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.

Lefties of the world! Don’t feel left out. There’s a version for you: A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties