I’ve covered a lot of incredible chord progressions over the years. And I wanted to pick through them to find the tricks they used. And how those tricks added to the story the song was telling.
Let me know your favourite progressions in the comments.
8. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
First, it’s in saddest of all keys D minor. But my favourite part is the chromatic move down from Bb to A (chromatic means you move up or down one fret). That falling back feels so resigned and deflated. It’s perfect for the song.
7. Dream a Little Dream of Me
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
This song, written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and covered by everyone, uses the same chromatic trick twice. Being in a major key it gives the move a lazy and dreamy quality.
6. Bon Iver – Skinny Love
The Chords
This one is in open-C tuning i.e. the A-string is tuned down to G.
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
This song makes great use of drones i.e. notes that stay the same through all the chords. And I made sure that carried through on the ukulele version by using an open tuning. So the C-string rings through the whole progression and the E-string for all but one chord.
Skinny Love also makes use of dissonance on the D7sus2. That chord has three notes close to each other: B, C and D. These clash to create an uncomfortable feeling that propels the progression forward. I wrote more about that in the best ukulele chords post.
5. Carly Simon – Nobody Does It Better
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
The IV to iv chord change (Bb to Bbm in this case) is an absolute classic. This change is the famous
strange change from major to minor in Every Time We Say Goodbye. You can also hear it in Radiohead, in Arctic Monkeys #1 Party Anthem and umpteen by the Beatles. It’s another case of a chromatic move down but this time on just the C-string. Going from 2nd fret to 1st fret and resolving to the open string for the F chord.
After that is another neat trick: introducing notes on top of a base chord. So the underlying chord is F and she adds 9 and 7 notes on top of it.
4. ABBA – Dancing Queen
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
This is a clever twist on changing notes over background chords. The notes on top of the chords (g-string, 1st fret to g-string, second fret) are repeated for each chord.
3. (I Wish I Could Shimmy Like) Sister Kate
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
This is my absolute favourite chord turnaround. It’s adapted from Bob Brozman’s guitar version. The first three chords combine drones on the g- and E-strings with chromatic notes on the C- and A-strings. But this time the notes are ascend chromatically. That creates the opposite effect and makes the song a lively, excited.
2. Prince – Purple Rain
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
Another chord progression using drones. This time the notes on the E- and A-strings sound through the first three chords.
But the highlight of the progression is the use of Bb9 and Eb9. These are unsettled chords like the D7sus2 in Skinny Love. But they’re not discordant. They’re melancholy and restless. The song is in Bb and using a Bb9 means the progression doesn’t feel like it’s relaxed and complete. The chords keep cycling and never resolves.
I wrote more about Prince’s use of 9 chords here.
David Bowie – Life on Mars
The Chords
Full chords
How it Sounds
Chords
What Makes this Progression So Good?
The pre-chorus section of Life on Mars uses the ascending chromatic notes over chords trick and keeps doing it until your head is about to explode.
First there’s an Ab chord with ascending notes on the C-string. Then it moves to Db and ascends on the E-string (Note: I adjusted the chord names to make them more readable). This section is the perfect over-the-top build up for the contrast between the mundane life the mousey haired girl is living in the verse and grandiosity of what’s happening on the silver screen.
Top 13 Ukulele Chords
(A Beginner's Guide To Ukulele Chords)If you’re new to ukulele and are wondering where to start, then you can begin with these easy chords! On this page we’ve chosen to break down the top 13 ukulele chords. By learning these basic chords you’ll be able to play many awesome songs on your ukulele in no time.
TIP: Try to play on the fingertips as much as possible to avoid muting the other strings, to get a clear sound.
A Quick Guide To Uke Chord Charts
Before you get started learning the chords, you’ll need to understand how a ukulele chord chart works. Here are the four things you need to know to read a chord chart:
1. A chord chart is designed to illustrate the first five frets of a ukulele, with the vertical lines being the strings and the horizontal lines being the frets. You can see these labeled on a real ukulele in the image above.
2. The four strings, from left to right, are G, C, E, and A, also shown above.
3. The solid circles you'll see in the images below represent where you position your fingers on the strings.
4. Also below, if you see an open circle at the top of the chart, then this represents an open string, so you don’t put any fingers on this string.
And that’s it! Now, onto the chords...
C Major Ukulele Chord
The C major chord is super simple as it only requires one finger. Remember, that the open circles represent open strings, so no fingers are needed on the G, C, or E string. Place your third (ring) finger on the A string at the 3rd fret. Your hand should look similar to the photo below.
A Major Ukulele Chord
Once you’ve mastered the C major chord, give the A major chord a go, which uses two fingers. Place your first (index) finger on the 1st fret of the C string and your second (middle) finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. And that’s your A major chord!
A Minor Ukulele Chord
Now let’s try out the A minor chord, which is pretty similar to the A major chord, just one finger less. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
G Major Ukulele Chord
Next, we’ll take a look at the G major chord, which is a little trickier because it uses three fingers. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and your third finger on the 3rd fret of the E string. This finger positioning might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but the more you play, the more you’ll get used to it.
F Major Ukulele Chord
Let’s try out the F major chord. Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the E string, and your second finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Done!
D Major Ukulele Chord
The D major chord uses three fingers all positioned on the 2nd fret. Place your first finger on the G string, your second finger on the C string, and your third finger on the E string.
This chord can feel crowded with 3 fingers on the same fret, especially for those playing a concert or soprano sized Ukulele. Feel free to experiment with different options, like a barre, which you will learn about below. As long as the G, C, and E strings are being pressed, and the A string is left open, do what feels best for you.
D Minor Ukulele Chord
The D minor chord is similar to the F major chord with an additional finger. Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the E string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and your third finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
E Minor Ukulele Chord
If you’ve mastered all the chords so far, E minor won’t be tricky at all. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your second finger on the 3rd fret of the E string, and your third finger on the 4th fret of the C string.
Tip: Remember to keep your fingers arched high to avoid fretting other strings.
B Major Ukulele Chord
Now, we’re going to move onto some more challenging chords, starting with B major. A B major chord uses what’s called a barre chord. A barre chord is where you use one finger to hold down two or more strings at the same time. To play a B major chord, take your index finger and hold down the 2nd fret on both the E and A strings. Then place your second finger on the 3rd fret of the C string, and your third finger on the 4th fret of the G string.
Tip: When playing a barre chord, place your thumb on the back of the ukulele neck to help you apply more pressure.
This might take a bit of practice, but mastering the barre chord will help you with lots of different chords in the future!
Bb/A# (B flat/A sharp) Ukulele Chord
Once you’ve got the B major chord down, have a go at the B flat chord. Take your first finger and barre the E and A strings at the 1st fret, then place your second finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, and your third finger on the 3rd fret of the G string.
D7 Ukulele Chord
D7 is a 7th chord. Not sure what a 7th chord is? Well, 7th chords are a combo of a triad with the addition of another note. Let’s start with learning D7, which also uses a barre chord. Use your first finger to barre the G, C and E strings at the 2nd fret, then place your second finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Again, this chord might take a bit of practice, but remember to take your time!
Alternative D7 Chord: Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Your second (middle) finger also goes on the 2nd fret, but on the E string. The C and A strings should be left open.
G7 Ukulele Chord
G7 is bit simpler than D7. To play a G7 chord, place your first finger on the 1st fret of the E string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, and your third finger on the 2nd fret of the A string. And you’ve got it!
E7 Ukulele Chord
Finally, we’re going to end with an E7 chord. Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the G string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, and your third finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
Tip: Remember to play with the tips of your fingers. Arching your fingers more can help avoid muting the E string.
TIP: Notice the similarities between chords like F and A and try to switch between chords with as little movement as possible.
By practicing these basic chords, you’ll be well equipped to start learning more complex chords and chord progressions, as well as using them to jam along to your favorite songs.
Remember to take your time and have fun!
Nothing but great ukulele chord progressions…
To embed this tool on your website simply copy and paste the code below.
XWhat's all this about?
Following on from my tool to help you find ukulele chords that sound great together, I had an idea to expand upon it and add more chords and more progressions.
This tool is just a large collection of chord progressions for you to try. Reload the page or hit the ‘give me another’ button to get another chord progression.
Hopefully you'll find it a useful resource and will learn some new patterns and chords to try out
If you've got an amazing chord progression that you'd like to contribute, I'm all ears. Drop me an email with the chords in - I'll give it a play and if I like it, I'll add it in!
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Don't forget to grab my free ukulele guide
Before we jump into the chords you should make sure you're learning on a quality instrument. We've got an easy to use guide, to help you find the perfect uke for you in this article. Here are a few products we recommend you add to your gig bag before you rock out on these chords.
If you begin on a cheap uke, you won't sound as good, which can be disheartening. We understand that if you are a beginner ukulele player, it may seem like a better decision for your wallet to not invest in high-quality ukulele. In the end, however, saving a few dollars on a beginner uke may make you more frustrated due to the lack of quality! You may find that you cannot quite hit the correct notes or that it is “always” going out of tune! The last thing you want is to strum a few chords and have to re-tune again. Waste of time! Loss of patience!
Let's get started! We start with our fingers. On the diagram below, you'll see that we have each finger numbered. Use the diagram to easily identify which fingers need to go where on your ukulele strings. We won't be using the thumb, so just remember the digits from 1 to 4.
Where do I put my fingers?
Uke chord charts have four vertical lines that represent the four strings of your ukulele. If you’re familiar with playing guitar, you may notice that reading a uke tab is very similar to reading a guitar tab! The first vertical line on the chart displayed above can be your thickest string, which is usually your G string.
The first string, however, is not always a G string, and it’s also not always your thickest string. A ukulele can be tuned in many different ways such as the re-entrant method. Depending on the tuning that you use, the order of the strings may be different. Because many ukuleles use the re-entrant method, the thickest string is commonly the C string, not the G.
Musician’s Tip: If you are right handed and fingering with your left hand, and playing with G-C-E-A tuning as pictured above, the G-string will be closest to your nose. When you don't hold down on any frets, this plays an G note or an open fret.
Be aware that the chart goes in sequential order starting with G and moving from the C (third string), to the E (second string), and last but not least to the thinnest string: the A (first string).
Re-entrant Tuning Method: Explained!
Although standard ukulele tuning is very popular, so is the re-entrant method. Standard ukulele tuning is very common for soprano, concert, and tenor ukes. In fact, only tenor and baritone ukuleles are not commonly tuned using the re-entrant method.
So, what is the re-entrant tuning method? If you are using re-entrant tuning that means that your strings will not run from low to high. Soprano ukuleles are tuned using the re-entrant method for example. Soprano ukuleles are a popular choice for beginner to amateur ukulele players because it is easy to get used to the size of the soprano ukulele. It is also important for beginners to start to understand chord structure on a soprano ukulele. If you start on a soprano ukulele, you may find that it is not as hard for you to reach new chords.
What do all these symbols mean?
Luckily, these uke chords only have two important symbols. The easiest and most used symbol is the black circle, which means to fret a note. Here, we'll also put the number of the finger which you use.
An open string will be a white circle on a uke chart. The open strings are the notes at the top of the chart, G,C,E,A. A funny way to remember the order is by saying: Get Crazy Every Afternoon. If that's not a life motto, I don't know what is! Having these memorized will help you remember your finger placement.
Understanding Symbols for Ukulele Chords!
You may also need to understand one quick note about ukulele chords! If you are a complete novice it is important to understand that a capital M, means a MAJOR chord, and a lowercase m, means a MINOR chord.
For example, CM means C major. Cm means C minor! We hope that clarifies any confusion before you get started reading about how to play uke chords!
Learning to Play the Easiest Ukulele Chords!
Many people learn ukulele chords in musical groupings that will help them play songs. Although it is your decision in what order to learn the chords, learning them in alphabetical order can be a good way to start. A lot of uke books will teach you chords in the key of C first, and afterward, the books will teach you other keys.
We would like to introduce the first set of uke chords to you in a way that will help you to learn the easiest chords first. Then we will introduce some harder chords a little later. The first chords we are going to explain are C major, C minor, C7, A major, A minor, and A7. Prepare to bask in the glory of the easy C chord, but unfortunately not all the chords are this simple!
To play the C major chord (CM), simply place your ring finger on the A string on the third fret. To play the C minor chord (Cm), stay on the same fret and either use three fingers, or use a barre chord again on the C, E and A strings (the second, third, and fourth strings). This C minor chord is played on the 3rd fret, although there are other versions of the C minor chord that you can learn later! For now, we recommend that if you’re a complete beginner, you try just using three fingers for now and leaving the barre chord for later! Let’s give C7 a try! C7 is another piece of cake! Place your first finger on the first fret of the A string. That’s all!
To master the A major chord, place your index finger (first finger) on the first fret on the C string and your middle finger on the second fret of the G string. Voila! You’ve learned the A chord. A minor looks very similar to the A chord. If your hand is already in the position of an A major chord, you only need to remove your index finger from the first fret. Now you should only have your second finger on the G string on the second fret. That’s A minor!
A7 is also extra easy for you to learn! Just place your first finger on the first fret of the C string. The good news is that you may be able to learn A and C chords pretty quickly, especially if you are already familiar with playing other stringed instruments.
Let’s Learn the Ds, Fs, and Gs!
The next set of easiest chords is D, F, and G! We’ll get to B’s and E’s yet, but now let’s learn F major and F minor.
To hit the F chord, you have to reach over the other strings to fret. Keep the C and A strings open with your first finger on the E string on the first fret and your second finger on the G string on the second fret.
You'll have to do a bit of a stretch to play the F minor (Fm) chord. Your first two fingers stretch between the G and E strings on the first fret, then your ring finger hits the A string on the third fret.
The D chord will use your three fingers sequentially on the second fret of the G, C, and E strings. The Dm chord is very similar to playing the F chord. You just need to add your ring finger (third finger) to the C string on the second fret.
The G chord will use all three fingers placed very close together. It may feel like your hand is going to cramp up, but with practice, your muscles will get used to it. Your first finger will hit the C string on the second fret, your second finger will also be on the second fret, but on the A string. The ring finger is placed on the E string on the third fret.
What About B? How Can I Play the B Chord?
You'll find that B major is a little tricky to play, but luckily you won't have to play it too often. It's important to know how to play B though and have it saved in your back pocket should the opportunity arise.
You'll notice that playing the B chord requires you to use a barre chord! Thankfully, you will not need the B chord in many songs, but it is good to learn anyway. When you play a barre chord you'll use the same finger to fret multiple strings. In other words, when you play a barre chord you have to press down several strings at the same time. Barre chords are usually achieved by laying your index finger flat against the strings. But, unlike the B chord, there are some tricky ones that require other fingers to fret the strings.
To play the B chord, fret the E and A strings on the second fret with your first finger. Place your second finger on the third fret on the C string and also your third finger on the fourth fret on the G string. If the B chord is a little hard for you, try some other chords first and come back to the B chord another day.
Perhaps more important than the B chord is the Bb (B flat) since it appears frequently in folk songs. First, check out the image of the chord below so you have an idea of what it looks like.
To play a Bb you will need to be able to play a partial barre chord. To support your hand, place your thumb on the back of the neck of your uke, and then press down on the last two strings using your index finger on the first fret. Your wrist should be lowered in order for you to reach two of your remaining fingers (your second and third finger) across the fretboard. You will press down on the third fret on the first or ‘G’ string with your third finger. You will also press down on the second fret on the second or ‘C’ string with your second finger.
It’s a little tricky to master this chord, but you’ll need it for many songs, and it is often used for songs on the ukulele in the key of F. If the Bb chord is still troubling you, try learning the Gm7 chord first, which is very similar to a Bb chord. A Gm7 is the same as the Bb flat, expect that you remove your third finger from the first string on the third fret. In a pinch, you can use the Gm7 instead of the Bb until you learn the Bb better!
Mastering the Tricky, but SUPER Important E Chord!
One thing that can help you hit the E chord is by working on your reach and flexibility in your fingers. You can achieve this by including finger exercises in your daily warm up. This will not only increase your finger reach, but allow you to play longer and faster!
When playing the E chord, start with your first finger on the G string on the first fret. Then place your second finger on the A string on the second fret. Your third finger will cross over the strings to hit the C string on the fourth fret. This is not only one way to play the E chord, but it is also the easiest.
The standard, commonly used E chord can look a little different. You may often see the E chord pictured as a barre chord. For example, you may see the following image of an E chord in a song book:
This version of the E barre chord will require you to barre the G, C, and E strings on the fourth fret with one finger and place your first finger on the A chord on the second fret. Alternatively, you can also decide to use all three of your others fingers to hold down each string, rather than playing a barre chord. Although this strategy may work initially, eventually it will be important to learn to play this chord as a barre chord!
There are still other ways to play the E chord, but it is crucial that you learn at least one way to play an E chord if you want to play the ukulele! There’s simply no way to get around it!
How Do I Play Other Minor Chords?
You already know how to play a few easy minor ukulele chords, but there are a few more important minor chords for you to learn! In general, minor chords create softer sounds, whereas major chords sound strong and happy. Don't dismiss the minor chords though. They can add a moody sound to your tunes. Let’s look at Bm, Em, Gm,
Bm is a toughy! You’ll need to use the barre chord we learned in the B chord a few minutes ago. You will barre the C, E, and A strings on the second fret with your first finger. You also need to place your third finger on the 4th fret on the G string! Although this chord is not the first chord you’ll probably learn, you may need it later on!
Up next we've got Em and Gm. If you’ve already conquered Bm you have nothing to fear from these minor chords! To get the Em chord down, you'll need to use your first three fingers and reach over the strings to fret. Start with your first finger on the A string on the second fret. Your second finger will be E string on the third fret. Lastly, your third finger will be on the C string on the fourth fret.
The Gm chord is played with your first finger on the A string, first fret. Your second finger will be on the C string on the second fret, and the third finger on the E string on the third fret.
How do I play the 7th chords?
The 7th chords add a groovy vibe to your music. They are very common in blues and jazz songs and are indicated by the number 7 after the letter name. You can add a little soul to your tunes with these 7th chords! The 7th chords are relatively easy to learn. You’ve already had a brief intro to 7 chords when you learned A7 and C7 in the beginning of the article!
The B7 chord is a little more complicated than A7 or C7. Use a barre chord on the G, E, and A strings on the second fret. Then add your middle finger on the C string, third fret.
D7 is somewhat similar to B7. You'll use another barre chord on the G, C, and E strings on the second fret with the first finger. Then add your middle finger down on the A string on the third fret and you've got it!
We are onto the last three ukulele chords for beginners that we will cover. F7 is going to be one of the most difficult chords, but you've come this far, so we know that you can do it! Add a little extra practice to these three and you'll be rocking it! F7 is just like the F chord we learned earlier, but you'll add your third finger on the C string on the third fret.
Hit the E7 chord with your first finger on the G string on the first fret. Your second and third fingers will both be on the second fret, but on the C and A strings, respectively.
Last but not least, G7! Place your first finger on the E string on the first fret. Your second finger will reach over the E and A strings to the C string. Place your second finger on the second fret. Also, your third finger will be on the second fret as well but on the A string.
Ukulele Chord Progressions
Of course, if you’re a musician already, you may know that some chords just sound better together than others! For example, Am, C, Dm, and A7, which are all chords you’ve learned in this brief how-to article can be played together. Try also A, D, and E7 together. If you know what chords go together you can start to create your own songs, and not just play the songs of others. A sign of a true musician is one who can compose and create their own music!
Another set of chords that will blend well together is Em, G, C, and D. These chords are excellent together on both the ukulele and the guitar! Or try B7, Em, Cm, and G together! As you play more on the uke, you’ll learn to develop your own style!!!
Chord Transitions
If you’re a beginner to the uke, don’t forget to take your time. Don’t stress yourself out on becoming a world-renown ukulele musician overnight. You also need patience to build muscle memory.
To help you to get started try learning chords transitions between G and C. When you are playing a G chord, press your fingers firmly on the strings. Try practicing moving your ring finger (third finger) from the third string on the third fret, back one string to the fourth string (A string) on the third fret. You will need just this one movement and just this finger to transition to a C chord. Next you need to hover your other two remaining fingers above their original positions from your G chord. Congratulations you’ve just learned how to change from a G to a C chord!
Next you need to hover your other two remaining fingers above their original positions from your G chord. Congratulations you’ve just learned how to change from a G to a C chord!
Confused? Take a look at the two chords one more time:
Let’s try to learn one more! G to F! If you are trying to move to an F chord from a G chord, your index finger (first finger) will need to move to your third string (the E string). Then your middle finger moves up to the first string (G string) on the second fret. Lastly you will need to hover your remaining finger (third finger) that you haven’t moved, which you do not need for the F Chord.
There you have it! You can now play the beginner and a few other intermediate ukulele chords. You also have the tools to start making your own music and begin learning chord transitions too! You are on your way to mastery! Keep up the hard work and bookmark this page so that you can return to it when you need a refresher.
Tips for Beginners
- Invest in a top quality ukulele. Cheap ones will be difficult to keep in tune and won't hold up with regular wear and tear.
- Always make sure your instrument is in tune. It will be impossible to sound amazing if you're off key.
- Learn how to read uke tabs.
- Spend some time learning basic strumming patterns.
- Take your time while learning. If you try to hurry through it, you could be memorizing things incorrectly.
- Have fun! It may be hard to motivate yourself to practice if you don't enjoy playing the ukulele. Try learning your favorite songs.
Chords pretty ukulele
Are you ready to learn some tunes using basic ukulele chords? The great news is, learning just a few ukulele chords means you can learn hundreds of songs on uke. Once you have your uke in hand, you’ll be cranking out tunes in no time. All you need to do is learn the basics, and get a few easy ukulele chords under your fingers.
What Basic Ukulele Chords Should I Learn?
To play the most songs, the most important basic ukulele chords to learn are C, D, G, and Em. These set you up to play a ton of songs, and each of them is easy to learn. Once you familiarize yourself with these chord diagrams, you can play any one of the easy ukulele songs here, including hits from Bob Dylan, Adele, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Here’s what those chords look like when written in a chord chart:
To play the songs in this blog post, all you’ll need to do is learn the fingerings of four chords and get comfortable transitioning between them.
How Do I Start Playing Uke?
Holding Your Ukulele
First, it’s time to pick up your instrument. Holding your ukulele, look for the headstock, neck, and body of your instrument. Were you able to identify each of these pieces? The headstock has 4 tuners on it. 2 on the left and 2 on the right. The neck has 4 strings and the fretboard. The body of your instrument has the soundhole, bridge, and saddle.
The Right Hand
To hold your ukulele, in the perfect position, use your right hand to hold your ukulele where the neck meets the body. Using your right hand, bring your instrument to your chest. The back of the body of your ukulele should be held against your chest. You will notice the neck of your instrument is pointing to approximately 2pm. You should be able to support your ukulele with your right hand while you adjust the neck positioning. The neck should point towards the left side of your body. The saddle and bridge should be on the far right.
The Left Hand
Using your left hand to make a pac-man shape. Bring the pac-man shape up to the neck of your instrument close to your headstock. Notice where your thumb and fingers are. Notice what position your wrist is in. Your wrist should have a natural rotation. Your thumb should be inline with your one finger. This is important to note. You will want to maintain this hand posture as you begin to move through various chord fingerings.
String Names
Now that you have your ukulele held in the proper position, let’s take a look at the names of strings. With the neck of your ukulele on the left side of your body, look down. You should see 4 strings. The string closest to the top is called “string 4.” This string is also known as the G-string. The fourth string is tuned to G.
The next string down is “string 3.” The third string is known as the C-String. This string is tuned to C.
The next string down is “string 2.” The second string is known as the E-String. The second string is tuned to E.
The bottom string is called “string 1.” This string is known as the A-string. The one string is tuned to A.
It is important to note that when looking down at your strings, while in proper position, the number of the strings is in reverse order. String 4 is on top, string 1 is on the bottom. This will be helpful for you to know when you start reading tabs.
Tuning Up
Now that you know the names of each string, it is time to tune your ukulele. We will tune the ukulele starting at string 4. This is the G-string. You will need a tuner. Your ukulele may have a tuner built in. If not you can use a tuner that attaches to the headstock. Another option is to use a tuner app on your smartphone. Holding the ukulele in the correct position, use your thumb of the right hand and strum down on the 4th string. Check your tuner. If the note you played is higher or lower than G you will need to adjust the tuner head attached to the G-string.
To find the tuner head for the G-string, put your finger on the G-string. Follow the G-string to the top of the headstock. You will see what tuner the string wraps around. This is the tuner you will turn to adjust the length of your string. Once you’ve successfully tuned your 4th string to G it is time to repeat the process on the C-string.
Pluck your C-string with your thumb. Check your tuner to see if the note played is higher, lower, or directly on C. Adjust the correct tuner to get your C-string in tune. Continue the same process on the E-string and A-string.
If your instrument is new, played often, or has old strings you may need to adjust your tuning more often. You should check your tuning before you play. After time you may be able to tune your ukulele by ear. This takes some practice but is great for when you don’t have a tuner handy.
How to Play 10 Easy Ukulele Songs with 4 Chords
Some of the greatest compositions of all time have just three or four chords, but don’t let their simplicity fool you! We picked these 10 easy ukulele songs, so that you can experience the joy of playing the uke as quickly as possible. You can use these tunes as a launching pad to motivate you to practice and take your musical journey to new heights. Or, you can just sit back and enjoy just how far four ukulele chords can take you!
Learn the Chord Shapes and a Simple Down-Strum Pattern
Finger each chord carefully, making sure you’re sounding all of the notes clearly. To make sure of this, try playing each string individually and adjust your fingers as needed if you hear muted or muddy notes. Before you attempt to play any of these songs, first practice each chord with a down strum, using your right-hand thumb.
These easy ukulele songs are all in the time signature known as 4/4, meaning there are four beats in every measure, and each one of those beats is a quarter note. So, to prepare for learning these songs, play each chord four times. Start with the G chord, playing several measures of four consecutive down strums at a slow tempo. Then move on to the C chord, then back to the G chord, and then the D chord. Try tapping your foot as you play the chords, strumming each chord for four counts.
Though learning a single chord is easy enough, recalling different chord shapes and seamlessly switching between them takes some practice. Don’t worry if you find it frustrating to switch between different chords at first. Over time, you will build up your muscle memory and you won’t even need to think about where your fingers need to go.
Optional Rhythmic Strumming Pattern
Once you have that simple down strum and foot-tapping working, you can try this more interesting strumming pattern consisting of:
Down, Down-Up-Down, Down-Up-Down, Down-Up-Down, Down-Up-Down, Down-Up-Down, Down-Up
This pattern is fairly easy, though it might look harder than it is. Just break it down to an independent down strum to start off with, followed by 5 groups of Down-Up-Down, ending with Down-Up. You can either use your thumb or a felt pick. Please note: the down stroke (down strum) symbol most commonly used is: Π and the up stroke (up strum) symbol most commonly used is: ∨.
Looking for help transitioning between chords? Check out this helpful tutorial:
Now, Pick an Easy Ukulele Song!
Once you’re relatively comfortable moving from chord to chord, you’re ready to try playing one of the uke songs listed below. Remember to take it slow at first, and gradually increase the tempo as you get more comfortable. Don’t expect to play along with the recording right away!
In the beginning, it’s ideal to start with a song that you’re already familiar with. This will help you get the chord changes right and will allow you to sing or hum the melody as you play. You can then move on to more novel and challenging tunes!
1. “Blowin’ In The Wind” – Bob Dylan
Blowin’ In The Wind is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm 87
For the verse:G gets 2 beats. C gets 2 beats. G gets 4 beats. G gets 2 beats. C gets 2 beats. D gets 4 beats. Repeat. For the refrain: Every chord gets 2 beats, except the last G chord. The last G-Chord gets 4 beats.
- Verses: G, C, G, G, C, D, G, C, G, G, C, D
- “The answer my friend” refrains: C, D, G, Em, C, D, G
2. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Brown Eyed Girl is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 150
For the verse:The pattern is G-C-G-D. Each chord gets 4 beats. This repeats 4 times, followed by C-D-G-Em-C-D-G each for 4 beats each. Then, play a D-chord and sustain the chord. For the refrain: Play the D-chord for 8 beats. Then play G-C-G-D-G-C-G-D each chord for 4 beats. This song is played verse, verse, refrain, verse, refrain
Verses: G, C, G, D, G, C, G, D, G, C, G, D, G, C, G, D, C, D, G, Em, C, D, G
- “Do you remember when we used to sing: ”sha-la-la-la-la-la-la” refrains: D, G, C, G, D, G, C, G, D, C, D, G, Em, C, D, G
3. “22” – Taylor Swift
“22” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 103
The verse of “22” is pretty simple. The pattern is G-D-C-D each chord gets 2 beats.
The chorus is a little tricky. G-D-C-C-D-C-D-D each chord gets 2 beats. This repeats twice, then it’s back to the pattern of the verse.
4. “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
“I Won’t Back Down” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 115
The verse of “I Won’t Back Down” is pretty simple. The pattern is listed below. The Em and D chord each get 2 beats. The G and C chord each get 4 beats.
The chorus is fun, but kinda tricky at first. Play a quick C-G-C as the chorus begins. Next play G-D and then G-C. Each of these chord changes is half of a beat. This means the C-G-C is a total of one and a half beats. You may have to listen a few times to hear timing correctly.
- Verses: Em, D, G, Em, D, G, Em D, C, Em, D, G
- Choruses: C, D, C, D, C, D, Em,, D, G, Em, D, G
5. “Someone Like You” – Adele
“Someone Like You” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 68
The verse is pretty simple. The pattern is G-G-Em-C Each chord gets 4 beats. It is helpful to count each beat as 1e&a, 2e&a, etc… If you’d like to practice your finger picking, this is a great song to practice with. The fingerpicking pattern is 4,3,2,1. The pre-chorus is D-Em-C-C Each chord gets 2 beats.
- Verses, Choruses and Bridge: G, D, Em, C
- Pre-chorus: D, Em, C, D, Em, C
6. “Your Mama Don’t Dance” – Loggins & Messina
“Your Mama Don’t Dance” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 142
The verse has the following pattern:
G-C-G-G
C-C-G-G
D-C-G-G
Each chord of the verse gets 4 beats. The chorus has the same pattern as the verse. The bridge is a little different.
The pattern for the bridge is:
C-C-C-C
C-C-C-C
D-C-G-G
Each chord of the bridge gets 4 beats. This song is formatted as chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.
- Verses: G, C, G, C, G, D, C, G
- Bridge: C, C, C, C, D, C, G
7. “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 117.
The verses are: G-G-D-G each chord gets 8 beats. The chorus is: C-D-G-Em This repeats twice. Each chord gets 4 beats. Followed by: C-D-G-G Each chord gets 4 beats. The format of this song is verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus.
- Verses: G to D (for verses),
- Choruses: C, D, G, Em, D C, D, G, Em, D——C, D, G, Em, D—–C, D, G
8. “Bring It On Home” – classic blues song recorded by countless artists
“Bring It On Home” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 112 based on the Sonny Boy Williamson II rendition.
The verse and chorus of this song are the same format. Once you have the format memorized, this is a great song to practice soloing on.
- G, D, G, C, G, D, G, C, G, D
9. “This Magic Moment” – Jay And The Americans, Lou Reed, etc.
“This Magic Moment” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 139. This is based on The Drifters version of the song.
The verse of the song is G-E-C-D. Each chord gets 8 beats. The chorus is Em-C-G-D. Each chord gets 8 beats. This song can also be counted in half time using a bpm of 70
- Verses: G, Em, C, D
- Pre-chorus: Em, C, G, D
- Choruses: G, Em, C, G, Em, G, Em
10. “Tougher Than The Rest” – Bruce Springsteen
“Tougher Than the Rest” is in 4/4 time. This means you’ll count: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. Four beats in each measure. The bpm is 99.
The chord progression for the verses and bridge is listed below. This song is a little different from the rest of the songs on this list. The rhythm pattern for each chord is different. Meaning each chord is held for a different number of beats. You will have to listen to the words of the song and listen to when the chord changes along with each word. “Tougher Than the Rest” is not a difficult song, but it will require you to listen. Using a chord chart like one found on Ultimate Guitar would be very helpful.
Verses: G, C, D, C, G, D (for verses)
- Bridge: Em, C, G, C, D, G, Em, C, G, C, G, D, G
Looking for more uke tunes? Here are 10 more easy ukulele practice songs for beginners.
Remember, listen to these songs as you’re learning and play along so you can hear where the chord changes happen. You can also look them up on a site like Ultimate Guitar, which shows where the chord changes occur relative to the lyrics of the song.
Why Learn to Play the Ukulele?
The ukulele is a beginner-friendly instrument that you’re never too young or old to try out. From the first time you pick up the uke, you’ll be amazed at just how accessible this instrument is. With just a few easy ukulele chords, you can play a variety of tunes that sound great and are fun to sing along with.
A few extra bonuses – the ukulele is affordable, portable, and has a warm, uplifting tone. If you think the ukulele is only fit for breezy tropical tunes, think again. You can use a uke for virtually any song, especially those originally written for the guitar. You’ll find that our list covers everything from folk favorites to pop anthems, and that’s just a small taste of what’s possible with this instrument.
If you don’t already own a uke, you can start by choosing from the three most common ukulele sizes for your first instrument: the soprano, concert, or tenor. They all use the same tuning, but the main difference is in body size (tenor is the largest). You should be able to purchase a starter uke for between $50 and $100.
Need some extra help mastering these ukulele chords and songs? Nothing beats working with a teacher one-on-one. Your uke teacher will give you a fun and engaging pathway to uke proficiency, so you can get a big sound out of this little instrument.
By taking online or in-person lessons with an experienced ukulele teacher, your skills will noticeably improve in a short period of time. With every lesson, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your musical goals. Search for a ukulele teacher today!
Jeff S. teaches ukulele and guitar lessons in Perth Amboy, NJ. He is both a songwriter and performer, and has taught music business and songwriting at various universities and music schools. Learn more about Jeff S here!
Photo by Victor Engmark
Jeff S. teaches guitar,ukulele, speaking voice, songwriting and more in Perth Amboy, NJ, as well as online. Jeff has created and taught songwriting and music business classes at colleges, universities, and music schools throughout the country for many years.
Jeff S.I saw them for the first time. And I liked the choice of my husband. For himself, of course, he found a pretty young student who looked so touchingly innocent. But the guy was wonderful for me as well. Tall, young, strong.
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Didnt break.