Your Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve decided to learn the ukulele. That’s fantastic! The ukulele is a versatile and fun instrument that’s perfect for beginners. But where do you start? Right here, with this guide. We’re going to break down the basic chords you need to know, making it as simple as possible.
In this post you will learn about chords. Where to find them and which basic chords you should learn first.
Which chords should I start with?
Different experts may have varying opinions on which chord to start with when learning to play the ukulele. However, we believe that it depends on the type of music you enjoy.
Some people might say that C, E, A, F and D are a good start, but we prefer Am, C, F, G and G7.
First off, let’s tackle the chords of Am, C, F, and G. These four are your bread and butter, opening up a world of songs in the key of C. From Bob Dylan’s folk anthems to Taylor Swift’s catchy pop tunes, these chords have got you covered.
C, Am, F, G7 is also a good progression that you can repeat in a loop. You can read more about this in our article about Ukulele chords progressions.
And then?
Be aware that some of the Ukulele chords might be too hard to play, or to use in a progression, for a beginner. Don’t jump into the deep end!
Instead, our recommendation is to start with the chords marked in red first, and then add the ones marked in yellow in the chart below.
If you add D major, E major, and E minor to your toolkit, and you’re all set to play almost any song in the key of G. These eight chords are just the beginning of your ukulele adventure. They are the foundation upon which you can build your skills and expand your musical repertoire.
And there you have it! These basic chords are your first steps on your ukulele journey. Practice them regularly, and before you know it, you’ll be ready to explore more complex chords and strumming patterns. So, pick up your ukulele, tune it up, and start strumming! Remember, the key to mastering the ukulele, like any instrument, is patience and consistent practice.
Recommendation from Ukulele Tricks: Chords (GCEA) (C-tuned) 11 Must-Know Ukulele Chords for Beginners. (Add Fm and Gm to the yellow.)
Trix for E and G/G7
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.
Major Chords
Now, let’s move on to the major chords. These are the A, B, C, D, E, F, and G chords. Start with A, C, D, E, F, and G. These chords are the backbone of many songs and will help you create a rich, full sound on your ukulele. The B chord is a bit tricky and not as commonly used, but don’t worry, with practice, you’ll master it in no time. The E chord can be challenging but is frequently used, so it’s worth the effort to learn.
Minor Chords
Next up are the minor chords. These chords add a touch of intimacy to your songs, contrasting the upbeat feel of the major chords. Start with Am, Dm, and Em. These chords can help you add depth and emotion to your music, allowing you to express a wider range of feelings through your ukulele playing.
Seventh Chords
Finally, we have the seventh chords. These chords bring a groovy, funky vibe to your songs, making them perfect for jazz, soul, and uptown tunes. Try out G7 and F7, but don’t shy away from the others (except maybe B7). These chords can add a unique flavor to your music and help you stand out as a ukulele player.
The G6 cord – may be a favorite?
G6 = Em7, Cmaj9, A9sus4
Chord Charts
You can see ukulele chords in chord charts online. These are diagrams that show you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. However, some of them might be too complex for a beginner. Therefore, look for one that matches your level and the strings you use. Don’t worry, we have had some suggestions for you in this post.
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:
If you are interested in learning more about chords, you might want to check out some books from Amazon at this link. They have a variety of books for different levels and styles of playing. Take a look and see if anything catches your eye!
Alternatively, you can also explore the Ukulele Chord Bibles at the link below. These books contain every chord you can imagine, from the basic to the exotic. They are a great resource for expanding your chord vocabulary and mastering the fretboard.
Apps to your phone.
Some apps can help you learn ukulele chords. Here are two examples for Android.
How to play the chords
If you want to see how to play the chords, you can check out this link: Uke Buddy
You can also print out the chord chart and use it for some of our other articles, such as Ukulele Chord Progressions.
Another way to learn how to play specific songs is to search the web and YouTube for tutorials.
For example, suppose you want to learn “Lean On Me”, “Count On Me” or “Take On Me”. You can simply search for lean on me ukulele chords (the chords are C, F, Em and G for an easy version), count on me ukulele chords (the chords are C, Em, Am, G, F and Dm) or take on me ukulele chords (the chords are A, Bm, Dbm, D, F, Gbm and G). Then you can find teachers who suit your level and show you how to play them.
Therefore, we suggest that you start with something simple if you are a beginner.
Barre chords on Ukulele
Barre chords are every beginner’s fear. Here is a good tip:
Power Chords
Read about Power Chords in the post: Ukulele Tricks.
Practice
After you’ve mastered some chords, you need to learn how to switch from one to another smoothly. The key is to practice and practice.
A good way to practice changing chords is to use an app. For example, Ukulele Chords Trainer. Before you start the app, enter the chords you want to practice and then the app will change 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.
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Basic Ukulele was founded in 2015 with the aim of making it easier for anyone who wants to learn or find out more about this wonderful instrument.