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LESSONSeries : Types of Chords Available on Ukulele
Learning `Ukulele Chords
There are two approaches to learning chords, the song based approach and learning the fundamentals approach. I'm a big advocate of building a solid base of the fundamentals. A lot of players new to the ukulele like to jump right in and learn songs.
The Song Approach
For the SONG APPROACH you pick a song and learn the chords you need to learn know for that particular song.
A song is like a recipe, the chords are one of the ingredients. Look them up, ask a friend or take a lesson or two. Then learn at least one version of each of the chords in the song. Repeat the process for the next song and additional songs. This is like learning to paint by numbers – you can't really a take much from one song to the next, Only what you have learned in the context of that one particular song. You actually don't learn much about chords with this song approach.
Another approach is to learn the most common chords that show up in common keys and songs. This is especially helpful for occasions where you might have never played a particular song before or are reading the chords as you go. This happens a lot at jam sessions and club play-a-longs. You never know what songs are going to be played and would like to participate in every song. No time to look up chords - you really need to know the chords.
For Folk, Rock, Pop, Country and and Bluegrass songs the most common keys are the major keys of C , G , D , A , , and E .
For most simple songs the chords will all be from the main key and stay in that key. There are a lot of songs with just two or three chords.
The Fundamentals Approach
The FUNDAMENTALS APPROACH, which is almost required with movable form chords and “jazz” chords. You need to have a core set of chords and a system for deriving additional chords from those known chords. And, knowing where and how chords are created and used. The skills that really help with this is knowing the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard and you can use that information to locate the root or letterman of the chord for your already known chords and transpose those chords along to fingerboard to additional keys.
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Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
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Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart
Updated: 03 May 2024
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.
Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart for Lefties
Updated: 26 Mar 2019
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.
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A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords - Volume I
Updated: 13 Feb 2020
Beyond learning basic Ukulele chords, most players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called "jazz" chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music. A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele - presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords. Chord dictionaries are not the answer.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
Updated: 22 May 2024
The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. 26 blues progression in C and G tuning, progressing from basic to advanced jazz progression, with chord grids and substitutions explained.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords for Lefties
Updated: 10 Jan 2020
Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part jazz chords and more... FOR LEFTIES - Tunings: C, G, or D Tunings. Low or high string four variations.
The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I
Updated: 15 Apr 2024
Before individual chords become the background of songs, they must be put into orders called chord progressions. The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele organizes progressions according to string family, position, voice leading and chord magnetism.
A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
Books
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Reference Charts
Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4
Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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