Beginner Ukulele chords
As with the guitar, ukulele can be easy to start with, but of course you can take it as far as you like. Check out some of the virtuoso players on YouTube.
However, I’m starting off with the very basics: simple chord formations and strumming.
Beginner Ukulele Chord Chart –
click on this link for a chart of basic chords for the Key of C and Key of G.
These are easy chord formations for beginner playing* You may notice they are the same as the top (thinnest) 4 strings on a guitar, but in a different key.
You may want to vary the chord formations for other songs or for more advanced playing; there are several sites on the Internet with ukulele chord charts.
You can use whatever fingers are comfortable to press the strings down. Try to keep enough pressure so the strings have a clear, ringing sound when played.
Parts of the ukulele; making chords:
Here is a handy chart I’ve made with the 4 main chords in each key (Tonic, Sub-Dominant, Dominant 7th and Relative Minor). These are the chords mainly used in simple melodies. There are other chord charts available on the Internet for extra chords, but I wanted to have all the main chords, on one page, arranged in their keys.
The Main Chord Table is laid out in a pattern so that each key is next to its neighbour on the Circle of Fifths… you can see the pattern if you look at it, and this will help if you want to change a song to a different key (and also to work out which keys have easier chords to play on uke!).
* Note- these chord patterns are for right-handed playing, i.e. strumming with the right hand, making the chord forms with the left hand on the fingerboard. If you need to play left-handed, you would need to reverse the strings on the ukulele and ‘mirror’ the chord formations.
Tuning:
Note that the strings on a ukulele with standard tuning are tuned to G, C, E, A (from the top as you are holding it), so the G string is higher in pitch than the next 2 strings. If you don’t already have a tuner/piano etc. to tune with, you can find free online tuners or apps, or you can buy cheap clip-on tuners.
Practise a little, frequently, so
a) your fingers don’t get cramped
b) you build up your muscle memory and
c) you develop some hardness in your fingertips!
Strumming:
You can just strum with your right hand; use your thumb and/or fingers to get an even up-down rhythm.
Think about the rhythm of the song- is it a 3/4 (waltz) time or a 4/4 time? Strike the first beat, downwards, a little stronger on each bar: ‘ONE 2, 3, ONE 2, 3’ etc for 3/4 time or ‘ONE,2,3,4, ONE,2,3,4’ etc if the song is in 4/4 rhythm. (Listen to the song in a recording, or sing a bit of the melody, to hear the timing).
Up-strokes: In between the down-strokes, you can flick the strings lightly upwards with your thumb or fingers, e.g. strum “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and”, where the 1,2,3,4 beats are down-strokes and the “and” beats are up-strokes. Don’t stress too much about the rhythm; try to keep it nice and natural, with a loose wrist. It will become easier when you’ve been playing for a while.
Ukulele for Kids
Ukulele is an ideal instrument for children’s little hands. They need to be old enough to be able to press the strings down on the fingerboard, and to remember the tunes and chord formations, but you can teach them an easy song or two and they will have lots of fun.
You can buy cheap ukuleles for around $40 (but make sure that you can tune them and don’t expect them to sound brilliant). Even a toddler will enjoy just strumming.
Easy Ukulele Songs
Easy Levels: I have written these songs out using levels (L.1, L.2 etc) as they match the first levels in my guitar course, so they are very easy to play. I think this is a good way to get into playing the instrument- you can instantly play a few songs, and build up your skill as you have fun.
List of Songs: these are the songs available so far- click on the links to open/download a PDF document with full lyrics and ukulele chords, plus chord diagrams. Some songs are in more than one key/level. Not all levels have songs, as the levels correlate to guitar chord formations.
Here are the songs:
LEVEL 1 – Chords G, D7
- L.1. First Uke songs: Mockingbird (Hush Little Baby) – Key: G; Chords: G,D7 (also in L.12, Key: D)
- L.1. Lord Of The Dance – Key: G; chords: G, D7
- L.1. Los Elefantes – Key: G; Chords: G, D7
- L.1. Mademoiselle from Armentieres (Version 1G) – Key: G; Chords: G, D7
- L.1. Mademoiselle from Armentieres (Version 2G) – Key: G; Chords: G, D7
- L.1. Streets of Laredo – Key: G; chords: G, D7
- L.1. Shortnin’ Bread – Key: G; chords: G, D7
LEVEL 2 – New Chord: C
- L.2. Achy Breaky Heart – easy 2-chord song; Key: C; Chords: C, G
- L.2.- L.13 Achy Breaky Heart – easy 2-chord song; Key: various; Chords: C,G/ D,A /F,C/ G,D
- L.2. Angels We Have Heard On High – Key G;chords: G, C, D7
- L.2 the Boa Constrictor Song – Key G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2 (15). Botany Bay – Key: G; chords: G, C, D7 (Em)
- L.2. Bottle of Wine – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2. the Court of King Caractacus – Key: G; Chords: G, D7, C
- L.2. Dorothy the Dinosaur – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7
- L.2. Goin Up the Country (Canned Heat) – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7
- L.2. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (1G. Cox Family) – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7
- L.2. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (2G simpl.) – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7
- L.2. I’ll Tell Me Ma – Key: G; Chords: G, D7, C
- L.2 (3). It’s A Small World After All – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, (G7)
- L.2. Kum Ba Yah – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2. the Leaving of Liverpool – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7
- L.2. Once in Royal David’s City – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2. the Rose of Allendale – Corries version -Key: G; chords: G,C,D7
- L.2. the Unicorn – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2. Up On the Housetop – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
- L.2-3When The Saints Go Marching In – Key: G; Chords: G, (G7), C, D7
- L.2. Yellow Submarine – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C
Level 3- New Chord: C
- L.3. Away in a Manger – Key G; chords: G, C, D7, G7
- L.3. Banana Boat Song -Basic version – Key: C; chords: C, G7
- L.3. Clementine (oh My Darling Clementine) – Key: C; Chords: C, G7 (also in L.12, Key:D)
- L.3. Folsom Prison Blues – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, G7
- L.3. God’s Dearest Lamb – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, G7
- L.3. Home on the Range (simplified) – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C, G7
- L.2-3. It’s A Small World After All – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, (G7)
- L.3. Kum Ba Yah – Key: G; Chords: G, D7, C
- L.3. La Cucuracha – Key: C; chords: C, G7
- L.3. the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly – Key: C; chords: C, G7
- L.3. Mademoiselle from Armentieres (Version 2C) – Key: C; Chords: C, G7
- L.3. Old Paint – Key: C; chords: C, G7
- L.3. On Top of Spaghetti – Key: G; chords: G, C, D7, G7
- L.3. Swing Low Sweet Chariot – Key: C; chords: easy C, G7
- L.3. Tom Dooley – Key: C; chords: C, G7
- L.3. When The Saints Go Marching In – Key: G; Chords: G, (G7), C, D7
- L.3. Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone – Key: C; Chords: C, G, G7
Level 3+
L.3+ Big Rock Candy Mountains – Key: G; Chords: G, D7, C
LEVEL 4 – New Chord: F
- L.4. the 12 Days of Christmas – Key: C; chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. Auld Lang Syne – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. the Bog Down in the Valley-O (Rattlin’ Bog) – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. Dorothy the Dinosaur – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. Five Grey Elephants – Key: C; chords: C, G7, F
- L. 4 (15). I Will Love You – Key C; Chords: C, F, G7; (Em, Dm)
- L.4. Jingle Bells – Key: C; chords: C, G7, D7, F,
- L.4. Jingle Bells – Key: C (easier version); chords: C, G7, F
- L.4-16. Kenny the Kangaroo – Key C; chords C, F, G7; B7
- L.4. Leaving On A Jet Plane – Key C; chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. the Lion Sleeps Tonight – Key: C; chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. My Grandfather’s Clock (1) – Key:C; Chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. Oh! Susanna – Key: C; chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. A Place in the Choir – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. Rivers of Babylon – Key: C; chords: C, G7,F
- L.4. Running Bear – Key C; chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain – Key: C; chords: C,G7, F
- L.4. South Australia – Key: C; Chords: G, F, G7
- L.4. Swing Low Sweet Chariot – Key: C; chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. Up on the Housetop – Key C; chords: C, F, G7
- L.4. Waltzing Matilda – Key: C; chords: C, G7, F
- L.4. We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F, D7
- L.4. When I First Came to this Land – Key: C; Chords- C, G7, F
- L.4. The Whistling Gypsy Rover – Key C; Chords: C, F, G7
LEVEL 5 – New Chord: Am
- L.5. 10 Green Bottles – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, Am
- L.5. Deck the Halls – Key C; chords: C, G7, F, D7, Am
- L.5. Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Key: G; Chords: G, Am, C
- L.5 (14). Island in the Sun – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, Am, (E7)
- L.5. Masters of War – Key: Am Chords: Am, G, C
- L.5. Ride On – Key: Am; Chords: Am, F, G
- L.5. Turning Away – Key: Am; Chords: Am, F, G
- L.5. Up On the Roof – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G, Am
LEVEL 6 – New Chord: C7
- L.6. The Banana Boat Song – Day-O – Key: F (rec. key); chords: F, C7 (also in L.3 & L.12)
- L.6. Banks Of The Ohio – Key: C; chords: C, F, G, G7, C7
- L.6. Mademoiselle from Armentieres (Version 2F) – Key: F; Chords: F, C7
LEVEL 7 – New Chord: Bb
- L.7. Happy Birthday– Key: F; Chords: F, C7, Bb
- L.7. the Little Drummer Boy – Key: C; chords: C, F, G7, Bb
- L.7. Take me Home, Country Roads – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G, G7, Am, Bb
LEVEL 8 – New Chord: Dm
- L.8. 500 Miles – Key: C; Chords: C, Am, Dm, F, G7, G
- L.8. Carrickfergus – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G7, Am, Dm
- L.8. O Christmas Tree – Key:C; chords: C, G7, Am, Dm
- L.8 Rocky Road to Dublin – Dubliners version – Key: Dm; Chords: C, Dm
- L.8. Rocky Road to Dublin 2 – easy – Dubliners – Key: Dm; Chords: C, Dm
- L.8. Summertime (simplified 1)- Key: Am; chords: Am, C, F, Dm, E7
- L.8. Summertime (simplified 2)- Key: Am; chords: Am, C, F, Dm, E7
LEVEL 9 – New Chord: F7
(No songs done for ukulele with this chord yet …. )
LEVEL 10 – New Chord: Gm
(No songs done for ukulele with this chord yet …. )
LEVEL 11 – New Chord: D
- L.11 Achy Breaky Song – Easy- Key: G; Chords: G,D
- L.11. Dark Eyed Molly – Key: G; chords: G, C, D
- L.11. How Much is That Doggie in the Window? – Key: G; Chords: G, D, D7
- L.11. If I Were A Carpenter – Key: D; chords: C, G, D
- L.11. I’m a Believer (Monkees) – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, F
- L.11. Jambalaya – Key: G; chords: G, D
- L.11. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – Key: C; chords: C, F, G7, G, D7, D
- L.11 (easy). Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone – Key: G; Chords: G, D, D7
- L.11. When a Child is Born – Key: G; chords: G, C, D7, D
LEVEL 12 – New Chord: A7
- L.12. the Banana Boat Song – Day-O – Key D; chords: D,A7 (also in L.3 and L.9)
- L.12. the Boys From the Bush – Key: C; Chords: C, G, F, G7, D, A7
- L.12. Camooweal – Key: D; chords: D, A7, G
- L.12. Clementine (oh My Darling Clementine) – Key: D; Chords: D, A7 (also in L.3, Key: C)
- L.12. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F, C7, Dm, A7
- L.12. Do Smurfs Cry – Key: D; Chords: D, A7, G
- L.12. the Fox Went Out – Key: D; Chords: D, A7, G
- L.12-16. Frosty, the Snowman – Key:G; chords: G, C, D7, D, A7, Am, Bm
- L.12. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (1D. Cox Family) – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7
- L.12. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (2D simpl.) – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7
- L.12. Jingle Bells – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C, A7
- L.12. John Peel – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7
- L.12. the Leaving of Liverpool – Dubliners – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7
- L.12. Maggie (When You and I Were Young) – Key: G; Chords: G, G7, D, D7, C, A7
- L.12. Mockingbird (Hush Little Baby) – Key: D; Chords: D, A7 (also in L.1, Key: G)
- L.12. the Mountains of Mourne (simplified) – Key: D; Chords: D, G, D7, A7
- L.12. My Grandfather’s Clock (2a -1 page) – Key:C; Chords: C, F, G7; D, G, A7
- L.12. My Grandfather’s Clock (2b -2 pages) – Key:C; Chords: C, F, G7; D, G, A7
- L.12. Silent Night – Key: D; chords: D, G, A7
- L.12. Smile The While/Till We Meet Again (1. Simpl.) – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F, D7, A7
- L.12. Smile The While/Till We Meet Again (2.) – Key: C; Chords: C, G7, F, D7, A7; Am, Dm, G, C7
- L.12. We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Key: G; Chords: G, D7, C, A7
- L.12. The Wheels On The Bus -1D – Key: D; Chords: D, A7
- L.12. The Wheels On The Bus -2D – Key: D; Chords: D, A7
Level 12+
L.12+ Don’t Fence Me In – Key: C; Chords: C, C7, G, G7, F, A7, Dm7
LEVEL 13 – New Chord: A
- L.13. Auld Lang Syne – Key: G; Chords: D, G, A
- L.13. Bad Moon Rising – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A
- L.13. Big Yellow Taxi – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A
- L.13. Catfish John – Key: D; chords: D, G, A
- L.13. Dark Eyed Molly – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A
- L.13. If I Were A Carpenter – Key A- chords A, G, D
- L.13. I’ll Fly Away – Key: D; chords: D, D7, G, A
- L.13. King of the Road – easy – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A
LEVEL 14 – New Chord: E7
- L.14. the Boys From the Bush – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, A, D, E7
- L.14. Cottonfields (CCR) – Level 14 – Key: A; Chords: A, D, E7, A7
- L.14. Don Gato – Key: A; Chords: Am, Dm, A7, E7
- L.14. Don’t Fence Me In – Key: G; Chords: G, G7, D, D7, E7, Am7
- L.14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -Key: Am; chords: Am, C, G7, F, Dm, E7
- L.14. Hello Mary Lou – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G, G7, Am, D, E7
- L.14. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (A simpl.) – Key: A; Chords: A, D, E7
- L.14. I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing – Key: D; Chords: D, A7, G, E7
- L.14. Mama Don’t ‘Low No – Key A; chords: A, E7, D7
- L.14. Me and Bobby McGee – Key G-A; chords: G, C, D7, G7; A, D, E7, A7
- L.14. Side By Side – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G7, Dm, A7, D7, E7
- L.14. Shores of Botany Bay – Key Am; chords: Am, C, G7, F, Dm, E7
- L.14. Three Little Fishies – Key: A; Chords: A, A7, D, E7
- L.14. We Three Kings – Key: Am; chords: Am, C, G7, F, Dm, E7
- L.14. When The Saints Go Marching In – Key: A; Chords: A, A7, D, E7
- L.14. Worried Man Blues (1. Carter family) – Key A; chords: A, D, E7
- L.14. Worried Man Blues -Version 2- Key A; chords: A, (A7) D, E7
LEVEL 15 – New Chord: Em
- L.2-15. Botany Bay – Key: G; chords: G, C, D7, Em
- L.15. Comes a Time – Key G; chords: G, C, D, F, Am7, Dm7, Bm –
- L.15. Father and Son – Key: C; Chords: C, G, F, Dm7, Am, Dm, Em – also in Key G; L.16
- L.15. The Fields of Athenry – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, D7, Em – also in Key D; L.16
- L.15. Fernando (Abba) – Key G; Chords: G, Em, Am, D, D7, A7, G7, E7
- L.15. Goin’ Away (Fireballs) – Key: D; chords: D, A, A7, G, Em
- L.15. I Am Australian – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, Em, Am
- L.15. If I Had a Hammer – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C, Em
- L.15-16. Island in the Sun – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7, Em, (B7)
- L. 4-15. I Will Love You – Key C; Chords: C, F, G7; (Em, Dm)
- L.15. Lodi – C.C.R. – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, D7, Em
- L.15. Molly Malone (Cockle and Mussels) – Key: C; Chords: C, Am, G7, Em, Dm
- L.15-17+ Never Smile at a Crocodile – Key G; Chords: G, C, Em, D7, A7, G7, (Bb, Fm)
- L.15. Six Ribbons – Key: Am; Chords: Am, G, F, Em, C
- L.15. Take me Home, Country Roads – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, D7, Em, F
- L.15. Under The Boardwalk – Key: G; chords: G, G7, D, D7, C, Em
- L.15. Wild Mountain Thyme/Will Ye Go Lassie Go? (Corries) – Key: C; Chords: C, G, F, Am, Dm, Em
LEVEL 16 – New Chords: Bm, B7 etc.
- L.16. Early Mornin’ Rain – Key: G; Chords: G, Am, D7, Bm
- L.16. Father and Son – Key:G; Chords: G, D, C, Am7, Em, Am, Bm – also in Key C; L.15
- L.16. The Fields of Athenry – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A, A7, Bm – also in Key G; L.15
- L.16. Forever Young – Key G; Chords: G, C, D7, Bm
- L.12-16. Frosty, the Snowman – Key:G; chords: G, C, D7, D, A7, Am, Bm
- L.16. Hello, Mary Lou – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D, D7, Em, A , B7
- L.15-16. Island in the Sun – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A7, Em, (B7)
- L.16. Kenny the Kangaroo – Key C; chords C, F, G7; B7
- L.16. My Grandfather’s Clock (3 -2 pages) – Key: C; Chords: C, F, G7, D7, Am; D, G, A7 ,E7, Bm
- L.16. the Shores of Botany Bay – Key Em; chords: Em, G, D7, C, Am, B7
- L.16. Side By Side – Key: G; Chords: G, C, D7, Am, E7, A7, B7
- L.16. Thelma Brown (Lived in a Zoo) – Key:G (> A); Chords: G, D7, C, Am, Em, B7, (A, E7, D, Bm)
- L.16. Time and Again (Seekers) – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C, Am, F, Bm
- L.16. When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney – Key: G; chords: G, D7, C, Am, F, Bm
Level 16+
- L.16+ Don’t Fence Me In – Key: D; Chords: D, D7, A, A7, G, B7, Em7
- L.16+ Six Ribbons – Key: Em; Chords: Em, D, C, Bm, G
LEVEL 17 – New Chords: E, Eb
- L.17. Beautiful Dreamer – Key: D; Chords: D, G, A, A7, Em, E
- L.17. Before I met You – Key A; Chords: A, D, E
- L.17. Games People Play – Key A; Chords: A, D, E
- L.17. King of the Road – Key: A>Bb; Chords: A, D, E, (Bb, Eb, F)
- L.17. the Other Side of the Sun – Key: G; Chords: G, G7, C, D, D7, Am, Bm7, F, E
- L.17. Pack Up Your Troubles – Key D; chords: D, G, A, E
- L.17. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – Key: G; Chords: D, G, A7, A, E7, E
- L.17. Spirit in the Sky – Key: A; Chords: A, D, C, E
- L.17. What Child Is This – Key: Am; Chords: Am, C, F, G, E
LEVEL 17+ New Chords: Fm, F#m, Gm, etc.; Cm etc.
- L.17+ Dirty Old Town – Key: A; chords: A, D, F#m, E
- L.17+ Georgy Girl (Seekers) – Key: G; Chords: G, Bm, C, D, F, Em, B7, D7, Dsus2, A, E
- L.17+ Runaway – Key: A; Chords: A, Am, G, F, E, E7, D, F#m
- L.17+ Sailing – Key: A; Chords: A, D, E, E7, Em, Bm, F#m
- L.17+ Sloop John B (1) – Key C; Chords: C, G, G7, F, Fm
- L.17+ Sloop John B (2) – Key G; Chords: G, D, D7, C, Cm
- L.17+ When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Key: D; Chords: D, D7, A, A7, G, E, E7, B7, Bm, F#m
Cathy's Chords 