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IslandBaritone

Skanking

B · G#m · E · F#

B
I
G#m
vi
E
IV
F#
V
Key
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Skanking in B major on Baritone ukulele

Upbeat ska-influenced reggae progression.

Play I · vi · IV · V in B major using these Baritone shapes: B (4 4 4 2), G#m (1 1 0 4), E (2 1 0 0), F# (4 3 2 2). Each set of frets follows D, G, B and E, from left to right in the diagrams. A 0 means open and x means mute.

Learn the first two shapes as a pair before adding the rest of the loop. Start with one downstrum per chord, then play four downstrums on each. If you know this progression on a Standard ukulele, follow the chord names here and learn the DGBE shapes. The sounding key stays B.

Songs that use this

  • Every Breath You Take · The Police
  • Be My Baby · The Ronettes
  • Kingston Town · UB40

Chords in this progression

BG#mEF#

Try in other keys

C majorD majorE majorF majorG majorA majorB major

Related progressions

Hawaiian VampSlack KeyHulaIsland BreezeIsland Strum

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Skanking on Baritone ukulele in B?

Follow I · vi · IV · V in B major using these DGBE shapes: B (4 4 4 2), G#m (1 1 0 4), E (2 1 0 0), F# (4 3 2 2). Read each set of frets from the D string to the E string. A 0 means open and x means mute.

Do I need to transpose chord names for Baritone ukulele?

No. Play the written chord names using Baritone fingerings. Skanking in B still uses B, G#m, E, F#. Copying Standard gCEA fingerings onto DGBE strings changes the chords you hear.

How should I practise the Baritone chord changes in Skanking?

Start with the first two shapes, B (4 4 4 2) and G#m (1 1 0 4). Pluck each string to check that fretted notes sound cleanly and muted strings stay silent. Switch between those chords slowly, then add the remaining changes in order. Try one downstrum per chord before playing a full bar on each chord.

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