UPDATED
Nov 29, 2019
Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart
A core set of basic `ukulele chords that ALL Ukulele players should know.
PUBLISHED: Dec 8, 2011 UPDATED: Nov 29, 2019 • VIEWS: 423 • LESSON CODE: UL700a •
Instruments: ukulele Subjects: chords • progressions • basics • core
All 2 sample page(s) are viewable on-line.
To view the pages at a larger size you can resize the browser window smaller to a tablet or phone size and the pages will magically grow larger. If you are a registered member and have the correct permissions.
Each PDF file is a formatted high resolution file that prints out great. You'll need Adobe Reader or a PDF viewing application to view your PDF file.
Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart
A core set of basic ukulele chords that ALL Ukulele players should know - at least - in the five common keys of C, G, D, A and E. As well as the seventh chords for common keys.
The chart is organized in common keys and covers basic chords in these keys. Of the 15 possible major and relative minor keys in music. There are five common keys to get started with: C, G, D, A, and E. These keys allow you to play quite a few popular songs. There's more in common between songs that your might think.
This chord chart is great for beginners and new members to ukulele clubs.
You'll play chords more than anything else on the ukulele.
Understandably this is one of the most popular and top lessons on the site. Chords are what we do the most on ukulele as you can't know too many chords. But, in the long run, there are far too many chord shapes to memorize all the possible chords. You need to learn a bit about how they are constructed and work to get beyond this basic chart.
Master the chords on this chord chart, and when you venture past the third fret, you'll see that it's not as foreign chord territory as you might have thought.
Here are direct links to the Key Signature lessons for the common keys covered in the chart with a lot more information. Each key is a series of lessons covering the primary and secondary chords of the key with common progressions and more!
Did I mention it's FREE!!!
Several years ago I created a series of lessons called **A Chord a Week**, where each week I took a basic open position chord, which happens to be one of the chords from this chart and went over the chords you can derive from your basic chords.
Here a lot of the chords that are in the first row of the chart and their seventh chords:
What NOT To Do!
Photo from WikipediA
This above photo is intended to show a guitar chord and inadvertently shows several points of bad technique (which equally apply to ukulkele):
- A – Thumb creeping above the neck and out of its support role.
- B – Palm touching the neck, which limits the range and dexterity of the fingers ability to finger the individual notes of a chord.
- C – The pinky on the frets and not right behind it. I'd be surprised if the C note on string five sounded when played. The same can be said for the other C note on string two and the index finger being on the frets and not behind it.
What TO Do!
Photo from Right Here on LearningUkulele.com
Note: For a better camera angle my thumb has creeped up a bit to get the shot - which is not efficient or recommended.
This chord chart is also available for Lefties.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Download the lesson's PDF file for the latest, complete and most up-to-date version of the lesson. As well as additional information not presented on-line.
Members and Active Students need to sign-in
to download the premium lesson PDFs for the complete lesson.
Videos
Videos for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart.
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 1st - C
What better way than to start the new year off with learning a new ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 1st is C.
The C chord is typically the first chord all new ukulele players learn, uses a single finger and is relatively easy to play on ukulele. The C chord is a major chord type and the most common chord type. The major part of the chord is seldom written and almost never pronounced - simply say C.
The C chord is responsible for getting more people hooked on the ukulele than any other chord. Even if you already know this C chord I've included a lot more information regarding the C Chord. So take a look and around.
In the common keys of C, F, and G - C functions as a "primary" chord.
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 7th - Am
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 6th is Am. The 'm' is pronounced 'minor'.
The original, first “Am” chord was discover deep in the Consolidation Coal Company mine in Butcher Holler, Van Lear, Kentucky USA - by . . . . . . . . . . . “A minor”
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 5th is Dm. The 'm' is pronounced 'minor'.
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 3rd - G
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 3rd is G.
G is a primary chord in the common keys of G, C, and D.
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 2nd - F
What better way than to start the new year off with learning a new ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 2nd is F.
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 2nd is F. January 2nd happens to be my (Curt) birthday. Sorry, Mom and Dad, you didn't get that tax deduction.
Initially, chords are learned based on songs that players would like to play and this means the primary chords of the common keys are typically first. F is a primary chord in the keys of C, F, and Bb.
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Ukulele Chord a Day, January 6th - Em
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 6th is Em. The 'm' is pronounced 'minor'.
Additional Content Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only
This content requires a Basic Access Paln and or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.
To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for Premium Site Access or upgrade your current access level.
Login or SignUp to View Complete Page
Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart at this time.
Basic `Ukulele Chord Fingering • Updated: Nov 15, 2019
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. A example shows up with the first chord we will cover, a C major chord. It is a one finger chord. That one finger can be anyone of your four fingers.
Key Signatures - C Major and A Minor • Updated: Sep 21, 2011
Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. Sometimes called the learning key, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using.
Chord Shapes and Learning `Ukulele Chords • Updated: Jan 11, 2020
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.
Related Books
Related Books for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart at this time.
Related Songs
Related Songs for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart at this time.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart at this time.
Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets
Related Assets for Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart at this time.
Site Access Plans for LearningUkulele.com
Forever Access - With Forever Premium Access you get Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources and related assets. As well as ALL books by Curt as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment again. And jump the queue for my responding to any questions.
Basic Access - A limited selection of basic lessons — ( currently over 140 ) and 100+ songs for ukulele as well as basic general music reference material — Completely FREE — Simply Register/Signup. HOWEVER - I've been doing ukulele and LearningUkulele.com since 2003 and probably have given too much away already - as reflected in my income from the site in relationship to the time spent on the site. So help support this site and its continued development by signing up for one of the below Premium Access Plans or buy a few of my books. - Thanks, Curt
NOTE: Each higher access level includes ALL the benefits of the lower levels. Private Lessons include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on the schedule.
Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books! — Peter Rhee
Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the best — Glen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys
Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too. — Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg
I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent. — fatveg — Portland
Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!
Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II.
33 years ago.
“Built for myself (Curt), and sharing with the `Ukulele community!”
LearningUkulele.com has one of the largest collections of lessons, songs, and TABS, luthiers, ukulele builders, ukulele festival and club information, and, ukulele links on the web. I’ve been on the ®Internet since the early 1990's and This site just never stops growing!!!
Content is added and updated almost daily - so check back often.