tried the variations offered for playing the E chord but with no success. Please Help!
Hi. I have a question.I have been playing the uke almost 2 years now and my little 5 year-old bro has been asking me to teach him the ukulele for months now. Thing is, I have no clue where or how to start:/
Do you have any advice? I NEED HELP!
Thx!
I play ukulele as a side instrument and am not that committed to it. I don’t practice very often, so I’m not that good. I have a song (Lightly Row) and it involves a G chord to D chord switch. I can never get D properly. Any tips?
Ok, still fiddling with B maj/min and Emaj.
First, I seem to have heck of a job barring several strings, 2 is about my limit as I can cover that with the pad of one finger; don’t seem to work after that. Position of the hand then defeats me trying to get ring or pinky over to the 4th string.
However, if I use first 3 fingers on first 3 strings on fret2, I can reach with pinky Ok. Or, use first 2 fingers on first 2 strings, I can reach over with 3rd and 4th fingers (ring and pinky) to 3rd and 4th strings more easily. The essence of this is that I’m getting finger ends more perpendicular to press down and hold said strings.
Don’t know if I’m making any sense to anyone else.
E min, 2 fingers to form o4o2 is Ok, but once I try 14o2 for Emaj, it screws my hand position to hold fret1 4th string and fret4 3rd string.
So I cheat and do a pinch chord, which is to say, I get a couple of fingers to the 3 main strings I need, and do a middle fing-thunb pinch and avoid striking the surplus string, the 3rd one in this case.
Ok, since I’m still very much a learner, I probably shouldn’t do that, but it works, and got used to it.
Pe.
Hi BobH, barre chords can be pretty tricky at first. I have a lesson that gives some tips and tricks related to barre chords that I think you might enjoy here: http://www.ukuleletricks.com/improve-barre-chords-on-ukulele/
I’m just a beginner, so my opinion means nothing, but I think I’m on pretty solid ground saying that G7 *is* a must-have, whereas I can and probably will live a long and fruitful musical life without *ever* having to fret an E. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that any song that contains an E chord isn’t really a song worth playing in the first place. 🙂
Scott…I don’ t know if you are joking, but E major and E7 chords are essential, particularly while playing, in the keys of C and G. If needed, you can use substilute chords…or play an inversion of the chord in upper frets…then, for example.each.minor chord has a MAJOR 7 complement..ie…E minor contains the same notes as C MAJOR 7, except the root note of each chord differs. But, of course the best way is to try to master them correctly…I’m still trying to do so with 80 year old arthritic fingers! I hope you’ll stay with it! Good luck!
Hello , I am a begnner of Ukulele. I am no experience on string instrument.
I learned C, Aminor, F, G chords in class.
I need to see my fingers on where when I play the chords, but it is slow.
I need to practice so much until I don’t need to see my finger when playing chords ?
Thx
Hi Dennis, it’s normal to have to look down at your fingers when learning new chords. You are right that once you practice enough you’ll find that you don’t need to look down so much.
Hello, I am a beginner ukulele player. What should I do to learn this 11 chords and more? Should I read over and over again or what? Please answer.
Thanks
Hi, i love your website! i am struggling with Bm chord. when i put my index finger on a three bottom strings and stroke, it doesnt sound clear. especially the bottom string sound like ‘tick tick’. what can i do!
Our church music director has started using soprano ukes with the kids and now has asked adults to learn and join in. I am 65 and played a baritone uke and then tenor guitar thru out the mid l960s until now. I was thrilled to start anew! However, my baritone is tuned to guitar DGBE. The soprano ukes are not . The songs we are playing are in key of C. My chord fingerings are for key of G. Thus, the soprano uke fingering for a C chord is what I am familiar with as F chord fingerings ! The only way I can play all the songs I have known for 45 years with my familiar fingerings is to put a capo on my baritone , 5th fret. — I am sooooo disappointed! I love the baritone sound plus I want to play (at my age) without having to “un-learn” my chord fingerings and try to re-learn t he soprano uke fingerings. Would you have any other suggestions? For now, I am simply not playing with the group. The Director is disappointed but feels there’ll be some people who will soon “graduate” to maybe a baritone or guitar. He plays guitar . And so I will play then, I guess. But I so wanted to do this especially after seeing the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain last year! Thanks, Pixie
Hi Brett, thanks for the wonderful site!
My husband bought me a ukulele for my birthday this year. I’ve had it for about a month now and I’m really enjoying it (quite surprised as I am not a musical person!). It took me a week to tune it properly but all is good now. I’m having just one problem. I have been working through the chords and most sound as they should apart from Cmajor. It sounds out of tune and the only way I can get it to sound okay is by strumming at an angle so that I don’t catch the bottom strings. I’ve tuned it to GCEA. Thanks 🙂
Jo, congrats on the ukulele! Depending on the kind of ukulele your ukulele might have a slight intonation issue, where when you press down on a fret on a string the note sounds out of tune. You might try tuning the open bottom A-string just slightly lower below an A note, so that when you fret the C chord it sounds more in tune.
I feel like my hands are too small for some of those chords! It was impossible for me to stretch my fingers that far. Am I a doomed ukelele player??
You know…if you made these chord images vertical, left-handers wouldn’t have to stand on their head to use them. :0)
Hi Brett
I’m finding your videos really helpful.
I play guitar, so I knew some things like tuning, and as I had callouses already that probably helped, but having completely different chord shapes took some getting used to, like how a “D” shape on guitar is a “G” on ukulele!
I signed up for your videos straight away I saw the high quality.
I do have one question: I’m currently using the barre E (4447) and I was wondering if there is a similar way to play but for it sound deeper, not bright and high?
Hamish, absolutely! Check out my lesson the E chord here.