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Chord a Day, January 3rd - G
Learn a new chord everyday of January.
by Curt Sheller, Curt Sheller Publications
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.
G is a Core Chord
A core chord is a basic chord that other chords can be derived from - created new chords from your known chords. Your ever expanding set of core chords creates a solid foundation for playing music on ukulele or any instrument capable of playing chords. There are just far too many chord shapes to memorize all the possibilities. Some chords you can simply create on the fly as needed based on known information and how chords work.
Chord Type(s):
Major
Chord Categories:
Open Position
Triad
Related Lesson: Understanding a Chord Diagram
Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns and are almost entirely learned by shape and sound - hopefully, the chords' name. Later on one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.
Standard Music Notation and TAB
C Tuning - High 'G' and Low 'G' Tunings
Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High "G" variations
Chord Spelling
Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes of a chord are. The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord.
The notes for G are:
G B D
These are the 1 3 5 scale degrees of the parent G major scale.
Recommended Fingering
All though additional fingerings are possible for many chords. Fingering for any given chord depends on the harmonic context the chord is being used in, what was the previous chord and what's the next chord.
Although you can play any chord with any finger as long as it's your, the recommended fingering for G is:
Recommended Fingering
0 1 3 2
Alternate Fingering(s)
Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s G chord depending on the context the chord is being used.
Alternate fingering(s) for G:
- 0 1 2 1 - Finger is placed flat across strings one, two and three.
- 0 1 3 1 - Finger is placed flat across strings one, two and three. This is a variation of the above fingering.
- 0 2 4 3 - This fingering is good if you're going to move/transpose the chord up the neck and used finger one for string four.
Fingering Notation
Fingering of a chord using text only, without using a chord grid is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one. Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.
The Typical text representation of a chord fingering without a chord grid.
Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that no finger is required.
Photos
Photos typically are NOT a good way to show a chord as they can't always show efficient chord fingering. If you're using efficient fingering and keeping all the fingers over the fingerboard and ready to go and as close to the action as possible. You might not be able to see in the photo if a finger is actually being used to play a given chord. This is true for most chord photos and in the photos for the open position C chord I took for January 1. I kept the other fingers out of the way for the photo and that is not how I would actually play those chords.
Fingering Chords
Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers can reach the lower string four and three.
Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret takes less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency in play, lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determine what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four and finger two and overlap finger three a little allowing them to get closer to their fret.
Remember – the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers – not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines BUT is a critical member of the show.
Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals
ALL chords can be be constructed based on the their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.
The chord tones for G are: G B D
G is the 1 3 5 of the G Major Scale based on the root (G) of the chord.
Next Steps
After memorizing todays G chord and able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various strums and fingerpicking patterns to your ukulele skills.
End of Lesson
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PERMANENT LINK: https://LearningUkulele.com/lessons/chord-a-day-january-3rd-g
Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets
Additional Lessons, Books, Songs, Lessons Series, Reference Material, etc...
Basic Ukulele Chord Chart
A chart of the most common ukulele chords in the most common keys.
Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues.
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Related Books
Additional Lessons, Books, Songs, Lessons Series, Reference Material, etc...
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, 2nd Edition
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, Second Edition is designed as a guide to ukulele chords. Covering the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. A Guide to Ukulele Chords covers movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and includes an introduction to 4-part, a.k.a jazz chords and more...
Related Lesson Series
Additional Lessons, Books, Songs, Lessons Series, Reference Material, etc...
No related lesson series for Chord a Day, January 3rd - G at this time.
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
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