Surf the web with your uke with this must-bookmark list of websites for ukulele chords from music teacher Willy M.…
When you start learning how to play the ukulele, you first learn a few simple chords, but it isn’t very long before you want to start learning more complex ukulele chords to play more advanced songs.
So, to make this transition easier, I am going to present the top 10 websites I have found that will help you learn new chords. These websites are ones that I have found to be particularly helpful to my students. Some of these sites have pretty advanced information on them, while others cater more to beginners. Needless to say, there is something for everyone in the list of sites below!
Last month, I wrote an article about great places to find uketabs. This month, I am going to explore a lot of these same sites – plus a few new ones – that will teach you how to make chords for the ukulele. I will also tell you about an app that I use that can help you make ukulele chords in any tuning!
When you want to learn a new skill, the internet is usually the best place to start. You can find instructional videos on how to do just about anything on YouTube, and there are also plenty of websites that offer step-by-step tutorials on how to play the ukulele.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite websites for learning ukulele chords. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to expand your repertoire, these websites for learning ukulele chords will help get you where you want to be. Happy strumming!
What Are the 4 Basic Ukulele Chords?
The four basic ukulele chords are:
- C
- D
- G
- Em
However, there are other ukulele chords you can learn, too, the usefulness of which may vary depending on which songs you want to learn. Other popular ukulele chords include F major, A minor, D minor, and A major.
Want to learn more ukulele chords and notes as you embark on your journey to become a better ukulele player?
The websites I’ll tell you about below can be a huge help, but for the best results, you may want to consider signing up for lessons with a ukulele instructor. You’ll learn everything you need to know, including the introductory-style lessons included in the video below:
Best Websites for Learning Ukulele Chords
Here are some of the top ukulele chord websites to help you learn how to play your favorite ukulele songs.
1. UkuGuides.com
If you are a brand-new ukulele player, “ukulautist,” or “ukulelist,” you might want to check out UkuGuides.com. It has a very informative “Basic Ukulele Chords for Beginning Players” page where you will find a discussion of major chords, minor chords, and 7th chords.
2. UkuTabs.com
Uku Tabs is another great site and is affiliated with UkuGuides. It has a lot of good info, and one of its best features is a discussion on some of the most popular ukulele songs of all time. They also have a collection of ukulele chord diagrams. Some of these chords are very complex, so there is something for players of any level.
3. Ukulele Chords
If you’re looking for a site that specializes in chords, you might want to check out Ukulele Chords. They have an interesting collection of “slashed” chords – chords with a different bass note, such as a C/D or a G/F. You can find hundreds of these types of chords here.
4. Ukulele Tabs
This is another interesting site with lots of chords as well as a great collection of tabs. They boast 184 chords sorted by key. They also hold a “Win a Ukulele” contest from time to time.
5. Ukulele Hunt
This is another good site, and they have tabs and chords, as well. I really like the retro look of the site. They are kind of unique, as you can look up popular chords by genre. This is a pretty cool feature if you are just wanting to fiddle around with chords that match a particular style you enjoy.
6. Ukulele Chordfinder
This is one cool site, as it offers a software that helps you create and identify new chords. So if you are writing a song on the ukulele, and come up with a chord that sounds cool, this site will help you name it.
7. Ukulele Tricks
This site has a lot of basic chords for beginners. Be sure to check it out, and also take a look at some of the good articles they have about playing the uke!
8. EzFolk.com
The ukulele is a popular folk instrument as well, so it is no surprise that some folk music sites would want to get in on the action. In addition to chords for the ukulele, EzFolk covers music for guitar, banjo, harmonica, as well.
9. Ultimate-Guitar.com
Here is one of my favorite sites, which has a section on the top 100 ukulele chords, as well as some ukulele tabs.
10. UChord
Finally, I wanted to tell you about UChord, a really awesome app that I have on my phone. It lets you find chords for several instruments, it has a tuner, and also helps with scales. What is particularly valuable to me is that it provides lots of alternate tunings, as well! It’s a really great product.
What is the Easiest Song to Play on Ukulele?
There are all kinds of basic songs out there – but some of the easiest are as follows:
- “With or Without You” – U2
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- “One Love” – Bob Marley
- “Soul Sister” – Train
- “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
- “Riptide” – Vance Joy
- “Stand By Me” – Ben E. King
You can find ukulele chords for beginners, including “Riptide” ukulele chords and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” ukulele chords, here.
Can You Learn Ukulele in a Week?
As you’re navigating the many resources out there to help you learn ukulele, you might be wondering how quickly you’ll be able to pick up the instrument and play it well.
Learning within a week isn’t really possible for most people. It typically takes several months of hard work to be able to memorize enough chords and play ukulele chords well enough to play simple songs.
However, a week of practice may help you access enough chords to play a handful of songs on the ukulele for sure. So give it a try! These ukulele chord websites can be extremely helpful.
In addition to looking at the best websites for ukulele chords listed above, you may also want to try the following techniques to help you learn:
- Memorize a chord chart (or tape one up where you’ll be able to access it while you’re practicing)
- Take formal ukulele lessons with an instructor
- Watch ukulele videos
- Practice for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week
- Get the right type of ukulele for your preferences
- Learn how to play your favorite songs so you’re more motivated to practice
- Sing while playing basic strumming patterns
- Work on your form and posture so you don’t get fatigued while playing
- Practice with a metronome to learn basic strumming patterns
Is it Possible to Learn Ukulele Online? Yes, with the Right Ukulele Chords Websites!
Absolutely! As long as you have a basic ukulele on which to practice, you can get lessons online and start learning ukulele chords for beginners.
These top websites make it easy for anyone to learn how the ukulele is played – regardless of where you live or how much time you have available to commit to practicing and to lessons.
So, I hope these sites will help you in your quest to find chords for the ukulele! These are some of the most popular sites and are my top 10 for finding ukulele chords for beginners. Keep practicing, enjoy your ukulele lessons, and I hope to see you as a ukulele rockstar on TV soon!
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 Esteban …
Madalyn Danielson