By now you already have C major scale in position #1, position #2, and position #3 under your belt. It’s important you get those positions under your belt before moving forward with the last two positions.

In this lesson, learn how to play C major scale in position #4 on the ukulele.

But first, why all these positions?

Why can’t you just learn one position and call it a day?

For one, by learning the C major scale in all positions across the ukulele fretboard, you learn the natural notes of the fretboard (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). If you know where these important notes are, it’s easier to learn other scales later, especially those with sharps and flats.

Secondly, by learning multiple positions of the C major scale, you make it easier to play certain single-note passages in pieces of music (like those in Fingerpicking Tricks) or solos and riffs (more on that later).

Thirdly, learning the notes of the fretboard can help you build chord variations across the fretboard to find a new sound.

Overall, by learning the C major scale in multiple positions across the fretboard you build an important foundation for understanding your instrument and for soloing later.

Let’s look at this fourth position!

Watch the video to learn the C major scale in position #4 on ukulele and keep reading to discover the scale diagrams and notes in the position.

How to Play a C Major Scale in Position #4 on Ukulele

Let’s do a quick review on the C major scale so far:

• In the first position, you started and ended the scale on a C note – the root note of a C major scale.
• In the second position, you started and ended the scale on a D note – the second scale degree of a C major scale.
• In the third position, you started and ended the scale on an F note – the fourth scale degree of a C major scale.

In this fourth position, you start and end the scale on a G note – the fifth scale degree of a C major scale.

This means even though this scale position starts and ends on an G note, it’s still a C major scale position because it contains all the notes of a C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).

C Major Scale Position #4 sheet music and ukulele tab

C major scale in position #4 spans the 7th to 10th frets.

For the fretting hand, this means you assign the index finger (represented by the number 1) to the 7th fret, middle finger to the 8th fret (represented by the number 2), ring finger to the 9th fret (represented by the number 3), and little finger to the 10th fret (represented by the number 4).

C Major Scale Position #4 ukulele fretboard diagram

Make a note where the root note of the scale is located – the C note on the 8th fret of the E-string.

You’ve Almost Learned All the Natural Notes on the Ukulele Fretboard

If you’ve been tracking along and have learned the C major scale in the first four positions, then, you’ve almost learned all the natural notes of the ukulele fretboard.

Make it your goal to memorize and learn each of these positions.

It’s hard work to dedicate the discipline required to learn the C major scale. It takes mental effort and physical effort from your fingers to remember where to go. If you put in this work now, you open yourself up to possibilities in the future like:

• Soloing on the ukulele
• Figuring out the melodies of songs on the ukulele fretboard
• Building chord variations across the fretboard
• Coming up with riffs

And more…

There’s one more position to learn which you can go to when you’re ready here.