There comes a point in a ukulele player’s journey where one must face head on, with courage and bravery, that dreaded and difficult-to-play E major chord on ukulele.
By learning the E chord on ukulele, you unlock a whole new world of playing songs on the ukulele with the most notable song using the E chord being Hey Soul Sister by Train.
Don’t worry because together in this lesson we look at three of the best ways to play the E major chord on ukulele. I provide you with three variations of E major and give you the pros and cons of each, so you can learn how to play the E chord and determine which one is easiest for you.
Watch the video and learn how to play E major on ukulele.
How to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele: Variation #1
To play the E major chord on ukulele in this first variation, place the middle finger at the 4th fret of the top g-string, ring finger at the 4th fret of the C-string, and index finger at the 2nd fret of the bottom A-string. Let the E-string ring open.
How to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele: Variation #2
To play the E major chord on ukulele in this second variation, perform a barre by pressing your index finger on the top g-string, C-string, and E-string on the 4th fret and place the little finger on the 7th fret of the bottom A-string.
How to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele: Variation #3
To play the E major chord on ukulele in this third and most popular variation, perform a barre by pressing your index finger on all four strings on the 2nd fret and perform a barre by pressing your ring finger on the top g-string, C-string, and E-string on the 4th fret.
Be sure to watch the video to get tips for playing this tricky position.
How to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele: Variation #4
This fourth variation of the E major chord is the same chord as Variation #3 but uses a different fretting hand position.
To play the E major chord on ukulele in this fourth variation, place the middle finger at the 4th fret of the top g-string, ring finger at the 4th fret of the C-string, little finger at the 4th fret of the E-string, and index finger at the 2nd fret of the bottom A-string.
I recommend using this Variation #4 if you have small hands and fingers, but for those of us with larger hands and fingers (like myself), learning Variation #3 is better.
Was This Chord Too Hard to Learn?
The E major chord on ukulele is infamous for being the hardest chord to play on ukulele.
If you’re a beginner and this was too difficult, don’t be discouraged. I recommend starting in the free Learn to Play Ukulele Today video lesson course where I teach you easy ukulele chords and how to apply those to strum and play actual songs.
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Hi Brett-
My fingers are too small to barre the E major chord as in Variation #3 and too large for Variation #4.
In Variation #4, instead of using fingers 2 and 3 to barre the 4th fret, I just use finger 3 to barre both the G and C. Pinky 4 still barres the 4th fret as you show. Produces a cleaner sound for me.
Thanks for the well-produced lessons.
-Scott (a ukulele newbie)
Great work, Scott. You’ve outlined another practical example of finding an alternative finger position to make a chord playable.
Nice topic, but your Variation 1 is not an E chord. It should be like Variation 3, giving B E Ab B not B E E B
True. If you wanted to be technical, Variation 1 is known as an E5 chord, since it contains just the root note and fifth scale degree in the chord (E and B). However, it’s a very suitable substitution, especially for songs written in the key of E major.
I never looked at it that way. Thanks.
Yahoo, I was hoping there was a way!!!! Thanks
Hi, Brett
Great vid. Thanks for suggesting alternative finger placements. My fingers aren’t that bendy yet so I appreciate different positions to try.
BTW, very cool uke strap. What is it? Can I order it?
Thanks,
Karen
I use the “Uke Leash” brand leather strap. It’s awesome!
Maaate …. the baritone gets no love from you …. how about incorporating big bad Barry as a supplement to its three spoilt cousins and share the love …. Easy peasy on a barra …. the e chord that is ! cheers big ears …. Ricky … Melbourne Australia.
I know, I know. I hear you baritone players. 🙂