Ready to start learning to play ukulele? Check out these easy ukulele chords from music teacher Raymond L. and you’ll be strumming a tune in no time!
There are many easy ukulele chords that could be considered essential for beginners but I will try to limit my choice to only seven. In my opinion, it’s best to start with these seven chords based on the following criteria: the technical difficulties or skills required to play them, the usefulness of the chords, their harmonic properties, and the aesthetic value of the chords.
Other music instructors or students might have chosen otherwise. Maybe based on the importance of the diatonic C Major scale (C,D,E,F,G,A,B), they choose those chords as the seven most essential notes for the construction of major, minor, or other chords for the ukulele. I find the four aspects I mentioned above to be the cornerstones to achieve a faster musical result, especially when I am working with beginners.
But how do you decide which ukulele chords to learn? In this post, I’ll walk you through some beginner ukulele chords – as well as some tips to help you decide which of all the chords for ukulele to learn first!
What are the 4 Basic Ukulele Chords?
There are more than four ukulele chords you should master. However, as a beginner ukulele player, try to prioritize learning the following chords:
- C
- D
- G
- Em
These will allow you to play all kinds of songs like a true professional. These four basic chords are used in just about every tune.
If you’re new to playing ukulele, you may want to check out this video with ukulele chord basics with ukulele for beginners:
What is a Ukulele Chord?
A chord is essentially just a combination of notes. Although this can vary, there are usually at least three notes in a chord.
A music chord is multiple pitches that sound together in harmony, usually named after the note that is easiest to hear.
Some easy ukulele chords and their tutorials include:
- E chord ukulele video
- D chord ukulele tutorial
- G chord ukulele guide
- B chord ukulele chord B video
- C chord on ukulele tutorial
- F chord ukulele guide
- Am chord ukulele video
How to Choose Which Basic Ukulele Chords to Learn
We already mentioned that there are four beginners ukulele chords to master as a beginner. However, as you improve, you’ll want to extend your range a bit further and learn additional, more advanced chords.
As a beginner, when you think about learning ukulele chords, ask yourself the following questions:
- How difficult, or better, how challenging are these chords for me?
- Are these chords that I am learning really useful to me?
- After learning these basic chords will I be able to play songs on the ukulele while singing along?
- After mastering them, can I really say that I’m having fun and delighting myself and others?
I believe that for the seven chords I have chosen, the answer to all of these questions is yes! If you take some time and look closely at each of these seven chords I have selected you’ll notice the following traits.
Below is a list of things to look for as you’re trying to figure out which basic ukulele chords to master first:
Technical Difficulties or Skills
All ukulele chords are very easy; you only use one, two, or three fingers of the left hand to shape them. Also, there are no barre chords which are the most challenging chords for beginners.
Usefulness of the Chords
All of these ukulele chords are very useful because they represent at least 4 different keys you can play in. You could even play songs which contain a modulation (this means changing from one key to another like: from the key of C major to the key of G major and back). The 4 different keys are:
- C major
- G major
- F major
- G minor
Harmonic Value of the Chords
All uke chords are harmonically related one to another which makes them very useful for accompanying songs. The chords that are harmonically related are:
- The C major chord with the G7 chord ukulele (dominant 7th chord) and the F chord, (Sub-dominant chord)
- The G major chord with the D7 (dominant 7th chord) and the C (Sub-dominant chord)
- The C major chord with the C7 chord ukulele used as a bridge to reach the F major chord
- The G major chord ukulele with the G7 used as a “bridge” to reach the C major chord
- The F major chord with the C7 (dominant 7th chord)
- The G minor chord with the D7 (dominant 7th chord)
There are songs you could play using only one chord, for example the C major chord which is built on the tonic (first degree or step of a scale).
Other songs use two chords and others three or more depending on the chord progression of each song. (A chord progression is a succession of related chords in a song) For example the harmony of “Frere Jacques” is built on one chord, “Clementine” on two chords, “Tom Dooley” on three and “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” is built on a four chord progression.
The Aesthetic Value of the Ukulele Chords
You will notice that 3 of the keys I have mentioned are major keys and one is a minor ukulele chords. On purpose, I wanted to establish the importance of the modes (major & minor keys) for aesthetic reasons.
While the major key evokes emotions which we understand as uplifted and happy feelings, the minor key will give the contrary; an unhappy, melancholic, “blue” feeling or impression. With a minor key under your belt, you can also play songs that are less joyful but still beautiful to your ears.
What’s the Easiest Song to Play on Ukulele?
As a new ukulele player, you should focus on learning basic ukulele chords like G, C, D, and F so you can play easy songs like “Stand By Me,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “Soul Sister.”
Use a ukulele chord chart, watch YouTube videos, and do whatever it takes to help you learn best.
Once you’ve mastered these essential ukulele chords, songs will be much easier to play. Sign up for ukulele lessons ASAP to help you learn all chords ukulele for beginners you need for gorgeous music!
Want to learn more about playing the ukuele? Search for a ukulele teacher and sign up for lessons today!
Raymond L. teaches guitar, classical guitar, musical theory, ukulele, and Spanish in Jacksonville, FL. Raymond has been teaching for over 30 years and he specializes in pop, blues, modern, Latin, classical and popular music. Learn more about Raymond.
Megan L.