So you've just got your first ukulele and aren't sure where to start? In this series of articles we'll be taking you through all the chords you need to know to get started beginning in this article with the C chord.
When you first pick up the ukulele, the first chord you need to learn is C. As well as being easy to play and very common, C is the center of the whole music world.
No matter which instrument, the key of C will always be the center of the music.
Play the C major scale on the piano and it will become clear why this is - the C scale uses only the white notes.
To play the C chord, go to the A string (the one closest to the floor) and put your finger at the third fret.
When you play a fret, you should be holding down the string between the steel bar lines. In this case, between the second and third ones.
For soprano ukuleles, you'll want to press down somewhere around the middle of the fret.
For larger ukuleles - such as tenor and baritone ukuleles - you want to fret a little closer to the third fret bar. But be careful not to get too close. If you do get too close to the third fret bar you will start to hear the string buzzing which will distract from the tone significantly.
If you do hear any buzzing move back from the third fret a little (if this doesn't solve the problem, there are other factors that could be causing it such as the action on the ukulele being too low or a particular fret on the uke having been worn down by playing).
How hard to press down is a matter of practice. You should hold it down hard enough so that the note rings out clearly but not so hard that you distort the string and increase its pitch.
Check your fretting by playing the A string on by itself. Does that note sound brightly? Is it muffled? Does it sound like it is in tune with your other strings?
One way to check you are fretting correctly is to play the a string at the third fret and the C string open at the same time. If they sound good together, you are fretting correctly.
Once you have your finger on the A string and it is ringing clearly, you are done. All the other strings are played open for a C chord. - 20768
When you first pick up the ukulele, the first chord you need to learn is C. As well as being easy to play and very common, C is the center of the whole music world.
No matter which instrument, the key of C will always be the center of the music.
Play the C major scale on the piano and it will become clear why this is - the C scale uses only the white notes.
To play the C chord, go to the A string (the one closest to the floor) and put your finger at the third fret.
When you play a fret, you should be holding down the string between the steel bar lines. In this case, between the second and third ones.
For soprano ukuleles, you'll want to press down somewhere around the middle of the fret.
For larger ukuleles - such as tenor and baritone ukuleles - you want to fret a little closer to the third fret bar. But be careful not to get too close. If you do get too close to the third fret bar you will start to hear the string buzzing which will distract from the tone significantly.
If you do hear any buzzing move back from the third fret a little (if this doesn't solve the problem, there are other factors that could be causing it such as the action on the ukulele being too low or a particular fret on the uke having been worn down by playing).
How hard to press down is a matter of practice. You should hold it down hard enough so that the note rings out clearly but not so hard that you distort the string and increase its pitch.
Check your fretting by playing the A string on by itself. Does that note sound brightly? Is it muffled? Does it sound like it is in tune with your other strings?
One way to check you are fretting correctly is to play the a string at the third fret and the C string open at the same time. If they sound good together, you are fretting correctly.
Once you have your finger on the A string and it is ringing clearly, you are done. All the other strings are played open for a C chord. - 20768
About the Author:
Al Wood writes about the ukulele on his blog where you can discover further about ukulele chords and get advice on buying a ukulele.
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