Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!

Time to get off the memorizing your chords by shapes.

Published: 01 Jan 2013 Updated: 31 Mar 2023Visits: 658Code: ULCAD-END

INSTRUMENTS: Chords Main: Ukulele Others: Ukulele
Subjects: Chords • Cool

Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!


Where is Today's Chord?

"Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!"

Hopefully, that is something you might have realized three months into the Chord a Day saga, that:

After a core set of Basic Open Position Chords , a few Movable Form Chords , and Jazz Chords — it's learning how chords are created and how to derive new chords from your core set of ever-expanding existing chords.

Next Steps ... on to Your 4-part Jazz Chords

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. Even chord theory does not offer any insight into unraveling the complexity of Ukulele chord voicings.

Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele using a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire. Core Chords are the basic set of chords needed to play a wide range of music, in a variety of styles. This set of chords includes basic open position chords, basic movable form chords and the core 4-part "jazz" chords. These "Jazz" chords are advanced chords that find their way into a wide range of music.

It never was my intention to do a whole year's worth of chords. I'm surprised I went three months (January, February, and March). And, in 2020 I added a video for each chord for 91 videos. 2023 brought the addition of common harmonic function for each chord. Those three months covered the Basic Open Position Chords , Movable Form Chords , a few Free Form Chords , and a start of 4-part Jazz Chords in March.

Although I did miss one really popular chord that should have be included. It's a basic 4-part chord that I was shocked I had missed. Here is a hint: '5500'. I did add it as The Forgotten Chord below.

So now that Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere where I live. It's time to get out and start using all these new chords and really learn how they are used and what substitutes you can use.

See You Next Year!!! • 2024

So what's next? Here are a series of lessons to get you going towards that ultimate goal of being to play any chord you ever need. Or, at least say that you can create any chord you ever need. Even when people get very creative in naming chords.

  • Basic Open Position Chords - These are the core set of chords that the January covered. These are the basic chords that every ukulele player should know.
  • Movable Chords - movable form of the open position chords
  • Jazz Chords - these chords all start with the Big Six core chords.
  • Free Form Chords - this is where you know how chords are created, constructed and used and don't fit into one of the above categories. With a low G, C tuning, these chords are a kin to closed voicing chords, where all the notes are within one octave - just like most of the chords with a high G, C tuning.

The Forgotten Chord

Here is one chord that I forgot to add that is a basic chord that should have been in January or February somewhere. I actually play this cord a lot and it is a big part of my Ukulele CHord vocabulary.

This is a great voicing as a substitute for this Fmaj7 voicing below, which tends to be a bit dissonant when used out of a voice leading harmonic context.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!.

Comparing the High G and Low G, C Tunings

Exploring the differences in these two common C tunings, both the high G reentrant tuning associated with he ukulele and the low G variation. There are benefits to exploring both C tunings. Good excuse to have more ukes -:)

Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart

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.

Chord Shapes and Learning `Ukulele Chords

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 `Ukulele Fingerboard (Finally!!!)

Most players struggle with learning the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard. There doesn't seem to a pattern and notes repeat. There is an easy way and "it's easier that you think." Most players know the names of the open strings for their favorite tuning.

Naming Chords on `Ukulele

A Chord can have alternate names based on how it is being used. A chord's function is an important determining factor in naming a chord. So unless you know the harmonic function of a given chord, you might not be able to accurately name it.

Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the `Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

Standard music notation, the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for C tuned ukuleles. Covers both high C and low G tuning variations.

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". Based on the Ukulele Chords book by Curt Sheller (me). It takes the open position chords and shows the movable form and the variations.

Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation

"TAB" or "Tablature", is an alternate form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. TAB is sort of a secret language between guitar players and ukulele players. Although a shortcut to getting started it actually serves to alienate one from the rest of the music world.

Standard Music Notation

Music notation or musical notation refers to various systems of writing music. Diverse systems of musical notation have developed in various cultures. In fact, many cultures simply do not notate their music in any form.

The Learning Process - The Mind, Hands and Ears

For music and learning an instrument like the ukulele or guitar, it's all about the making the connection between your Mind, your Hands, and your Ear. When listening to music, we enjoy it at the tempo the composer or artist intended, in real time. Only the ear is involved in listening. This is passive listening and you're simply enjoying the music. This is what we do every day and it's what draws us to want to learn a musical instrument.

The Harmonized Major and Minor Scale Charts

The "Major Scale" or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do), the Do in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

Transposing Individual `Ukulele Chords

"Transposition" is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musical score. This lesson deals with transposing chords on ukulele and transposing chords.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!.

Chord a Day - February

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Learn a new chord a day for the month of February.

Chord a Day - January

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Learn a new chord a day for the month of January.

Chord a Day - March

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Learn a new chord a day for the month of March.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!.

AGCUKE1

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.

AGCPB1UKE

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

Updated: 15 Jun 2006

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.

BC1UKE

A Guide to Ukulele Chords

Updated: 05 Dec 2017

A Guide to Ukulele Chords - covers the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. Plus, an introduction to movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, jazz chords and more.

BC1UKE-L

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.

ULUNN-C

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

Updated: 18 Jan 2023

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard. Learning the notes of your instrument allows you the flexibility of not having to remember so many shapes. There are simply way too many chords, scale and notes patterns, and shapes to remember. It all comes down the notes.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

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.

Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for Whoo!!!, Too Many Chord Shapes to Memorize!!!.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

Basic Ukulele Chord Chart

Updated: 11 May 2019

A chart of the most common ukulele chords in the most common keys of C, G, D, A, and E.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

Movable 7th Chords for Ukulele Chord Chart - C Tuning

Updated: 31 Dec 2016

A handy dandy single sheet chart showing the each voicing of the four, seventh chords Big Six seventh chord voicings.

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