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Chord a Day, March 1st - Bb
Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for March 1st is Bb.
The Chord a Day for March dives into Movable Form chords. These chords are based on open positions chords and do not contain any open strings — allowing for ease of transposing to other keys up and down the ukulele fingerboard. This starts you life and journey beyond the third fret.
With the Key of F
being a popular ukulele key. Bb is Most likely the first movable, barre
chord one learns on the ukulele.
For transposition purposes today's chord, Bb has a root on string one and string four. This is where you really, and I mean really knowing the notes of the ukulele fingerboard finally pays off.
Harmonic Function for Bb
The Harmonic Function of a chord is simply how is a chord being used, in context with other chords in a song or chord progression. Here are the most common harmonic functions for today's chord.
Bb is a Full Diatonic , primary chord in the common Major key(s) of: Bb (I) Eb (IV) , F (V) , and
Bb is a Full Diatonic chord in the common Minor key(s) of: Gm (III) , Eb (VI)
Harmonic Analysis, Scales and Modes
All harmonic and scale analysis utilizes Roman Numerals
related to its major or parallel major scale (
Movable Form Chords
Today's chord, Bb, is a Movable Form Chord based off the Open Position A.
Any chord chord can be transposed along the fingerboard.
Learn a New Chord Each Day!!!
This Learn a New Chord Each Day!!! series of lessons was created and published in 2013 (10yrs ago) and has been added to an expanded ever since. 2020 brought videos to the show. 2023 is bringing more Harmonic information.
For a further exploration of this chord and its movable forms visit the Movable Ukulele Chords Lesson Series page.
To find out even more than you would ever need to know about a Bb chord — continue reading .
Chord Type(s): Major
Chord Categories: Movable Form 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
Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G
variations
The same numbering notation of TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003 indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position D7 indicated as 2020.
As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally, Standard Music Notation , TAB , in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.
Derived From
Today's chord, Bb is a derived chord from A . Take any chord progression with A in it and explore substituting Bb for A.
Chord Spelling
Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.
The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.
The notes for Bb are:
Bb D F
The chord tones are the 1 3 5 scale degrees of the parent Bb Major Scale .
Bb is a movable version of the open position A with the root on string one and string four. I've only shown the root on string one. You can uses either root for transposition purposes.
Recommended Fingering
Although additional fingerings are possible for many chords. Fingering for any given chord depends the science of how our fingers work and on the harmonic context the chord is being used in, what was the previous chord and what's the next chord. The goal is to play all the notes right behind the frets when possible. Remember longer fingers can reach the lower strings better and finger two and stack on finger three and finger three can stack on finger four.
Although you can play any chord with any finger — as long as it's yours, the recommended fingering for Bb is:
Recommended Fingering
3 2 1-1
Alternate Fingering(s)
Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s Bb chord depending on the context the chord is being used.
Alternate fingering(s) for Bb:
A barre across strings one and two is the most efficient finger for this chord. <b>DO NOT barre more strings than necessary unless there's an overwhelming musical reason for the barre.</b> An example when quickly switching between todays chords and tomorrow's Bb7 in a very fast rhythmic pattern.
Fingering Notation
Fingering notation for 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 (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.
A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.
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 goes a long way to being efficient when switching chords.
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 determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four and finger two can overlap finger three a little allowing them to get closer to the 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 team.
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 Bb are: Bb D F
Bb is the 1 3 5 of the Bb Major Scale based on the root (Bb) of the chord.
Next Steps
After memorizing todays Bb chord and able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.
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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.
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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.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords, 2nd Edition
Updated: 10 Jan 2020
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...
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 ALL available books.
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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