Published:
Updated:
Learning Ukulele with Curt
Types of `Ukulele Chords
Naturally, for Ukuleles, 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. Chords can be categorized into four categories: “Open Position Chords”, “Movable Form Chords”, “4-part - a.k.a. Jazz Chords”, and “Free Form Chords.”
Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: UL114
Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Ukulele
Categories: Chords, Jazz, Movable
2026-08-23
That is what you'll be doing the most of when playing the ukulele - "Playing Chords".
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.
Chords can be categorized in to four categories: open position chords, movable form chords, 4-part - a.k.a. jazz chords, and free form 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 four frets of the ukulele, and they include at least one open string. Learn about 19 open-position chords, and you'll be able to play a load of songs.
Initially just memorize the shape, sound and fingering. No need to know the note names and/or numeric chord construction formulae.
- UkuleleLESSONS Open Position Chords
Basic Movable Form Chords
Movable Form Chords are the basic open-position chords, re-fingered to allow transposition of the additional keys along the ukulele fingerboard. The first movable form chord players typically learn is A/Bb movable form. This is the open position A chords re-fingered and moved up one fret witht the open string becoming a barre of finger on at fret (1) on strings two and one.
- UkuleleLESSONS Basic Movable Form Chords
Traditional and Contemporary Triads
Triads — At the heart of most chords, there is a major, minor, diminished, or augmented triad. These are the fundamental, traditional three-note chords that have been around for centuries. The basic major and minor Open Position and Movable Form chords were triads with a duplication of one of the notes in the chord.
- UkuleleLESSONS Traditional and Contemporary Triads
“Jazz” Chords
These chords are simply 4-part Contemporary Chords used in a wide variety of music, and this is 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 there are too many shapes to memorize all the possible chord shapes. You need to build and derive all your chords from a core foundation of chords.
-
UkuleleLESSONS
Jazz
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 in the chord and the intervals that make up the chord.
- UkuleleLESSONS Free Form Chords
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords - Volume I
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.
Exploring Jazz Chords on Ukulele
Exploring jazz chords 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.
Ukulele Chords - G Tuning
This chord book is the perfect size for every ukulele gig bag or case and a great addition to you music book library. Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played. Seventh chords, Major Sevenths, Minor Sevenths, Diminished, Augmented chords sus and add chords. Tunings: G with low or high D - (DGBE or dGBE).
