Chords on the Ukulele
When you want to learn to play, you need to learn the Ukulele chords.
Ukulele chords are often shown in chord charts. There are many of them online, but some of them can scare a beginner. So find one that suits your level and the strings you have.
Links to cords:
Here are some links that shows you chords.
Chord chart (GCEA) Standard tuning, or see the chart below.
Chord chart ADFB (D-tuned)
Chords on a Baritone Ukulele:
Baritone Ukulele chord chart.
Chords on a left-handed Ukulele:
Left-handed (GCEA) Ukulele chord chart.
And here you have some ads from Amazon that shows you the most used chords:
At this link you find books from Amazon with chords. Take a look!
Or, take a look at the Ukulele Chord Bibles at the link under. There you have every chord.
Many apps give you also the cords. Here are two examples for Android, but there are several more.
How to play the chords
This link also shows you how to play the chords: Uke Buddy
Print out the chord chart so you have it for some of our other articles as Ukulele Chord Progressions.
If you want to learn how to play specific songs, the web and YouTube are wonderful teachers.
For example, if you want to learn “Lean On Me”, “Count On Me” or “Take On Me”, just search: lean on me ukulele chords (chords are C, F, Em and G to play this song on an easy way), count on me ukulele chords (C, Em, Am, G, F and Dm) or take on me ukulele chords (A, Bm, Dbm, D, F, Gbm and G). Then you can find perfect teachers for your level who will show you how to play it.
So, if you are a beginner, we would suggest that you start with something simple.
Barre chords
Barre chords are every beginner’s fear. Here is a good tip:
Which chords should I start with?
There are several experts out there who have an opinion on which chord to start with to learn to play. We guess it depends on what kind of music you like.
C, E, A, F and D are probably a particularly good start, but we prefer C, Am, F, G7 and G.
With these chords you can play a lot of songs. C, Am, F, G7 is also a good progression that you can play in a loop. Se the article about Ukulele chords progressions.
Please note that some of the chords may be a little difficult to play, or have in a progression, for a beginner. Don’t start with the hard stuff!
Any way, our recommendation is to learn the chords marked in red first, and then supplement with the remaining ones marked in yellow in the cart below.
Recommendation from Ukulele Tricks: Chords (GCEA) (C-tuned) 11 Must-Know Ukulele Chords for Beginners. (Add Fm and Gm to the yellow.)
For some of the more difficult chords, there may be an option to make them easier to play. Example: E chord. It may be easier for you to have your middle finger over the top two strings. Then you use 3 fingers instead of 4. Try yourself.
Another example: If you’re playing a song with G and G7, try using your little finger on the E string, ring finger on A, and middle finger on C in the G chord and point to the E string in the G7.
The G6 cord – may be a favorite?
G6 = Em7, Gmaj9, Asus4
Once you’ve learned some chords, you need to learn how to change from one to another. Practice and practice.
You can also practice changing chords using an app. Ukulele Chords Trainer. Before you start it, enter the chords you want to practice and then the app changes the chord according to the interval you have chosen.
Finally, here you have the opportunity to check your speed:
Good luck with learning chords! Now you can proceed to our post about Chords Progressions, and Strumming.
Please note:
Basic Ukulele has no website sponsors. The income we get from clicks on Google ads in the posts, gives us a small contribution to keeping the website open. All clicks on ads are appreciated! Thanks!
(The advertising in the videos is not ours.)
Finnaly, Basic Ukulele was established in 2015 with the attention to making it easier for those interested to learn to play, or to get information about this wonderful instrument. Yes, we love the Ukulele!