Basic Movable Form Chords

Published: 04 Nov 2013 Updated: 09 Jun 2015Visits: 7Code: UL114b

Category: ChordsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Chords • Beginner • Intermediate • Basics • Core • Movable • Foundation

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Basic Movable Form Chords


Sometimes called barre chords, these chords venture beyond the third fret.

Movable chord forms are chords with no open strings. Sometimes called _barre_ chords, these chords are transposable by moving each note of the chord the same number of frets up and down the neck.

Each movable form is based on a common open position chord. Movable forms allow you to play chords not found in the open position and in any key.

Here is a series of 21 chord lessons , taking basic open position chords and showing their movable forms. Each lesson contains practice progressions, additional derived chords with tips and tricks for remembering the chords.

Beyond the basic open position chords that are way too many chord shapes to memorize — even on the ukulele. It's better to start learning where chords come from and how to derive chords from your known core set of chords.

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Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Basic Movable Form Chords.

UL104

Understanding a `Ukulele Chord Diagram

There're a lot different ways to show chord shapes, diagrams and images on a fretted instrument. This is the basic chord diagram I use in all my lessons and book. In this lesson the basic chord diagram as used for ukulele is explained.

UL700a

Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart

A core set of basic ukulele chords that ALL Ukulele players should know in the five common keys of C, G, D, A and E. With the possible seventh chords for the same common keys. The chart is organized in common keys and covers basic chords in these keys.

UL700b

Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart for Lefties

A core set of basic ukulele chords that ALL Left Handed Ukulele players should know in the five common keys of C, G, D, A and E. With the possible seventh chords for the same common keys. The chart is organized in common keys and covers basic chords in these keys.

UL42-misc-t

Transposing Individual `Ukulele Chords

"Transposition" is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musical score. This lesson deals with transposing chords on ukulele and transposing chords.

UL114

Types of `Ukulele Chords

Naturally, for Ukuleles, all chords need to be voiced using only the four strings available. You would think that this is limiting, when in actuality it's quite liberating when you learn the makeup of chords. Chords can be categorized into four categories: “Open Position Chords”, “Movable Form Chords”, “4-part - a.k.a. Jazz Chords”, and “Free Form Chords.”

UL114a

Open Position Chords

The basic first chords most players learn. There are the chords in the first one, two, three and four frets of the ukulele and include at least one open string.

UL114c

Traditional and Contemporary Triads

A "Triad" is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four traditional triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. And four contemporary triad chord types: sus2, sus4, add2 and add9. Triads can be used harmonically, as chords and melodically, as single notes. Triads are a great way to get started with creating melodic solos and improvising.

UL114d

4-part Contemporary Chords, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your 4-part chords. These chords commonly called jazz chords, are really just 4-part chords used in a wide range of musical styles. Beyond basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and a core set of 4-part chords. There are just too many chords shapes too memorize. Learning the principles of how chords are constructed and the ukulele fingerboard are the way to go. Then you can create more advanced chords like 9#11, 7#5-9, 13b5, 7+9 on the fly as needed.

UL114e

Free Form Chords

"Free Form" chords are those chords that do not fall into one of the other chord categories. They typically don't show up in chord dictionaries or software programs.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Basic Movable Form Chords.

Movable Form Ukulele Chords

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Movable Chords are chords without open strings that can be transposed to any key up and down the fingerboard. This series covers the movable chords based on the basic open position chords as well as contemporary 4-part, a.k.a. "jazz" chords.

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