Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart

The art and science of chord fingering. Learning your basic open position chords in common keys. We have four fingers and there're all not equal. Some shorter then others and some stronger that others. Everybody's hand is a little different. This does play a role in fingering chords.

Just what is "Up, Down, Ascending, Descending, Higher, Lower, Top, Bottom" as related to music?

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.

In music, it is important to learn and recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. These two keys have corresponding major and natural minor scales, along with basic ukulele chords that can be used with each scale. The key of C Major, also known as the learning key, is particularly easy to memorize and start using.

“G Major” (or the key of G) is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G A B C D E F#. Its key signature has one sharp: F#. Its Relative Minor scale is E Minor. Its Parallel Minor is D Minor.

"D Major" (or the key of D) is a major scale based on D, with the pitches E F# G A B C#. Its key signature has two sharps: F# C#. Its Relative Minor scale is Bm Minor. Its Parallel Minor is D Minor.

"A Major" (or the key of A) is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A B C# D E F# G#. Its key signature has three sharps: F# C# G#. Its Relative Minor scale is F# Minor, Minor. Its Parallel Minor is A Minor.

"E Major" (or the key of E) is a major scale based on E, with the pitches E F# G# a B C# D#. Its key signature has four sharps: F# C# G# D#. Its Relative Minor scale is B Minor. Its Parallel Minor is E Minor.

Pick up any chord dictionary, and one thought that should go through your mind is - TOO MANY CHORDS There is now way to memorize all those shapes. It would be better off learning how they came up with all those shapes. Most chord dictionaries are also just like pages transposed to all possible keys.

Learning the similarities between chord progressions and songs helps you remember a lot of songs. There's a lot more in common between songs than one might think. This series of lessons explores common chord progressions.

In Western Harmony there is no stronger chord resolution in a major or minor key than then the V chord to the I chord. In the key of C major this is G or G7 to C.