Having trouble learning chords on the ukulele? Here are some tips from ukulele teacher Willy M. that will help you master playing chords…
A common question beginner ukulele players ask is, “what is the easiest way to learn ukulele chords?”
If you’re looking to learn how to play the ukulele, one of the first things you’ll need to know are chords. There are tons of different ukulele chords to learn, but with a little practice and these tips, you’ll be playing them like a pro in no time!
Here are some of our best tips to help you learn ukulele chords, from which chords to learn on ukulele first to how to find the best instructor to help you succeed.
What Are the 4 Basic Chords for Ukulele?
The four chords of a ukulele are C, F, G, and D, each of which can be played in two different ways, either as a major or minor chord. Here are some of the first chords to learn on ukulele:
- Major chords have a bright, happy sound, while minor chords have a more melancholy sound.
- To play a major chord, simply strum the strings with your right hand while holding down the appropriate fret with your left hand. For example, to play a C major chord, you would hold down the third fret on the A string with your left hand and strum all four strings with your right hand.
- To play a minor chord, you would do the same thing but hold down the second fret instead of the third.
As you can see, playing chords on a ukulele is very easy once you know where to place your fingers. With just a little practice, you’ll be strumming away like a pro in no time!
Ask your ukulele instructor for tips on how to best master these ukulele chords. And check out the many other benefits of ukulele lessons by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3LUngJmO9E
Is Ukulele Easier Than Guitar?
Many people believe that the ukulele is easier to learn than the guitar. After all, it has fewer strings and is smaller in size.
However, there are a few factors to consider before making your decision. For one thing, the ukulele is tuned to a higher pitch than the guitar, which can make some chords sound shrill.
Additionally, the fretboard of a guitar is typically wider than that of a ukulele, making it easier to form chords.
Finally, the ukulele is a strumming instrument, while the guitar can be played both strummed and plucked. In the end, whether or not the ukulele is easier than the guitar depends on your personal preferences and skill level.
How to Learn Ukulele Chords for Beginners
Sometimes chords can be tricky to learn on any stringed instrument, and the ukulele is no exception. The good news is that with its nylon strings, a fewer number of strings, and a limited fret-board, learning ukulele chords is a little bit simpler than learning guitar chords.
Nonetheless, there are still a few important things to keep in mind when learning the ukulele. So here are three tips and tricks to help you as you practice and memorize ukulele chords. I am sure there are other tricks, so if you have any you’d like to include, let us know in the comment section below!
1. Draw it out
One of the things I see students do over and over again is forget where to put their fingers. If you practice drawing your own version of the chord diagrams, you will have an easier time understanding where the tips of your fingers go.
2. Do not place your fingertip on the fret
If you put your finger on the fret, you will only get a dull thudding sound. Many new students of mine spend a lot of time looking at their fingers, trying to figure out why my ukulele sounds crisp and clear, and theirs only produces a dull thump.
I do not put my finger over the fret. I try to get as close to the fret without actually putting my finger on it. Sometimes, because I bend a lot of notes, I just shoot for putting my finger smack dab in the middle of the frets. This gives me the ability to play what I want.
3. Play through the chord
Once you have your fingers in place, play through each string slowly until you can make each and every string sound crisp and clear. There should be no dull thuds, no buzzing, no strange noises of any kind; only beautiful, clear tones. Once you are able to produce that sound for each of the chords in your song, all you have to do next is practice the song until you have it mastered.
My final bit of advice about learning ukulele chords would be that once you begin playing songs, learning chords becomes easy. I cannot stress this enough to beginning players.
4. Memorize as many easy ukulele chords as you can
Once you’ve played through that first song, and feel the satisfaction of actually playing music, you will become addicted. There is nothing more amazing this world has to offer than to play a beautiful piece of music and enjoy listening to what you are producing. It’s magic.
So, play as many songs as you can, because it will get you hooked, and soon you’ll find yourself trying to learn another chord, and another chord, and another, and then a variant of the chord, and then a second variant of the chord, and then a minor version, and on and on, until you have hundreds of chords memorized.
People often tell me that there is no way they could memorize all of those chords, but think about it –most people can memorize all the various traffic signs out on the streets. Why not memorize ukulele chords? They are at about the same difficulty level as the traffic signs, and they can all be broken down into a few basic patterns.
5. Use a ukulele chord chart
If you’re just starting out on the ukulele, one of the first things you’ll need to learn are the chords. A ukulele chord chart can be a helpful tool in learning the chords, as it provides a visual guide to where your fingers need to go.
To use a chord chart, simply find the chord you want to learn and follow the diagram. You can also use a chord chart to help you memorize the chords, as you can refer back to it whenever you need a reminder. With a little practice, you’ll be playing your favorite songs in no time!
6. Master a few ukulele chords songs
Although it is possible to play the ukulele without learning any chords, it is much more fun if you can strum along with some familiar songs. Fortunately, even if you only know a few chords, there are still plenty of songs that you can play.
For example, the classic children’s song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” only uses three chords: C, F, and G. And once you know those chords, you can also use them to play “The Alphabet Song” and “Row Row Row Your Boat.”
So even if you’re just starting out, there are already quite a few songs that you can add to your repertoire. With a little practice, before long you’ll be able to strum along with all your favorite tunes.
What is the Easiest Chord on Ukulele?
One of the great things about the ukulele is that it’s relatively easy to learn how to play.
The best way to learn ukulele chords is to start with some easy chords to learn on ukulele, then progress to more challenging ones.
In fact, many beginners find that the C chord is the easiest one to start with. The C chord is made up of only two notes—C and E—and it can be played using just two fingers.
To form a C chord, place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string and your index finger on the first fret of the E string. Once you’ve got the hang of playing a C chord, you can move on to other chords like G, F, and D. With a little practice, you’ll be strumming along to your favorite songs in no time!
So there is a bit of info to help you with your ukulele chords. Keep practicing, and soon enough you’ll be putting these tips and tricks into effect!
Can You Teach Yourself to Play the Ukulele?
With the right attitude, an abundance of online resources, and a little bit of patience, you can figure out how to learn the chords on a ukulele.
While self-study may not always be the best way to learn ukulele chords, it’s a good option if you’re limited in terms of financial resources or can’t find the right instructor (more on this below, though).
First, take the time to really learn your instrument. Memorize where your fingers go, and go back and forth between the chords. Utilize tools like chord charts and YouTube tutorials to guide you.
Do not push too hard; instead, go at your own pace. It’s easy to get frustrated as a beginner because chords won’t sound right at first, but don’t give up right away. It takes time, perseverance, and practice.
Once you have learned the chords, it’s time to dive into practice. Practice every day, if possible. Even if it’s just a few minutes of practice each day, consistency is essential to making progress.
Practice does not mean rote memorization; instead, practice simplifies the physical act of playing the chords. Make time for deliberate practice where you pay close attention to the fundamental mechanics of playing each chord.
Read and educate yourself about the ukulele. Learning from books, online blogs, and articles can help sharpen your skills and knowledge. Books and online resources are great because they offer an opportunity to move from beginner-level tips and techniques focused on the basics of playing chords to more advanced approaches.
How To Learn Ukulele Chords Fast?
Are you struggling to learn how to play ukulele chords? Well, you are not alone. Many beginners find it difficult to master the art of strumming and finger positioning. Nevertheless, with the right practice, dedication, and tips, you can quickly learn how to play ukulele chords like a pro.
The best tip to learn ukulele chords fast is to sign up for ukulele lessons with TakeLessons. Through online lessons, you will work with experienced instructors who will help you master the basics, including playing chords. They will also provide you with the best practice routine and tips to improve your playing technique.
If you want to figure out how to learn chords on ukulele and you don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it, TakeLessons is the way to go.
With a little bit of patience and practice, you’ll be able to master all the different ukulele chords in no time! Once you’ve got those basics down, feel free to explore some of the more complicated chords and start creating your own music. Have fun with it!
Get more tips and tricks for playing the ukulele. Sign up for ukulele lessons today!
Willy M. teaches guitar, ukulele, and mandolin lessons in Winston, NC. He is the author of the “Dead Man’s Tuning” series of mandolin songbooks, and is a former member of the American Federation of Musicians. Willy has been teaching for 20 years, and his students have ranged in age from young children to folks in their 80s. Learn more about Willy here!
Photo by Del-Uks
Madalyn Danielson