Easy Chords

Originally published June 2, 2011

One of the awesome things about ukulele is how easy some of the chords are. Learn these four chords and you’ll have what you need to get started on lots of songs.

C major

   o o o
   ┌─┬─┬─┐
   │ │ │ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤
   │ │ │ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤		
   │ │ │ ☻
 3 └─┴─┴─┘
A minor

     o o o 
   ┌─┬─┬─┐
   │ │ │ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤
   ☻ │ │ │
 2 ├─┼─┼─┤		
   │ │ │ │
   └─┴─┴─┘
F major

     o   o
   ┌─┬─┬─┐
   │ │ ☻ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤
   ☻ │ │ │
 2 ├─┼─┼─┤		
   │ │ │ │
   └─┴─┴─┘
G7

   o
   ┌─┬─┬─┐
   │ │ ☻ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤
   │ ☻ │ ☻
 2 ├─┼─┼─┤		
   │ │ │ │
   └─┴─┴─┘

How To Read Chord Diagrams
The vertical dotted lines are your strings, the horizontal lines are your frets. It should look like your uke is standing up vertically with the headstock in the air. The black dots show where to put your fingertips, the open circles are for open strings.

How to Learn a New Chord:
1. Tip of finger, close to the fret wire.
2. Pluck each string individually.
3. Adjust until all notes ring clear, then repeat.

Even though diagrams may place the dots evenly in-between two frets, you always want to slide up closer to the higher fret. If the dot is in between the 2nd and 3rd piece of fret wire, move up closer to #3. It takes less pressure to get a clear sound if you’re closer to the target fret.

Switching Chords
Start with C major, then A minor, then F major, then G7. Notice where there are shared notes – you can sometimes keep a finger or two in place from chord to chord.

That’s it! Thanks for reading all the way to the end of the tutorial. Here’s a bonus ukulele chord for the road:

G major

 
   o
   ┌─┬─┬─┐
   │ │ │ │
   ├─┼─┼─┤
   │ ☻ │ ☻
 2 ├─┼─┼─┤		
   │ │ ☻ │
   └─┴─┴─┘

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