A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties

Covers the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know - for Lefties.

Published: 02 Jan 2009 Updated: 10 Jan 2020Visits: 193Code: BC1UKE-L

Category: ChordsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Chords • Beginner • Intermediate • Blues • Repertoire • Rock • Lefty

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A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties

Covers the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know - for Lefties.

Book/Chart Product Info

Product Code: BC1UKE-L
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Jan 2, 2009
Updated: Jan 10, 2020
ISBN-13: 0-9714044-7-X
Size*: ANSI A
Pages: 54
Hard Copy Price: $14.95
PDF Price: $9

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Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part jazz chords and more... FOR LEFTIES - Tunings: C, G, or D Tunings. Low or high string four variations.

Foreword

“There are too many chord shapes to memorize,” writes Curt Sheller in his new volume A Guide to Ukulele Chords. No doubt, memorization can be limiting if it isn’t grounded in understanding. So, how are chords made and how are they named? Over the course of the chapters ahead, Mr. Sheller draws on his wealth of musical experience, offering answers to these questions and more. Beginning with the most accessible chords and progressing to the more challenging ones, the lessons that follow are of value to both rookie and veteran players.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords is well organized, informal yet informative and promotes understanding over memorization. “A chord dictionary,” as Mr. Sheller writes, “is not the answer.” A concise guide to understanding chord structure, however, just might be.

James Hill Canada’s Ukulele Virtuoso www.UkuleleJames.com

Introduction

After playing jazz guitar for 20 years, I rediscovered the ukulele. Then I learned that ukulele players struggle (like guitar players) with movable chord forms and the more advanced chords, commonly called “jazz” chords. There was no clear, concise, organized book for guiding an aspiring ukulele player through this maze of chords, so I decided to write one.

This book is a guide to the basic chords all ukulele players should know. It introduces the ukulele fingerboard, movable chord forms and 4-part jazz chords, all in three common ukulele tunings. You can build your new skills on the simplest chords. You can also learn, rock chords and chordal transposition. In addition to doing extensive research, I have tested and improved these materials during several years of studio teaching.

From a few basic chord shapes and an understanding of how chords are constructed, your chord vocabulary can be dramatically increased without endless memorizing. In fact, this book will take the mystery out of playing and understanding ukulele chords on a standard, concert, tenor, or baritone ukulele, using “C” tuning, low or high string four.

Tunings: C Tunings. Low or high string four variations.

Righties of the world! There’s a version for you: A Guide to Ukulele Chords, 2nd Edition

Table of Contents

A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties

  • Forward
  • Introduction
  • Open Position Chords
    • The Ukulele Chord Diagram
    • “C” Tuning Open Position Chords
    • “D” Tuning Open Position Chords
    • Baritone Open Position Chords
    • Open Position Chord Summary
  • Movable Chord Forms
    • “A/Bb” Movable Form Chords
    • “C/Db” Movable Form Chords
    • “G/Ab” Movable Form Chords
  • 4-Part Movable 7th Chord Forms
    • “C” Tuning - Soprano, Concert & Tenor • (G C E A)
    • “D” Tuning - Soprano, Concert & Tenor • (A D F# B)
    • “G” Tuning - Tenor & Baritone • (D G B E)
    • Generic • All Common Ukulele Tunings
    • Additional 7th Movable Chord Forms
    • Tips for Remembering Chords
  • Diminished & Augmented Chords
  • Rock Uke
    • Power 5 Chords
    • sus Chords
    • Add 9 Chords
  • 4-Part “Jazz”” Chord Forms
    • What is a Chord?
    • A Few Chord Building Rules
    • Creating the 4 Basic Chord Types
    • Building More Advanced Chords
    • Scale Interval Formula Chart
    • Suggested Learning Order
    • Scale Interval Chart
  • Transposing Chords & Progressions
  • Practice Chord Progressions
    • Orlando Blues
    • WC Swing
  • Learning The Ukulele Fingerboard
    • Common Tunings
    • Key Frets
    • "C" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "C" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes
    • "D" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "D" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes
    • "G" Tuning Natural & Sharp Notes
    • "G" Tuning Natural & Flat Notes

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Errata

A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties

  • 15 Feb 2009 - Errata File Created
  • 28 June 2011 - pages, 9 10, and 11 chord fingers fixed for a few chords. - download full chapter here.

Get The Latest Version

The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties.

AGC-SERIES

Advanced Guitar to Chords and Progressions Series

Updated: 26 Feb 2022

The Advanced Guide to Chords series presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords and chord progressions. Each volume provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords, covering all major, minor, diminished and augmented chord types, their upper partials, alterations, add, sus and slash chords.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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