Chords, Chords, Chords
That is what you'll be doing the most of.
Naturally, for ukulele, 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. This lesson covers the types of chords possible on ukulele.
Chord can be categorized in to four categories: open position chords, movable form chords, 4-part - a.k.a. jazz chords and free from chords.
Open Position Chords
Open Position chords are the basic first chords most players learn. There are the chords in the first one, two, three and fours frets of the ukulele and include at least one open string. Learn about 19 open position chords and you'll be able to play a load of songs.
Basic Movable Form Chords
Movable Form Chords are the basic open position re-finger to allow transposition the additional keys. The first movable form chord chord players typically learn is Bb.
Traditional and Contemporary Triads
Triads - At the heart of most chords there is a major, minor, diminished or augmented triad. Theses are the fundamental, traditional three note chords that have been around for centuries. The basic major and minor Open Position and Movable Form chords where triads with a duplication of one of the notes in the chord.
Triads are at the heart of the Open Position, Basic Movable Form and 4-Part Jazz chords.
“Jazz” Chords
These chords are simply 4-part Contemporary Chords used in a wide variety of music and where you start to learn how chords are constructed and where they come from. Beyond a core set of chords this is where you'll start to realize that they're too many shapes to memorize all the possible chords shapes. You need to build and derive all your chords from a core foundation of chords.
Free Form Chords
It’s just the notes!!!
Free Form chords are those chords that do not fall into one of the other categories. They typically don’t show up in chord dictionaries or software programs.You can create these chords when you know the notes of the ukulele fingerboard, know how chords are constructed and know the names of the notes the chord and the intervals that make up the chord.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Types of `Ukulele Chords at this time.
Transposing Individual `Ukulele Chords
Transposition is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key.
Understanding a `Ukulele Chord Diagram
There're a lot different ways to show chord shapes, diagrams and images on a fretted instrument.
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.
Core Chords - The Big Six - Building a Solid Chord Foundation
Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your core, essential 4-part chords.
Building a Solid Jazz Chord Foundation for `Ukulele
Commonly called jazz chords, these more sophisticated, contemporary chord voicings find their way into a wide variety of music forms and styles.
Movable `Ukulele Chords
A series of weekly ukulele lessons originally presented throughout 2007 on movable ukulele chords as the ** Ukulele Chord of The Week** Series.
Creating Cool `Ukulele Chords
Cool Chords - These are the chords do not typically show up in chord dictionaries or song books.
Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart for Lefties
A core set of basic chords that ALL Ukulele players should know in five common keys: C, G, D, A and E.
Basic Movable Form Chords
Sometimes called barre chords, these chords venture beyond the third fret.
4-part Contemporary Chords, a.k.a. Jazz Chords
Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your 4-part chords.
Free Form Chords
Free Form chords are those chords that do not fall into one of the other chord categories.
Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets
Related Assets for Types of `Ukulele Chords at this time.
A Guide to Advanced Chords Series - Chord Building Chart
A handle dandy reference chart for building fifteen (15) basic triads and 4-part chords.
Members Only
Log-in to access.
Key Signatures - Cycle of Fourths and Fifths
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatues.
Members Only
Log-in to access.
Basic Ukulele Chord Chart
A chart of the most common ukulele chords in the most common keys of C, G, D, A, and E.
Movable 7th Chords for Ukulele Chord Chart - C Tuning
A handy dandy single sheet chart showing the each voicing of the four, seventh chords Big Six seventh chord voicings.
Members Only
Log-in to access.
Related Lesson Books
Related Books for Types of `Ukulele Chords at this time.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Types of `Ukulele Chords at this time.
Basic Ukulele Chords Charts
Not so much a series - but the basic chords ALL ukulele players should know.
Basic Ukulele Chords Charts - As much as I preach the need to not have to rely on chords charts. When you're first learning the ukulele and chords these charts are a real help - just not long a term alternative to actually knowng your chords, where they come from and how to create them when needed.
Triads - 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.
Ukulele Doodling - The Power of the Triad + One!
Intro to Improvisation using triads + 1 - lessons for developing the ability to improvise or "take a solo".
Related Songs
Related Songs for Types of `Ukulele Chords at this time.
Related Videos
Related Videos for Types of `Ukulele Chords.
disqus displayed in production only!!!
FREE Bronze Plan - 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 to access associated lessons, books, songs and their related assets.
Forever Premium Gold Plan - The Forever/Gold Premium Plan gives you 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 Sheller as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment due. And from of the que for responding to any questions.
NOTE: Each higher membership level includes ALL the benefits of the lower membership levels.
The Private Lesson Plans include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on 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 - 1987 for my first web site
32 years ago.
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.