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Beginner ukulele chords
Learn six beginner ukulele chords with clear diagrams and audio. Start with C, Am, F and G, practise clean changes, then add Em and D to play the same progression in another key.
Easy ukulele chords for beginners
First, make sure your ukulele is in tune with the ukulele tuner.
C, Am, F and G are four useful beginner ukulele chords. Their open shapes work together in a common progression found in many songs. Learn each shape, listen to how it should sound, then practise moving between them.
New to chord diagrams? Learn how to read them first.
C major
Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. Leave the G, C, and E strings open.
A minor
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Leave the C, E, and A strings open.
F major
Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the E string and your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Leave the C and A strings open.
G major
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E string. Leave the G string open.
Practise clean chords and changes
Make every note clear before you add speed or a strumming pattern.
Make each chord ring
- Form the chord without strumming.
- Pick G, C, E and A separately.
- Move a buzzing fingertip closer to the body-side fret wire and press firmly enough for a clear note.
- Curl any finger that is touching and muting a neighboring string.
- Strum once when all four strings ring clearly.
Build smoother changes
- Start with Am and F. Keep your middle finger on G and add or remove your index finger.
- Practise C to Am, then F to G.
- Count four slow beats on each chord and change on the next 1. Add four downstrums only when both shapes stay clear.
More beginner ukulele chords: Em and D
Once C, Am, F and G feel comfortable, add Em and D. These two shapes let you use the same four-chord progression in the key of G.
E minor
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string, and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the C string. Leave the G string open.
D major
Use your index finger to barre the 2nd fret across the G, C, and E strings. Leave the A string open.
Beginner ukulele chord progressions
The C · Am · F · G and G · Em · C · D loops use the same I–vi–IV–V progression in different keys. The first uses your original four chords in C. Adding Em and D lets you play it in G.
Frequently asked questions
- Which ukulele chords should a beginner learn first?
Start with C, Am, F, and G. C and Am use one finger. F builds directly from Am, and G completes many common progressions. Once those four feel familiar, add Em and D.
- How can I tell whether I am playing a chord correctly?
Pick each string separately before you strum the full chord. Every string marked open or fretted should ring clearly. Use the audio preview to hear the complete chord, then compare it with your own sound.
- Why does my ukulele chord buzz or sound muted?
A buzzing finger may be too far from the body-side fret wire or may not press firmly enough. A muted open string is often touching the side of another finger. Use your fingertips, curl the fingers, and check one string at a time.
- How do I change ukulele chords more smoothly?
Practise two chords at a time. Release only enough pressure to move, keep the fingers close to the fretboard, and form the next shape before you strum. Start without a beat, then count four slow beats on each chord.
- Do these chord shapes work with low G and baritone ukuleles?
High-G and low-G ukuleles both use GCEA tuning, so the chord shapes stay the same. A baritone ukulele uses DGBE tuning and needs different chord diagrams.
Keep playing
Add a steady strum or look up more chord shapes.